Cliffs of Wonder: My Vestmanna Adventure

Day 5, and it was back in the Tesla with Claus, this time bound for Vestmanna to embark on a 1.5 hour boat tour of what would become my absolute highlight of the trip, the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs, known locally as Vestmannabjørgini. I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about them beforehand. Being one of the most popular tourist destination in the Faroe Islands, I had a nagging worry that it might feel like a tourist trap. But I refused to let that dampen my excitement. Everything I’d seen of the Faroese landscape so far had been nothing short of breathtaking, and I had a feeling this would be no different.

With the tour set for midday, I enjoyed a slow morning, taking a walk into Tórshavn’s town centre for breakfast away from the hotel. The relaxed start had my anticipation at an all time high.

Before heading to Vestmanna, we made a stop at Kvívík, one of the oldest settlements in the Faroes. Here, we explored the remains of two Viking buildings, once a hall and a barn, silent relics of the island’s long and storied past. Before leaving the quaint village, we also paid our respects at the memorial for the Stella Argus, a fishing vessel that tragically sank in 1957, claiming the lives of local fishermen.

Arriving in Vestmanna, the difference in atmosphere was immediately noticeable. This was by far the busiest place I’d encountered during my time in the Faroes. Busloads of tourists had arrived from the cruise ships docked in Tórshavn, filling the tour centre for lunch. I couldn’t help but hope they weren’t joining our boat tour. Luckily, they were booked on a separate excursion, and our smaller boat was filled with independent travellers, kindred spirits eager to experience the cliffs up close without the crush of a crowded tour.

Our boat glided through turquoise waters, dwarfed by the looming grey cliffs. Above us puffins and oystercatchers swooped above us, their calls echoing against the rock face. Claus shared stories of his time in Vestmanna and the cliffs as we weaved in and out of narrow basalt grottos, I still don’t know how the boat squeeze through such tight spaces. The ocean was calm, and the sky was blue, but the chill in the air was sharp. With my hood pulled tight around my face , I must have looked like Kenny from South Park.

Spending the day of the ocean, surrounded by 700-metre basalt giants, felt otherworldly. Our group was small enough that everyone had space to take photos, and there was an unspoken courtesy – once you got your shot, you stepped aside for the next person. Snap away I did! I can’t quite find the words to describe the experience, so I hope my photos do it justice.

Back on shore, Claus took a detour to Norðurdalsvegur, a valley framed by three mountains, Núgvan, Stiðjafjall, and Tungulíðfjall. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Koltur island from the mountain pass. It was hard to tear myself away from the view, but back in Tórshavn, Claus has one last surprise – a tour of Westward Ho, his Faroese smack. The same boat I had taken a keen interest in the day before! His next big adventure? Sailing off with a crew of six. As much as I admired the boat, one look at the tiny cabins told me that a sailor’s life wasn’t for me.

The fresh sea air had worn me out, so I picked up some food from a local supermarket and settled in for a quiet night, watching Netflix until I drifted off, dreaming of turquoise waters and sea stacks shaped like elephants.

How to Book a Vestmanna Sea Cliffs Tour

My tour was part for the 8-Day Summer package I booked with Guide to Faroe Islands. You can book the same tour independent of the summer package, check the Guide to Faroe Islands website for availability; however, you will need to find your own way to Vestmanna. If you are staying in Tórshavn, it’s an easy drive to Vestmanna, or you can check public transport options on ssl.fo.

Happy & safe travels!

L x👣