Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club — Westman Islands

Background

History & Background

The history of Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club is inextricably linked to the dramatic geological forces that shaped Heimaey island. Established long before the 1973 eruption, the club offered a tranquil sporting escape amidst the island's rugged beauty. However, on January 23, 1973, life on Heimaey changed forever. The sudden eruption of Eldfell sent rivers of lava towards the town, forcing the overnight evacuation of the entire population. When residents eventually returned, they found their landscape dramatically altered, with much of the town and parts of the golf course buried under a thick layer of black volcanic rock. Demonstrating remarkable community spirit and resilience, the islanders undertook the monumental task of rebuilding. The golf club was meticulously restored, incorporating the very lava fields that had once threatened its existence into its unique design. Today, these ancient lava flows serve not just as a striking hazard but as a poignant, living monument, narrating the island's powerful story of destruction, survival, and rebirth to every golfer who steps onto its greens.

The Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club offers one of Iceland's most spectacular and unique golfing experiences. Located on Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands archipelago, this 18-hole course is a harmonious blend of natural drama and sporting challenge. From the lush, vibrant green fairways captured in the image, golfers gaze upon towering sea cliffs, the iconic volcanic cone of Eldfell—which erupted without warning in 1973—and the sprawling blue expanse of the North Atlantic. The course is famously bordered by stark, black lava flows from that very eruption, a powerful reminder of the island's raw, volcanic nature and its incredible resilience. Beyond the game, the club is nestled amidst the world's largest puffin colony, with over a million birds nesting in the cliffs, adding a unique wildlife spectacle to your round. Accessible by a scenic ferry ride from Þorlákshöfn or a short flight, a visit here isn't just a golf trip; it's an immersive journey into Iceland's geological history and vibrant wildlife, offering a truly unforgettable experience unlike any other on Earth.