Black beach Iceland is always a tourist attraction all around the world. You can be a witness to this mysterious atmosphere in the places like Hawaii, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Iceland, Bali, and California. But every Black Beach Iceland is just incredible. People do not know so much about black beach Iceland but once they come to know, they want to know more about it.
These captivating black sand beaches in Iceland are formed of volcanic rock from the ocean combined with buoyancy and flow of the tide of the ocean. And the areas that are full of volcanic activity, boast black sand beaches. Iceland is an island with picturesque views and enchanting beaches. The famous Northern lights and beautiful beaches can take your breath away.
There are several popular black sand beaches such as Djúpalónssandur beach near Snæfellsjökull National Park on the West coast and Diamond beach on the East coast which is close to the mountain peak Hvannadalshnúkur in Iceland. However, the most famous black beach Iceland is Reynisfjara beach on the South coast nearby village Vík í Mýrdal which is a small fishing village.
Let us know about these beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland in detail.
What Exactly Are These Black Sand Beaches?
Iceland is popularly known as a home of volcanoes and these are around 130 in number. When cold water hits the seashore full of hot lava, an interaction occurs and forms into black lava pearl beach a result of it, the lava cools down instantly and turns into black sand beach and debris and becomes a great source of giant basalt stacks.
Every amazing black beach Iceland typically consists of basalt sea stacks and minerals, dark-coloured rocks. Because of these black volcanic rocks and roaring Atlantic waves crash, tiny fragments of Basalt columns in heavy density.
Which Are the Best Black Sand Beaches?
As Reynisfjara Black sand beach is a famous black beach Iceland but you will wonder know that this is not a unique beach, many such black beaches have their separate importance and are also a special attraction for tourists. Here is a complete list and a guide for you about Every black beach Iceland if you are planning a black sand beach tour.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
There is a story that you can believe or not as it is said that the basalt columns that are collectively called the Reinisdanger- are two Icelandic folklore who once attempted to pull ships inside before daylight, as the result, they both turned into stones. Iceland is a unique natural formation.
Before you plan to visit Iceland’s black sand beaches, there is a lot to know about them. As it is known to all that Reynisfjara beach is located on Iceland’s south coast, you have to first hit Vik while driving from Reykjavík which is 180 km away from the beach.
There are plenty of signboards that can head you directly to the destination from route 1. You have to take a turn on route 215 and will take about 10 minutes to go to the main road which would be easily accessible.
When you get there you’ll find a small cafe called black beach restaurant with limited food and drink, there is the availability of a car park which is free of cost and a public bathroom.
You must take your waterproof shoes with you, and avoid your swimsuits because of the violent winds as this is not at all a tropical beach. You can plan your day trip and enjoy the midnight sun because of the unpredictable weather.
A lesser-known fact about Reynisfjara beach
Once there, you may encounter dangerous sneaker waves which are called dangerous roaring waves. So you must keep your distance. It is better to do appropriate clothing and if you don’t forget your windbreaker. Although there are warning signs that can tell you everything needful to know. All you need to do is to notice incoming tides and keep a safe distance.
Diamond Beach
This is the most famous and unique black beach Iceland or probably on Earth which is also known as Breiðamerkursandur Iceland black sand beach. Because of its glacial ice that was a part of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which looks like a huge piece of diamond that is why it is called Diamond beach.
And the interesting fact is that these ice blocks are more than 1000 years old. This amazing beach is located on the south coast which is one hour from Stokksnes beach. The roaring waves carry glacial ice and the size of snow-chunks can be equal to the size of a man’s foot.
The beach is located by the Jokulsarlon. You will have to drive on the other side of Ring road, all you have to park your car and walk straight to the beach. While driving on the ring road you will come across the bridge near the Jokulsarlon lagoon. On the right side is more popular to visit this beautiful black sand beach.
A Lesser-Known Fact About the Diamond Beach
Diamond beach is not the place for swimming if you want to do it because the water consists of coral and rocks that can make it quite painful and harsh. But the thing that you can’t miss, is a short cruise or full-day cruise that is available from Forster to the lake region.
And if you want to know the best time to visit Iceland black sand beach at the midnight sun in the summer and the perfect time to visit it in winter is when the northern lights create a lifetime view that reflects in the ice and the water.
You will feel like watching a picturesque view and a magical world that is full of ice diamonds while stepping onto the diamond beach.
Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
The plane wreck is featured in a Bollywood movie, TV commercials, videos, or traveler photos because of the unique scenery with the special effect of the plane that attracts thousands of travelers every year. This is a beautiful black beach Iceland which is located just 10 minutes away from the Skogafoss waterfall and just 4 miles from the ring road.
If we talk about the story behind the plane wreck, it was a US Navy aircraft which was crashed in 1973. The reason behind the plane crash is still unclear as it is considered a human error or mechanical failure, bad weather, shortage of fuel, or else it can be all of them but the most popular theory is that the pilot was running out of fuel and because of the bad weather and he switched a wrong fuel tank on.
But fortunately, all the passengers survived But it is visible that the plane was badly damaged.
A lesser-known fact about Plane Wreck black beach Iceland
It is easy to hike the path on normal days from the car park area to the Plane. But during winters, it is not at all easy to do because the area is covered with heavy snow so, it becomes difficult to find. Firstly, you must not attempt hiking in winters but if you wanna do, there must be a company of an experienced guide with you.
Sometimes, due to the sudden deterioration of the weather, the rescue team in Iceland’s beaches has to rescue the travelers who have failed to find the wreck. This is a very important point that must not be ignored as the black sand beaches in Iceland claimed to take many lives.
And if you are planning for visiting Iceland on normal days, you must take your shoes that are appropriate according to the place that is filled with rocky black sand.
