Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SURTSEY
In November 1963 the crew on the fishing boat Ísleifi IInoticed something odd - the sea
south of Heimaey appeared to be on fire. Rather than flee, the boat drew up for a closer
look - and its crew were the first to set eyes on the world's newest island.
The incredible subsea eruption lasted for 4½ years, throwing up cinders and ash to
form a 2.7 sq km piece of real estate (since eroded to 1.4 sq km). What else could it be
called but Surtsey (Surtur's Island), after the Norse fire giant who will burn the world to
ashes at Ragnarök.
It was decided that the sterile island would make a perfect laboratory, giving a unique
therefore totally off-limits to visitors (unless you're a scientist specialising in biocolonisa-
tion). Just so you know: in the race for the new land, the blue-green algae Anabaena vari-
abilisgot there first. Another discovery? Fossils were carried up by lava during the erup-
tion and are now part of the island.
You can get a vicarious view of Surtsey's thunderous birth by visiting the display at the
Eldheimar Museum
.
Both Ribsafari and Viking Tours will run boat trips around the island
if there's enough interest.
Tours
Ribsafari
BOAT, HIKING TOUR
Ikr8000/4500, Surtsey tour Ikr16,500/9500; mid-Apr-mid-Oct)
One-hour tours run daily (11am, 2pm or by appointment) in a rubber zodiac that jets
through the archipelago. The small boat allows the captain to navigate through little caves
and between rocky outcrops for up-close views of bird colonies. Charter trips to Surtsey
(note: you cannot get off the boat) require a minimum of 10 people.
Circumnavigate the entire cluster of islands for Ikr11,500/6500 (100 minutes).
Viking Tours
BOAT, BUS TOUR
