Elliðaey
Island Remote Icelandic island with solitary house
A small island in Vestmannaeyjar, Elliðaey has a solitary stone hut and dense puffin colonies; boat trips from the Westman Islands bring birdwatchers and photographers during the summer breeding season.
Elliðaey is an island in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) archipelago off the south coast of Iceland, noted for its seabird colonies and a single small building on the island. It is part of Iceland’s Southern Region administrative area.
The island is notable for abundant seabird life and for the solitary property often discussed in travel writing; there are no permanent settlements and visits are typically by private boat. The landscape is grassy and suited to bird colonies and maritime wildlife.
Traditionally the island was used seasonally for bird hunting and egg collecting; the single house on Elliðaey has been associated with a local hunting association and seasonal use rather than permanent habitation.
Elliðaey lies within the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off Iceland’s south coast and is reached by sea from the larger inhabited islands in the group.
- Single house and population: A single small house on the island is owned and used by a local hunting association; Elliðaey has no permanent civilian population.
How to Get to Elliðaey #
Elliðaey is part of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) archipelago off south Iceland. Regular car/ferry services go from the mainland to Heimaey (the main inhabited island) - ferries operate from Landeyjahöfn/Þorlákshöfn to Heimaey seasonally - but there is no scheduled public ferry to Elliðaey itself; reaching Elliðaey requires a private boat from Heimaey or a licensed charter.
Tips for Visiting Elliðaey #
- Elliðaey in the Westman Islands is not served by regular public ferries and the small house on the island is private, so the usual way to see it is from guided boat trips around the Westman archipelago - join an organised tour rather than attempting an unplanned landing.
- Visit in summer for the best chance to see birdlife and to take calmer sea trips from Landeyjahöfn or Heimaey; avoid trying to access the island independently without permission due to its private status and fragile breeding sites.
Best Time to Visit Elliðaey #
Best visited in summer (June-August) for the mildest conditions, birdlife and the greatest chance of boat access.
Weather & Climate near Elliðaey #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from 1°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1460 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (144 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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