Road 
Weather 
About
A volcano in South Coast. Part of Iceland's active volcanic system that shapes the landscape.
The landscape around volcanic areas looks stark. Black rock, steam vents, the smell of sulfur. Another planet.
Part of Iceland's volcanic belt, this area sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart.
The terrain can be sharp and uneven. Good hiking boots aren't optional, they're essential.
Map of Surtsey
Map
63.3005°N, 20.6026°W · South Coast
Plan your visit
Off the main road- 45.5 km from Route 1
Nearest town- Vestmannaeyjabær — 22.6 km away
Distance from Reykjavík- 115 km in a straight line
What else is close- 15 mapped places within 20 km
Tours near Surtsey
Puffin, island, and volcano boat tourfrom 11.000 ISK · 1 h
Volcano ATV Tourfrom 14.900 ISK · 1 h
Vestmannaeyjar - The Westman Islandsfrom 59.990 ISK · 8 h
BWS Visitor Centre General Admission - Advanced Ticketfrom 3.560 ISK · 1 h
Vestmannaeyjar Boat Tourfrom 12.000 ISK · 1 h 30 min
Eldheimar: Entry Ticketfrom 2.470 ISK
Puffins and Pirates ATV Tourfrom 14.900 ISK · 1 h
Two Hour Ribsafari Adventure Tripfrom 26.300 ISK · 2 h
Black Sand Beach Riding Tourfrom 23.900 ISK · 2 h
Solheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
Early Bird Ice Cavefrom 25.000 ISK · 3 h 30 min
Laugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and regionSurtsey weather and conditions
Last updated
7°Covercast · feels 1°C8 m/sgusts 1110 h 02 mdaylight · 08:07 – 18:09
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 tours
Cars & campers
−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Transmission
Fuel
Seats
Drive
SleepsPhotos & videos
No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Surtsey, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1
Vestmannaeyjar21 km - 2
Helgafell22 km - 3
Eldfell23 km - 4
Eyjafjallajökull61 km - 5
Þórólfsfell66 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
- 1Geothermal hot spring near Vestmannaeyjabær22 km
- 2Geothermal hot spring near Hvolsvöllur54 km
- 3
Seljavallalaug58 km
Fuel
- 1Vestmannaeyjar22 km · 308.6 kr/L
- 2
Hvolsvöllur53 km · 310.9 kr/L - 3Hella60 km · 308.6 kr/L
Supermarkets
Tours
Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experiencefrom 29.300 ISK · 3 hours 
Buggy Adventure in Þórsmörkfrom 89.990 ISK · 5 hours 
Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hours
Frequently
asked
questions
Is it safe to visit Surtsey?
Surtsey is listed as an active volcano. Whether you can approach it depends entirely on current conditions — during an eruption, authorities set an exclusion zone and you must never cross a closure line. Check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Met Office (vedur.is) before you go, and follow all official instructions on site.
How do I get to Surtsey?
Surtsey is in South Coast. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland access often needs a 4×4 and some routes only open in summer.
Can I hike Surtsey?
It depends on the volcano and current activity. Some Icelandic cones have short marked trails to the rim; others sit under glaciers or in closed areas and cannot be climbed without a guide. Never approach an active eruption unless the official viewing area is open — conditions change fast.
What should I know about volcanic gas near Surtsey?
Volcanic and geothermal areas can release sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, which are toxic in high concentrations and collect in low-lying spots. Stay on marked paths, leave immediately if you smell strong sulphur or feel unwell, and check the Met Office gas forecasts during any eruption.
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Brian Gratwicke · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10