Reynisfjara beach (Black Sand Beach)

Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most iconic and spectacular beaches. Located around 2 hours from the capital Reykjavik, Reynisfjara is near the village Vik in Myrdalur on Iceland’s South Coast. To the southern end of the beach is the 120 meter high promontory of Dyrhólaey, Iceland’s most southerly point.

This black sand beach is a geologist’s wet dream with hosts of incredible rock formations and features. Rising up out of the sand are amazing cliffs formed of basalt columns, known as Gardar. These look like some kind of crazy steps and are reminiscent of the “Giant’s Causeway” in Ireland. These cliffs are also home to a number of large and impressive caves.

Perhaps the most recognisable feature of Reynisfjara are the huge basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar. These are home to a considerable number of seabirds such as fulmars, guillemots and puffins. According to legend these stacks were formed by two trolls who attempted to drag a three-masted ship to their cave ashore. Unfortunately for them day break caught them out and they were turned into the needles of rock.