Located near Heimaey, the main island of Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands), Elephant Rock Iceland is a striking rock formation that looks like an elephant. The Rock is believed to have formed in 1973 due to a volcanic eruption.
Visiting the Rock is easy enough by renting a car and taking the ferry to Heimaey or booking one of many tours that visit the island and include a trip to Elephant Rock.
Rent a Car
Located on Heimaey, the largest island in the Westman Islands archipelago, Elephant Rock is a natural formation that resembles—you guessed it—an elephant. It’s also one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions, making it a must-see for anyone visiting its southernmost region.
Getting to Elephant Rock is a relatively simple affair. The closest airport to the Westman Islands is Reykjavik, and a quick flight will have you arriving on the island within an hour. It’s a two-hour drive to the ferry terminal at Landeyjahofn, where you’ll catch your ride to Heimaey.
Once you’re on the island, there are several ways to see Elephant Rock, though many experts recommend boat tours. This option will allow you to get close to the rock formation, ensuring your photographs are as stunning as possible.
Many tours also include stops at the Eldheimar Volcano Museum, which tells how the 1973 eruption from nearby Eldfell shaped the landscape on Heimaey. It’s a unique way to explore the island’s volcanic past, with Elephant Rock playing an essential role in its tale.
Book a Ferry
The rock formation of Elephant Rock in Iceland makes for quite a sight. It’s almost as if Mother Nature herself carved the elephant-shaped Rock. However, local legends suggest that the elephant rock formed when a troll-like creature caught too much sun and turned to stone.
The best way to see Elephant Rock is on a scenic boat tour around the Westman Islands. These tours are top-rated during the summer, as more extended daylight allows more time to view and take great photos of this volcanic wonder.
If you’d instead fly, there are regular domestic flights to Vestmannaeyjar from Reykjavik. From there, it’s a short ferry ride to Heimaey, the largest island of the Westman Islands archipelago and home to Elephant Rock. Once on the island, check out other attractions like the Eldfell Volcano and the Eldheimar Museum. You can also explore the coastline of Heimaey on a whale-watching cruise or try some of the local cuisine, including fish stews and puffin sandwiches.
Book a Boat Tour
The easiest way to get to Elephant Rock is by booking a boat tour. These trips take you to the Vestmannaeyjar islands in Iceland and allow you to see other unique natural wonders like volcanic formations, wildlife, and the largest puffin population in the world.
The Elephant Rock on Heimaey Island is a basalt rock formation that resembles an elephant’s head. The wrinkly texture of the Rock gives it an even more realistic look that will impress any visitor. Some believe that the elephant-shaped Rock was formed in a 1973 eruption of the Eldfell Volcano on Heimaey.
Regardless of how the Rock came to be, it is a remarkable sight that draws many tourists to Iceland yearly. Visitors can walk around the Rock and enjoy the scenery or take photos of it from the water.
The Rock also attracts many whale and dolphin watchers who hope to see marine mammals in the surrounding waters. Be sure to check the weather conditions before planning a tour of Elephant Rock because if the weather is too extreme, it could be canceled. In this case, you would be given a new date, or your deposit refunded.
Book a Helicopter Tour
When it comes to rock formations that look like animals, the Elephant Rock is one of the most famous ones in the world. It is believed that the Rock formed in 1973 during an eruption on Heimaey Island, and it looks just as if an elephant went out to rest by the sea.
Those interested in seeing the Rock should book a tour with a stop at the Elephant Rock. Many of these tours also include visiting the Eldheimar Volcano Museum, where you can get an up-close look at the volcano and learn more about how the formation took place.
Helicopter tours are a popular option for visitors to Iceland because they offer the fastest way to see the site. In addition to stopping at Elephant Rock, these tours will fly over Hellisheidi, where you can experience the geothermal power Iceland is so well known for. Helicopter tours are often more expensive than a standard car or boat tour, but the convenience factor can make it worth the extra money.
Book a Campervan
If you want an Icelandic experience that is more intimate and close to nature, consider renting a campervan. Not only is it a great way to explore the Westman Islands, but you will also be able to enjoy the comfort of a home base when visiting other attractions. Plus, every morning, you get to see the stunning panorama of Elephant Rock!
Heimaey, the largest island in the Westman Islands archipelago, is home to elephant granite, a naturally occurring granite feature. Its uncanny resemblance to a petrified sea elephant has captivated visitors and locals alike. This basalt formation is believed to have been caused by a volcanic eruption from Eldfell Volcano.
While many people visit the island for its stunning natural scenery, there are several other things to do on Heimaey. For example, you can go hiking around the island or try out Sprangan, a unique activity that involves swinging on ropes to scale the cliffs. The Eldheimar Volcano Museum is another place you may go to find out more about the 1973 eruption. This museum is built around a house excavated after the explosion, so you will have the chance to see how it impacted the lives of the locals.
