How to Visit Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a world-famous beach and one of Iceland's top attractions. This travel guide includes tips for visiting Reynisfjara, tips on what to see and do, and practical information on how to get there and where to stay.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is not the only the best black beach in Iceland, but it is definitely the most famous one.
Its fame increased significantly after National Geographic included it among the top 10 best beaches to visit in the world.
Well, top 10 non-tropical beaches we must add, but we believe no sane traveler would like to sunbathe and swim here, that's for sure.
Even without this sticker, we believe that Reynisfjara would have made it on most of the Iceland itineraries because it is super-photogenic.
Thanks to the unique black sand, basalt columns, large waves, and sea stacks, often underlined by a moody atmosphere, it is also a popular film location, and you might have already seen the black beach in the iconic series Game of Thrones and even in Star Wars.
If you are traveling the southern part of Iceland's Ring Road, Reynisfjara is a place no traveler can miss.
First of all, it is easily accessible.
Secondly, the beach is surrounded by other top attractions such as Dyrholaey Peninsula, and not that far away, also located near the black sand beach is the famous Solheimasandur Plane Wreck.
And a bit further is waterfall land, as we call the stretch of the road where you can explore some of the country's best waterfalls, such as Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, or Kvernufoss.
When planning your visit to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, there are several things you need to know and a few information that is crucial to read for your safety.
This Reynisfjara travel guide includes it all.
From when is the best time to visit to capture the best photos, where to stay, what to pack, how to stay safe, and how to get to the beach, we've put that all together based on experiences from our recent trip.
What to expect from visiting Reynisfjara?
Let's find out.
The Best Black Sand Beach in Iceland
Even though we love white sand beaches, we could see in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, or Australia, the black sand is very eye-catching and appealing as well.
We have even a feeling the color really fits here in Iceland, the country of Fire and Ice, where weather changes within a second, and most of the photos we could see from Reynisfjara were dark, gloomy, and water-soaked clouds were promising rain.
In the evening of our planned visit, we walked along the black sand beach; we could enjoy blue skies and soft afternoon light, and still, the beach was magical, and we had enough time to examine both black sand and basalt columns closely.
Where do they come from?
Origin of Black Sand
One of the things to know about Iceland is that it is a land of volcanoes, so it does not come as a surprise that the black sand has a volcanic origin same as the basalt columns.
When a volcano erupts - the sand on Reynisfjara is a product of a nearby Katla volcano - molten lava gets to the freezing ocean.
This process creates rock formation and debris that corrodes (with the big help of a rough ocean), and in time creates fine sand, with the only difference, it is jet-black.
You might be thinking that there are more beaches like that around the world, and it is certainly true.
One of the reasons why Reynisfjara is so special is simple.
South of Iceland is one of the rainiest places, and when you put the weather and large waves together, you realize that the beach does not have a chance to dry and turn gray like most of the other beaches with a similar origin.
Origin of Basalt Columns
The famous basalt columns on the left side of the entrance to the beach are also results of mother nature, although they look like it was carefully carved by people.
How were these columnar joints called here Gardar created? They were formed by lava that was cooling down quickly.
When lava cools down that quick, the results are these geometrical shapes that you can see not only here but also near many waterfalls in Iceland such as Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss or Svartifoss Waterfall in Skaftafell.
How to Get to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Getting to Reynisfjara Beach is very straightforward, especially if you travel by rental car.
It's just a short drive off the Ring Road, only a few kilometers before Vik i Myrdal (when traveling counterclockwise, otherwise it is behind Vik, obviously).
We've written a full post on how to choose the best campervan in Iceland, and we still believe that traveling this country in a campervan was the best decision we could make.
By Car
From road number 1 (Ring Road), turn off onto paved road number 215 that will take you to the parking lot.
Parking at Reynisfjara Beach is free of charge, and you can park here as long as you want; just do not stay overnight as it is prohibited.
You can also find here toilets (paid) and a bit overpriced cafe where you can warm up when the weather is not pleasant.
Tours
We think there is no need to join a tour to visit the black sand beach as it is very easy to plan this trip independently.
But in case you want to explore more attractions along the South Coast, and you cannot or do not want to rent a car, consider joining this South Iceland Tour.
The Best Time to Visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Every time and every season is fine for visiting Reynisfjara as long as you are prepared for the ever-changing weather.
Sunrise and sunset are for sure very photogenic, but unless you want to take the best photos of your life, you can basically arrive any time you get to the area.
As the beach is super-popular among international visitors, and you want to avoid tour buses, you can plan your visit either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We arrived at the beach around 10 PM, and there were only a few other travelers with us; plus, the beach is so long that you can freely walk around and get away crowds quite easily.
Iceland's coast is very often windy, so wear appropriate clothing even if you do not plan on spending much time on the beach.
What to Pack
We recommend you wear sturdy boots as it will be a much easier walk on the sand, windbreaker as it gets windy (or rain jacket in case it's raining), and long hiking pants.
Photographers shouldn't leave their travel camera in the car.
For more packing tips, head to this article: Iceland Summer Packing List.
Reynisfjara Tide Times
Do you need to check the high tide and low tide when visiting Reynisfjara beach? We do not think it is entirely necessary.
Sure, the low tide is better because you'll have more space to manoeuver on the beach, but you can walk along the strip even during the high tide.
The only place you might not be able to visit during the high tide is Hálsanefshellir Cave, as it can be flooded.
