Heimaey Highlights: Pompeii of the North
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Port
Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$199.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
3 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
The Westman Islands are situated just off the south coast of Iceland. Originally settled by Irish slaves, the main island, Heimaey, has a population of about 4,500 people. No port in Iceland registers bigger fish catches than this one, and the island is simply buzzing with life. The islanders have made their living from the sea since the days of the first settlers.
You'll leave the perfectly-formed natural harbor area, with its tall cliffs tenanted by multitudes of puffins, fulmars and guillemot. The birds and their eggs are extremely important to this community's prosperity.
Pass by Sprangan Cliff where young islanders are taught the alarming local sport of rope swinging. The sport has evolved from the islanders' age-old tradition of egg collecting and, to this day, local men hop expertly from ledge to ledge to collect eggs. The collector is attached to a lifeline held by an anchorman at the top of the cliff. Sounds scary? It is!
Continue to the Herjólfsdalur Valley, popular for festivals and golfing. An archaeological dig here in the 1970s unearthed remnants of old farmhouses dating back to the 9th century. The townspeople decided to build a farmstead depicting Iceland's rural past.
Skirt the island's western shore for an opportunity to view the outer islands. The youngest of the group, Surtsey, was born during a volcanic eruption in 1963. Stórhöfði offers magnificent views and, on a clear day, you can even see the majestic glaciers of the Icelandic mainland, including the infamous Eyjafjallajökull glacier and volcano. During spring and early summer, Stórhöfdi is also home to the largest puffin colony on Heimaey.
The drive back to town takes you between two volcanoes -- the 5,000-year-old Helgafell (Holy Mountain) and the considerably younger Eldfell (Fire Mountain) whose history is somewhat more recent. It erupted in 1973 and the inhabitants of Heimaey were evacuated to the mainland. Our next stop is the viewpoint over the old town nearby the volcano Eldfell.
Passing over the new lava field, you'll see the Skansinn wooden church, donated to the people of the Westman Islands by Norway to commemorate a millennium of Christianity in Iceland.
In town, you'll pass the ruins of a house buried in the lava and continue through the main streets to the port.
Notes:
Guests with mobility limitations are free to stay on the coach and should travel with a companion to assist. Parents traveling with children under the age of 3 must rent a child's car seat from the tour operator; please see the EXC Tours staff on board.