About Vestmannaeyjar

PUFFINS

Puffins spend most of their lives on sea. They mate for life and the oldest puffin that we know of was 42.years old. During the winter, puffins stay on the sea by Greenland or Newfoundland. They are great swimmers and can dive down to 60.meters under the water to Cath their fish. The puffins beak is colourful in the summer to attract mates but has a dull grey colour in the winter time. In springtime the male returns to Westman islands a week ahead to get the nesting hole clean for his spouse.

If you are traveling in Iceland during that time, visiting Heimaey to see the Puffins is definitely a must do! Westman islands – Vestmannaeyjar are most famous for the puffins but there are also more bird species living there. You are able to see the most famous Puffin on the Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands. Westman islands – Vestmannaeyjar are the largest puffin colony in the world. The puffins can be seen on the island between April and September.

ELEPHANT ROCK

Elephant rock is natural rock formation located on the Westman islands – Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. It is a wonderful sight to see the gigantic elephant rock rising from the water. The elephant rock is formed from a basalt rock which gives it a look just like the rough skin of elephants. You can see elephant rock for your self on our Highlights of Westman Islands tour and Puffin and Volcano tour.

SPRANGAN



Sprangan – scaling and swinging in the rocks of Heimaey



Men in Westman Islands, did not go to the cliffs in the early days untrained. Suitable places on Heimaey were found to train for the rope swinging used when gathering eggs. There is one place in particular near the western harbour that has the conditions needed to teach the different techniques used when hanging from the face of the cliffs on ropes. That is called Sprangan. In recent years classes have been held during the summer so children can safely learn this sport. The “experts” that come there show off their gymnastic skills while swinging, making turns and twists as they fly from one side of the cliff to the other, pushing off with their feet as they approach the face of the rock.



As the young people progress in learning the sport, they climb from the lowest ledge, about 3 meters above the ground, to the higher ledges, each ledge having its own name. From the higher ledges they leap down with the rope in their hands, and from the ground it looks like exhilarating fun.



It depends on the level of expertise how high one can go and the sites bear different topological names, like barnasteinn – Child’s rock, Almenningur –The public, Stígvél – The boot, Gras – the Grass.



When visitors come to the island, it’s a common custom to take them to the cliff face and let them try their hand at flying through the air on the end of a rope. But even off the lowest ledge one quickly discovers it takes skills and strength to swing in the cliff. People should be very careful there and it’s not recommended to swing unless with locals.