Diamond Beach: Ice on Black Sand at Jökulsárlón

Diamond Beach is the name visitors have given to the black sand of Breiðamerkursandur, where the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon meets the Atlantic. Pieces of ice, some as clear as glass and some milky blue, lie scattered along the shore and shine against the dark sand.

The beach is only a few minutes' walk from the lagoon, on the other side of the Ring Road bridge, so you can see both on the same stop.

Diamond Beach at a glance

• Where: on the Ring Road in South-East Iceland, across the road from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
• Local name: Breiðamerkursandur.
• The ice: from the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull.
• Distance from Reykjavík: about 370 km, roughly five hours each way.
• Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes on the beach, and the same at the lagoon.
• Open: all year, at any hour.
• Cost: no entrance fee; a parking fee applies.
• Protected area: part of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Where the ice comes from

The ice breaks off the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, and floats in the lagoon, sometimes for years. When the pieces are small enough, the tide carries them down a short river and out to sea. The waves then polish them and throw some back onto the sand.

How much ice you find changes from day to day. After some tides the beach is covered in it; on other days there are only a few pieces. Nobody can promise a full beach, which is part of why each visit looks different.

Why the ice has different colours

• Clear ice is very old glacier ice, pressed so hard that almost no air is left in it.
• White ice still holds tiny air bubbles that scatter the light.
• Blue ice is dense ice that absorbs red light and reflects blue.
• Black stripes are volcanic ash that fell on the glacier during eruptions long ago.

East side or west side of the river?

The river from the lagoon splits the beach in two, and there is a car park on each side of the bridge. Wind and current decide where the ice lands, so one side can be full while the other is almost empty. If you see little ice from the first car park, cross the bridge and look at the other side before you give up.

The best time and light

Diamond Beach is open all year. Sunrise and sunset give the warmest light, when the ice glows orange and pink, and in winter those hours fall conveniently in the late morning and afternoon. In summer the midnight sun gives long, soft evenings. On clear winter nights the area is also a well-known place to look for northern lights, which can never be guaranteed.

Staying safe on the beach

Dress for wind and spray even on a calm day, with waterproof shoes. The ice belongs to the national park, so look and photograph but leave it where it is.

Photography tips

• Get low. Ice photographed from knee height against the sky looks far larger and clearer.
• Shoot towards the low sun at sunrise or sunset to make the ice glow.
• For soft, streaky water around the ice, use a tripod and a shutter speed of about one second as a wave draws back.
• Keep one hand on the tripod. Waves reach further than expected.
• Wipe salt spray off your lens often, and wear gloves you can work in.

What to wear and facilities

The beach is exposed, and wind off the glacier makes it feel colder than the forecast suggests. Wear a windproof and waterproof outer layer, a hat and gloves, and waterproof shoes or boots. A café and toilets are found at the lagoon car park, with opening hours that vary by season. There is nothing else for a long way in either direction, so keep fuel in the tank.

Getting there

Diamond Beach is on the Ring Road in South-East Iceland, about 370 km from Reykjavík, which is roughly five hours of driving each way without stops. There are car parks on both sides of the bridge, and a parking fee applies in the area. Distances and times are approximate.

As a day trip from Reykjavík it is a very long day, usually 13 to 14 hours with stops at the South Coast waterfalls and Vík on the way. Many travellers prefer to stay a night nearby. Our Jökulsárlón day trip guide describes the route in detail.

A long day from Reykjavík: a sample plan

• 07:00: leave Reykjavík.
• 09:00: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
• 11:30: Vík and the black beach at Reynisfjara, with lunch.
• 15:00: Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach.
• 16:30: start the drive back, with a stop for dinner on the way.
• 21:30 or later: back in Reykjavík.

Times are approximate and depend on the season, the weather and how long you like to stay. In mid-winter there are only a few hours of daylight, so the stops on the way are shorter.

Nearby

Boat trips on the lagoon run roughly from spring to autumn and are booked with the local operators. Fjallsárlón, a smaller and quieter glacier lagoon, is about ten minutes west. Seals are often seen in the lagoon and near the river mouth.

Visiting with a private driver

Our private Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon tour leaves from your hotel in Reykjavík and includes time at both the lagoon and Diamond Beach, with stops on the South Coast along the way. You travel in your own car with a local driver and decide how long to stay at each place. We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country.

13–14 hours · private

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

South Coast · Glacier lagoon · Diamond Beach

Car

1–4 people

170,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

On request

Book this tour

FAQ

Where is Diamond Beach?

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