The most famous tour in Iceland is probably the Golden Circle Tour. Beautiful waterfalls, national parks and geysers. But did you know that there is a beach in the south of Iceland that is covered with ice crystals that look like diamonds?
Diamond Beach was our inspiration for a trip to Iceland; we wanted to see this natural phenomenon with our own eyes at least once in our lives. Once we set our feet in the sand, we were completely fascinated. What nature has created here is unique and breathtaking in the truest sense of the word.
Where is the Diamond Beach?
The really beautiful thing about this place is that you can reach it comfortably. Not only is it located right next to the Ring Road, it can also be reached without a four-wheel drive vehicle, even if the car park on site is not asphalted. From Reykjavík, it is about 380 kilometres, which is about a five hours drive. Directly beside the Diamond Beach there is Jökulsárlón, a lagoon in which one can marvel at the drifting ice. In the background of the lagoon one can see the glacier, from which the ice breaks off after many years and is driven to the shore.
The Diamond Beach consists of two beaches. To the left and to the right of the bridge there is a beach section with an own car park at which one can watch the washed up ice. It depends on the waves and the wind direction, on which side there is more ice.
Origin
The black sand at Diamond Beach and also the pebbles are tiny fragments of the basalt lava that covers the area. Reason why the ice is washed ashore were several years ago. The ice breaks off from a glacier tongue of Breiðamerkurjökull, which is however only a small part of the huge Vatnajökull, which extends extensively in the south and east of Iceland. Broken ice has mostly reached an age of 1000 years and even after breaking it often takes many years until it is washed up on the beach.
Appearances
No iceberg looks like another. They vary not only in size, but also in shape and appearance. At Diamond Beach you can find ice crystals that you can pick up, but also ice crystals that are twice as big as you are.
The white, transparent ice crystals appear in such a bright white because all wavelengths are evenly reflected by the compressed snow, which causes bubbles to form. The blue ice crystals are formed by reflecting only the blue and green wavelengths. Red and yellow are absorbed because air bubbles are washed away when the ice is underwater. When we subsequently see this ice under the sun, it appears in a beautiful blue. The black ice crystals are slightly rarer and are formed by volcanic dust trapped in the ice.
Further information
- It is forbidden to fly a drone over Diamond Beach or Jökulsárlón.
- Never underestimate the danger of the sea. The waves can be washed very far up the beach and there is a danger that not only you but also your camera will get wet.
- The sun rises over the sea and offers great opportunities to photograph the ice in a golden glow. Sunset, however, is on the side of the glacier.
- There are few possibilities to spend the night in the surrounding area, especially if you are travelling with a camper. Camping is forbidden at all parking lots.
- Plan enough time to explore the Diamond Beach, but also the Jökulsárlón completely. This could quickly become a whole day.
