Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a black volcanic beach that has cliffs of basalt columns at its shore and large rock formations in its nearby waters, which …
Reviews
Tripadvisor
4.5/5 · 4,158 reviews
5-star
72%
4-star
24%
3-star
3%
2-star
1%
1-star
0%
Recent reviews
Weather
Tours
Scenic
Wildlife
Time
Season
Parking
Bird Watching
Any rating
Loading reviews...
Jan 27, 2025
Amazing and quiet beach Only a few people there when we visited. Did see a horse riding excursion. Black sand and a gorgeous view.Full review by Dolive75
Jan 1, 2025
We were touring with a group - from Gate1 Travel and this was a stop along the way. It was a drizzly December day- which actually added to the scenic effect. It is a must stop as the beach itself is…Full review by Cindy R
Dec 13, 2024
We had a wonderful time at the black sand beach. The yellow light was telling us that Reynisfjara is known for its dangerous sneaker waves, which can sweep people out to sea in an instant. The waves…Full review by mustangjeanne
We are hoping to visit the black sand beach on our visit in November. We are renting a car and will be driving from Reykjavik. Does anyone know how long it takes to get there from the main city? Also, while in that area, are there any must do things/attratctions? Thank you.
A:
Yes, it is 2-1/2 to 3 hrs minimum. The road is only two lanes so it can get even slower. Beach itself is OK , but probably not worth the visit just to see it alone. We spent the night at …
Yes, it is 2-1/2 to 3 hrs minimum. The road is only two lanes so it can get even slower. Beach itself is OK , but probably not worth the visit just to see it alone. We spent the night at Hunkubaaker Farm , about an hour further, and then saw the Glacier lagoon the next day. 2km up the side road past Hunkubaaker is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon- really worth seeing.
Going to Iceland March 18,2019 We want to see the Black sand beach, northern lights (hopefully) and drive the golden circle, so this is probably a dumb question but is the ring road and golden circle the same? We have tickets for the blue lagoon the last night of our tour and wondered if there was an ice cave or adventure tour close to Reykjavik since that is where we are staying. All info welcome....
A:
Hi there! They are not. Golden Circle "it's a common route between 3 beautiful natural attractions in Iceland; Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss …
Hi there! They are not. Golden Circle "it's a common route between 3 beautiful natural attractions in Iceland; Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Instead of driving back and forth the same way, people normally drive a short circle, that's just under 230km (140 miles)." (source: guidetoiceland.is) . The Ring Road in the other hand it's the series of roads (total 1332 km (828 miles)) that goes round the major part of the island, excluding the northwest portion of land. While the Golden Circle can be done in 1-2 days (if the weather is ok), the ring road takes at minimum 7-8 days, if the weather helps. This site below is the main source of information about touring in IS: guidetoiceland.is Besides, always check the weather before taking the road. this other link is a must check (even for short distances) road.is Enjoy Iceland!
Yes it is. Plan to dress warmly and use windproof/waterproof clothing. It will be very windy with the wind coming off the water. There is a great little eatery there to warm up in.
Planning on touring Black sand beach and other spots this weekend. Is it still possible to enjoy these tours in the rain? Looking like rain for much of our stay.
A:
Simonemelo24, As some have already mentioned the wind is more of an issue than the rain. It's quite open, but well worth a visit, just dress appropriately. I notice in this thread the …
Simonemelo24, As some have already mentioned the wind is more of an issue than the rain. It's quite open, but well worth a visit, just dress appropriately. I notice in this thread the recommendation to visit Vik, which is also a great spot, but you would miss seeing a great display of Columnar basalt formation. If time permits, I would suggest you visit both.
How long is the ride, and is this good for kids? Two boys, ages 7 and 8. Thanks!
A:
I agree with the thorough answer above. The kids will love the basalt columns and the caves. great photo ops. I think it was about 2.5-3 hours from Reykjavik depending on minimal …
I agree with the thorough answer above. The kids will love the basalt columns and the caves. great photo ops. I think it was about 2.5-3 hours from Reykjavik depending on minimal stops. You can also see beautiful waterfalls the whole way to Vik and take more like 4 hours with stops. You can see most of the waterfalls from the road, and just turn off for the parking areas to get your up close experience (definitely never pull over on the side of the road itself unless it is an emergency. Locals caution against this constantly). The Lava Center is a really cool new facility on the way to Vik that has some impressive displays and information on volcanic activity. It makes for an easy resting point. As for the sneaker waves, there are silly videos of people getting drenched, but check out the more serious ones. Search for video- elderly couple gets dragged to sea. This shows the more serious threat and conditions and consequences. I still found it very fun to go there, I just wouldn't want someone with kids misunderstanding the threat and the warnings as overkill. Have a blast! I would go back in a heartbeat!
Oops! Something went wrong, Please try again after a few minutes
Frequently asked questions
Q:
Why is the sand at Reynisfjara black?
A:
The sand at Reynisfjara is black due to its volcanic origins. Formed from cooled lava that flowed into the ocean during eruptions, the lava fragments were broken down over...
AdAn Exclusive, Small-Group Adventure of Iceland's Highlights & Hidden Gems. 11 Days $15695. Experience the Best in Small-Group, Eco-Conscious Wildlife Adventures.
Exclusive Small Groups · WWF Travel Partner · Avoid the Crowds
AdHike to world-class waterfalls, kayak into dramatic fjords & visit secluded seaside towns. Taking travelers to the furthest reaches of our planet for over 50 years.
Site visitors: Over 10K in the past month
Responsible Eco-Tourism · Condé Nast Award Winner · All Excursions Included
Save
Share
More
