Stórhöfði
About Stórhöfði
Stórhöfði is the cape at the southern tip of Heimaey in Vestmannaeyjar, a grassy headland about 120 meters high with a lighthouse and a weather station on top. The name means "great cape," and in summer its steep slopes are one of the best places on the island to watch puffins. It sits at the end of a road running about 6 kilometers south from town.
The Stórhöfði lighthouse has been in use since 1906, which makes it one of the oldest in Iceland, and weather observations began here in 1921. The cape is famous for wind, and its station holds the record for the lowest air pressure ever measured on land in Europe. On a calm summer evening that is hard to believe, while on a stormy day it can be hard to stand up.
Puffins nest on the grassy slopes from about May to August, with the busiest weeks in June and July. A small bird-watching hut near the cape lets you watch them out of the wind, and early morning and late evening tend to be the liveliest times as the birds fly in from the sea. Calm days give the best viewing, and no sighting is ever guaranteed.
From the Herjólfur ferry terminal the drive to Stórhöfði takes about 10 minutes, and walking the road takes about an hour and a quarter each way. Bring a windproof jacket even in July. Keep well back from the cliff edges too, since the grass on the slopes can be slippery and the drops are sheer.
Good to know
Where is Stórhöfði?
Stórhöfði is the southernmost point of Heimaey, the main island of Vestmannaeyjar off Iceland's south coast. It is about 6 kilometers by road from the town and ferry harbor.
Can you see puffins at Stórhöfði?
Yes. Puffins nest on the slopes from about May to August, and a small bird-watching hut near the cape lets you watch them out of the wind.
When is the best time to see puffins at Stórhöfði?
June and July are the busiest months, and early morning or late evening on a calm day usually brings the most activity as birds return from the sea.
How do you get to Stórhöfði?
Drive or cycle south from town on the road to the lighthouse, about 10 minutes by car from the ferry terminal. Walking the road takes about an hour and a quarter each way.
Is Stórhöfði the windiest place in Europe?
It is often described that way and is certainly one of the windiest places in Iceland. Its weather station, running since 1921, holds the European record for the lowest air pressure measured on land.
How old is the Stórhöfði lighthouse?
The lighthouse has been in operation since 1906, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in Iceland.
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