Szilas · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0South Coast Islands
24 islands in South Coast — mapped with live road conditions, drive times, and directions.
24 islands in South Coast, led by Heimaey and Surtsey. All mapped with drive times, directions, and live road conditions.
Top islands in South Coast
The region's stand-outs — each with photos, facts, and its own page. Distances on the cards are straight-line from Reykjavík.
Heimaey
The largest and only inhabited Westman Island. About 4,500 people living on the edge of volcanic activity. The 1973 eruption buried part of the town. You can climb the still-warm slopes of Eldfell volcano. The Eldheimar museum preserves a house excavated from the ash. Beyond the volcano: puffin colonies, dramatic cliffs, excellent restaurants, and a lifestyle shaped by fishing and isolation. The aquarium is charming. Accessible by ferry or flight. Essential day trip or overnight from south Iceland.
1.4 km²Surtsey
The world's newest island, born from an underwater volcanic eruption in 1963. UNESCO World Heritage Site and strictly protected for scientific study. Researchers are watching how life colonizes new land - what plants, birds, and organisms arrive naturally. One of Earth's most important natural laboratories. You cannot visit. No exceptions. But you can view from boat tours around the Westman Islands. The eruption lasted until 1967. The island is still slowly eroding. See it from a distance while it exists.
< 1 km²Elliðaey
Elliðaey is a small, uninhabited island south of Iceland. It is the most northeastern of the Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago consisting of 15 to 18 islands and assorted smaller rocks. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
< 1 km²Bjarnarey
Bjarnarey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. It is one of the 18 islands that make up the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
< 1 km²Hellisey
Hellisey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. It is 6 km southwest of Heimaey and 13 km northeast of Surtsey. Hellisey only has an area of 0.1 km ² and extends to about 100 m above sea level. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
< 1 km²Jólnir
Jólnir was formerly a volcanic island south of Iceland. It was a former vent of Surtsey, along with Syrtlingur and Surtla. It emerged from the ocean as a result of active plate tectonics between December 1965 and July 1966. Oceanic erosion cyclically wore down the new lava as it formed, and the island sank below the surface several times. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
24 islands in South Coast
Faxasker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Grasleysa
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Hani
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Hrauney
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Hæna
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Örn
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Stóristakkur
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Syrtlingur
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Árnes
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Hálsasker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Tunguey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Hagaey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Heimaey
The largest and only inhabited Westman Island. About 4,500 people living on the edge of volcanic activity. The 1973 eruption buried part of the town. You can climb the still-warm slopes of Eldfell volcano. The Eldheimar museum preserves a house excavated from the ash. Beyond the volcano: puffin colonies, dramatic cliffs, excellent restaurants, and a lifestyle shaped by fishing and isolation. The aquarium is charming. Accessible by ferry or flight. Essential day trip or overnight from south Iceland.
1.4 km²Surtsey
The world's newest island, born from an underwater volcanic eruption in 1963. UNESCO World Heritage Site and strictly protected for scientific study. Researchers are watching how life colonizes new land - what plants, birds, and organisms arrive naturally. One of Earth's most important natural laboratories. You cannot visit. No exceptions. But you can view from boat tours around the Westman Islands. The eruption lasted until 1967. The island is still slowly eroding. See it from a distance while it exists.
< 1 km²Álsey
Álsey or Álfsey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
< 1 km²Elliðaey
Elliðaey is a small, uninhabited island south of Iceland. It is the most northeastern of the Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago consisting of 15 to 18 islands and assorted smaller rocks. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
< 1 km²Bjarnarey
Bjarnarey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. It is one of the 18 islands that make up the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
< 1 km²Hellisey
Hellisey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. It is 6 km southwest of Heimaey and 13 km northeast of Surtsey. Hellisey only has an area of 0.1 km ² and extends to about 100 m above sea level. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
< 1 km²Jólnir
Jólnir was formerly a volcanic island south of Iceland. It was a former vent of Surtsey, along with Syrtlingur and Surtla. It emerged from the ocean as a result of active plate tectonics between December 1965 and July 1966. Oceanic erosion cyclically wore down the new lava as it formed, and the island sank below the surface several times. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
< 1 km²Brandur
Brandur is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Geirfuglasker
Geirfuglasker, also known as Geirfugladrangur, or Freykja, is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
< 1 km²Geldungur
Geldungur is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
< 1 km²Súlnasker
Súlnasker is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
< 1 km²Suðurey
Suðurey is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmann Islands, south of Iceland. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
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