Vestmannaeyjar Puffins & Volcanoes Small Group Tour

Hike a volcano and watch puffins on an island shaped by eruption

A guided day tour from Reykjavik to Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) with puffin spotting at Stórhöfði cape, entry to the Eldheimar Museum, and a hike up Mt. Eldfell volcano. Includes a 19-seat minibus, ferry tickets, and an English-speaking guide. The tour runs 12.5 hours and is suitable for all fitness levels. Children are welcome from age 6. Lunch at a local restaurant is at your own expense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vestmannaeyjar and Heimaey Island

• Depart from Reykjavík by minibus
• Ferry to Heimaey Island
• Visit Elephant Rock
• Watch puffins at Stórhöfði cape
• Tour Eldheimar Museum
• Lunch break downtown (not included)
• Explore Skansinn and Stafkirkjan church
• Hike Mt. Eldfell volcano
• Free time to explore town or lava fields
• Ferry back to mainland
• Return to Reykjavík by evening

The experience

The day starts with a two-hour drive from Reykjavik in a 19-seat minibus, then a 30-minute ferry crossing to Heimaey, the largest island in the Westman Islands. Your guide leads the group through the highlights: Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora), a basalt formation carved during the 1973 volcanic eruption that towers above the water; Stórhöfði cape, where puffins nest from mid-April through August and spend their days fishing and tending burrows; and the Eldheimar Museum, built partly over the remains of a house buried in volcanic ash during that same eruption. The reason locals call it the "Pompeii of the North."

After lunch on your own, you'll visit Skansinn by the harbor to see Stafkirkjan, a black wooden Norse church, then climb Mt. Eldfell itself. The volcano erupted in 1973 and reshaped the island. From the summit you look out over lava fields, the town below, and the surrounding ocean. On the way back down, you can either stroll through the lava fields or head straight to the harbor. The ferry departs in the late afternoon, returning you to Reykjavik by evening.

The minibus seats 19 people maximum, so the group stays small. WiFi is available on board, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. You cannot bring luggage or suitcases on this tour, so plan accordingly if you're traveling between accommodations.

What’s included

• Guided minibus ride from Reykjavik (19 seats, air-conditioned, with WiFi on board).
• ferry tickets to and from Heimaey.
• entry to the Eldheimar Museum.
• English-speaking driver guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Sep 2027

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Your Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling solo or with a small group and want everything (puffin spotting, volcano hiking, and museum visits) covered in one day from Reykjavik with a single guide steering the route and pace.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 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.

Can I see puffins on this tour to Vestmannaeyjar?

Yes. Puffin watching happens at Stórhöfði cape, where they nest and feed from mid-April through August. The tour includes time to photograph them and watch their daily behavior.

What is the Eldheimar Museum and why is it called the Pompeii of the North?

Eldheimar documents the 1973 volcanic eruption that buried houses and reshaped Heimaey. The museum is built partly over the remains of a house preserved under volcanic ash, much like Pompeii was buried by Mount Vesuvius.

How difficult is the hike up Mt. Eldfell?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The hike to the summit of Eldfell is included, and you'll have time to explore the lava fields or return to the harbor at your own pace afterward.

What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the minibus ride from Reykjavik, ferry tickets to and from Heimaey, entry to the Eldheimar Museum, and an English-speaking guide. Lunch at a local restaurant is not included and is at your own expense.

How long is the full day, and what time do I return to Reykjavik?

The tour is 12.5 hours total, departing Reykjavik in the morning and returning by evening. The ferry departs Heimaey in the late afternoon to meet the schedule.