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Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
 Iceland
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Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Rock
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Spring: Under 50°F/10°C
Summer: Under 50°F/10°C
Fall: Under 50°F/10°C
Winter: Under 50°F/10°C
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Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Iceland.
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are an archipelago just off the south coast of mainland Iceland. Out of the fifteen islands, only one has a human population living there year-round. All of the inhabitants of this island had to be evacuated in 1973 during the massive volcanic eruption of the Eldfell volcano, but the town was successfully restored and approximately 4,000 people live there today.
The human population is dwarfed by the number of birds that inhabit the various islands. Every type of bird known in Iceland can be found at some point in the year making its home on one of the islands. If you are diving alongside one of the large puffin cliffs, you will often spot a puffin plunging down into the water in search of a good meal.
The build up of underwater volcanic eruptions formed all of the islands on this archipelago. The youngest island in the group, Surtséy, was born after four years of underwater eruptions from the years 1963 to 1967. These strange, moss-covered landmasses rising out of the water are an awesome sight. The coves and cliffs are so dramatic that it sometimes seems as though parts of the islands have simply fallen off into the sea – and this is to some extent true, as the ocean has weathered down the soft palagonite and lava rock.
Underwater, you will find a similar scene. We have discovered a magnificent swim-through cave that cuts through a 120m wide and 100m high land mass, a huge underwater arch, and walls covered with soft coral. The Westman Islands are a very special place in Iceland, both for Icelanders and visitors
