Diamond beach is composed of black volcanic sand and transparent pieces of glacier. It is located by the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon on the south coast of Iceland right next to the main road number 1.
Black sand and glaciers on Diamond beach
Free parking right next to the beach. (map)
At Diamond Beach icebergs floating in Jökulsárlón’s glacial lagoon wash ashore creating a stark contrast to the volcanic black sand. Thanks to the contrast it is a favorite place for photographers and nature lovers. The beach is also frequented by wildlife enthusiasts as seals can be spotted there and it is one of the best places in the country to see killer whales from shore.
Diamond Beach is a safer place for everyone who comes here. It’s not like Reynisfjara beach, where you’ll find huge waves and strong undercurrents killing unsuspecting tourists. However, there are still dangers to consider. The main risk is glaciers. You should definitely not climb on glacier, as it has a slippery surface and sharp edges. You should also not go swimming in the water.
You can take pleasant walk on the beach, observe the ocean and waves, take interesting photos thanks to the contrast of colors or watch seals when luck smiles on you-
Driving from Reykjavík to Diamond beach
Diamond Beach is located right next to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. It’s about 370 km far from the capital Reykjavík and about 80 km from Höfn. The journey from Reykjavík will take about 5 hours without stops, but only about 1 hour from Höfn. If you would like to enjoy drive from Reykjavík and enjoy all the natural phenomena you will have along the way, we recommend spending at least 3-4 days on the road towards Diamond beach. In winter, maybe even more, when daylight is quite limited.
Glacier walks
You can go hiking on the glacier during whole year. Travel agencies offer glacier tours with additional tours during the busier summer months. If you go on a hike to the Vatnajökull glacier, it is also possible to do a combined hike with a boat trip on the Jökulsárlón lagoon. All you have to do is choose a suitable trip for you. You will have several options to choose from. See these pages for example.
Visit the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
The Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is essentially connected to the Diamond beach. They are right next to each other, so you should definitely not miss this other gem of Iceland. We have prepared for you a more detailed article about this wonderful lagoon.