Black Beach Iceland is always a tourist attraction all around the world. You can witness this mysterious atmosphere in places like Hawaii, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Iceland, Bali, and California. But every Black Beach in Iceland is just incredible.

The areas are full of volcanic activity and 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 famous black sand beaches, such as Djúpalónssandur Beach on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Diamond Beach near the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the southeast coast of Iceland.

However, the most famous black beach in Iceland is Reynisfjara Beach on the South Coast near Vík í Mýrdal, a small fishing village.

Let us know about these beautiful beaches in Iceland in detail.

1. What Exactly Are These Black Sand Beaches?

Iceland is popularly known as a home of volcanoes, and there are over 200 volcanoes. The black sand at Diamond Beach in Iceland is formed by boiling hot lava when it hits the cool of the sea. As a result, the lava cools down instantly and turns into black sand beaches and debris, becoming a great source of giant basalt stacks.

Every amazing black beach in Iceland typically consists of basalt sea stacks, minerals, and dark-coloured rocks. Because of these black volcanic rocks and roaring Atlantic waves crash, tiny fragments of Basalt columns in heavy density.

2. Which Are the Best Black Sand Beaches In Iceland?

Many black beaches have their separate importance and are also unique attractions for tourists. Here is a complete list and a guide for you about black beaches in Iceland if you plan a black sand beach tour.

2.1. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a famous black beach in Iceland. There is a story that you can believe or not as it is said that the basalt columns are collectively called the Reinisdanger, two Icelandic folklore who once attempted to pull ships inside before daylight. As a result, they both turned into stones. Iceland is a unique natural formation.

Before visiting Iceland’s black sand beaches, there is much to know about them. As it is known to all that Reynisfjara Beach is located on Iceland’s south coast, you must first hit Vik while driving from Reykjavík, 180 km away from the beach.

Plenty of signboards can head you directly to the destination from Route 1. You have to take a turn on Route 215, and it will take about 10 minutes to go to the main road, which is 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 charge, 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 a tropical beach. Because of the unpredictable weather, you can plan your day trip and enjoy the midnight sun.

A Lesser-Known Fact About Reynisfjara Beach

Once there, you may encounter dangerous sneaker waves called dangerous roaring waves. So it would be best if you kept your distance. It is better to wear appropriate clothing and if you don’t forget your windbreaker. Although there are warning signs that can tell you everything you need to know. You only need to notice incoming tides and keep a safe distance.

2.2. Diamond Beach

This is the most famous and unique black beach in Iceland or probably on Earth, 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 massive piece of diamond, it is called Diamond Beach.

This fantastic beach is located on the south coast, one hour from Stokksnes Beach. The roaring waves carry glacial ice, and the size of snow chunks can equal a man’s foot.

Diamond Beach is located near the Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon. You will have to drive on the other side of Ring Road, all you have to do is park your car and walk straight to the beach. While driving on the ring road, you will cross the bridge near the Jokulsarlon lagoon. On the right side, this beautiful black sand beach is more popular.

A Lesser-Known Fact About the Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach is not a place to swim if you want to because the water consists of coral and rocks, which 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.

If you want to know the best time to visit Iceland’s black sand beach at the midnight sun in the summer and the perfect time to visit it in winter, it is when the northern lights create a lifetime view that reflects in the ice and the water.

While stepping onto the diamond beach, you will feel like watching a picturesque view and a magical world of ice diamonds.

2.3. Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

The plane wreck is featured in Bollywood movies, TV commercials, videos, or traveller photos because of the unique scenery with the special effect of the plane that attracts thousands of travellers every year.

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 power and because of the bad weather. He switched the wrong fuel tank on.

A Lesser-Known Fact About Plane Wreck Beach 

It is easy to hike the path from the car park area to the Plane on average days. But it is not easy to do during winter because the area is covered with heavy snow, so it becomes difficult to find. Firstly, you must not try hiking in winter, but if you want to do it, you must have an experienced guide.

