How to Spend One Day on the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar): A Perfect Puffin-Filled Escape
Puffin Lookout near Big Head Lighthouse
How to Visit the Westman Islands in a Day
If you haven’t heard of the Westman Islands in Iceland—you should absolutely put this one on your bucket list. The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are one of the most underrated places in Iceland, and if you’re visiting during puffin season (May–August - with July being the prime season), you’re in for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. We spent a full day exploring this beautiful island, but you could easily spend a few days soaking up all of the natural beauty. We hope this mini-guide inspires you to visit this majestic islands!
We stopped over during our 5 day road trip through Western and Southern Iceland - and this stop should be on your list!
What are the Westman Islands and Why Should You Visit?
Just off Iceland’s southern coast lies a place that feels like a world of its own—the Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic. This volcanic archipelago is made up of 15 rugged islands, shaped by fire and sea, where puffins outnumber people and lava fields tell stories of resilience. Only one island, Heimaey (or Home Island), is inhabited—and it’s here that the wild beauty, rich history, and peaceful pace of island life come together.
We didn’t expect the Westman Islands to be the highlight of our Iceland trip—but they were. From the moment we stepped off the ferry you feel transported onto another planet with towering cliffs all around you encapsulating this tiny island. Imagine hiking an active volcano, wandering beside towering sea cliffs, spotting puffins swooping through the sky, and ending your day at a cozy local brewery with views of the harbor.
This is a place where Iceland’s raw power meets quiet charm. Whether you’re drawn in by the wildlife, the dramatic landscapes, or just the thrill of discovering somewhere that still feels like a secret—the Westman Islands are an unforgettable detour worth every minute.
Should I Visit for a Day or Spend the Night?
It truly depends on what all you are interested in doing on the Westman Islands. While visiting for a full day is sufficient, if you are interested in spending more time exploring or simply taking time to relax on the island - we would recommend staying overnight. Since we only had 5 days for our road trip, we ultimately decided to visit for a day and then continue on our road trip if we had more time we would most likely have stayed overnight to explore more of the hikes and take a boat tour around the island. The main island (and only fully inhabited island) is called Heimaey (Home Island). This small town has a handful of really nice restaurants and bars and a few hotels and AirBnBs- so there are plenty of places to eat and relax if you are thinking of spending the night. If you are doing a day trip - you will most likely need to pick one or two hikes you are interested in and may have to rush through parts of this island (which you can drive across in about 10-15 minutes). If you are here simply to do a hike and see the puffins - then a quick day trip (we recommend at least 4-5 hours) should be enough time to quickly see those two main attractions.
How to Get Here
Drive to the Landeyjahöfn ferry terminal (about 2 hours from Reykjavík / 1 hour from Selfoss). Be sure to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled Ferry time if bringing your car.
Take the ferry with or without a car. The crossing takes ~40 minutes.
Book in advance on Herjólfur ferry site - tickets can sell out, so be sure to book early.
Bring snacks for the day/hiking; although, there is a basic café onboard the ferry with coffee, beer, and snacks.
As of 2025, expect to pay 2,400 ISK (or roughly $20 USD) per person each way. If you want to bring your car, expect to pay another 2,500 ISK (another $20) each way - however if you are driving a large camper van or motor home, expect to pay more based on the length of the vehicle.
When we took the ferry in July the seas were extremely smooth with very minimal waves; however if you are planning to travel in early Spring or late autumn expect the seas to be a little choppy. During the summer (June-September), cancellations are extremely rare.
TIP: Bringing your car gives you more flexibility to explore the island. But if you’re car-free, hop-on hop-off buses or local tours are available if leaving your vehicle at the port.
Note: Renting a car in Iceland can add up quickly—not just because of the high fuel prices, but also due to mileage caps that many rental companies impose on their base rates. If you plan to drive beyond the included mileage (which is easy to do when exploring regions like the Golden Circle and to the port and back), you’ll need to prepay for the additional distance. We didn’t realize this ahead of time and we had to pay nearly double the original rental price upfront at the airport.
To avoid any hassle, you can book a tour here that leaves from Reykjavik!
Packing List:
Puffin Lookout
The weather can change quite quickly and go from sunshine to rain to windy. You will definitely want to be prepared for some weather variation while you are wandering around the islands. Here is what we recommend bringing:
Waterproof Hiking Boots: We swear by these Columbia hiking boots for men and Salomon boots for women.
