Black Beach is a rare and magnificent shore consisting of dark basalt sand. Walking along such a moody coastline is a remarkable experience, a stark contrast to traditional golden beaches. Apart from the colour, the area is known for its pointed rocks jutting out from the sea and for being the wettest part of the country. Enjoy this unusual setting for a memorable holiday.
Spot the intriguing rock formations, known as ReynisdrangarOpens in a new window, that seem to rise from the ocean. These jagged stacks forming dark silhouettes against the sunny blue sky have become icons of the beach.
Climb to the top of the surrounding cliffs for excellent views of these rocks and the beach. Nesting puffins and other birds make their homes in these precipices. Enjoy a picnic with a backdrop of the sea. The white foamy waves crashing on a black beach provide extraordinary photo opportunities.
Pick up crumbling lava rocks in your hand and imagine their journey here from the crater of a volcano. Collect shiny black stones of various shapes and sizes.
Discover the monument on the beach dedicated to those lost at sea. The area’s wet weather often serves to increase the dramatic environment of this dark region. Enjoy the ferocious sound of the waves landing on the shore. The water here is not always safe for swimming so check and adhere to current advisories.
Visit the site in the evening to avoid the crowds and see the sky turn red at sunset. Bring extra layers of clothing to withstand the strong, cold winds.
Make your way west to the neighboring black sand of Reynisfjara and its otherworldly basalt columns. Inspect its caves and clamber over the black rocks.
Black Beach is part of the commune of Vik I MyrdalOpens in a new window in southern Iceland. Reach the town and its beach via the main route that stretches across the country’s southern region. A parking lot with ample spaces is behind the beach.
