Heimaey Island, Iceland: Puffin Paradise & Volcanic Charm

Finally, we saw puffins!!

Day 5 of our Iceland adventure in September 2026.

We kicked off our multi-generational trip around Iceland in a campervan rented from Indie Campers, a company with a rather infamous reputation for service (more on our Indie Campers experience in a future post!).

We're currently exploring Iceland's Ring Road counter-clockwise, but we veered off course for an unplanned island detour that will undoubtedly stick in our memories as one of Iceland's most captivating destinations.

Introducing Heimaey Island, part of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.

Initially, visiting this island wasn't even on our radar. We simply pulled up to the harbor in front of the ferry terminal, intending to spend a night in our campervan. But then, an impromptu decision struck!

The result? Absolutely worth it.

What kind of island is Heimaey?

Heimaey is the largest inhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, located off the south coast of Iceland.

This island boasts several unique claims to fame:

It's renowned as the largest breeding ground for puffins.

A place where you can encounter beluga whales.

A volcanic island where parts of the town were buried in the 1973 eruption.

The entire island was formed by volcanic activity, and traces of ancient lava flows are still visible everywhere.

This creates a truly unique landscape, where lush green hills meet stark black lava fields.

Finally, We Saw Puffins!

This was easily one of the most exciting moments of our entire journey. I had secretly hoped to spot puffins during our trip to Ireland in August, but unfortunately, we didn't have any luck.

When we arrived in Iceland and early September 2026 began, I had almost given up, thinking, "Surely all the puffins have left by now..." But then, on Heimaey, we finally encountered them!

Even in early September, some puffins were still around, and we watched them perched on the cliffs in the evening. It's truly worthy of its nickname, 'Puffin Island.'

This will definitely be one of the most memorable days of our Iceland trip!

You Can Also See Belugas!

Heimaey is also home to the Beluga Whale Sanctuary.

This is one of the world's first open-water beluga sanctuaries, not a place for performances, but a natural sea environment where rescued belugas can live.

You can observe belugas up close in their ocean habitat and learn their stories at the visitor center.

The opportunity to see both puffins and belugas makes Heimaey a truly special destination in Iceland.

Why Our Campervan Trip Led to an Impromptu Detour

While wild camping isn't exactly free-for-all in Iceland, we discovered that there are actually quite a few designated harbors and parking spots where campervans are welcome to stay overnight!

We initially arrived at the harbor in front of the Heimaey ferry terminal planning to rest for a day, but seeing the ferry right there sparked a spontaneous change of plans!

We simply drove our campervan onto the ferry and headed for the island. It turns out, this is quite a popular island, with many people and vehicles coming and going.

Why We Decided to Rest for Two Days on Heimaey

Finishing a month-long campervan trip in Ireland and transitioning to Iceland was more exhausting than we anticipated.

Wrapping up our Ireland trip involved packing up all our campervan gear, then lugging heavy bags to catch our flight to Iceland. Once we arrived, it was another round of unpacking everything for our new Icelandic campervan.

And that wasn't even the end of it! Our Indie Campers vehicle developed a few minor issues, requiring us to return to the office a couple of times (I'll share more details on that saga later).

Despite the initial hiccups, we're now on Day 7 of our Iceland journey, and thankfully, everything is running smoothly.

So, on Heimaey, we decided to truly unwind rather than try to see everything. Plus, the camping facilities here are fantastic! It felt like we had the entire campground to ourselves.

It's a great reminder that taking these intermittent breaks is essential for a longer, more enjoyable travel experience.

Must-Do's on Heimaey Island

Spot puffins.

Learn about the 1973 volcanic eruption.

Visit the Elephant Rock viewpoint.

Stroll around Skansinn Lighthouse.

If time allows, stop by the Beluga Whale Sanctuary.

The island isn't too large, so you can easily explore its main attractions in a single day.