The Westman Islands, Your Way

The short version

• Completely private — your guide and vehicle belong only to your booking
• We take the vehicle across — the same guide and vehicle from your hotel to Heimaey and back
• The 1973 eruption — walk a landscape transformed by Iceland's most famous modern eruption
• Puffins in season — Heimaey is one of Iceland's most important puffin areas (sightings never guaranteed)
• Island life — what it's actually like to live on an active volcanic island
• Your pace — stop for photos, linger where you love it, adjust the day with your guide
• Reykjavík pickup and drop-off included
• A true full-day adventure — the ferry crossing is part of the experience

Iceland feels different out here

Just off Iceland's South Coast lies a small group of islands shaped by volcanoes, ocean, weather and extraordinary resilience. Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands — and one of the most fascinating places you can visit in Iceland.

In 1973, a volcanic eruption began without warning just outside town. Families were evacuated overnight. Lava buried homes, transformed the landscape and almost closed the island's harbour. Today the volcano is quiet, the town is thriving, and the island has become one of Iceland's most memorable places to explore.

Your private TINDUR guide collects you directly from Reykjavík and travels with you throughout the entire day. We drive to Landeyjahöfn, board the ferry together and take our vehicle across to Heimaey. Once on the island there's no bus schedule and no large group. It's your day: explore the volcanic landscape, hear the stories of the people who live here, look for puffins when they're in season, and experience an Iceland that feels completely different from the mainland.

An island deserves more than a rushed stop

The day, roughly

1. Pickup Your driver-guide collects you directly from your Reykjavík hotel or accommodation, then heads east along the South Coast toward Landeyjahöfn — roughly two hours depending on pickup location and conditions. Use the drive to talk about South Iceland, geology, the Westman Islands and the day's plan; a short coffee stop may be made if timing allows
2. Ferry out Board the Herjólfur ferry at Landeyjahöfn — your private vehicle travels across with you. The normal crossing is relatively short, with excellent views as Heimaey approaches; you're free to leave the vehicle and enjoy the ferry. Schedules and routes can change with sea and weather conditions, and the day's itinerary adapts to the ferry timetable
3. Heimaey Drive off the ferry directly onto the island. First impressions: the harbour, the town, the volcanic landscape all around it — and the story of how people live here. It immediately feels different from mainland Iceland
4. Eldfell Visit the volcano behind the dramatic 1973 eruption, with an optional short walk or hike depending on weather, time, trail conditions and how you're feeling — no strenuous summit push required to enjoy it. Your guide tells the story properly: how it began, how the islanders escaped overnight, how the lava threatened the harbour, and how the island changed forever
5. Lunch Time for lunch in town — not included in the tour price, but your guide will happily recommend somewhere for seafood, Icelandic classics or something casual, based on what you feel like
6. Stórhöfði When season, conditions and access allow, we visit Stórhöfði or another suitable wildlife viewpoint. Heimaey is one of Iceland's most important puffin nesting areas, and during puffin season we do our best to find them — though puffins are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed. Outside the season it remains a beautiful coastal stop
7. The coastline More of Heimaey's drama, chosen for the day: Elephant Rock viewpoints, black volcanic coastline, harbour views, Herjólfsdalur, the stave church, local beaches and lava formations. Because this is private, your guide picks the best combination of stops for the day's conditions, ferry schedule and your interests
8. Ferry back Return to the harbour and board the ferry with the vehicle. Relax on the crossing back to Landeyjahöfn
9. Return The drive home is for conversation and recommendations — restaurants, hot springs, road trips, northern lights, or your next private TINDUR tour. Drop-off directly at your Reykjavík accommodation, roughly 10–11 hours after we picked you up

Make the island your own

Optional activities may change the schedule and total tour price and should be arranged in advance.

Private changes the crossing too

Good to know

Who is this tour for?

• Couples
• Families
• Friends
• First-time Iceland visitors
• Repeat visitors
• Volcano enthusiasts
• Wildlife enthusiasts
• Photographers
• Guests wanting something beyond standard mainland sightseeing
• Travelers comfortable with a full-day experience

Some optional walks involve uneven terrain — contact us before booking about any mobility concerns and we'll adapt the itinerary where possible. And tactfully: guests who are strongly prone to seasickness should consider whether a ferry-based experience is right for them.

The sea gets a vote

Ferry operations depend on Icelandic sea and weather conditions. Most departures operate normally from Landeyjahöfn, but schedules, departure ports and crossings can occasionally change.

Because of this, Westman Islands bookings are initially confirmed only after we have checked ferry availability and operating conditions. If conditions make the planned tour impractical, we'll contact you and follow our rescheduling and cancellation policy.

Coming for the puffins?

Puffin viewing is seasonal, primarily during the warmer months. Dates vary from year to year, and sightings depend on nature and conditions — we never advertise guaranteed puffin sightings.

Outside puffin season, the tour runs around volcanic history, landscapes, coastline and island culture — and loses none of its drama.

The route

Photos