Experience black sand beach strewn with ice diamonds

Diamond Beach, also known as Breiðamerkursandur, is a fascinating black sand beach on Iceland’s south coast. The beach lies close to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and is known for its striking chunks of ice. These break off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and are washed up on the beach, where they glitter like sparkling diamonds on the dark sand. The beach is part of Vatnajökull National Park, one of the largest national parks in Europe, and offers a unique backdrop that is particularly popular with photographers from around the world.

Diamond Beach is easy to reach. From the Ring Road (Route 1), Iceland’s main traffic artery, a short, easy walk leads to the beach. There are three parking areas, and visitors should come early or late to avoid the crowds. During your visit you should be cautious, especially with the waves. The beach offers impressive natural scenery and is suitable both for a brief stop and for longer stays, during which you can watch the surrounding wildlife, especially seabirds and seals.