Iceland’s Stunning Black Sand Beaches

Black Sand Beaches in Iceland

Have you ever wanted to visit a black sand beach? Then you are in the right place. We will tell you everything you need to know about the most magical black sand beaches in Iceland. If you are planning a visit to the magical arctic country in the north, these black sand beaches should not be missed. 

Why is the Sand Black?

White sand beaches are nice, but the black sand beaches are magical. The sand from the beaches originates from the basaltic lava that covers most of Iceland. The reason for the black sand is that it comes from heavily eroded volcanic rocks that form when lava cools and hardens  and turns black or obsidian.

However, these magical places can get very cold and rather dangerous because of the extreme power of the waves crashing on the beaches, and yes, unfortunately, a few people have lost their lives. Some beaches are more dangerous than others. We are not trying to scare you, but only trying to provide some safety information about these beautiful places. We will take you around the country and give you all the information you need to plan your trip to these stunning black sand beaches in Iceland.

Experience the Power of Icelandic Nature in Reykjavík

Perlan's Forces of Nature exhibit immerses visitors in the primal forces of volcanoes, earthquakes, and geothermal energy shaping Iceland. Explore the genesis of mountains and volcanoes forged by intense heat and pressure beneath the earth's crust. Discover how geological fault lines, where tectonic plates converge or diverge, define Iceland's rugged landscape.

Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara is the most popular black sand beach in Iceland but is also the most dangerous. This specific place has killed a few tourists, but if you follow all the rules and stay far enough away from the ocean, you will be safe. 

Reynisfjara is located on the south coast of Iceland, close to the Skógarfoss waterfall, only a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavík. Some people might recognize this place from the world-famous television show Game of Thrones. Reynisfjara is, however, not only famous for its black sand and its role in television. When looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, you will see these freestanding sea stacks that stand off the coast of Reynisfjara. They are called Reynisdrangar. If one would sail or fly due south from Reynisfjara the first land to reach would be Antarctica.

Behind you, a strange but wondrous wall of rocks that forms a part of the climbing cliffside will catch your eye. These cliffs are made from columnar jointing, a structure that forms in rocks that consists of columns that are separated by fractures in the rock that formed when the rock contracted during cooling. So, there are a lot of things to discover on your visit to Reynisfjara, and if you are lucky, you might be able to see the Northern Lights on one of your visits. 

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

Sólheimasandur is a glacial outwash plain, which in this case means that when an eruption happens in the glacier nearby, Mýrdalsjökull, water rushes down Sólheimasandur and out to the sea. These glacial outbursts, or jökulhlaups, are related to volcanism in the nearby volcano, Katla. There have been two of these glacial outbursts down Sólheimasandur area since the settlement time, the last one in 1999. Sólheimasandur has become a popular tourist destination, not only because of its vast beauty and black sands but also because of an old aeroplane wreck there. In 1973, a US Navy plane ran out of fuel and was forced to make an emergency landing on the coast at Sólheimasandur. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. To get to the plane wreck, you must hike for about 40 minutes from Ring Road, but the hike is flat and easy, and the scenery is well worth walking in.

Diamond Beach

Another paradise is located 5 hours away from Reykjavík and is right across the street from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is highly recommended that you visit the glacier lagoon as well since the views are something that you have never seen before. There, you see icebergs calving off the nearby glacier and floating around in a large glacial lake. At the Diamond Beach, the tides carry the icebergs from the glacial lagoon and out to the black sand beach. The contrast of the black sand and the white ice creates a beautiful display that is bound to catch your eye. The Diamond beach and the nearby black sandur beaches are glacial outwash plains, like Sólheimasandur, created by glacier rivers but not affected by eruptions.

Stokksnes Beach

Stokksnes is one of the most magical places in Iceland, where a giant mountain meets the sea on a black sand beach. The feeling you get standing on this beach is truly out of this world. Stokksnes is located about 6 hours away from Reykjavík, so this beach is best to visit if you have a few days to spend in Iceland. It costs around 1000 Icelandic krónas to get to this beach, but this place is well worth the money.

Snæfellsnes

If you thought that the south coast only had these beautiful black sands, you were wrong. Snæfellsnes is located in the west part of Iceland and is only 2 and a half hours away from Reykjavík. Snæfellsnes has many great attractions and hiking paths that are great for somebody looking for an adventure. The volcano Snæfellsjökull will greet you with open arms. Because of its location on the western coast, incredible sunsets are a common occurrence.