Iceland beaches can be beautiful, spectacular or even dangerous, but (with one exception) are not cut for sunbathing and splashing in the sea. Yet all beaches in Iceland are truly delightful. Take a look at the top few that are most worth your time…
Glacial ‘diamonds’ on the beach
This beautiful scenery is completed with seals that can be often seen in the waters of Jökulsárlón lounging on ice floes, bobbing in the water or swimming near the shore. It’s almost impossible to make yourself leave this place.
Where is it, how to get there, how the name is pronounced and what it means, and what else to see in the vicinity… You will learn all this (and more!) from this article: Jokulsarlon Lagoon and the Diamond Beach.
Reynisfjara as seen from Dyrholay
But Reynisfjara is also dangerous. Unlike beaches of the Baltic or Mediterranean Sea, Reynisfjara is exposed to thousands of kilometers of open ocean – the nearest piece of land south from here is Antarctica… So this place (like other beaches of the southern coast) is regularly washed by treacherous waves and strong currents.
For more about the beautiful Reynisfjara and its attractions (and perils) read this: Reynisfjara – a Beautiful but Dangerous Black Beach.
Raudisandur beach
Unlike most Icelandic beaches, Raudisandur has beautiful red-pink-yellowish sand. Depending on the light the colour changes slightly and sparkles in the sunshine.
Not far from here you’ll find Latrabjarg – perhaps the best place in the whole of Iceland to watch puffins – the flying symbol of Iceland. The same region is home to a waterfall that many consider to be the most beautiful in Iceland: the Dynjandi. The whole region (Westfjords) is located slightly off the beaten track and has a climate that keeps many tourists away. But it’s a wonderful place to visit. See how to get to Raudisandur and why Westfjords are worth visiting: Top Things to See and Do in the Westfjords.
Western Snæfellsnes has one of the best places to observe Icelandic wildlife: the Ytri Tunga beach.
It looks rather unassuming – you’ll see many more like it in Iceland. What makes it special and totally worth visiting is its seal colony, which lives here year round!
These animals are quite used to seeing people and you can approach rather close (10-20 meters). But remember that seals are wild animals. Do not bother them, keep your distance and be careful. And if they are with young pups, make sure to keep slightly more distance.
Ytri Tunga is wildlife lovers’ paradise and something you just can’t miss. Picturesque surroundings and seals – lounging on the beach or swimming – are quite a sight. If you want to see these mammals in their natural environment, Ytri Tunga practically guarantees it. Learn all you need to know about it here: Ytri Tunga – a Seals’ Beach.
Nauthólsvík may be the only beach in Iceland that allows you to take a dive into the open ocean – nice and warm even in winter…
Nautholsvik is a geothermal beach with golden sand, in southern Reykjavik. Hot springs flowing below pump hot water straight into a lagoon where it mixes with the icy water of the Atlantic, making the temperature perfect for bathing.
It is a fantastic place in Reykjavik, beloved by the locals. So follow their example and go there to experience a wonderful bath plus more: two geothermal jacuzzis and a sauna right next to the lagoon. This beach is also described in a separate article listing swimming pools in Reykjavik: Hot Pools in Reykjavik.
It was here, on this huge black beach Sólheimasandur in Southern Iceland, that in 1973 a small plane crashed (everyone survived). In recent years the wreck has become immensely popular with tourists. It is rather unusual for Iceland as it is one of rather few attractions that has not been created by nature. Still, the black sand and vast ocean are also a big part of this surreal, raw sight.
Owing to its peculiar vibe and location, the wreck attracts more and more visitors and camera lenses. A walk from the parking lot to the wreck site will take about an hour one way. In high season you can take a small shuttle bus there. It is a really curious place that is worth seeing with your own eyes: Solheimasandur – a Plane Wreck on a Black Beach.
Remains of a ship in Djupalonssandur
This black beach with ship parts scattered all around attracts a lot of tourists. But Djúpalónssandur is also known for the tall black rocks surrounding it. Right next to it you will also find remnants of an old fishing village. Among them are 4 stones of different weight. According to a story, fishermen had to lift them before going out to sea.
Djúpalónssandur, like Reynisfjara, can be really dangerous due to its powerful ocean waves. So when you are here admiring the splendid views, please be very careful.
To find out how to get here, what the story was behind the ship crash and what about the 4 stones, plus so much more about Djúpalónssandur read the article here: Dritvik Djupalonssandur – Remnants of a Ship on a Black Beach.
Mountains on an ocean shore – a seemingly trivial tourist attraction. But even though the Stokksnes beach may be described this way, the fact is that it is here that many of the most beautiful and popular social media photos of Iceland are taken.
Stokksnes is a small cape, above which you can see the spectacular mountain of Vestrahorn – best seen from the beach. The tallest summit of Vestrahorn is at about 850 above sea level and the mountain is a truly striking element of the surrounding area, creating a breathtaking vista.
it is one of the places that – despite of being really close to the most popular circular route – is unjustly ignored by many tourists. Don’t waste your chance of seeing amazing landscapes that are so loved – for a reason – by many photographers. See what it looks like, how to get there and what else you can see in the area: Stokksnes – a Beautiful Cape Near Hofn.
Hvitserkur – nature’s work of art
The name Hvitserkur means dragon’s rock, but as it often is with various places across Iceland, according to the local legend the rock is a petrified troll. Regardless of how the rock came to be, with just the right light and windless tide it looks stunning. So no surprise here: it is one of the most appealing places for photographers on their trip around Iceland.
To find out where Hvitserkur is, how to get there and what else to see in the area, go to this article: Hvitserkur – a Troll Turned Into Stone.
Western Snaefellsnes peninsula is not a big area, but it is full of beautiful volcanic beaches. Skardsvik is arguably one of the most charming among them.
The whole area in and of itself is truly impressive. The beach is surrounded by numerous, gigantic intricate basalt formations. The raw volcanic landscape meeting the turquoise ocean leaves you with an otherworldly feeling.
The beach nestled in the middle of it all is covered in completely unique black-and-yellow sand. Read more about this amazing beach here: Skardsvik – a Sandy Beach on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
