However, please practice safe tourism by not touching them and keeping a safe distance from the cliff edges. Lovecraft's cosmic daemon Cthulhu, a monstrous sea creature with the face of an octopus. Jaclynn Seah is an occasional traveller who works a full-time job and uses any opportunity she gets to explore new places near or far. There is no way of seeing the Elephant Rock walking around the island. For some history, Eldheimar is a museum that documents the momentous eruption and how innovative Icelanders managed to stop the lava flow and save the island from total destruction. It sails from Landeyjahfn with seven scheduled trips each day with a sailing time of 45 minutes. To get to the Elephant Rock in Iceland is easy to get to via ferry. The Elephant Rock in Iceland is in the Westman Islands archipelago (Vestmannaeyjar) south of Iceland. But apart from these magnificent places, there is another side of Iceland too, where you get to experience different sculptures, Viking history, the naturally made creaks or fractures that are geometrically symmetric and show how beautiful natural landscapes can be! This most recent catastrophe, however, created many of the tourist attractions that currently compete with the Elephant Rock for popularity. Some people even claimed it wasnt real, and some still think its a hoax. The facilities include showers, toilets, washing machines and dryers, a cooking station, electricity (950 ISK) and a playground for kids. Caves, unique rock formations, puffins, dare-devil sheep, some orcas if you're lucky! The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, are a cluster of 15 islands and around 30 reefs created by undersea volcanic activity. And now it seems to be at the top of every travelers bucket list. We get the name Elephant Rock from the appearance of the giant pachyderm dipping its trunk into the ocean grab some refreshing water. The most remote gem of a must-see is Storhofdi (i. Strhfi e. Great Cape) that has amazing hiking trails and (drumroll) the puffin watching site. Of course, there is the Eldfell Crater, but also the Eldheimar Museum, which documents the tale of how the island was saved from total destruction. Google+. 1 Hour Scenic Rib Safari Speedboat Tour Around the Westman Islands. Facebook. Subsequently, there is rather a lot of earthquakes and eruptions happening and for the locals, this is just daily life. Well, what is it? The summit is just over 600 feet above sea level, so the mountain is accessible even to casual hikers. The southern cape of Strhfi is best for puffin spotting, though be warned that this area routinely records some of the fiercest winds in Iceland, so dress warmly. The Elephant Rock is a rock formation in the Westman Islands in Iceland. Youll be able to get around easily and have a nice active day out. Yes, you can climb it but we highly recommend doing it under the supervision of professionals. Here, they will need to take a one-hour boat trip to see it. They were then chased down and killed in retribution by their former masters brother-in-law and Icelands first settler, Ingolfur Arnarson. The giant Elephant Rock lies 7.5 kilometers off the south coast of Iceland, near Heimaeyin theWestman Islands. If it departs from orlkshfn the boat ride will take 3 hours but leaving from Landeyjarhfn only about 30. is a quicker option where you catch a flight from Reykjavk and land in the Westman Islands in only about 25 minutes! From here you can simply take a ferry or boat to Vestmannaeyjar / Westman Islands, and from there you can go on a smaller boat that will take you to the Elephant Rock. The most remote gem of a must-see is Storhofdi (i. Strhfi e. Great Cape) that has amazing hiking trails and (drumroll) the puffin watching site. Amazing! Iceland is a magnetizing country with various unique geographical features and many cool places to visit. If you are arriving from Reykjavk you can rent a car and drive on the Ring Road. Elephant Rock is best viewed from the sea! In fact, the Westmann Islands have the largest population of the famous Atlantic Puffins in the world. The Appearance and Formation of the Elephant Rock. Part of the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland, Elephant Rock is one of the area's main attractions. The approximate GPS coordinates are:63.439284, -20.311016. There really is no need for a car on the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Children's author Bruce McMillan wrote a book called "Nights of the Pufflings" that celebrates the "catch and release" of the birds. In front of you is a petrified elephant and there is no denying it! 