Stokksnes Black Beach Iceland
Stokksnes peninsula is one of the most beautiful black sand beach locations that is also known as Vestrahorn. The landscape of mountains with the combination of black sea stacks is just hard to beat.
It’s a most beautiful black sand beach with a photogenic landscape. If we talk about the location, this sandy beach is located in southeast Iceland. The view of the kissing sea with the huge mountains and of course, the sand beach with enormous basalt stacks is the best part that you can’t prefer to miss.
It will take about 6 hours from Reykjavik on the east coast of the island to Stokksnes beach by car. It will not be enough to see just pictures as the view is so mesmerizing and breathtaking.
And the best part is that you have to pay a very small amount to visit this beautiful black beach Iceland that is surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature which is worth it. You can also be a witness to the world-famous northern lights view that makes the perfect combination with the dark black sand which is easily accessible also.
All you have to follow is the main road A 1, which is a few kilometres away from Höfn, take a right turn into a gravel road. There are also signboards for the location, all you have to follow is the gravel road.
An Interesting Fact About the Stokksnes/Vestrahorn
It is almost impossible to create a bad photograph because this is one of those Iceland’s beaches that is blessed with photogenic elements in almost all the seasons like you can enjoy golden hours in summers, Northern lights in night, black beach with tall green grass and shore that clashes with sneaker waves and amazing snowstorms during winters.
Only you have to keep your eye on the low-hanging clouds that can quite happen. It would not be wrong to say that this is a kind of magical place that you are not able to ignore.
Djúpalónssandur Or Black Lava Pearl Beach
If you wanna stepping into the lava wonderland you are at the right place as we are going to tell you about the most amazing and beautiful black beach Iceland which is located on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The most interesting part is that you have to take a short drive to Djúpalónssandur and you have to park your car, while taking a short walk you will reach the Nautastígur path which is also called the path of the Bull. The route goes through a lava field which is a very large lava formation. The rock that is called Gatklettur, is a peculiar rock that has a hole, through this hole you can see the Snæfellsnes glacier.
After taking the exit from the lave field, you’ll enter the lava pearl beach where you can see heaped black pebbles which are called Pearls of Djúpalón. Now the question arises if you wanna take these pitch-black pearls with you, so it is not possible to do as this beach is protected. Although it is seen to be used to make beautiful jewellery.
A Lesser-Known fact about the Djúpalónssandur Black Beach Iceland
Behind Nautastígur, there are two freshwater lagoons. The first one is called Djúpulón which means “A Deep Lagoon”. The name Djúpalónssandur has been derived from the first lagoon’s name that means “The Deep Lagoon’s Sand.” This black beach Iceland has breathtaking, photogenic views. And the lower lagoon is named abysmal which means to be so deep.
This place also pays tribute to the lost souls. In 1948, a British trawler got into huge trouble and scattered into pieces. Nearly 70 years later, you’ll find pieces of that boat scattered across the shore of the black beach.
That night was very bad for the British fisherman as they lost their grip and fell down the sea. The crew of the Snæfellsnes peninsula rushed to drag helpless people. The condition was very difficult due to the bad weather and sneaker wave. Out of the 19 travellers, only five survived. Some of the bodies of fisherman never found, was washed up in the cold sea stacks.
You can see the Iron remains on the shore that is protected and should not be touched. These iron shipwrecks are kept in the memory of those fishermen from England.
Dyrhólaey Black Beach Iceland
This is the most stunning black beach Iceland, where you can see giant ice rocks floating on the sea surface, and surely, these are not at all small rocks so if you see these huge ice rocks floating in the sea, don’t be so surprised. The colour of the sea and the sun reflects in the ice rocks that look stunning and give a magnificent natural effect for the lifetime view.
How can you get it? You have to take drive about 2.5 hours or 174 km from Reykjavík city which is not so far from Vik village which is the southernmost village of Iceland. There are many wonders of nature if you travel to the south coast of Iceland.
You can say Dyrholaey is a small peninsula which means, “the Arch with the door hole” which is also a former island. You are suggested to spend some time there, you can stay there for hours for sure because of the enormous beauty of the place. It gives you the perfect bird’s fascinating eye view and the crashing waves to the shore give you a fantastic view.
Dyrholaey is divided into two parts; the first one is called the higher part and the second one is called the lower part. So, you have two options to drive either you can take a straight way or make a turn up the hill. Once you reach the higher part of the area, you will find a breathtaking view from all directions.
While driving on the main road you have to take a right turn in the direction of the ring road to road 218. When you were driving to the top, and after finishing road 218, you will see the lower part which has a great view and you will also see the beach to explore.
A Lesser-known Fact About this Beautiful Black Sand Beach in Iceland
One thing that you have to remember is during summer or spring or in nesting season, Black beach Iceland has limited access. As It can be closed sometimes in a particular season or month. In nesting season, on the higher part, you can only visit it on foot only in the daytime while on the lower part this is open to driving by car. It depends on the difference in the seasons.
You can explore the birdlife during summer but it is also a time for the nesting of arctic tern, they must be protected for their eggs and must be aggressive also so you must be careful while visiting this place.
There is also a big castle-shaped lighthouse. You can also visit the black beach Iceland with the background of Reynisfjara and can discover the small formatted rocks and caves which look so beautiful and amazing.
Conclusion
This is a mesmerizing and superb place to explore and if you are a nature lover and fond of photographing, it can be a visual treat for you. Every black beach Iceland is truly spectacular and unique even if you have already seen black sand beaches somewhere else. If you are Looking For the Best Beaches In England here is a guide to be followed!
Hope this guide is really helpful for all of you! Have a great and safe journey!
