Photo spot in Westman Islands
The harbour entrance
The gap in the cliffs the ferry threads through — sheer walls on both sides, boats passing beneath, seen from the quay or the deck.
About The harbour entrance
Get directionsHeimaey's harbour is entered through a narrow gap between cliffs, with Heimaklettur rising on one side and the 1973 lava on the other. Ships come through it slowly, which makes the arrival itself one of the best photographs of the trip: green-topped walls, dark water and a boat for scale.
Two ways to shoot it. From the deck on the way in, wide, as the walls close — timing is everything and it lasts about a minute. Or from the quays and the road above the harbour, where a longer lens compresses the gap and any passing boat gives it scale. Late afternoon light comes down into the harbour and lifts the rock faces.
The town side is working port, so keep clear of the loading areas and the ferry ramp, and expect wind funnelling through the gap. If the sailing is rerouted to Þorlákshöfn for weather, the arrival frames change completely — one more reason to check the boat on the day.
Best time to shoot
Late afternoon, or on the ferry itself as it comes in
Tips
From the deck, go wide as the walls close — you get about a minute. From land, longer lens plus a passing boat for scale.
Other spots in Westman Islands
Eldfell's cinder slope
Half an hour up a red volcanic cone that erupted in 1973, with the town, the harbour and the new lava field spread out below.
Herjólfsdalur
A green bowl of a valley ringed by cliffs on the west side of town — sheltered grass, a reconstructed turf house and the island's calmest light.
Stórhöfði and the puffin cliffs
The southern headland — the windiest place in Iceland, open ocean on three sides, and the world's largest puffin colony from May to August.
Ready to book?
Our concierge team will hand-pick 2-3 photographers who know The harbour entrance — free of charge.