Puffin and Volcano Minibus Tour: Explore Vestmannaeyjar's Unique Nature and Viking History
4.9
455 Ratings
Vestmannaeyjar
Embark on a thrilling Puffin and Volcano Minibus Tour in Vestmannaeyjar. Discover the island's unique nature, Viking history, and the world's largest Puffin colony. Guided by Ebbi, experience high-quality guiding and personalized service. Explore Herjólfstown, a Viking Museum, and enjoy an interactive tour that goes beyond sitting on a bus. Don't miss this popular and highly recommended adventure by Rick Steves.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sprangan - See your guide do the islanders local sport
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Admission to Herjólfstown, Viking museum
What's Not Included
  • Operator does not offer pick-up/transfer service
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Jump aboard a minibus to discover the breathtaking natural wonders of the island, replete with a fascinating history, friendly natives, Vikings, and the largest Puffin colony globally.

This journey is led by Ebbi and maintains the consistently excellent guidance that has earned rave reviews. Because you’re directly dealing with the business owner, the process remains straightforward, candid, and personalized - just the way we think it ought to be.

Our tour features a stop at Herjólfstown, a Viking Museum that highlights the first family to settle in Vestmannaeyjar, around the year 900.

This Puffin and Volcano minibus tour differs from typical bus tours where the journey is mostly bus-bound. Instead, we often hop off and on the bus to explore each fascinating stop.

Our Puffin and Volcano Tour is the top-rated tour in the Westman Islands – Vestmannaeyjar and comes highly recommended by the renowned travel expert, Rick Steves.

  • Departure point is at the harbour in Vestmannaeyjar
  • Operator does not offer pick-up/transfer service
  • Please check in at least 15.minutes before departure time
  • Please consider that all trips are depending on weather conditions and there is no guarantee that puffins will be seen..
  • This tour is not suitable for children under 3 years old.
  • Please beware that we are always getting in and out of the bus and walking a little bit.
  • Not recommended for traveler’s who have difficulty walking
Location
Básaskersbryggja 8
Básaskersbryggja
You need to take a ferry to get to Vestmannaeyjar. ( Unless you are on a cruise ship) We are just 1.minute away from the ferry terminal in Vestmannaeyjar. You need to check in at least 15.minutes before departure time. You will find us in a small black and blue house with Puffin signs above.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(455 Ratings)
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Saltgirl1961
Jun 10, 2024
Ebbi's tour was worth the money! - My daughter and I went over on the ferry on May 20, the day after a big gale and the weather was great. Once there, we realized the island was bigger and perhaps less walkable than we had read, so on the spur of the moment, we booked this tour. Neither of us really wanted to see the Viking Wax Museum, envisioning the typical, rather creepy Ripley's Believe it or Not! type of place. I remember us discussing this in front of the driver, and hope we didn't offend him! The tour was GREAT!! Ebbi first showed us the kids learning to climb the cliffs as preparation for egg gathering. He gave us a demonstration of his own skills. We then went to the golf course, which is one of the most beautiful in the world. I was very excited when he pointed out the island of Surtsey, which I learned about in school. The Viking museum was very well done. He and his wife made the wax figures themselves and they are quite realistic, and professional. They "inhabit" a couple of restored Viking long houses and each have their own story. We went to the puffin area, and saw only a few birds, which we expected as at that time of day they were fishing at sea. So this was not a disappointment at all. The volcano portion of the tour was fascinating as well. Half the town was buried in ash in 1973, but no lives were lost as everyone evacuated safely in fishing boats before the eruption really got going. So we definitely recommend Ebbi's tour, and this was one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alys_z
Jun 10, 2024
Walking where the Vikings tred - Getting a tour of area by guide who grew up here. Saw elephant rock, puffins, craters, reproduction of first viking house, landscape, and he took us to area where volcano blew 50 years ago and described the events that occurred. Very interesting and knowledgeable. Small bus which is nice. One factor that impressed us was he waited for us to tender off.
Review provided by Viator
Laura
Jun 9, 2024
Highly recommend - Ebbi was knowledgeable, personable, and funny. We experienced and learned about the island in a way we would’ve have without taking this tour. Ebbi restored a historical Viking house replica that was really interesting! This tour hit all the areas we wanted to see on the island!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
717mitchj
Jun 4, 2024
Fantastic Tour! - This was a fantastic tour. Our guide Ebbi was friendly, funny and very knowledgable about the islands. The duration was a perfect two hours, not too long, not too short. He was aware of the ferry schedules to make sure no one missed their change to get back to the mainland. It was great getting to know the West Men islands from someone who grew up there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hikeup1
Jun 4, 2024
A unique tour experience on a fascinating island - Ebbi managed to pack a variety of experiences into a couple of hours, including his own demonstration of how to pluck seabird eggs from cliffside burrows while swinging on a rope! We learned about the history of the island, from the Viking importation of Irish slaves hundreds of years ago, to the enslavement of the local population by Algerian pirates in 1672. Naturally, the huge eruption of the volcano on the island in 1973 and its evacuation was a major topic of the tour. A fascinating place to visit, greatly enhanced by going on this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedyg2014
Jun 2, 2024
Best island experience - This was a wonderful two hours!! We saw puffins, in spite of the rain! We saw Vikings at the wax Museum, and thoroughly enjoyed Ebbi’s wonderful personality 👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jane_y
May 30, 2024
More Than Expected - This was more than expected! The history and details were wonderful. Having multiple stops to learn were great. The puffins were fun but the highlight for me was the volcano stop. It was amazing to learn about the town before and after the eruption. Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Katherine_w
May 28, 2024
Worth the trip! - Had a great time visiting Heimaey with this tour! The guide Ebbi was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout. We saw cute puffins and a lot of other cool sights while learning about the island.
Review provided by Viator
Hyund
May 25, 2024
Second tour of Westman island - A phenomenal tour of the island. Ebbi was very informative, friendly and funny. This was our second time doing the tour with Ebbi. He was great during both times. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Holly_m
May 31, 2024
Just ok. - Seeing the island was great. Loved the driving up into the volcano area. Group not as small as implied; vehicle not in great shape; lots more f getting in and out and with group size, felt like that was half our time. Guide had interesting stories.
Review provided by Viator
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2 Adult
June 2024
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