Being said that, make sure to read the next two sections of this blog post carefully.
Reynisfjara Safety
Before we share with you what you can see and do on Reynisfjara Beach, we must mention one super-important thing with you that concerns your safety.
No matter how beautiful the beach and the waves are, there is one important rule - do not turn your back to the sea and always keep a safe distance between yourself and the water.
We are not overreacting here as Reynisfjara is one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the whole of Iceland.
A phenomenon called sneaker waves happens at Reynisfjara Beach often.
And these unexpected waves have already dragged several people into the sea; some of them, unfortunately, did not make it back to safety in time.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Reynisfjara Waves
Even though you can read the warning sign before entering the beach, when you google Reynisfjara sneaker waves, you'll find a few videos showing how dangerous the waves here are and how many travelers have already experienced something we can name a very close call.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to watch the sea all the time.
Do not get lost in the moment, even when taking pictures, or at least travel in a group when one member will pay attention to the surroundings.
Always watch your kids when traveling with your family.
We never went closer to the sea than to the clear line on the sand that was marking where the water was highest in the past few hours.
Even though nature is unpredictable, you can check out the waves forecast on the official website.
We certainly do not want to put you off visiting this wonderful place, but it is always good to be well-informed, know all the risks, and adjust your behavior to stay safe.
Visiting Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
What can you expect from visiting Reynisfjara? What are the best things to do and see here?
Here's how we enjoyed our time on the beach, where we spent approximately one hour.
In case you plan on walking to the far end of the beach, allocate more time to make sure you won't be behind your schedule.
Reynisfjara Trail
When we parked our car, we walked the designated trail that led us to the beach.
We had to walk around the information boards, where we learned more about how to stay safe.
The walk from the parking lot to the beach is very short, so we could finally see the wonderful contrast of white foam mixing up with black sand within a few moments.
Basalt Columns
Once we got used to this sight, we headed to the left, where we spotted the famous Gardar, alias the famous basalt columns, which is one of the most photographed highlights at Reynisfjara.
We've already mentioned how these columns were formed, but it is quite hard to imagine it because they are so perfectly alike; they only vary in height - the highest columns are around 20 meters.
Halsanefshellir Cave
Then we continued to Hálsanefshellir cave, which impressed us with its unusual ceiling.
We did not stay here long, though, because we did not want to get trapped here by the sea, plus the knowledge that this cave has already partially collapsed was not calming as well.
When the tide is high or the waves unusually large, it is not recommended to go to the cave at all.
Reynisdrangar
From this point, we could already see Reynisdrangar, famous sea stacks rising from the sea.
These sea stacks were once part of the mainland, they were also created by columnar jointing, but thousands of years of harsh weather had them separated.
As these stacks look quite mysterious, many legends are explaining their creation.
Legends
Did we tell you that Icelanders love legends and supernatural beings?
Well, Reynisdrangar just proves that. One of the most common legends says that these columns were once trolls who were trying to drag ships from the sea to the shore.
Unfortunately, they started late, and before they finished, down had broken on the horizon, and they were turned into rock columns we can see today.
Nowadays, these trolls, I mean pointing basalt rocks, attract both tourists and birdlife.
Dyrholaey
Once we enjoyed this impressive view, we decided to explore the other side of the beach. We headed in the direction of Dyrholaey, and we could see the cliffs in the far distance.
It is only up to you for how long you want to walk on the beach, but in case you do not have a telephoto lens, you might want to get further to get a better view of the famous stone arch.
It is very calming, especially when the sun is low and the weather pleasant, but it can be quite challenging when the weather is cold, windy, and rainy.
We returned the other day to Dyrholaey Peninsula, and from the viewpoint, we could see a couple of travelers who made it to the very end, but most of the people decide to return to their car sooner.
As it was getting very late, we walked on Reynisfjara for about fifteen minutes and then decided it is time to get to Vik and find a place to stay overnight.
Where to Stay Near Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is very close to Vik i Myrdal, a small town that in the past few years became a traditional overnight stop when traveling Iceland's South Coast.
This town is super-popular, especially between June and August, so it is essential to make your reservation well in advance.
Prices are quite high, and they tend to get higher based on demand.
We've selected the three best accommodations in Vik for every type of traveler, but you might consider continuing a bit further, for instance, to Skogar or Skaftafell.
Budget | The Barn - It is often not easy to find a budget-friendly hotel in Iceland. This hostel is the best place to spend a night, in case you are looking for cheaper yet comfortable and clean accommodation.
Mid-range | Hotel Vík í Mýrdal - Wonderfully decorated hotel is close to some of the top attractions in Iceland, so it cannot surprise you it is super-popular.
Luxury | Black Beach Suites - Situated only four kilometers from the Black Sand Beach, these suites offer wonderful views over the ocean; all the apartments are well-equipped and offer their guests a unique experience.
Campsite Vik | When traveling in a campervan, there is an option to spend a night in a campsite right in the center of the town. This camp has a kitchen, newly renovated showers, and toilets, the only disadvantage is, it gets a bit crowded in the summer.
Skogar | Hótel Skógafoss - Skogar is a short drive from the plane wreck parking lot, plus it is near one of the top waterfalls in the area, so this hotel is for sure a perfect pick for where to spend a night.
Skaftafell | Hotel Skaftafell - Wonderful location and a perfect stop on the Ring Road. You could spend a night in Skaftafell if you started your day early at the beach.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
