Drive from hotel
1.5 hrs
Accessability
Boat or plane
Season
All
The Westman Islands – Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic – are one of Iceland’s best kept secrets. The harbor is located just 25 minutes from Hotel Rangá and the ferry ride to the islands is a short 30 or so minutes. Visitors are able to bring their cars on the ferry or just walk on. The island is full of fun activities like boat tours, two museums and even the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary and puffin rescue center. There are also several delicious restaurants and even a local brewery.
Visitors to the Westman Islands can also hike up Eldfell–the volcano that erupted in 1973 and caused islanders to evacuate. No need to worry, the walking track is perfectly safe. From the top of Eldfell you can get a great view of the 1973 lava flow and see how the eruption actually expanded the island. If you’re more adventurous, try the Heimaklettur track that takes you up to the top of the Westman Islands’ Home Rock. This path is very steep and there are chains and ladders to help your ascent.
The Westman Islands are also known for their abundance of puffins. There is actually a puffin observatory where visitors can get a close up view of the little creatures as they fly around their nesting area. The best time to see puffins on the islands is during the summer months between May and August.
FAQ about Westman Islands
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The Westman Islands are a cluster of islands located off the south coast of Iceland close to the village of Hvolsvöllur. Heimaey is the only island that is inhabited and there are two active volcanoes on the island. Eldfell last erupted in 1973 and caused the island to evacuate.
From Hotel Rangá the shortest way to get to the island is by boat from Landeyjahöfn harbor. It takes about 25 minutes to drive from Hotel Rangá to Landeyjahöfn harbor. From there, it is a 30 minute ferry ride. During the summer, there are also flights available from Bakki airport.
No, it is not necessary to bring a car to the Westman Islands. The distances are fairly short for walking and there are bus tours available on the island. However, it is a good idea to bring a car if you wish to drive around the island or if you have trouble walking. When you book your ticket on the ferry there is an option to add a vehicle.
There are plenty of things to do and see on the Westman Islands. Visitors can do boat tours, rib safari tours, puffin watching and hiking. There are also two museums, delicious local restaurants, a brewery, a beluga whale sanctuary and a community pool.
Distances from Westman Islands
On our social media channels we frequently post tips, tricks & fun facts about Iceland with the hashtag #knowIceland.
It takes about 25 minutes to drive to the Landeyjafhöfn harbor from Hotel Rangá. The ferry ride is about 30-40 minutes.
It takes 2 hours to drive to Landeyjahöfn harbor from Reykjavík. The ferry ride to the Westman Islands is about 30-40 minutes.
Yes, it is possible to visit the Westman Islands all year. However, since the islands are accessible only via ferry and plane, it is very important to check the weather before planning your trip. During the summer, the ferry runs very regularly. During the winter, bad weather can delay the ferry or even cancel the trip. We therefore recommend that you visit the Westman Islands in the summer months. You can always check in the Hotel Rangá reception before booking your trip.
