04-09-2024
From fiery volcanoes to icy glaciers and steaming geysers, the Land of Ice and Fire has no shortage of amazing natural wonders to take your breath away. Black sand beaches are one such phenomena, formed by the volcanic activity and dynamic geology of the island.
So, which are the best black sand beaches in Iceland to stroll along while visiting this amazing Nordic nation? Here’s our complete travel guide to Iceland’s black sand beaches, giving you all the info you need to know to plan your seaside trip – let’s go!
First of all, let’s answer the question on everyone’s minds… why exactly is the sand black? Well, it’s due to the volcanoes in Iceland. As lava flows towards the sea after a volcanic eruption, it cools rapidly when it comes into contact with the water and splits apart into fragments, which erode over time into sand.
The most common volcanic rock is basalt, which is black and dark gray in color, leading to the distinctive black sand all across Iceland. There are some exceptions, however, such as the human-made, golden-sand Nauthólsvík beach and the rusty-red Rauðisandur, derived from scallop shells.
Let’s dive right into our list of the 10 best black beaches in Iceland, starting with the world-famous Reynisfjara.
Lined with dramatic basalt rock columns that tower over the striking black sand, it’s not hard to see why Reynisfjara has been named as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic. The stunning panoramas of dark, hexagonal basalt rocks, crashing waves and sweeping expanse of black sand make walking on Reynisfjara a truly otherworldly experience.
This unique black sand beach in Iceland sits just in front of the tiny, picturesque coastal village of Vik in the southwest of Iceland, famous for its quaint, colorful houses and red and white church atop a hill, from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Reynisfjara. It only takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Reynsfjara from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, so it’s an easy day trip to enjoy during your time in Iceland.
Another Icelandic classic is the beautiful Diamond Beach, known for the glistening icebergs that lie scattered across the black sand, twinkling like diamonds! Sitting near the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in the southeast of Iceland, Diamond Beach is a photographer’s paradise with the icebergs flowing from the nearby glacial lagoon onto the black sand at the coast.
Known as Breidamerkursandur in Icelandic, this amazing black sand beach is actually a glacial outwash plain that looks truly magical whatever time of day you visit. At the sunrise and sunset, however, the incredible colors and the light reflecting off the icy gems make Diamond Beach truly breathtaking. Around 5 hours by car from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, or 3 hours from Vik, the uniquely spectacular views at Diamond Beach are well-worth the journey to get there.
The site of a plane wreck from 1973, Sólheimasandur is a one-of-a-kind black sand beach located in the southwest of Iceland close to Vik. When the US Navy plane crashed, the crew all survived but abandoned their plane on the beach, leaving it to become a tourist hotspot decades later. Now, you can see the skeleton of the plane lying starkly against the black sand and flowing sea – an eerie sight, for sure!
Another popular photo spot, Sólheimasandur black sand beach gives some powerful, post-apocalyptic visuals. To reach Sólheimasandur from Reykjavík, you’ll need to drive for around 2 hours and 10 minutes on the main Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1).
Known as the black lava pearl sand beach, Djúpalónssandur is an amazing and lesser-visited black sand beach on the Snæfellsness Peninsula in western Iceland. With immense black rocks sitting out to sea and scattered by the coast, the arch-shaped bay of Djúpalónssandur is lined by black, rocky cliffs and green vegetation.
The striking, rugged landscape at Djúpalónssandur only adds to the drama of this black sand beach, which sees rough wave after wave wash ashore from the churning ocean. There are also two lagoons at Djúpalónssandur, formed by the tides flowing in and out of the bay, as well as four very heavy ‘lifting stones’ that were historically used to test the strength of sailors..jpg)
Whereas you can’t swim in the black sand beaches at Iceland’s coast due to very dangerous waters, Lake Myvatn is perfectly safe for a dip. Sitting in the northeast of Iceland, Lake Myvatn is located close to some steaming hot springs, which are the perfect accompaniment to your swim in the lake – you’ll be warm in no time!
