Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi: The Best 2 Hours on Heimaey Island
A 2-hour guided minibus tour of Heimaey Island in Iceland’s Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) — led by Ebbi, a native islander born and raised here. Six stops covering Sprangan (the ancient cliff-climbing sport), Herjólfsdalur valley and small puffin colony, the Viking Town museum, Elephant Rock, Stórhöfði cape (the world’s largest puffin colony), and the Eldfell volcano crater. Viking Town admission included. 4.9/5 across 736 reviews, recommended by 99% of travelers. From $112.21 per person.
About This Activity
Up to 24h, full refund
Book today, pay nothing until later
Compact, high-density island overview
Multiple stops — best viewing June–September
Walk into the center where the 1973 eruption started
Exclusive look at the first Viking settler family
Why Ebbi’s Tour Is the Highest-Rated Experience on Heimaey Island
Ebbi has lived on Heimaey his entire life. He knows the island not as a guide who studied it, but as someone who grew up on it — who has personal stories about the 1973 Eldfell eruption (which forced the entire island’s population of 5,000 to evacuate overnight), who knows where the puffins nest in late season, and who can answer any question with immediate confidence. In 736 reviews at 4.9/5, his name appears in virtually every single one.
Laurence B. (August 2025) put it plainly: “We have been in Iceland for six days and taken 5 other tours. This tour is our favorite. Ebbi is an experienced and very talented and interesting guide that packed so much fun and history into the two hour tour. There were no questions asked that he could not immediately answer with confidence and facts. He brought a baby puffling onboard the bus prior to our departure. We talked to people who went on puffin tours and didn’t see any, but we saw thousands of them and we were really close to them. This is a DO NOT MISS tour.”
The tour covers more ground than the name suggests. Yes, puffins and the volcano — but also Elephant Rock, the ancient Sprangan cliff-climbing sport, a Viking museum, scenic views of the harbor and outer islands, and Ebbi’s running commentary on island life past and present. Two hours that feel half that long.
The Six Stops on the Puffin and Volcano Tour
Sprangan — The Ancient Cliff-Climbing Sport
10 min · Free admission
The tour opens with a demonstration of Sprangan — a sport unique to the Westman Islands where islanders use a long pole to swing across the vertical cliff faces. The skill developed historically as a practical necessity: islanders needed to reach the puffin nests and seabird eggs on the sheer cliffs to supplement their food supply. Watching Ebbi demonstrate it against the dramatic cliff backdrop is one of the tour’s most surprising moments.
Herjólfsdalur — Green Valley and Small Puffin Colony
15 min · Free admission
A sheltered green valley on the western side of Heimaey — one of the most photogenic spots on the island, with dramatic cliffs rising on three sides and a small puffin colony visible in the rock faces. This is also where the annual Þjóðhátíð festival takes place each August, drawing 15,000 people to one of Iceland’s largest outdoor events. The contrast between the lush green valley and the stark volcanic landscape surrounding it is striking.
Viking Town (Herjólfstown Museum)
15 min · Admission included
An exclusive look at the first Viking family that settled on the Westman Islands — a reconstructed longhouse built around the archaeological remains of the original Herjólfr settlement. The excavation revealed a turf house dating to the 9th century, making it one of the oldest Viking settlements in Iceland. Admission is included in the tour price. Interactive exhibits cover what daily life looked like for the first settlers, the tools they used, and the food they ate.
Elephant Rock — Pass By
A natural basalt rock formation on Heimaey’s coastline that looks remarkably like an elephant drinking from the sea — trunk lowered to the water, body formed by the cliff face behind. It’s one of those geological accidents that requires no imagination to see. Ann E. (August 2025) listed it as one of the tour’s highlights alongside the puffins, the Viking museum, and the volcano.
Stórhöfði — The World’s Largest Atlantic Puffin Colony
15 min · Free admission
Stórhöfði is technically the windiest inhabited place in Europe — wind speeds here regularly exceed 100 km/h. More importantly for this tour, the cliffs at Stórhöfði are home to the largest colony of Atlantic puffins in the world. During the nesting season (May to mid-August), hundreds of thousands of puffins nest here. At close range, the birds are remarkably unafraid of people — you can stand within a few meters of nesting pairs. Minkwan K. (August 2025): “I was not sure if we’d see puffins because it was already mid-August and heard there was little chance in the main island. However we really enjoyed watching many, many of them on Heimaey Island.”
Eldfell Volcano Crater
15 min · Free admission
The Eldfell eruption of January 23, 1973 is the defining event of modern Heimaey. Without warning at 1:55 AM, a fissure opened on the eastern edge of town and a 2km wall of lava fountains lit the sky. The entire population — 5,300 people — evacuated to the mainland by boat within 24 hours. Over the following 5 months, 400 homes were buried under lava or ash, and a new peninsula was added to the island. The eruption was eventually stopped using seawater pumped onto the advancing lava front — one of the largest volcanic engineering operations in history.
