5 Reasons you should take the Ferry to Westman Islands, Iceland (not a plane)
You have two options to travel from the mainland Iceland to the Westman Islands: by sea or by air. You must either book a Westman Islands ferry ticket or buy a plane ticket.
(If you’re curious why the Westman Islands make such an amazing travel destination, click here. If you’re in Iceland, this quaint, historic location was our favorite!)
We’d recommend taking Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn south to Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) for 5 reasons:
- It’s an experience in and of itself! Though the north Atlantic ocean can be rough and windy, seeing the waves, feeling that salty air blow over your face, and standing on the top deck is a fully immersive sea-faring experience.
- The views are incredible! The misty islands jutting up from the ocean all around you = feeling like you’re in a movie scene.
- The Westman Islands ferry ride is just 35 minutes! Sure a plane ride is shorter, but for the price difference, you can’t complain about a half hour.
- Herjólfur ferry is by far the nicest ferry we’ve ever been on, with updated, colorful interior design and seating. There are plenty of bathrooms and a food bar that serves snacks, sandwiches, and alcohol. Being able to walk around is better than being stuck in a plane seat.
- If you rented a car in Iceland, you can take it with you on the Westman Islands ferry (as long as it meets certain size requirements) for an additional fee. Our 9-passenger Renault van was too large to take, which we were OK with, given we each only took one suitcase and everything on the island we needed was within walking distance.
Buy Your Tickets ASAP
If traveling from April through September, make sure you buy your tickets at least 6 months in advance, as they are in high demand with increased tourism and often sell out.
Click here to book your Westman Islands ferry tickets. If you are trying to book with short notice, you can call the ferry directly at +354 481 2800.
Coping With Sea Sickness
Luke’s #OneGoodThing takeaway on this trip was learning the hard way that he needs ginger supplements (we like non-drowsy, organic Gravol) or other medication like Dramamine to prevent sea sickness — especially if you head up to the top deck. If you have any inclination toward motion sickness, we’d recommend you do likewise and at least pack medication just in case. Luke may have emptied his stomach contents on the ride, but I was fine because I had taken Gravol beforehand.
Another tip we learned was that if you’re feeling sea sick, keep your eyes on the horizon and focus all your attention there. You’ll also want to sit in the middle of the ferry, where the rocking back and forth is minimal.
Anyone else out there struggle with sea sickness? What tips have you learned for coping with it? We’d love to hear them!
