Reynisfjara beach, also called Black sand beach, is located near the town Vik along the south coast of Iceland. It's well known for its amazing black sand, impressive sea stacks and huge, sometimes dangerous waves.
When I traveled to Iceland in January 2021 I had to quarantine for 5 days. I choose to stay in Vik for those days. That way I had the beach nearby so I could walk a little and do some photography during my stay.
You can reach the beach from two sides, the western and the eastern side. They provide different angels to the sea stacks as the two beaches are separated by a mountain leading into the sea. You cannot walk around the cape, so you have to take the car to go to the other side.
Killer waves.
The western side is called Reynisfjara beach, the eastern is just referred to as black sand beach. Reynisfjara beach is known for its caves and basalt formations as for its dangerous so called "sneaker" waves. I guess they meant sneaky waves, as every once in a while a huge wave comes from nowhere and washes the entire beach.
It's really hard to predict such a wave, and when it arrives it's there all of the sudden ad it moves fast. I had to run several times and got wet feet too in one occasion. Unfortunately a few tourists have died due to the waves in the pas years. The current in those waves is very strong and the water of the northern Atlantic ocean is very cold. If you got sucked back into the ocean, changes of survival become very low.
So, if you may ever visit this place, be careful. It's no joke.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Thijs
(source youtube)
