Elephant Rock
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About Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is a dark basalt sea cliff on the west side of Heimaey in the Westman Islands, off Iceland's south coast, known locally as Fíllinn. Plenty of people see an Elephant Rock Iceland photo online and assume it is fake, but the shape is entirely natural. From the right angle it looks exactly like an elephant with its trunk dipped into the Atlantic, and even the wrinkled, weathered surface resembles elephant skin.
The shape only really works from the sea, which is why most visitors see it on an Elephant Rock Iceland tour by boat from Heimaey harbor. Prices and schedules vary by operator, so book through the operator's official website. From the shore you can still pick out the rock, but the profile is much less convincing.
No ferry goes to the rock itself, which catches some people out. To get to Elephant Rock, take the Herjólfur ferry to Heimaey from Landeyjahöfn on the south coast, about two hours' drive from Reykjavík, then join a boat tour from the harbor. In rough weather some sailings move to Þorlákshöfn, a much longer crossing, so check the ferry schedule a day ahead.
The boat trip itself is short, but Heimaey is worth at least half a day. Pair it with a climb up Eldfell, the volcano that rose here in 1973, and bring a warm, windproof layer for the water even in July.
Photos
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Good to know
Where is Elephant Rock in Iceland?
It is on the west side of Heimaey, the main island of the Westman Islands off Iceland's south coast.
Is Elephant Rock in Iceland real?
Yes. It is a natural basalt sea cliff, and the elephant shape is clearest when you see it from a boat.
Is there a ferry to Elephant Rock?
No ferry goes to the rock itself. Take the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey, then a boat tour from the harbor.
Can you see Elephant Rock from land?
You can see the cliff from the shore on the west of Heimaey, but the elephant profile is far clearer from the water.
What else is there to see on Heimaey?
Most visitors also climb Eldfell, the volcano that erupted on the edge of town in 1973, and visit Eldheimar, the museum about that eruption.
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