Reynisfjara beach

63.4028°N, 19.0283°W

This 180 km (112 miles) long dramatic beach which lies between the peninsula of Dyrhólaey and Mount Reynisfjall, was voted as one of Earth’s top 10 non-tropical beaches in 1991. Today it’s among Iceland’s top locations and with its massive city of hexagonal basalt columns, endless panorama views, and unique rock formations rising out from the sea called Reynisdrangar. It’s no surprise that this place is on everyone’s bucket list and truly is a photographer’s dream. The pitch-black volcanic sand strikes a perfect contrast against the white foam of the powerful waves and the blue ocean. Drones are not allowed.
​
On the beach, west of Mt. Reynisfjall is Hálsanefshellir cave located, where striking columnar basalt formations can be seen. Columnar basalt is formed when magma cools down slowly and cracks into columns, usually hexagonal, as the surface area decreases. The columns always stand either, perpendicular to the cooling surface, horizontal, spreading out from the center, or vertical. The varied forms of the columns are perhaps due to this being a cross-section of an ancient volcano, because dykes, small magma chambers, and lava sills can be found among other rock formations.

Attention: The waves at the beach are called “Sneaker waves” because they are particularly violent, often pushing further up the shore than one would expect. They have caused a number of fatal accidents so it is required to keep a safe distance of at least 30 meters (98 feet) or more if the waves reach the basalt rocks. Everything can change very drastically so be careful.

Surrounding locations:​​

• Sóheimasandur plane wreck
• Loftsalahellir
• Dyrhólaey
• Vík í Mýrdal
• Þakgil
• Hjörleifshöfði cave (Yoda cave)

Tours in the area: