Located on Iceland’s wild South Coast, Reynisfjara is internationally known for its unique black sand beach & towering basalt columns. According to top renowned travel magazines such as National Geographic & Condé Nast, its beauty has been recognized as one of the world’s best beaches in the world.

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Reynisfjara Beach

Iceland is home to nearly 130 volcanoes & many are still active today. The charcoal-like sand on Reynisfjara was formed centuries ago during an eruption of Katla Volcano. Upon closer inspection of the sand, you will find that the texture is more like a mix of small stones & smooth pebbles.

The basalt columns of Garðar set the tone for an otherworldly backdrop. Fast-flowing lava from volcanic eruptions came into contact with the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean, solidifying into massive hexagonal shapes. It is no wonder Reynisfjara makes for an emotionally charged Instagram-worthy location. Just be careful of the merciless rip tides that can unexpectedly sweep you away while taking that epic shot!

As you stroll along the breathtaking Reynisfjara Beach, you will come across Hálsanefshellir, a small hideout carved out of the rock face of Reynisfjall. Many people like to explore inside this cavern during low tide. But because the ocean waves were getting too close to comfort, we decided to take photos from a safe distance.

In the distance look for Reynisdrangar, the famous sea stacks that jut from the waters like a giant sea monster! According to Icelandic folklore, these formations were once trolls that were attempting to attack a large three-masted ship. Oblivious of the rising sun, the trolls instantly transformed into stone for eternity.

While you’re here, take a coffee break at the Black Beach Restaurant, where they offer cafeteria-style food & clean bathroom facilities. You may notice the building architecture blends in well with the landscapes of the beach. Apparently, the owners did not want to obstruct the pure beauty of Reynisfjara & designed it in such a way to give full credit to nature. 

The Cliffs of Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey is a small peninsula approximately 394 feet long that offers a birds-eye view of the dramatic coastline along Reynisfjara Beach. In Icelandic its name means, “Door Hill Island” as ships (& even small planes) used to travel through the famous archway.

Off of Route 1, on Road 218, there is a steep, poorly-kept dirt road that leads up to the viewpoint. During the summer the arch-like promontory becomes a popular nesting spot for the cute, colorful puffins. Many other seabird species frequently flock here, thus making Dyrhólaey a must-visit attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.

The Abandoned Plane on Sólheimasandur

On November 24, 1973, a US Navy Douglas Super DC-3 plane was forced to make an emergency landing on the desolate Sólheimasandur Beach after its engines froze over. Other historical accounts claim that the plane crashed after running out of fuel. Fortunately, everyone on board survived the crash & walked away without any major injuries. The plane’s fuselage, however, had to be left behind. Its twisted metal carcass with its post-apocalyptic feel now remains an iconic photography location. It has made appearances in several movies & more recently Justin Bieber even skateboarded on its roof for his music video. (Please do not attempt this!)

At the Sólheimasandur wreckage site, we spent at least an hour trying to capture perfect, unobstructed photos. This proved to be difficult as many others were holding their own personal photoshoots. There is something so eerie, yet awe-inspiring about this abandoned piece of history. If you have the time & patience, it is recommended that you experience it yourself.

Directions to the Sólheimasandur Crash Site

The parking lot for the Sólheimasandur plane wreckage is located between Skógafoss & the small village of Vík. Heading west bound, look for a small turnoff with a gate on your left. There are no immediate signs to direct you from Route 1. But as you reach the GPS coordinates below, you should be able to spot a parking lot next to a gated fence with access to the beach.

The GPS coordinates for the parking lot:  63°29’28.4″N 19°21’48.2″W 

The GPS coordinates for the wreckage site:  63°27’32.7″N 19°21’53.3″W

While the plane was located on private property, it remained a hidden treasure for a long time. Up until recent years people were allowed to drive right up to the wreckage site. But as social media gradually increased the number of visitors, it threatened further damage to the fragile ecosystem. Thus, the landowners began banning vehicles from traveling on the beach.

In order to experience the wreckage, you will now have to hike a little over 4 miles round trip. While the trek itself is not strenuous, it can take up to 45 minutes one way with nothing to entertain you but headstrong winds & black sand. There is no clear trail to guide you towards your destination. But the ominous wide path lined with reflective markers will help keep you in line.

When we visited Sólheimasandur in April 2018, there were trailers with fat tire bikes available for rental at the parking lot. While people had intentions of shortcutting their way to the site, it appeared more of a struggle pedaling on the unstable beach.

Angella’s Travel Tips

• The black sand beaches of Iceland are not like any other around the world. The volcanic nature of the sand can be difficult to walk on during long periods. With nothing to block its path, the high ocean winds can be destructive, blowing up dirt & rocks right into your face. I highly recommend sturdy footwear & quality windproof gear when planning to hike on Sólheimasandur Beach. Otherwise, you may have a miserable experience.
• Be sure to consider the minimum of 2 hours needed to visit the wreckage site. To lessen the number of photobombers in your shots, trek out earlier in the day. If you hope to capture sunset photos, or even the Northern Lights, be sure to bring along proper night gear.
• With the aforementioned tips, it may be best to bypass this attraction if the forecast predicts heavy rain or snowfall. Even when we were blessed with clear visibility, it was still a challenge to locate the wreckage site. I suggest checking the weather ahead of time on the Icelandic Met Office website as the cellular reception can become unreliable near the beach.