Lying off the south coast is the mesmerizing archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar or as known in English, the Westman Islands. Comprising of eleven large islands and four smaller ones, this picturesque group of islands is one of the many distinctive tourist destinations in Iceland. Iceland is largely a visitor’s paradise, as there is so much of natural wealth to explore here. The islands, which have been created as a result of undersea volcanic activity and are still undergoing process due to their active state, provide one of the most scenic views of Icelandic landscapes.
The largest of the islands, Heimaey, is the only inhabited island here. The area like most of Iceland has active volcanoes and it was the huge eruption of Eldfell in 1973 that brought this place to the forefront in the international arena. The impact of this eruption was so colossal that the inhabitants had to be evacuated from Heimaey and shifted to the mainland. The eruption also caused the island of Heimaey to grow larger by 2.3 km2 when the flowing lava deposited itself along its harbor. Many buildings were also grazed to the ground, but what remained are today a tourist attraction.
Vestmannaeyjar offers a whole range of outdoor activities, making it an explorer’s paradise. From deep sea fishing, whale watching, hiking, bird watching, nature walks, trekking over the lava fields and exploring the vast amount of natural beauty, one can find great activities to indulge in. The island also has its own 18-hole golf-course. The islands are fast being developed for tourism purposes so that traveler’s may stay here for longer than a short day trip. It is true that a single day is not enough to explore the beauty surrounding this beautiful archipelago.
It is a twenty minutes flight from the capital city Reykjavik to the Westman Islands and a six-minute flight from Bakki in the south coast. The ferry from Porlakshofn takes under three hours, making the islands an easily accessible tourist destination.
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