Heimaey

Puffins and the 1973 eruption bring most people to Heimaey, a short ferry ride from Iceland's south coast.

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Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands, a small group off Iceland's south coast, and the only one with a permanent town. Most people come for the Atlantic puffins that nest on the island's cliffs and for the 1973 eruption, when a new volcano, Eldfell, opened near the town and lava ran toward the harbor entrance. The ferry from the mainland takes about 35 minutes.

The town is compact and built around its harbor, so most of it can be covered on foot. Heimaey suits a short trip built around the ferry timetable and a walk to the cliffs, or a longer stay for birdwatching and slower days. Puffins are most visible from late spring through summer, when they are nesting. Plan at least one full day to see the highlights. Services cluster in town, so buy food and water before walking out to the lava fields.

Heimaey in five

Book the Herjólfur ferry before anything elseHerjólfur sails between Landeyjahöfn and Vestmannaeyjar in 35 minutes, with 8 journeys a day in summer. Be at check-in at least 30 minutes before departure; boarding closes 5 minutes before.Herjólfur schedule
Check which harbor the ferry usesOn days when the ferry sails to Þorlákshöfn instead of Landeyjahöfn, departure times and the drive from Reykjavík change. Look at the schedule page the day before and again that morning.
Visit Eldheimar for the 1973 eruptionThe museum is built around a house buried when the eruption began on 23 January 1973. Summer hours are daily 11:00 to 17:00; an adult ticket is listed at 3,550 kr.Eldheimar
Time puffins and pufflingsThe ferry operator calls Vestmannaeyjar Europe's largest puffin colony and says pufflings leave their burrows in August and September, when local children rescue those that land in town.
Avoid the Þjóðhátíð weekend unless it is the planThe three-day festival in Herjólfsdalur has run since 1874. Eldheimar changed its 2026 hours for 31 July to 3 August, so rooms and ferry seats around the first weekend of August fill early.

Things to do in Heimaey

See all attractions in Heimaey

Zoo · HeimaeyBeluga Whale Sanctuary

Sight · HeimaeyHelgafell

a house on the shore of a lake with mountains in the background

Landmark · HeimaeyHerjólfsdalur

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HeimaeyPut the places you like in Heimaey on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn, 35 min; free parking at the harbors
From Reykjavík: About 2 hours' drive to Landeyjahöfn, then the ferry
Getting around: Walk the town; tours, bike and e-bike hire for the island
Best base: Vestmannaeyjar town, by the harbor
Time needed: A long day trip; one night to avoid ferry rush

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain21 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low1°Storms, quiet
FebruaryRain21 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low2°Storms, quiet
MarchRain21 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low2°Windy, quiet
AprilRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low4°Cool, quiet
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Puffins, Puffin Run
JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Puffins, long days
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Puffins, Goslok
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Þjóðhátíð, pufflings
SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Pufflings
OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh8°Low6°Wet, windy
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh6°Low3°Short days
DecemberRain19 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low2°Darkest

Average daily high and low in Heimaey, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Heimaey

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 5°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 36 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Heimaey

08:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today9°9°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 98%.
Tue9°7°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 99%.
Wed9°7°41%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 41%.
Thu10°8°76%Thursday: Rain. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 76%.
Fri8°3°33%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sat9°7°48%Saturday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 48%.
Sun9°5°63%Sunday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 63%.

Updated 06:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 121.8 ISK

Amount

Converted to

ISK · Icelandic Króna

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Heimaey

Car for LandeyjahöfnPark free at the harbor, board on footCompare car hire

Puffin and volcano toursBoat, land and quad routes on the islandCompare tours

eSIM for ferry daySchedule changes show up on your phoneRead the guide

Insurance for ferry disruptionMissed sailings and cancelled toursRead the guide

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Rules for Heimaey, checked

Herjólfur: cancel more than 24 hours before arrival time for a refund; later cancellations are not refundable; changes or cancellations cost 500 ISK.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Eldheimar: adults 3,550 kr, ages 10 to 18 1,900 kr, under 10 free; summer opening is daily 11:00 to 17:00.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

Plan around Heimaey

All of Iceland

How the island fits a wider Iceland trip

Read the guide South Coast

The road corridor to Landeyjahöfn and beyond

Read the guide Reykjavík

Base city, 2 hours' drive from the ferry

Read the guide Best time to visit Iceland

Puffin season, pufflings and festival dates

Read the guide Renting a car abroad

Excess, wind damage and gravel cover

Read the guide

Heimaey FAQ

How long is the ferry to Heimaey?

The Herjólfur sailing from Landeyjahöfn takes 35 minutes. Add about 2 hours' drive from Reykjavík to the harbor, and arrive at check-in at least 30 minutes before departure.

Can you visit the Westman Islands as a day trip from Reykjavík?

Yes, with an early start, because the ferry operator lists up to 8 daily journeys in summer. Other seasons have their own timetables and the harbor can change, so check the schedule before you fix a return time.

When can you see puffins on Heimaey?

Visit Iceland gives May to mid-August for puffins in Iceland generally. On Heimaey the ferry operator adds that pufflings take their first flights in August and September, which is the baby puffin rescue season.

Do you need a car on Heimaey?

Not for the town. The harbor, museums and swimming pool are close together, and island tours, bikes and e-bikes cover the rest. Leave the car at the free harbor parking on the mainland if you board on foot.

Is Heimaey worth the ferry for a first Iceland trip?

It suits travelers with a spare day who want puffins, an eruption museum and a small town. If you only have a few days, the Golden Circle and South Coast usually deliver more landscape for the time.