Residents of Vestmannaeyjar — the Westman Islands, Iceland’s only inhabited offshore archipelago — are demanding that authorities provide a backup ferry after repeated disruptions to sea connections have left the community of around 4,000 people describing their transport links as a “horror.” The calls have intensified following service failures on the sole dedicated ferry route, raising urgent questions about what happens when Iceland’s island communities lose their lifeline to the mainland.
Key takeaways
- Vestmannaeyjar residents and officials are publicly demanding a dedicated backup ferry after repeated service disruptions.
- The islands rely almost entirely on one ferry route; when service fails, islanders are effectively cut off from essential mainland services.
- Air Iceland Connect operates a short flight between Reykjavík and Vestmannaeyjar, but it does not fully replace the ferry for cargo, vehicles, or budget travel.
- The Icelandic government has been pressed to respond, but no confirmed replacement vessel has been announced as of the time of publication.
- Vestmannaeyjar remains a worthwhile destination — but travellers should check current ferry status before booking.
Why are Vestmannaeyjar residents calling for a backup ferry?
The core problem is structural: Vestmannaeyjar has only one dedicated vehicle and passenger ferry connecting it to the Icelandic mainland. When that vessel is taken out of service — for maintenance, mechanical failure, or weather — there is no fallback option capable of carrying cars, freight, or large numbers of passengers. For a community that depends on regular deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies, even a short disruption is serious.
Local officials and residents have grown increasingly vocal after a series of unplanned service interruptions left islanders stranded or scrambling. The word most often used in Icelandic media coverage is hryllingur — horror — to describe what many see as an unacceptable vulnerability for a community of this size. The situation has drawn comparisons to the disruption of the Baldur ferry serving the Westfjords, another case where a single vessel left a remote community exposed when service faltered.
The demand is straightforward: a second vessel, designated as a backup, should be available at short notice. Without it, islanders argue, Vestmannaeyjar is one mechanical breakdown away from a genuine emergency.
How are travellers and locals affected by the ferry situation?
For residents, the impact is immediate and practical. The ferry carries not just people but also vehicles, livestock, building materials, and perishable goods. When sailings are cancelled, shops can run short of stock, contractors cannot move equipment, and people who need specialist medical care on the mainland face real difficulty getting there.
For travellers, the disruption means uncertainty. Many visitors arriving in Iceland plan a trip to Vestmannaeyjar — home to Eldfell volcano, one of the world’s best puffin colonies, and the remarkable Eldheimar museum built around a house engulfed by the 1973 eruption — as a key stop on a South Iceland itinerary. A cancelled ferry can strand travellers on the island overnight, or prevent them from reaching it at all.
The islands do have a small airport, and Air Iceland Connect operates scheduled flights from Reykjavík’s domestic Vatnsmýri airport (RVK) to Vestmannaeyjar (VEY), with the crossing taking roughly 30 minutes. However, flights are subject to the islands’ notoriously unpredictable weather, have limited baggage allowances, and cannot carry vehicles — making the ferry irreplaceable for most practical purposes.
What ferry routes serve the Westman Islands and how often do they run?
The primary ferry service to Vestmannaeyjar is operated by Herjólfur, the vessel that runs between Landeyjahöfn — a purpose-built harbour on Iceland’s South Coast, roughly 120 kilometres from Reykjavík — and the port of Vestmannaeyjar on Heimaey island. Under normal scheduling, the crossing takes approximately 35 minutes and runs multiple times daily, though the exact timetable varies by season.
Landeyjahöfn itself is a relatively modern facility, opened specifically to replace the older, longer route from Þorlákshöfn. The shorter crossing from Landeyjahöfn is faster and more efficient, but the harbour is shallow and exposed, which means it closes in rough seas more readily than Þorlákshöfn did. When conditions prevent sailings from Landeyjahöfn, the older Þorlákshöfn route — taking around three hours — can serve as a partial contingency, though this requires the vessel to be repositioned and adds significant travel time.
That repositioning flexibility underscores the central problem: without a second vessel, even the “backup” option of sailing from Þorlákshöfn depends on the same single ship being available and operational.
