Puffin and Volcano Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: Walk Eldfell Crater
Stand in the middle of a volcano crater instead of looking at it from a distance.
A two-hour puffin and volcano tour in Vestmannaeyjar led by a local guide, with stops at Eldfell crater, Stórhöfði puffin colony, Herjólfsdalur valley, Elephant rock, and Viking Town. The tour includes admission to Viking Town and travels by air-conditioned vehicle from the harbour. Puffin sightings depend on season and weather. The tour is not suitable for children under 3 or for travelers with difficulty walking, and involves frequent stops and short walks between sites.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Heimaey Island's nature and culture
- See guide perform local island sport
- Visit Herjólfsdalur and puffin colony
- Tour the Viking Town
- View the Elephant rock from outside
- Visit Stórhöfði puffin colony
- Explore Eldfell volcano crater
The experience
The tour starts at the harbour in Vestmannaeyjar and moves through the island's main sights in two hours. Your guide drives you to Stórhöfði, the windiest place in Europe and home to Iceland's biggest puffin colony: the birds nest on the cliffs and you watch them from the overlook. From there the route takes you through Herjólfsdalur valley, where a smaller puffin colony lives, and past Elephant rock, a sea stack that shapes the island's skyline.
The centerpiece is Eldfell, the volcano that erupted in 1973 and reshaped the island. You walk into the middle of the crater itself, standing on the ground where the eruption started. The crater is still warm in places and the lava field surrounds you. It's the kind of geology most volcano tours show you from a viewpoint. Here you're inside it. Your guide also shows you the local sport the islanders play, a detail that anchors the tour in how people actually live on the island.
The tour includes a stop at Viking Town, a reconstructed settlement in the valley where you step inside a traditional turf house and taste Icelandic food. The vehicle is air-conditioned and you're getting in and out frequently to walk short stretches between stops. Check in at the harbour at least 15 minutes before the 9:30 departure. Puffin sightings are not guaranteed (they depend on the season and weather), and the entire tour can be cancelled or rescheduled if conditions don't allow it.
What’s included
- Local guide in English.
- admission to Viking Town.
- air-conditioned vehicle for the route between stops.
Options for this experience
2 optionsBefore you book
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Eyjatours
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to walk inside a volcano crater and see puffin nesting sites on the same morning: most volcano tours keep you at a distance, and most puffin tours don't include the geology. The two-hour length fits a port call or a morning in Vestmannaeyjar without eating the whole day.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
When do puffins nest on Vestmannaeyjar and will I see them on this tour?
Puffins return to Vestmannaeyjar in spring and stay through summer, with peak numbers in June and July. The tour visits Stórhöfði and Herjólfsdalur, both puffin nesting sites, but sightings depend on the season and weather conditions. There is no guarantee you will see them.
What is Eldfell and why does this tour go inside the crater?
Eldfell is a volcano that erupted in 1973 and created new land on the island. The tour walks you into the middle of the crater where the eruption began, so you stand on the lava field itself instead of viewing it from a distance. The crater is still warm in places.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
The tour involves frequent stops and short walks between sites, with getting in and out of the vehicle several times. It is not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking, and the operator notes that you'll be moving around the island throughout the two hours.
What happens at Viking Town and is it included?
Viking Town is a reconstructed settlement in Herjólfsdalur valley where you step inside a traditional turf house and taste authentic Icelandic food. Admission to Viking Town is included in the tour price.
Where does the tour depart from and do I need to arrange my own transport?
The tour departs from the harbour in Vestmannaeyjar at 9:30. The operator does not offer pick-up or transfer service, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to the harbour. Public transportation options are available nearby.
What should I know before booking this tour?
Check in at least 15 minutes before departure. The tour is not suitable for children under 3 years old. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. All trips depend on weather conditions, and if cruise ships cannot arrive due to weather, the operator refunds 50 percent of the total amount.
Puffin and Volcano Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: Walk Eldfell Crater
2h · EN
from US$ 120 per person
4.93910 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider