Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki

by Elding Adventure at Sea · Airport transfers · Reykjavík

4.50· 2,419 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Couples
Eco-certified

from €18.36 per person

Next departure: Sat 24 Oct

Book Sat 24 Oct · €18.36 Other dates

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki — Elding Adventure at Sea

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 10

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 11

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 12

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 13

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 14

Viðey Ferry - from Skarfabakki, photo 15

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15 photos from Elding Adventure at Sea. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
5 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Ferry terminal at Skarfabakki
Skarfagarðar 9, Reykjavík
Departs
10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15 …
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

Our take on this one

The year-round ferry to Viðey, the small island off Reykjavík with the Imagine Peace Tower, Viðey Church, the Viðeyjarstofa café and quiet paths along the shore. It leaves from Skarfabakki pier, a 5–10 minute drive from the centre, or buses 12 and 16 from Hlemmur, and the crossing takes about five minutes. From 15 May to 31 August it sails every hour from 10:15 to 17:15. From 1 September to 14 May it runs on Saturdays and Sundays only, out at 13:15, 14:15 and 15:15 and back at 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30, so a winter visit gives you an hour or two on the island. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes for the weather.

Book it if: Anyone in Reykjavík with a free few hours, especially at a weekend in the off-season when this is the only way across.
Skip it if: On winter weekdays there are no sailings at all, and the last boat back leaves early, around 16:30.

Written by us, from the operator's own details and what we know of the route. We don't take a fee for a good word.

About this experience

Ferry departure at Skarfabakki pier, about 5-10 min. drive from the city centre. Buses on route 16 and 12 go directly from Hlemmur Square to the ferry terminal.

During the summer, there are daily ferry departures from Skarfabakki pier and the Old Harbour by Ægisgarður pier. In winter, the ferry runs only on Saturdays and Sundays from Skarfabakki to Viðey.

1 September - 14 May
Winter departures: Saturdays and Sundays 13:15, 14:15 and 15:15
Winter return ferry: Saturdays and Sundays 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30

15 May - 31 August
Summer departures: Everyday at 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15
Summer return ferry: Everyday at 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30

Viðey island is a unique place that combines history, art and nature. It is only a few minutes away from the city by boat and is well known for its tranquillity and the spirit of bygone centuries. On Viðey you can enjoy all the unspoiled nature reigns which has a unique place in Icelandic history. Birdlife abounds on the island, while outstanding works of modern art also make their mark.

The island is home to the Imagine Peace Tower, designed by Yoko Ono as a tribute to her late husband John Lennon. The pillar of light symbolises their continuing campaign for world peace. Other noteworthy attention points are Viðey Church, Viðeyjarnaust Cabin, Viðeyjarstofa Café, the Old School House and the Water Reservoir.

The island is about 32 m above sea level, 1.6 km² inn size and consists of Heimaey (Home island) and Vesturey (West island). Along the coastline you can see beautiful rock formations look out for the trap rock at Virkisöfði and Eiðisbjarg. There are 156 types of vascular plants, which is the equivalent of one third of Iceland's flora.

Þórsnes peninsula is protected during breeding season, from 1st May - 1st July. The most common bird to lay eggs on the island is the eider duck, but about 30 species travel from all over to raise their young there each year.

During the summertime, Reykjavik City Museum organises several events on the island. Check the itinerary for updates and information on the upcoming events this year.

See map of Viðey island here.

Viðey is a national treasure that we need to take care of together. We ask all visitors to be careful around high cliffs, always walk along the paths and leave nests alone. Please respect the wildlife and nature on the island and make sure to recycle your waste.

Description from the operator, Elding Adventure at Sea. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Viðey Event Calendar 2026

Included

5-10 min. ferry ride from Skarfabakki to Viðey
Return ferry can be to either harbour in summer

Good to know

Sturdy footwear
Appropriate clothing

Children tickets (0-6 yrs.) are only free of charge when travelling with a parent or guardian. Up to three children tickets (0-6 yrs.) can be booked at a discounted rate per adult, per booking.

Kindergarten groups are asked to contact sales@elding.is directly to book onto the ferry.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

Why we list it

Elding Adventure at Sea is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Elding Adventure at Sea

Read all 2,419 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.5/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Iola Wilson
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
We had an incredible sunset whale watching trip. From the beginning, every member of staff was attentive and helpful. Our guide shared lots of info on the wildlife we spotted - birds and whales. We were blessed with beautiful weather and the boat wasn't busy so we had room to move around and spot wildlife. Lots of tips on how to spot whales were shared. We saw a minke whale and then in the distance the sprays from several humpbacks.We made our way towards these and then stayed with one for ages - it was magical! The captain was very generous with time - because our encounter was quite far out, our trip was over 3.5 hours, we were not rushed back because time was running out! We saw lots of different bird species too. The sunset was stunning and we were able to enjoy this on the way back and also get some beautiful pictures of Reykjavik as we approached. We were also impressed with the way Elding respect the wildlife. Our 9 year old learned so much about whale spotting and ga been putting it to use on our cruise - spotting minkes and humpbacks from the ship! Thank you so much, Elding, for a truly memorable and magical evening!
Frank Campbell
★★★★★ · a month ago
Great experience! Information on what and where very clear on the website and the ground staff very nice and friendly when one went for the tickets. The crew were helpful, fun and full of information on the whales but also other wildlife that could be seen. They were really persistent in ensuring we actually did see a whale, and we ended up being quite far out of the port with the total cruise time around 3.5 hrs instead of the envisioned 2.5 hrs. We were most grateful for their efforts!!! It was much appreciated that after the tour itself we received an e-mail with photos the crew had taken of our particular cruise. Highly recommended!
Emily A
★★★★★ · a month ago
Our whale watching tour was so special. I will start with the whales: we definitely saw them! We found a couple of humpbacks busy feeding and out guide did a great job of pointing them out and describing the behaviors we were seeing. It was truly amazing. The crew has the skills and experience to find what’s in the area. Additionally, they provided us with pictures of the whales and a journal entry about our voyage. We heard from someone else on the boat that if you go out and do not see any wildlife, they will provide you with a voucher to come out again another time (this family was on their re-do but your mileage may vary as I didn’t hear or read about this.) But of course, one cannot control the outcome, and still I would recommend this trip. It was such a fun way to see the city of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains. We had a beautiful day with a bit of wind and they provided motion-sickness tablets for free, but remaining outside I did not experience much malaise. I also want to say that the company was very accommodating. We had booked a morning tour that we couldn’t get to due to travel disruptions and they were very willing to honor our reservation at a later time slot.
Casey Phifer
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
Booking excursions through Elding was seamless, and I really appreciated their ecological focus. I first took their free ferry to Viðey with my Reykjavík City Pass, then enjoyed the experience so much that I booked both their classic whale watching and puffin tours. Everything felt easy and well organized, from the cold weather gear to the books, wildlife guides, and knowledgeable experts who narrated the tours and answered questions along the way. These excursions gave me some of my favorite memories of Iceland while getting to learn. about the wildlife and explore Faxaflói Bay. Highly recommend!

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Viðey island from Reykjavík: worth half a day?Yes in summer, on a dry day, if you like a quiet walk: a short ferry, an old stone house, art and open grass. In winter the ferry runs weekends only.
Best Way from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík (2026)Shared bus, private car, or the Blue Lagoon on the way: the Keflavík Airport transfers we would book ourselves, with real per-car prices.
Blue Lagoon transfer: private car, shuttle or taxi?A private Blue Lagoon transfer costs €107 to €232 per car. Under three people the bus is cheaper; with luggage or a late flight the car wins.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Airport transfers — questions people ask

How do I get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?

It is about 50 kilometres and 45 minutes by road; there is no train. Scheduled airport coaches run to the BSÍ terminal after every arrival and are the cheapest option. Private transfers (/experience/942190/, /experience/1193487/) meet you at the door and drop you at your hotel, worth it for families or late arrivals. Taxis are expensive. If you are stopping at the Blue Lagoon, book a transfer that includes it (/experience/1036423/).

How early should I be at Keflavík Airport for my flight?

Two and a half hours before a European flight and three before North America; the airport is small and queues bunch around the morning and afternoon departure waves. From central Reykjavík allow 45 to 60 minutes' driving plus a buffer in winter weather. That means leaving your hotel three and a half to four hours before departure. Coaches and transfers work backwards from your flight time when you book.

How do I get to Landmannalaugar without a 4x4?

By highland bus. From late June to September, scheduled transfers run from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar (/experience/247406/, /experience/914986/) and back, about four hours each way on gravel and river crossings. The return-in-a-day option (/experience/270187/) gives you several hours at the site. Rental cars without 4x4 are not insured on these roads and get stuck. If you are hiking Laugavegur, the luggage transfer (/experience/1036525/) moves your bag hut to hut.

Is a private airport transfer worth it?

For three or more people, or a night arrival, yes. The coach drops you at a terminal or a hotel bus stop and you may need a shuttle or a walk with luggage; a private car goes door to door and waits if your flight is late. For a couple on a daytime flight with light bags, the coach is fine and much cheaper. Check the tour page for what happens if your flight is delayed.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

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from

€18.36 per person

Elding Adventure at Sea's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs10:1511:1512:1513:1514:1515:1516:1517:1518:0018:1519:1520:0020:15

Reykjavík: light 08:43–17:41, 8 h 58 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Elding Adventure at Sea cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Elding Adventure at Sea's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €1 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.