Westman Islands Attractions Vestmannaeyjar

Black, virtually plantless and somewhat sinister is 2.5sq km/1sq mi Surtsey, Vestmannaeyjar's youngest island. It first emerged from the ocean during a volcanic eruption which lasted from 1963 till 1967.

Heimaey residents 18 km/11mi away watched its birth, which at one point created a column of ash and steam 6km/3.7mi high.

Surtsey is off-limits to travelers although cruise-ships sail by at close range.

Vestmannaeyjar is a stopover and nesting site for birds, especially sea varieties. An average of 30 species nest in Vestmannaeyjar and some nest nowhere else in Iceland.

Heimaey has several interesting locations for bird watching along the western coastline and southern tip of the island with this area being home to the world's largest colony of puffins, about 8 million.

Passerines and waders nest in the grassy area between the airport and coastline on Heimaey.