Has the Icelandic government responded to demands for a replacement vessel?
Icelandic transport and infrastructure discussions involving the Westman Islands have periodically reached the Alþingi — Iceland’s parliament — but a firm government commitment to procure or designate a permanent backup ferry has not been publicly confirmed at the time of publication. Officials have acknowledged the concerns raised by island representatives, and the issue has attracted coverage in Icelandic national media, which tends to increase political pressure.
Iceland’s Ministry of Infrastructure (Samgönguráðuneytið) oversees ferry services of this nature, and the state-owned port operator plays a role in how vessels are contracted and maintained. However, the procurement of an additional ferry is a significant public expenditure, and no timeline or confirmed budget allocation has been reported. The story remains live, and IcelandNow will update this article as developments emerge.
Is it still safe and practical to visit Vestmannaeyjar right now?
Yes — with preparation. Vestmannaeyjar remains one of Iceland’s most compelling short-trip destinations, and the ferry is operating. The issue is reliability, not a full suspension of service. But travellers should plan with the current uncertainty in mind.
Practical steps to take before you travel:
- Check the Herjólfur schedule directly on the official booking platform before you depart — sailings can be cancelled at short notice due to weather or mechanical issues.
- Book the earliest sailing possible if you are visiting on a day trip, so a delay does not collapse your window on the island.
- Have a flight option ready. Air Iceland Connect flights from Reykjavík to Vestmannaeyjar (VEY) are a genuine alternative if the ferry is cancelled. Fares vary but can be booked relatively last-minute.
- Allow buffer days in your South Iceland itinerary. Weather on the South Coast can deteriorate fast, and Landeyjahöfn sailings close in swells that look manageable from inland.
- If you stay overnight, the island has solid accommodation options around Vestmannaeyjar town on Heimaey, the archipelago’s only inhabited island. Being “stranded” there for an extra night is not the worst outcome.
The broader safety picture on Vestmannaeyjar is excellent. The island sits on an active volcanic zone — the 1973 Eldfell eruption is still within living memory — but geologists monitor the area closely and there are no current eruption alerts for the archipelago.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the ferry to Vestmannaeyjar take from the mainland?
The ferry Herjólfur sails from Landeyjahöfn on Iceland’s South Coast and reaches Vestmannaeyjar in approximately 35 minutes. The older alternative route from Þorlákshöfn takes around three hours. Landeyjahöfn is roughly a 120-kilometre drive from Reykjavík, making a day trip to the islands feasible from the capital.
What happens if the Vestmannaeyjar ferry is cancelled?
If the ferry is cancelled due to weather or mechanical failure, travellers can check availability on Air Iceland Connect flights from Reykjavík’s domestic airport (Vatnsmýri/RVK) to Vestmannaeyjar (VEY). Flights take about 30 minutes but cannot carry vehicles. If neither option is available, travellers may need to wait for conditions to improve — residents and visitors alike have occasionally been stranded overnight.
Why is there no backup ferry for the Westman Islands?
Vestmannaeyjar currently relies on a single state-contracted ferry, the Herjólfur. Procuring and operating a second vessel involves significant public cost, and the Icelandic government has not yet committed to a permanent backup solution. The issue is now a live political debate following a series of disruptions that residents say have reached a crisis point.
Can you fly to Vestmannaeyjar instead of taking the ferry?
Yes. Air Iceland Connect operates scheduled flights between Reykjavík’s domestic Vatnsmýri airport and Vestmannaeyjar. The flight takes roughly 30 minutes. However, flights are weather-dependent, do not carry vehicles, and have baggage restrictions — so for travellers with a car or large luggage, the ferry remains the primary option.
Is Vestmannaeyjar worth visiting despite the transport disruptions?
Vestmannaeyjar is widely considered one of Iceland’s most rewarding destinations, offering Eldfell volcano, the Eldheimar museum, Atlantic puffin colonies (summer), and dramatic cliffs and sea stacks. The transport situation adds uncertainty but does not make the islands inaccessible. Booking flexible tickets and building buffer time into your itinerary is the best way to manage the risk.
