Volcano ATV Tour Heimaey Island: Ride Eldfell & Coast

Drive into the crater of a volcano that erupted fifty years ago

A one-hour ATV tour on Heimaey Island in Vestmannaeyjar takes you around Eldfell volcano, through lava fields, and along the coast to Prestvik beach. The ATVs are automatic and require no riding experience; a driver's license is needed for the rider, and passengers must be at least 6 years old. A live guide in English leads the route through historical sites tied to the island's volcanic past and maritime rescues.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV tour around Vestmannaeyjar volcano

• Drive to Prestvik beach
• View Pelagus shipwreck site
• See Guðlaugur Friðþórsson landing spot
• Drive around lava fields
• Enter Eldfell volcano crater
• Drive along the coast

The Experience

You arrive on Heimaey Island with an afternoon free, or you're between ship excursions and want something that doesn't eat the whole day. An hour on an ATV gets you into the middle of Eldfell—the volcano that erupted in 1973 and reshaped the island—and out along the coast without needing to arrange a separate guide or vehicle. The ATVs are automatic, so if you can drive a car, you can ride one; passengers ride behind the driver and don't need any experience at all. Gloves, helmet and overalls are provided.

The route takes you to Prestvik beach, where the fishing ship Pelagus ran aground, and to the spot where Guðlaugur Friðþórsson came ashore after swimming 5 to 6 kilometers through dark, cold sea when his ship Hellisey VE 503 sank. You drive around the lava field and into the crater itself, then along the coast where the island's volcanic geology and the sea meet. A guide rides with the group and narrates the history and geography in English, so the stops have context instead of just views.

The tour works for families—children from age 6 can ride as passengers—and for solo travelers or pairs who want to split the riding. If you're arriving on a cruise ship, there's a note about refunds if weather keeps the ship from docking, so the booking doesn't hang on conditions outside anyone's control.

What’s included

• Helmet, gloves and overalls.
• one-hour guided ATV ride around Eldfell volcano, through lava fields and along the coast.
• stops at Prestvik beach and the site where a swimmer came ashore after a maritime rescue.
• live guide in English.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Volcano ATV

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a free afternoon on Heimaey Island and want to cover the volcano and coast without renting a car or waiting for a group tour to fill. The automatic ATVs mean no riding skill is required, and the guide handles the route and the history, so you just ride and listen.

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Top questions

Can I ride an ATV if I've never done it before?

Yes. The ATVs are automatic and easy to operate, so no specific riding experience is required. You do need a valid driving license if you're the rider, and passengers need to be at least 6 years old.

What happens at Prestvik beach during the tour?

Prestvik beach is one of the stops where you see the fishing ship Pelagus, which ran aground there. It's part of the island's maritime history that the guide explains as you ride.

Is Eldfell the volcano we drive into?

Yes. Eldfell erupted in 1973 and reshaped Heimaey Island. During the tour, you drive around the lava and into the middle of the volcano crater itself, so you're not just viewing it from a distance.

What's included in the tour price?

The one-hour ATV ride, helmet, gloves, overalls, and a live guide in English who leads the route and explains the historical sites are all included.

How does the tour work if I'm traveling solo?

You can book as a solo rider, which means you ride your own ATV. If you prefer, you can book as a shared rider and ride with another guest, splitting the cost.