Embark on an extraordinary journey to the Westman Islands with our comprehensive guide, "Pirates, Hiking, and Volcanoes: The Ultimate Guide to the Westman Islands." For an immersive and flexible adventure, consider the convenience and mobility of an Iceland campervan. From the panoramic views atop Eldfell volcano to the charming town of Heimaey, a campervan enhances your Westman Islands experience, ensuring that each facet of this unique destination is met with comfort and ease.
The Westman Islands might catch your eye as you putt along the south coast, but for many, this volcanic archipelago seems too far out of the way to include on a campervan trip. Still, very much in the making, the Westman Islands are amongst Iceland’s youngest landscapes, sharing the same precarious position on a volcanic rift that feeds the explosive volcanoes Hekla and Krafla. This means, though, that the landscapes are amongst the most beautiful and prehistoric – soaring cliffs, lush verdant plains, and freshly hardened lava fields all make up these islands.
Heimaey is the only one that is inhabited, where around 5000 people proudly live their lives on Iceland’s southern edge, making it one of the biggest settlements in the country. But they’re far outnumbered by the millions of sea birds who call this their home in the summer months; the craggy cliffs are the ideal breeding ground for puffins, arctic terns, and more. Coupled with a lot of peaceful hiking and views back towards the epic glaciers of south Iceland on a clear day, you’ve got one of the country’s most underappreciated regions, perfect for a visit while on your Icelandic camper trip.
How to Get There
There’s only one way to get to Heimaey if you’re in a campervan, and that is to take the ferry from Landeyjahöfn. You can either book space to take your campervan over if you plan on staying the night or leave it parked in the ferry terminal parking lot and take yourself over. You can book your tickets here. If you plan on being on the island during the first weekend of August, book way ahead – it’s the weekend of the biggest festival in Iceland and will be extremely busy.
What to Do There
Despite its small size, the Westman Islands offer many cool sights and activities.
Eldheimar Museum
Eldheimar Museum is by far and away the best thing to see on the island. This historic museum is a remembrance and memorial of the violent eruption in 1973 and what it meant for the island. Inside, you can explore a great display of photos, videos, personal accounts, and even some ruins from the actual eruption.
Hiking Trails
There are plenty of hiking trails on the island, particularly the many different trails that lead up to Mt Blatindur. Severe drops from either side once you’re up the top call for some caution. The other two popular mountains for hiking here are Mt Helgafell and Mt Eldfell, the latter laying claim to the title of Iceland’s youngest mountain. One trail will lead you toward the center of the crater, where the ground is still warm from the most recent eruption, and only 1m below the surface, temperatures reach a scorching 470°C.
Heimaklettur
If you’re after the most challenging hike on the island, investigate heading towards the highest point Heimaklettur, a difficult but immensely rewarding trek that swoops around the north western edge of the harbor. Remember to be respectful of your surroundings, stick to the trails, and follow the lead of any signage in the area when trekking anywhere in Iceland.
Sagnheimar Folk Museum
Another museum on the island is the Sagnheimar Folk Museum, delving into the island's history in fascinating detail. Equal parts horrifying and fascinating is the story of Algerian pirates raiding the island in the 17th century, pillaging, plundering, and burning farms before capturing 242 of the 500 locals who called the island home at the time. Many place names on the island recall the horrific attack: Pirates’ Bay, Hundred Man Cave (where it’s said that 100 people hid when the attack took place), and the fish caves where others sought refuge.
Watching Puffins
Of course, puffins are a big part of any island visit. This is where Iceland’s largest puffin colony comes every summer, over 2 million of them. During August, it has become an island tradition for the local children to go out in the evening and save newly hatched baby puffins, who have become confused by the lights of the town and lost their way instead of making it to the ocean. They’re taken care of overnight and released at sea the next morning. To see the puffin colony for yourself, head to the island's cliffs – the biggest collection is around the northwest, but you can also see them all along the west coast, in the south, and a bay area in the east. See the map below for details.
Stórhöfði
Heading to the southernmost point of the island will bring you to a place called Stórhöfði, the windiest place in all of Iceland. The strongest wind ever recorded in the northern hemisphere was recorded at this point and regularly experiences winds only rivaled by those of Antarctica. This is also a great place to see puffins.
Slippurinn Restaurant
There are also plenty of great places to eat on the island. Slippurinn might be the best restaurant in Iceland outside of Reykjavik. Seasonal and local dishes are lovingly prepared using old Icelandic cooking techniques, presented with a modern flourish. Fiskibarinn and the restaurant Gott are also highly rated. For drinks, the local Brothers Brewery crafts its own award-winning beer.
For the self-caterers, there’s both a Bonus and Kronan in town.
Camping
The campsite on Heimaey also happens to be one of Iceland’s most spectacular, with easy access to a myriad of hiking trails nearby. The natural amphitheater that hosts the August festival, Thjóðhátíð, is nearby, the site where tens of thousands of Icelanders gather to drink, dance, light bonfires, and watch fireworks every August. The central building has showers, a large kitchen for cooking, laundry facilities, and even a drying room. The local swimming pool is very close as well. The price for the campsite is 1500 ISK per person per night.
Conclusion
The Westman Islands are such a fun stop that a lot of people skip, but they’re totally worth adding to your campervan trip. These volcanic islands have awesome scenery— tall cliffs, green fields, and fresh lava. Heimaey is the only island where people live, with about 5,000 residents, but it’s also home to millions of seabirds, including the biggest puffin colony in Iceland. You can hike volcanic craters, check out some cool museums, and grab a meal at Slippurinn, which might be one of the best restaurants outside Reykjavik. The mix of nature, history, and local charm makes the Westman Islands a must-visit.
