Puffins and Pirates ATV Tour

About this experience

Discover Vestmannaeyjar, where beauty meets history. Home to the world's largest puffin colony, this tour offers an up-close look at these charming birds, along with fascinating facts about them. Vestmannaeyjar also boasts a rich history of pirate encounters, and you'll visit famous sites where these clashes occurred, hearing thrilling stories along the way.

We'll begin our journey by driving to the west coast, stopping at the iconic Elephant Rock. Then, we'll head to Stórhöfði, were you'll see the puffins up close, observing their playful behavior as your guide shares interesting insights.

Next, we'll follow the path of the pirates, visiting the site of the 1627 invasion and exploring locations where locals defended themselves. Finally, we'll end at Herjólfstown, delving into the lives of Icelandic pirates. This family-friendly tour combines stunning scenery with captivating tales of puffins and pirates.

This is a non-offroad tour driven on pavement only.

Itinerary

1. Tour stop

   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". a naturally formed sea rock that resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea.

2. Tour stop

   At Stórhöfði the view to all directions is magnificent, despite the fact that the weather can make you spin around as it is one of 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. The drive to Stórhöfði offers breathtaking views of the Vestmannaeyjar cluster, and on clear days, you might even glimpse Surtsey, Iceland’s youngest volcanic island, formed in 1963.

3. Tour stop

   Next we hop on our ATVs and enter the path of the thrilling Pirates. The tour delves into the history of the pirates, particularly the Barbary corsairs who stormed Vestmannaeyjar in 1627. The tour guide will tell thrilling stories about the raid, how the pirates arrived, and the dramatic confrontations with the locals. Along the path, you'll learn about the clever ways the islanders tried to defend themselves and hide from the pirates, offering a glimpse into the resourcefulness of the people during these terrifying times. Our end of the pirates path lies to Herjólfstown, where you will witness the Icelandic pirates, who, like puffins, were settlers in Vestmannaeyjar. We will see how the pirates looked, how they lived and the thrilling story about them. This part of the tour will provide an intriguing look into what life was like in Vestmannaeyjar centuries ago. This is a NO-OFF road driving tour, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy the landscapes of Vestmannaeyjar in comfort.

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels