Heimaey in 2.5 Hours: Eldfell, the Stórhöfði Puffins and Elephant Rock

A 2.5-hour shore excursion around Heimaey, timed to fit cruise ship schedules and workable with children. Stórhöfði, the southern tip, holds the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world: over 1.1 million birds nest there in summer, and as much as 20% of the global population breeds on this one island. The coastal path by the lighthouse is where you watch them. Eldfell is the other half of the island's story. The 1973 eruption destroyed over 400 homes and emptied Heimaey for around two years, and the lava it left still covers much of the east. Elephant Rock is a basalt sea cliff the waves have cut into the shape of an elephant's head, ear and trunk included. The last stop is Stafkirkjan, a replica of a settlement era stave church in black timber, given to the island in 2000 for the thousandth year of Christianity in Iceland. It stands with the fort below the harbour cliffs. The guide works the island's history and culture through all of it. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.