Vestmannaeyjar

Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago off Iceland’s southern coastline consisting of a cluster of volcanic islands and skerries, with the main inhabited island Heimaey. The islands are volcanic in origin and feature steep cliffs, lava fields and rich seabird colonies.

The archipelago is notable for seabird populations, including large puffin colonies, and for the town on Heimaey which functions as the islands’ transport and service hub. The islands combine natural history, fisheries and local community life.

A major event in recent history was the 1973 eruption of Eldfell on Heimaey, which led to an evacuation and significant lava emplacement that altered the island’s coastline; extensive emergency cooling of lava flows helped preserve the harbour. The eruption and subsequent recovery are central to the modern history of the islands.

Vestmannaeyjar lies off Iceland’s south coast and is reached by ferry and air services from the mainland.

• Archipelago Size: An archipelago of roughly a dozen to two dozen islands and many skerries off Iceland's south coast, with the inhabited island Heimaey as the main settlement.
• Seabird Colonies: Important seabird colonies, especially large Atlantic puffin populations on cliffs of the islands, attract wildlife-focused visits in summer.

What to See #

• Heimaey (main island): The main inhabited island, Heimaey, contains the town of Vestmannaeyjar, a harbour and residential areas rebuilt after the 1973 eruption.
• Eldfell volcano: Eldfell is the volcano that erupted on Heimaey in 1973, producing lava flows that reshaped parts of the island and led to major emergency works on the harbour.