Hey, ya’ll! Let’s travel to Diamond Beach in Iceland, one of the most amazing coastline places! The volcanic black sand at Diamond Beach in Iceland is complemented by glistening spheres of ice that appear to absorb the sunlight itself. When the sea splashes at the shore, photographers rush to this spot to get the ideal shot of the shimmering ice against the sand. You can truly experience the near-Arctic environment of this North Atlantic Island when combined with a visit to the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and other natural wonders of Iceland’s south coast.
Why is it called the Diamond Beach?
Breiðamerkursandur, Fellsfjara, Vestri-Fellsfjara, or Eystri-Fellsfjara, depending on which side of the glacial river Jökulsá you are visiting, is the real Icelandic name for the Diamond Beach in Iceland. Instead of the name Diamond Beach, the Icelandic name should be searched on Google Maps.
Although it is more eye-catching than the real Icelandic topographical name, Diamond Beach is a made-up term for visitors and should not be used in place of it. Diamond Beach gained enormous popularity very quickly, and everyone wanted to visit; now, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Iceland and internationally!
Put away your assessor’s loupe because Diamond Beach is not where you will find diamonds. But, people get real diamonds on Diamond Beach because it has been a favourite proposal location in recent years!
The reason Diamond Beach got its name is that the beach here is covered in clear-glittering ice shards and orbs. The glacier ice flowed from the neighbouring Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Ice forms in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon due to the glacier’s gradual melting, and it then gradually drifts towards the coast. It makes a lovely scene as it settles on the sand here before being dragged out to sea.
Black Sand
Because of the volcanic activity that is rumbling and simmering throughout Iceland, the sand at Diamond Beach appears black because the sediment is made of lava that is boiling when it touches the chilly water. Certain ice chunks have an ethereal, luminous blue colour. This is because ice without air pockets or especially old glacial ice appears blue. After all, water is blue in real life and not merely a reflection of the sky. Photographers travel from far and wide to capture the contrast between the volcanic sand and the glistening blue glacial ice.
Constant Change in Appearance
The beach’s constant change in appearance is one of its most unique characteristics. The beach will be entirely different the next day, even if you went there the day before. It will have melted and generated new icebergs in place of the already existing ice sculptures. Large pieces of ice, some of which are more than 1,000 years old, are what initially made their way through the Grand Lagoon.
While it is possible to visit Diamond Beach in a single day during the summer from Reykjavík, a minimum 2-day excursion is recommended in the winter due to the limited daylight.
Where Is Diamond Beach in Iceland?
Without stops, the trip from Reykjavik to Diamond Beach is approximately 378 km long and takes around 5 hours. Though it is not a part of the Vatnajokull National Park, it is situated directly outside of it in the municipality of Hornafjordur Fjord. The parking lot and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon are just a short distance apart, making it impossible to overlook. Please use caution when crossing Road 1 after leaving the lagoon, as vehicles frequently go quickly.
Even though you can drive yourself throughout Iceland on the Route One ring road, Reykjavik Excursions offers several tours that stop at Diamond Beach if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of finding your way around. If you’re short on time, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon cruise covers the best of the south coast, including Diamond Beach and the glacier lagoon, and returns to Reykjavik the same day. With just one day, you can enjoy the ideal taste of Iceland’s Arctic and glacial landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Diamond Beach
Any time of year is a good time to visit Diamond Beach. The diamond chunks remain on the glacier ice throughout the summer (June to August) and continue to wash up on the beach, making for stunning photos. During the day, Diamond Beach is considered attractive due to its perpetual golden “sunset” light in the winter (November to February). The beach is exposed to the elements in the winter, so wear warm clothing. Even though it is really cold during winter, it is the best moment and place to see the Northern Lights. It’s a fantastic spot to see the green glow dancing against the night sky because it’s so far away from any form of town or city and there isn’t any light pollution. Just remember to stay well away from the waves at night.
Swimming in Diamond Beach
Swimming is prohibited at Diamond Beach due to the proximity to the wild North Atlantic. The weather here is quite changeable, with big waves and frequent storms. The greatest thing to do is to wander down the beach and see nature’s power from a distance.
Things You Should Do in Diamond Beach
Stay out of the waves! Even the most skilled swimmer won’t be able to survive as the waves get stronger, notwithstanding the ocean’s looking innocence and the beach’s ample width.
Ice is slippery—it goes without saying—these icebergs are sharp, slippery, and constantly surrounded by waves.
If an iceberg is closer to the water, avoid sitting on it! The icebergs are quite impressive while they are on the beach, but when you are posing on the chunk of ice, a quick wave could pull them back into the water, and you could get swept away by the waves. This kind of circumstance could be dangerous.
Don’t leave trash behind! Help us in keeping the beach tidy!
Conclusion
Diamond Beach is a magnificent place, making the five-hour drive from Reykjavik worthwhile! There will be plenty of icebergs for you to snap photos of! Never crawl up on the icebergs here; instead, always exercise extreme caution and merely lean against them. Also, keep an eye out for the waves and the approaching tide to avoid getting caught and being swept out to sea!
Any time of year is a perfect time to visit Diamond Beach, but winter (November to February) is by far the most magnificent. The scene is much more genuine to its name when massive icebergs that fall to the beach at a bigger scale get pushed into Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Huge slabs of ice throughout the winter can occasionally even double the size of an average person!
