Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi — Heimaey Puffins, Eldfell Crater & Viking Town
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short walks on uneven coastal terrain and climbing a crater rim.
Overview
Meet Ebbi at the harbour and spend two brisk hours between sea cliffs and crater rims on Heimaey. This compact tour pairs up-close puffin viewing with a walk into Eldfell’s crater and a stop at a recreated Viking turf village—ideal for travelers wanting culture, birds, and volcanic drama in one outing.
Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi — Heimaey Puffins, Eldfell Crater & Viking Town
Select participants and date
You step off the ferry and the salt-snap of North Atlantic wind greets you before the island does. A small black-and-blue house at the harbour, puffin signs above the door, is the meeting point where Ebbi—local, quick with a joke, and conversation—briefs the group. Within minutes the coach threads narrow streets, volcanic ridgelines rising like the ribs of some old sea creature, and the island begins to reveal itself: grassy slopes peppered with seabird burrows, black lava rock, and a crater rim you can walk into.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in layers
Wind and weather change quickly—bring a windproof outer layer and insulating mid-layer you can add or shed during cliffside stops.
Wear grippy shoes
Trails are short but uneven; sturdy hiking shoes with good traction will keep you steady on gravel and lava rock.
Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens
Puffins often loaf on ledges a short distance from observation points; optics improve viewing and photos without disturbing nests.
Arrive 15 minutes early
Check-in at the harbour house with puffin signage; tours depart on schedule and the office is a minute from the ferry terminal.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Atlantic puffin
- Harbour seal
History
Eldfell erupted in 1973, forcing the evacuation of Heimaey and reshaping the island’s coastline; much of the town was rebuilt on newly formed land.
Conservation
Puffin colonies are sensitive to disturbance—guides enforce viewing distances and visitors should avoid trampling nesting turf; local tourism supports conservation and research efforts.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof wind jacket
Protects against salt-laden wind and sudden showers common in spring.
spring specific
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provides traction on gravel, turf and rocky paths around cliffs and the crater.
Binoculars or telephoto lens
Brings distant puffin colonies and sea stacks into sharp view without disturbing wildlife.
summer specific
Insulating mid-layer
Keeps you warm on exposed clifftops where temperatures drop quickly.
fall specific