Skardsvik Beach (Skarðsvík Beach) is a sandy beach on the western end of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The turquoise water, basalt rock formations, golden sand and surrounding mysterious volcanic landscape make Skardsvik Beach a unique attraction that is definitely worth seeing.
The unique beauty of Skardsvik Beach
The beach owes its unique beauty to the contrast: a cove of golden sand set in a black lava field left by one of the eruptions of the nearby volcanoes. Hence the unusual shapes of the surrounding rocks and the abundance of small coves where sand collects.
What lies here is shell sand, and that is where the yellow color comes from – it is ground-up shells, not volcanic grit, which is why the beach looks so out of place this far north. Only a small amount of black sand is mixed into it, and in places the two together give a striped, wasp-like effect (source: Snæfellsjökull National Park).
The turquoise water invites swimming, but it is icy cold and, with the strong ocean currents, very dangerous. Skardsvik looks almost tropical in some photos – do not plan on swimming here.
At the northern end of the beach is a small cave. In the summer of 1962, a mound with the remains of a man about 18-25 years old was discovered there. Next to the remains lay a 95-centimeter (37-inch) sword and a 21-centimeter (8-inch) spearhead. According to researchers, the find dates back to the 10th century. It is currently housed at the National Museum of Iceland.
Right next to the beach there is a parking lot with picnic tables. It is also worth at least a short walk on one of the designated hiking trails through the lava fields.
How to get to Skarðsvík
To get to the beach, take the Útnesvegur road (No. 574), and where it diverges from the coast, turn southwest onto Öndverðarnesvegur (road No. 579). This is a scenic gravel and volcanic road that is accessible to most vehicles. Access to the beach is well marked.
Map: driving route from Grundarfjordur to the Skardsvik beach — click to open the interactive map
