heimaey (english: "home island") is an island in iceland. it is the largest island in the vestmannaeyjar archipelago (at 13.4 square kilometres or 5.2 sq mi.) the island is 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles) away from the south coast of iceland. it is the only populated island in the vestmannaeyjar archipelago, with a population of 4,500 people.