Other than geothermal fields, tectonic plates, volcanos and geysers, Iceland also boasts a few black sand beaches scattered along its coastline, as a testimony of the country’s important volcanic activity.
These black sand beaches were indeed formed by the erosion of volcanic rocks such as lava and basalt from millions of years ago. Although, while these jaw-dropping beaches attract for their eerie picture-perfect landscape, they aren’t suited for swimming or sunbathing.
In this article, we will take you through the top black sand beaches in Iceland, where to find them, and how to get there.
Top 5 black sand beaches in Iceland
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach ICELAND
Reynisfjara beach is the most famous black sand beach in Iceland and even in the world!
Initially popular among tourists for its unique basalt column wall found on the eastern side, Reynisfjara beach has found international fame after featuring multiple times in the award-winning series Game of Thrones and movies such as Star Wars (Rogue One).
Located on the south coast of Iceland, near the town of Vik, Reynisfjara can be visited as a day trip from the capital Reykjavik or as part of a multiday road trip around the country.
What to see at Reynisfjara beach?
Most people will spend an hour or so at the beach. This is quite enough time to take photos at the basalts column (Reynisdrangar), enter the Hálsanefshellir cave (at low tides only), and enjoy the view over the dramatic rocks emerging from the ocean hundreds of meters away, called Reynisdrangar.
The beach is also ideal for a stroll towards the Dyrhólaey promontory. Depending on the season you may see puffins landing on the cliffs. Although, it is important you stay as far away from the water as possible.
Reynisfjara beach can be very dangerous because of a phenomenon called sneaker waves. These unpredictable waves can surge at any moment with deadly force, even on a calm day. Make sure to follow the rules and keep away from the shore.
How to get to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara?
Reynisfjara beach is about 200 km away from Reykjavik on the south coast. Coming from the capital, you can reach the beach by turning right off Highway 1 onto road #215, about 6km from the town of Vik. At the end of this long paved road (about 6km), there is a free car park and a coffee shop.
If you don’t have access to a car, you can join a full-day tour along the south coast of Iceland. This trip will stop at some of the best spots such as the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and of course, Reynisfjara black sand beach.
READ MORE: 10+ waterfalls you cannot miss in Iceland
Vik Town black beach
On the other side of the hill separating Reynisfjara from the town of Vik, you will find another beautiful Black sand beach.
This one is not really known by the tourists because it doesn’t offer the same features as Reynisfjara such as the basalt columns.
However, from this side, Reynisdrangar Rocks look even more dramatic and the black sand beach is accessible on foot from town, which is really nice if you are staying in Vik for the night.
What to do at Vik’s beach?
As mentioned above, if you are staying for the night in Vik, you can easily take a stroll on the beach to finish off the day. Depending on the time of the year, you can even catch the sunset right behind Reynisdragar.
There are a few picnic tables on the beach (near the small dunes) making it the perfect spot to lunch or have a break before driving back to Reykjavik or continuing towards Jökulsárlón or Skaftafell.
Horse riding at Vik’s black sand beach is also a popular activity. You can check out the tour details here:
Finally, there are a couple of statues and memorials scattered across the beach. The first one is called Voyages Friendship. It is a tribute to fishermen who brave the sea for centuries to trade goods with the town of Hull in Great Britain. The other one is a memorial stone erected to remember the 1,000 seamen who perished on German fishing boats in Icelandic waters.
Tips: Staying in Vik is a good alternative to Reykjavik if you are looking to visit the South Coast of Iceland. It is a lot smaller and quieter than the capital, but you can easily take day trips if you don’t feel like going on a road trip and sleeping at a different place every night.
Diamond beach ICELAND
Located on the south coast of Iceland, nearby the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Diamond Beach is one of the main attractions in Iceland.
If this black sand beach is particularly popular, it is for the unique sight of iceberg blocks scattered along the shore which in the sun glitter like jewels.
After travelling through the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, the massive icebergs that have broken off the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier float along a wide waterway leading to the Atlantic Ocean.
Upon entering the sea, the icebergs are crushed by the waves and pushed onto the shore.
How to get to Diamond beach?
This unique place is very popular among tourists and many companies offer day tours from Reykjavik. Count at least 6 hours to get there.
It can be a long drive for a day trip, but most tours include several stops to see other popular sites.
If driving on your own to Diamond beach is in your sights, we would recommend splitting the trip across a few days. We have written a detailed itinerary to help you out: 7-day self-drive itinerary along the South Coast of Iceland.
What to do around Diamond beach?
Of course, you cannot miss exploring the Vatnajokull National Park and popping by the Jökulsárlón Lagoon which is only within walking distance from the black sand beach. There, you can join kayaking or boat tours to get closer to the icebergs and the glacier. From September onward, you may as well spot seals.