Sometimes, due to the sudden deterioration of the weather, the rescue team on Iceland’s beaches has to rescue the travellers who have failed to find the wreck. This is a crucial point that must not be ignored as the black sand beaches in Iceland claimed to take many lives.

If you are planning to visit Iceland on regular days, you must wear appropriate shoes to match the place filled with rocky black sand.

2.4. Stokksnes Black Beach 

Stokksnes peninsula is one of the most beautiful and is known as Vestrahorn. The landscape of mountains with the combination of black sea stacks is 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 vast mountains and, of course, the sand beach with enormous basalt stacks is the best part that you can’t miss.

It will take about 6 hours by car from Reykjavik on the island’s east coast to Stokksnes beach. It will not be enough to see just pictures as the view is mesmerizing and breathtaking.

And the best part is that you have to pay a minimal amount to visit this beautiful black beach in Iceland, surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature, which is worth it. You can also witness the world-famous view of the northern lights, which is the perfect combination with the dark black sand, which is easily accessible.

All you must follow is the main road A 1, a few kilometres away from Höfn; turn right 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 lousy photograph because this is one of Iceland’s beaches blessed with photogenic elements in nearly all the seasons. You can enjoy golden hours in summer, Northern lights at night, a black beach with tall green grass and a shore that clashes with sneaker waves and impressive snowstorms during winter.

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 cannot ignore.

2.5. Djúpalónssandur Or Black Lava Pearl Beach

If you want to step into the lava wonderland, you are at the right place as we will tell you about the most unique and beautiful black beach in Iceland, located on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

The most exciting part is that you must drive to Djúpalónssandur and park your car. While taking a short walk, you will reach the Nautastígur path, also called the Path of the Bull. The route goes through a lava field, a considerable 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 lava field, you’ll enter the lava pearl beach, where you can see heaped black pebbles called Pearls of Djúpalón. The question arises if you want to take these pitch-black pearls with you, which is impossible as this beach is protected. However, it is seen to be used to make beautiful jewellery.

A Lesser-Known Fact About the Djúpalónssandur 

Behind Nautastígur, there are two freshwater lagoons. The first is called Djúpulón, which means “A Deep Lagoon.” Djúpalónssandur derives from the first lagoon’s name, “The Deep Lagoon’s Sand.” This black beach in Iceland has breathtaking, photogenic views. The lower lagoon is named abysmal, which means to be so profound.

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 details of that boat spread across the shore of the black beach.

That night was terrible 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 challenging due to the lousy weather and sneaker waves.

Out of the 19 travellers, only five survived. Some of the bodies of fishermen never found were washed up in the cold sea stacks.

2.6. Dyrhólaey Black Beach, Iceland

Dyrhólaey – The Arch with the Hole is Iceland’s most stunning black beach, where you can see giant ice rocks floating on the sea surface. Indeed, these are not small rocks, so if you see these colossal 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 drive about 2.5 hours or 174 km from Reykjavík city, which is not so far from Vik village, 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, meaning “the Arch with the door hole,” and a former island. You are suggested to spend some time there. You can stay there for hours 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 idea.

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: 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 must take a right turn toward the ring road to road 218. When you are moving 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 Beach in Iceland

You can explore the birdlife during summer, but it is also a time for the nesting of arctic terns. 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 in Iceland with the background of Reynisfjara and discover the small formatted rocks and caves, which look so beautiful and unique.

3. In the End

In conclusion, Iceland’s black sand beaches are not just geological marvels but gateways to unique stories, breathtaking landscapes, and natural wonders.

Each beach, from the famous Reynisfjara to the lesser-known gems like Djúpalónssandur and Dyrhólaey, offers a distinct experience.

This is a mesmerizing and superb place to explore, and if you are a nature lover and are fond of photography, it can be a visual treat for you. Every black beach in Iceland is truly spectacular and unique, even if you have already seen black sand beaches elsewhere.

Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty