Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – A Perfect Spot for the ‘Gram!

Iceland is a stunning destination spotted with glacier lagoons and lava fields across the country. It is also known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” as it is the abode of Europe’s largest glaciers and active volcanoes. Iceland has of late become one of the most loved tourist hotspots in the world. The country has a lot to offer to tourists. On that note, there is a must-visit attraction for anyone planning a vacation to Iceland. It is the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. This beach is one of a kind and is the most famous black sand beach on Earth. Yes, that’s right. Iceland is home to a few mesmerizing black sand beaches and the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach stands out among the lot. Fascinating right? Well, let’s dive right in to know more about this enthralling beach.

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About the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

The Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a beautiful and eminent attraction in Iceland. The black sand of the beach strikes a flawless contrast with the spume of the white-crowned waves and the ocean blue water. The National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveller have ranked this beach to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. As a result that, this beach has also made it to the top attractions on the bucket list of travelers.

Also Read: Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Where is the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Located?

The dazzling Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is located on the southwest coast of Iceland. This coast is home to a few other black sand beaches as well. This beach is 180 kilometers away from Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland. Just before a small beautiful town called Vik, the Reynisfjara beach off routes 5.6 kilometers away from the ring road. The beach stretches all the way from the Dyrholeay stone arches, across Reynisfjara, extending up to Vik. Hence, this makes it convenient for you to stop by at any one of these places to visit the black sand beach. However, the most preferred location is Reynisfjara due to the spectacular basalt columns, sea stacks, and the cave.

Also Read: Day Trips from Reykjavik

What makes this Beach Special?

Apart from the crystallized black sand and pebbles, the Reynisfjara beach has a lot more to offer. The absolutely mind-blowing basalt columns are what makes it the most special. These basalt columns make this beach Instagram-worthy. The stunningly hexagonal columnar jointing shelters a cozy scenic cave on the beach giving it an impressive look. There are also two giant parallel rocks or the sea stacks a little away from the shore into the ocean. The Icelanders believe that they were trolls trying to haul a ship towards the shore and before the trolls could realize the sun was rising, they turned into stone formations at a stroke once the sunlight hit them.

How did it all Form?

Black Sand Beach: The formation of the black sand on beaches occurs due to an eruption of a volcano. Once a volcano erupts, and the molten lava flows into the seawater, it causes a peculiar reaction. As a result of this, the ignited lava instantly cools down, which in turn breaks down into debris which is found in the form of black pebbles and sand on the shore. The Reynisfjara black sand beach is located very close to a volcano called the Katla volcano. When this notorious volcano was active thousands of years ago, a huge eruption occurred, which is when the Reynisfjara black sand beach was formed. The Katla volcano has however been dormant for years.

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Basalt Columns: The enthralling Basalt columns are also formed as a result of the volcanic forces. It is mostly formed on volcanic rocks like basalt. These formations occur when the lava cools down rapidly. The rocks then contract themselves closer to each other to form the picturesque hexagonal structure.

Is the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Safe?

The Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is one of the most dangerous spots in Iceland. The notorious beach can surprise you with swift hide tides. These tides and raging waves, play a cruel game and can be extremely ferocious. Especially the sneaker waves occur when you’re least expecting it. There have been many fatal incidents where the waves have dragged people into the ocean.

Climbing the basalt columns is another dangerous activity. There is a great chance that you might slip into the ocean if you have a fall. During high tides, the waves also reach up to the columns which would be a bad time to visit the cave. Hence, make sure you check when the tides are low and make your visit to the location. Also, keep in mind never to turn your back to the dramatic waves and always keep an eye on your children and maintain a good distance from the water.

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Why is the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Popular?

The arresting black sand beach in Reynisfjara is a popular spot that has been featured in many movies and series. This is a sought-after filming location for many Hollywood movies and series. One such people’s favorite series was Game of Thrones. To be a bit more precise, this location appears in season 7 of this series. Another notable series was Star Trek. The movie Star Wars also featured this location.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Black Sand Beach?

The Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is as beautiful as ever in all seasons. If you’re visiting the beach in summer, you’re sure to love and be amused by the midnight sun. The beach is also dazzling when the columns are covered under a blanket of snow. If you’re visiting the beach in winter, you will surely be amazed by the experience of watching the Northern Lights while you take a stroll on the beach.

Also Read: Northern Lights in Iceland

Don’t you already want to get to the picturesque Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach for the perfect capture for your ‘Gram? Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your essentials and head to this gorgeous country for a splendid holiday. Customize your dream vacation or choose among the various exciting Iceland Tour Packages on the Pickyourtrail website. On that note, Happy Exploring!