We packed a pair of water-resistant hiking pants for park hikes. Matt also really likes these travel pants from Chubbies that are great for travel, dressing up for dinners, and hiking.
Convertible fingerless gloves - No need to struggle with taking pictures while trying to keep your hands from freezing.
Layers are always a good idea so you can adapt to the changing weather. Dry-fit long sleeves and pull-overs are great for under jackets.
A neck gaiter came in handy especially near the cliffs and while hiking.
Pack a lightweight, breathable waterproof jacket. Ash likes this one for women that kept her dry and still looked stylish in photos. A waterproof or at least water-resistant jacket for Iceland is a must.
A compact travel umbrella and a waterproof hat (or hood) are also nice for sudden rain storms.
Reusable water bottle (tap water tastes exactly like the bottled water in Iceland). Save your money and refill in the sink/tap like the locals do.
Lightweight daypack for hikes — great for when adding or shedding layers and to store water/snacks.
Small portable charger (for road trip navigation/photos)
A nice camera for taking those high quality puffin pictures & taking in the postcard-worthy scenery.
One Day Westman Islands Itinerary
Here’s how to make the most of your time on Heimaey (the main island):
07:30 - 08:30 Drive to Landeyjahofn Ferry Terminal from Reykjavik or Selfoss
10:00 - Ferry to Westman Islands
10:45 - Arrive, head to Puffin Lookout and explore the cliffside walking trails near Stórhöfði (Home to the largest Puffin colony in the world!)
12:30 - Hike Eldfell Volcano (expect the hike to take about an hour with stopping for pictures)
13:30 (1:30 PM) - Take a quick visit to Urðaviti Lighthouse and wander around the volcanic cliffs and sea arches overlooking the ocean
14:00 (2:00 PM) - Lunch (or an early dinner) at Gott Restaurant + quick shopping downtown
15:00 (3:00 PM) - Explore near Elephant Rock (by the golf course) & drive about 5 minutes up the coast to a beautiful scenic lookout with more puffins
15:30 (3:30 PM) - Visit Stafkirkjan Church - the Stave Church or alternatively visit the Beluga Whale Sanctuary
17:00 - Unwind with a flight of beers at Brothers Brewery (try the kolsh and the sours!)
18:00 - Evening ferry return then drive to your next destination
Tours and Excursions
Take a RIB boat tour to see caves and sea cliffs from the water
If you are short on time - opt for a guided tour of the island
Visit the Eldheimar Volcano Museum for an immersive history of the 1973 eruption
Explore the Herjólfsdalur Valley for scenic walks and wild sheep spotting
Golf with amazing views at the Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club
Hike the popular volcano and trails of Heimaklettur (Home Rock), Eldfell and Helgafell volcanoes, and Stórhöfði (the walk around Puffin Point).
Take a volcano ATV tour
If not renting a vehicle to get to the port, you can book a tour here from Reykjavik!
Don’t Miss:
Puffins on the cliff trail at Stórhöfði (we saw hundreds of Puffins!)
The panoramic view from the top of Eldfell (short hike)
The iconic Elephant Rock - viewable by zodiac boat tour around the island
A drink at Brothers Brewery to unwind
Insider Tips:
Puffins are best viewed May to early August - we visited at the peak in July and saw hundreds (not an exaggeration) of puffins Puffins are best viewed up close on the cliffside in the morning hours and hunting for fish off just off the cliffs in the afternoon).
Weather changes quickly—bring a wind/rain jacket and be sure to dress in layers!
It’s small enough to see the highlights in a full day. It was a little hazy for us due to a volcanic eruption near the Blue Lagoon. Fog can also roll across the island frequently. If spending the night, you’ll have an extra chance at nice weather.
While you can get around without a car, we would recommend bringing your rental car or renting a scooter or ATV so you have more freedom to explore on your own
If you have more time, spend the night for a slower pace and sunset walks
If not bringing your rental car, you can book the Hop-On, Hop-Off tour to take you to the different points around the island.
A visit to the Westman Islands is a must do, especially if you are visiting during prime puffin season in the summer. Check out this hidden gem and enjoy the amazing beauty these islands have to offer!
If you want to see more of Iceland check out our full 5-day road trip blog post or our 36 hour Iceland blog post.
Vikin Beach
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