Surtsey
A new island born from an undersea volcanic eruption between 1963 and 1967, a World Heritage site open only to scientists. Visitors can view it from sightseeing planes or boats.
Surtsey lies about 20 km southwest of Heimaey. The undersea eruption broke the surface in November 1963 and took three and a half years to form the island. It serves as a natural laboratory for studying how life settles on new land, and it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. To protect the ecosystem, the island is open only to licensed scientists. Visitors can learn about its formation at the Eldheimar museum, view it from Stórhöfði on clear days, or get closer on summer speedboat, helicopter and sightseeing flight tours.
Opening hours
No landing on the island
Nearby sights
- Stórhöfði
- Herjólfsdalur
- Sprangan
- Landakirkja
- Sagnheimar Folk Museum
- Vestmannaeyjar Boat Tour
- Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary
- Helgafell