Heimaey Cruise Port
Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey), Iceland · Northern Europe
Cruise ships dock at Nausthamarsbryggja — Main Cruise Berth, Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey).
Plan my port daysWalk-off harbour port: the beluga sanctuary is 3 minutes away, the Eldheimar volcano museum 15–20 minutes, and you can climb the 1973 Eldfell volcano straight from town.
At a glance
Port summary
Heimaey is the largest of the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), about 10 km off Iceland's south coast, and home to around 4,400 people. In January 1973 a fissure opened on the edge of town and built the Eldfell volcano; the whole population was evacuated overnight and about 400 houses disappeared under lava and ash. Cooling the lava with seawater saved the harbour, which ended up better sheltered than before. Ships up to about 210 m berth at Nausthamarsbryggja in the inner harbour; larger ships anchor offshore and tender in. The town is compact. The SEA LIFE Trust beluga sanctuary and puffin rescue is a 3-minute walk from the quay, Skansinn and the stave church about 6 minutes, and the Sagnheimar folk museum about 8. The Eldheimar volcano museum, built around a house dug out of the ash, is 15–20 minutes uphill (kr 3,550). From there you can climb Eldfell (about 200 m) on a marked path, or walk west to the green crater of Herjólfsdalur and the Elephant Rock sea stack. The puffin cliffs at Stórhöfði, 5 km south, are the one sight that needs transport. In summer (21 May–31 August) the Hop On bus runs an hourly guided loop from the ferry terminal next to the quay for kr 5,000. There are only 3–4 taxis on the island, so book ahead. Ribsafari runs RIB and boat trips around the island from the harbour. Puffins are here from late April to mid-August. The weather changes fast and Stórhöfði is one of the windiest places in Europe, so bring a windproof layer in every season.
Cruise docks
Nausthamarsbryggja — Main Cruise Berth
The main cruise berth in Heimaey's inner harbour (about 210 m usable, 8 m draft), next to the Herjólfur ferry terminal. The town centre is about 300 m away; ships too large for the berth anchor offshore and tender into the harbour.
Latitude: 63.444277, Longitude: -20.268973
See dock on port map →Binnakantur — Secondary Berth
Shorter berth (about 140 m, 8 m draft) on the west side of the harbour, used by small ships. About 10 minutes' walk to the town centre. Coordinate from OSM (Binnabryggja), approximate.
Latitude: 63.445561, Longitude: -20.280974
See dock on port map →Getting to Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
You will not need cash; a contactless card covers museums, cafés, tours and the bus.
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Inside the Iceland collection
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Excursions compared
4 comparedHeimaey island drive: Stórhöfði puffin cliffs, Herjólfsdalur and Eldheimar
≈ 3 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€180$203
Do it yourself
€95$107
Save ≈ €85Save ≈ $96 (47% off)
Walk a few minutes from the cruise quay to the Herjólfur ferry terminal, where the Hop On Vestmannaeyjar bus starts: kr 5,000 (~€35) day ticket bought online or on the bus, hourly loop with a live guide, stops at Harbour, Herjólfsdalur/Elephant Rock, Stórhöfði puffin colony, Eldfell/Eldheimar and the town centre. It runs only 21 May–31 Aug, first bus 11:45 (11:00 from 20 July to 23 August), so use the morning for the harbour-side walk to Skansinn. Eldheimar is kr 3,550 (~€25), open daily through the summer (13:00–16:00 only from 23 September); lunch in town runs kr 3,500–4,500.
See the DIY plan →
Heimaey lava and history walk: Skansinn, 1973 lava field and Sagnheimar
≈ 2.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€95$107
Do it yourself
€65$73
Save ≈ €30Save ≈ $34 (32% off)
Everything is walkable from the cruise quay: Skansinn and the stave church are about 10 min along the harbour, the lava field starts right behind them, and Eldheimar is about 20 min from the quay. Eldheimar is kr 3,550 (~€25; open daily in summer, 13:00–16:00 only from 23 September) and Sagnheimar in the town centre is kr 1,350 (~€10, 10:00–17:00 May–September, 12:00–15:00 Mon–Sat in winter). No transport needed.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
7 plansClimb the 1973 Volcano, on Foot and for Free
From the harbour to the rim of Eldfell and back through the lava that buried a third of the town, without spending a króna.
The Eruption Story: Eldheimar, Sagnheimar and the Old Church
Two museums and an 18th-century church tell how a fishing town survived pirates, storms and a volcano, all within a short walk of the ship.
Puffins at Stórhöfði by Hop On Bus
Ride the island's summer hop-on bus to the puffin cliffs, the old festival valley and Elephant Rock, for a fraction of the ship's coach tour.
Belugas, Pirates and the Town Pool
A gentle family day of beluga whales, rescued puffins, a pirate cave and a warm Icelandic pool, all within a short walk of the ship.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)?
- Your ship docks directly at the Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) cruise terminal in Iceland.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)?
- Yes. Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Local bus, Taxi. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey)?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) and are cards accepted?
- Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) uses the Icelandic króna. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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