'ElephantRock' is a natural rock formation inHeimaey, part of theWestman IslandsorVestmannaeyjar. The Ultimate List Of Campsites Open All Year in Iceland. Were quirky that way. In our humble opinion of course. You can walk almost everywhere. From April to September, Heimaey is the favorite nesting ground of Atlantic puffins. Some islanders still practice puffin hunting on the coastal cliffs, while others rescue the birds after they land in the island's main town. They happen at least five to six times throughout the day. The Elephant Rock can be visited by those who rent a car or take a Westman Islands tour, then take a ferry from Landeyjahfn or rlakshfn to the Westman Islands. Here, they will need to take a one-hour boat trip to see it. Many have also pointed out the rock's resemblance to H.P. The Elephant Rockfascinates visitors because itresembles the head of a giant elephant which has submerged half its trunk underwater, as ifattempting to quenchits thirst with the Atlantic Ocean. The simple answer? The islands were named after two Irish thralls who killed their master and fled to the islands in the 9th century. Fundamental tothe rock's realistic appearance is the fact that it's entirely made from basalt;this makes the "skin" of the creature appear wrinkled. After these eruptions, this famous basalt rock structure formed naturally from the slow cooling of advancing lava. An engaging history lesson for us while travelling to the Westman Island. Visiting during winter? What is an Iceland F-Road and When Do They Open? CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The Elephant Rock in Iceland is in the Westman, The Beluga Whales of the Westman Islands The, We are proud to say that Westman Islands /, One of our most popular tour for those who are here on a day trip in Westman Islands. With a total area of around 13 square kilometers, Heimaey is the largest of these islands, the only populated island that people live on. Does not include auto fare, or cart or kayak carried on the Rock Island Ferry. more, South Coast Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik with Guide and Touchscreen Audio, South Coast tour from Reykjavk in minibus, 2 Day Tour to Jokulsarlon with Glacier Hike & South Coast Waterfalls, 3-Day Tour: Golden Circle, Blue Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon, and Waterfalls, Snaefellsnes Peninsula & Kirkjufell Mountain Full Day Tour from Reykjavik. Speaking of good food did you know that our restaurants, in our cute little island, are top ranked in Iceland? If the elephant did in fact form in the eruption in 1973 that would make it relatively young but even so it has become somewhat of a token for the Westman Islands community. A visit to Elephant Rock in Heimaey Iceland is one you wont soon forget. Compare ferry offers and timetables to Iceland with us in advance. The ferry entry into the islands nearly worth the price of admission alone; Good Brewery and ice cream shop in town; wonderful museums; the lava-scape is incredible; and the hike up Eldfell rewards with tremendous views! This can be done either by boat or by flying. It is real. Angela Haaf and Marc Gage. One of the highlights of the tour is the uniquely carved rock face that lies on the side of one of the islands and looks exactly like a huge elephant drinking from the ocean. FromVik, Landeyjahfn is roughly 1 hour away, around a 75km drive. Purchase at Northport Pier Ticket Booth prior to boarding the Washington Island Ferry. cheesy pizzas, burgers and all the comfort food you might need! The complete area is approximately 13 sq. The easiest way to see them is almost right in the beginning when you sail into the harbour on the ferry. Highly recommend it! It was formed in a volcanic eruption, but some believe it to be a petrified Elephant ogre! This distance is close but far enough away to provide the best view of the whole structure. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Diego Delso. Can you imagine the instagram-food posts that would result as well? This absolutely gorgeous and gigantic rock that resembles that of an elephant looks enormously beautiful and leaves your mouth opened up wide in surprise! This will allow you to bird watch responsibly while you enjoy observing the puffins toddle in their natural habitat. Once youve landed in Heimaey and gotten your bearings, start heading toward the western side of the island. Elephant Rock is a part of the cliffs found on the western side of Heimaey and the face of the elephant is best seen from the water. Locals have put markers so that visitors know when they are walking on top of a former settlement. There are also guided walking trips from May to August with safety lines (which we recommend). This basalt rock giant that hides its trunk in the cold Atlantic Sea is something you are not going to want to miss! Elephant Rock is believed to have been created during one of Mount Eldfell's many eruptions, as the entire Vestmannaeyjar archipelago is volcanic - which makes it an excellent travel destination mainly for geology enthusiasts! Icelands wildest places. When you are in range, get your camera ready to capture amazing photos. Amazing sites and very well organized. The puffins arrive in May and stay until September each year. It could (and should) become a popular trend, its at least easier than visiting the peaks of our planet! After landing in Keflavk you can either take a plane or, like most people do, take a ferry to Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Automobiles with trailers etc. Booking ferry tickets with the best offer for Iceland is quick and easy. Westman Islands tours introduce you to an archipelago of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks off Icelands South Coast. No, during the last major eruption in 1973, there was not a single fatality. rsvllur Camping Groundoffers fantastic facilities including showers, running water, toilets, washing machines & dryers, well-equipped cooking stations and electricity for campers (950 ISK).
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