If you are looking for some other activities, you can join a tour from Jökulsárlón to visit ice caves – only during the winter months.
Diamond Beach is also a great spot to watch the Northern Lights because of the low light pollution.
Solheimasandur Beach
Solheimasandur beach is not particularly known as such but I can assure you, you have already seen hundreds of photos of it!
In fact, this large beach in the south of Iceland hosts perhaps one of the most photographed sites in Iceland: the US Super DC-3 plane wreck.
While the crew survived the 1973 crash, the plane was abandoned and never removed from the beach. With social media, the wreckage found fame among photographers who particularly enjoy the site for its remoteness.
At night, the white plane contrasts against the black sand and the non-existent light pollution make this beach a prime location for Northern light chasing.
How to get to the black sand beach of Solheimasandur?
For the past few years, cars have been banned to access the beach where the plane crashed.
To get to Solheimasandur, you will need to park off Route 1 and walk. It’s a very manageable 8 km out and back to the wreckage, on a very flat but sandy track.
However, don’t underestimate the danger… While the trail is marked, thick fog, cold and strong winds can be a particular risk. It is not recommended to venture during winter or in case of bad weather. The walk is very exposed to wind and cold with no shelter. Make sure to read the information board at the car park and keep safe.
From March 2022, you can purchase a shuttle ticket that will take you to the wreckage. The bus leaves the car park every 45 min and costs 2,500 ISK per person return.
For those looking for a fun experience, you can join an ATV Quad tour. The tour will take you for a 2-hour drive on the black sand beach to the plane wreck.
Stokksnes Beach
Stokksnes peninsula is located on the Southeast coast of Iceland. It is known for the dramatic peaks of one of the country’s most beautiful mountains: Vestrahorn and its incredibly large black sand beach.
Stokksnes is a lot less visited than the other black sand beach from this guide as it is also the furthest from Reykjavik. However, if you are planning for a long road trip around the island or along the south coast, Stokksnes is a great spot to spend the night and take photographs at sunset and sunrise!
Back in the 9th century, the peninsula was one of the first settlements established in the country. It is now private property and while it is a lovely place to enjoy tranquillity and quietness, you will need to pay a small fee to enter the area.
The entry fee gives you access to the beach and the dunes, as well as a Viking village film set that was left behind. It is a great spot for photos as well as learning how Vikings lived in the area.
How to get to Stokksnes black sand beach?
Stokksnes is quite easy to find along ring road 1. Coming from the west, you will find a right turn onto a gravel road about 15km after Höfn. If you enter a tunnel, you have gone too far and will need to turn around.
The gravel road is about 5km. You can park at the small cafeteria or continue the trail but be careful this area is very sandy.
Info: If you have a campervan, you stay the night at the Vestrahorn campsite. They are bathroom and toilet facilities and a kitchen available.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Self-Drive Guide to the Golden Circle
what you need to know about black sand beaches in Iceland
Can you swim in Iceland?
It is generally safe to swim in the sea in Iceland but most beaches aren’t supervised. The water is cold all year round and many places have really strong currents. If you have any doubts, always check the information boards, and signs or seek locals’ advice.
When it comes to swimming at the black sand beaches, it is definitely not safe to swim or approach the shore at Reynisfjara beach because of the sneaker waves. It is also not recommended to swim at Diamond beach because of the dangerousness of the iceberg pushed by the waves which could harm you.
Can you bring black sand home from Iceland?
Taking rocks in small quantities in Iceland is permitted unless the mineral is taken from a protected area. In general, it is always best for nature to “Take only photos and leave only footprints“. If you want more information you can read the Traveller’s Code of Conduct published by The Environment Agency of Iceland.
Map of the top 5 Black sand beaches of Iceland
ARE YOU PLANNING A TRIP TO ICELAND?
We have a lot of articles about travelling in Iceland and add new ones each month. Check out our latest guides below to prepare for your trip…
- 10+ Must-See Waterfalls in Iceland
- Best Day Trips from Reykjavik
- Self-Drive Guide to the Golden Circle
- 5 Beautiful Black Sand Beaches
- Top Day Hikes in Iceland
- Iceland on a Budget
- Exploring Vatnajokull National Park
- 7-day Road-Trip Itinerary to the South Coast
- 10 best hot springs in Iceland
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About the Author
Jen is the Funder, Author & Photographer behind Talesfromthelens.comJen has lived for the past 15 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling in Latin America, North America, and Europe. She has visited more than 65 countries and set foot on every continent in the world! She is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
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Wow! These black sand beaches are spectacular! Iceland is truly an amazing island, thank you for sharing these beautiful photos!
Great post and photos! I never made it this far, but I have plans to, thanks for the recommendations.
Wow, these beaches almost look like they’re from another planet! I really love the stunning landscapes – Stokksnes beach is unreal!