Volcanic Vistas & Puffin Paradise ATV Tour

About this experience

Explore Vestmannaeyjar's famous duo: volcanoes and puffins. Known for its 1973 eruption and the world’s largest puffin colony, this island offers a unique adventure.

Join us on an ATV tour starting southward, where you'll see the famous "elephant rock." We'll then head to Stórhöfði for stunning views of the island cluster. On clear days, you can even spot Surtsey, the southernmost island formed in 1963. Stórhöfði is perfect for watching puffins play and hearing fascinating facts about them. This part is non-offroad.

Next, we venture off-road through lava fields, visiting Prestvik beach, where fishing ship Pelagus stranded, and visit the scene from "The Deep," where Guðlaugur Friðþórsson survived a cold sea swim. The tour continues to Eldfell volcano and along the coast with breathtaking views.

This family-friendly tour requires no prior ATV experience. Drivers need a license, and passengers must be 6+. All gear is provided, including waterproof overalls, gloves, and helmets.

Itinerary

1. Tour stop

   Jump on an ATV with us and explore the most famous things Vestmannaeyjar has to offer, volcanic areas and puffins. We start the tour by going south along the island where we will, among other things, take a look at one of the most special landmarks on the island, the elephant or "elephant rock".

2. Tour stop

   From elephant rock, we will drive towards Stórhöfði, where the small island cluster of Vestmannaeyja faces us in all its glory. When the weather is good and the Vestmannaeyjar are at their best, you can see all the way to Surtsey, but Surtsey is the southernmost island in the Vestmannaeyjar cluster and was formed in an underwater eruption on November 14, 1963. At Stórhöfði the view to all directions is magnificent, despite the fact that the weather can make you spin around as it is the windiest place in the country. We will take the walk to a special place and give ourselves plenty of time to observe the crown jewel of Vestmannaeyjar, the puffins, watch them play around on the slope, take off and come in to land while the guide tells us interesting facts about the puffins and their surroundings.

3. Tour stop

   Next, we drive from Stórhöfði and into the lava area, where we take the "off-road" part of the trip. During the trip, we will go to Prestvik beach where fishing ship Pelagus stranded, we will also drive around and view the scene where Guðlaugur Friðþórsson came to land after 5-6 km of swimming in the dark and cold sea after Hellisey VE 503 sank as stated in the movie The Deep. We will drive around the lava and into the middle of the volcano Eldfell and along the coast, where the view is breathtaking. This trip is recommended for all the family who will enjoy driving around historical sites of Vestmannaeyjar on a fun riding ATV. The ATVs are automatic and easy to drive so no specific experience is needed. All ATV ́s are 2 persons where the driver needs to have a driving license and passengers need to be 6 years or older. This is a guided trip where each person will be provided waterproof overalls, gloves and helmet.

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Bookings from passengers on cruise ships – If cruise ship cannot enter Vestmannaeyjar due to weather or other circumstances – 70% Refund of booking