On this tour, you walk down into the center of the Eldfell crater where the eruption started — the same spot where the fissure opened in 1973. The lava field surrounding the crater is less than 50 years old; in geological terms, you’re standing on brand-new land. The ground is still warm in some spots. Ebbi’s personal connection to this event — he was alive when it happened, many islanders he knows lost homes — makes his telling of it unlike anything you’ll read in a guidebook.
What’s Included
- Local guide — Ebbi, native islander and Heimaey’s most celebrated tour guide
- Air-conditioned minibus — comfortable minicoach for all stops
- Admission to Viking Town (Herjólfstown Museum)
- Gratuities
- Discounted rates for children — available at checkout
Not included: Transport to Heimaey Island — you make your own way to Vestmannaeyjar (ferry from Landeyjahöfn, approximately 35 minutes; or domestic flight from Reykjavik). No pickup/transfer service — meet at the harbour. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How the Tour Unfolds
| Season | Upsides | Downsides | Book Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| May–Aug (Puffin Season) | Peak puffin viewing — hundreds of thousands nesting at Stórhöfði | Most popular — book well ahead, booked 94 days in advance on average | 8–12 weeks |
| Sept (Late Season) | Still significant puffin numbers, quieter | Puffins begin migrating to sea mid-August | 4–6 weeks |
| Oct–Apr (Off Season) | Volcano and island tour still runs, quieter experience | No puffins — tour is puffin-focused, consider other seasons | 1–2 weeks |
Important Information
You must get yourself to Heimaey Island first. The ferry from Landeyjahöfn (on the mainland) takes approximately 35 minutes and runs several times daily. Domestic flights operate from Reykjavik City Airport. The operator does not offer transfer service from the mainland.
Puffin sightings are not guaranteed. The operator states this clearly — puffins are wild birds. That said, 99% of reviewers in season report seeing them. Late August reviewers also typically see puffins, though numbers begin to decline.
The tour is not suitable for children under 3 years old. Older children (teens and adults mentioned frequently in reviews) love it.
Getting in and out of the bus frequently. Not recommended for travelers with significant difficulty walking. Not wheelchair accessible.
Cruise ship passengers: confirm your ship docks at Heimaey. Richard C.’s 1-star review describes booking this tour from a ship that docked elsewhere in Iceland — a booking error, not a tour problem. The operator is on Heimaey Island only.
Weather-dependent. If cruise ships cannot dock due to weather, a 50% refund applies.
Know Before You Go
Check in at the harbour at least 15 minutes before your departure time — the small black and blue house with Puffin signs, 1 minute from the ferry terminal. Wear layers — Stórhöfði is legitimately the windiest point in Europe and the 15 minutes there can be cold even in summer. If Ebbi brings a puffling (baby puffin) onto the bus before departure, consider yourself among the very lucky. Book as far ahead as possible — this tour is booked an average of 94 days in advance.
What Travelers Said
⭐ 4.9/5 based on 736 reviews, recommended by 99% of travelers — Read all reviews on Viator
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Laurence B, United States — August 2025
We’ve taken 5 other tours in Iceland. This is our favorite. Ebbi packed so much fun and history into the two hours — there were no questions he couldn’t immediately answer. He brought a baby puffling onboard before we departed. We saw thousands of puffins and were really close to them. DO NOT MISS this tour.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Valarie S, United States — August 2025
What a fabulous tour. Ebbi’s passion for this community shines through. He was a non-stop source of history and knowledge. The two hours flew by. On and off the bus frequently to see and learn about life, past and present. And those glorious puffins! Go on this tour if you ever have a chance!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cara B, United States — August 2025
Ebbi was a great guide. As an island native, he was able to share a lot of history and personal experiences that made the tour unique. We all (teens and adults) loved this tour!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ William A, United States — September 2025
I had some initial misgivings but it was fantastic. Ebbi was incredibly enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and just fun. He was a great storyteller and is passionate about his home. Late in season, we still saw plenty of puffins.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jeff H, United States — May 2026
You are learning first-hand information from a native! Even though we had some light rain, Ebbie didn’t miss a beat and gave us a fabulous tour!
⭐ Richard C, United States — July 2025
Make sure what Viator scheduled isn’t on the other side of Iceland from where your cruise ship docked. (Note: this was a booking error — the operator is on Heimaey Island, a separate island. Cruise passengers must confirm their ship docks at Vestmannaeyjar before booking.)
Book the Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi
Two hours, six stops, the world’s largest puffin colony, the Eldfell crater, a Viking museum, Elephant Rock, and a native islander who knows every story. From $112.21 per person with free cancellation. Booked an average of 94 days in advance — plan early.
Looking for more Iceland experiences? Browse all tours on Iceland Volcano Tour or check out the Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep tour from Vík, the Iceland South Coast full day tour, and the Golden Circle day trips from Reykjavik.