An amazing remote location to explore Iceland’s stunning natural landscapes, the area around Lake Myvatn is regarded as one of the most beautiful in all of Iceland, with lava fields, wetlands, a hot spring cave, volcanic crater, geothermal area and expanses of lush greenery. You’ll need to set aside more time for your trip to the black sand beach at Lake Myvatn, as it’ll take you around 5 hours and 45 minutes to get there from Reykjavik.
One of the most remote, wild and untouched black sand beaches in Iceland, Stokksnes sits in the Eastfjords at the base of the towering Mount Vestrahorn. With its jagged edges seemingly touching the sky, this majestic mountain adds to the striking panoramas of Stokksnes black sand beach.
Located in the sparsely populated region that is East Iceland, Stokksnes is a brilliant choice for intrepid adventurers. Just remember not to walk over the grass that grows to protect the dunes. The journey to Stokksnes will take about 6 hours from Reykjavik by car via the Ring Road.
For an Icelandic black sand beach closer to the city of Reykajvik, you can visit the beautiful Sandvik, which lies on the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, just 1 hour from the capital. With both black sand and rocks, Sandvik black sand beach is home to the Bridge Between Continents, which is a bridge straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (the division between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates).
Close to the main airport in Iceland, Keflavik International Airport, Sandvik is a great stop for your first or last day in Iceland, before you drop off your rental car at the airport. The beautiful grassy dunes, volcanic black sand and expansive panoramas of the sea make Sandvik an epic black sand beach to visit while in Iceland.
Famous for its iconic lighthouse and only 10 minutes from downtown Reykajvik, Grotta black sand beach is the perfect choice for those travelers who are pushed for time. A breeding site for Arctic tern and tufted ducks during the summer, Grotta beach is a popular location for watching the Northern Lights, being close enough to the city to be convenient to get to, but far enough away to avoid too much light pollution.
You can walk out to the island that hosts the famous Grotta Lighthouse during low tide, allowing you to see the black sand beach and surrounding landscape from a different perspective. Grotta is also an amazing spot to watch the sunset, but just make sure to be back on the cityside of the beach at high tide, as, at this time, the island becomes completely submerged.
With a massive arch-shaped rock structure out at sea, a historic lighthouse, a diverse range of Arctic wildlife (and birds including puffins) and a hidden gem of a black sand beach, Dyrholaey is a wonderful location for a day trip in Iceland. Around 2 hours and 30 minutes from Reykajvik, Dyrholaey is easily accessible via the Ring Road and sits close to both Vik and Reynsfjara black sand beach.
The tall cliffs, roaring Atlantic waves and unique stone structures make Dyrholaey a truly unique location. If you visit during summer, you’ll have a great chance of spotting Iceland’s signature bird, the Atlantic puffin, at Dyrholaey..jpg)
Another black sand beach lying off the beaten path, Eyrarbakki is only 55 minutes away from Reykjavik by car via the Ring Road. Located on the island’s southern coast in front of the vibrant fishing village of Eyrarbakki, this black sand beach is a wonderful place for walking, birdwatching and soaking in the beautiful views.
With many stones and rocks at the coast, the beach at Eyrarbakki stretches along the shoreline past the historic, now-disused harbor and piers. You can experience a taste of authentic Icelandic life and nature at Eyrarbakki without the bustling tourist crowds.
When visiting Iceland’s amazing black sand beaches, it’s important to make sure you always stay a safe distance away from the shore, as there can be some very powerful Atlantic waves crashing ashore. Some beaches have specific warning signs to ensure you keep away from the coast to avoid being caught out by a sneaker wave. Always make sure to admire from afar and you’ll be sure to have a wonderful time.
Feeling inspired to explore the best Icelandic black sand beaches for yourself? Amazing! We can help you out with a rental car in Iceland, perfect for driving around the island and visiting all the beaches and other natural wonders that catch your eye. Just make sure to book in advance to select your preferred model and we’ll sort out the rest. We look forward to welcoming you to Iceland very soon!