Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach is a breathtaking natural wonder on the South Coast of Iceland. This beach is near the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and is known for its sparkling ice pieces that beautifully contrast with volcanic black sand. These icebergs break off from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float into the ocean. Tides in the sea bring these icebergs back onto the beach creating a beautiful view as diamonds are scattered on the black sand.
Location and Accessibility
Geographic location from Reykjavik
Located on the South Coast of Iceland, Diamond Beach is approximately 379 kilometers from Reykjavik(the Capital city of Iceland). Visitors must take the Ring Road(Route 1) which will take you directly to the Beach from Reykjavik.
Transportation options
There are several travel options you can choose through which you can reach Diamond Beach.
Car: A car is the most popular way to reach your destination. The beach is at 5 hours drive from Reykjavik, offering stunning views of the South Coast.
Tours: Many guided tours are there in Diamond Beach is a part of the itinerary. These tours provide transportation as well as knowledge about the landscape, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the sights without worrying about driving.
Public Transport: Public Transport is often limited, but still you can choose a bus from Reykjavik that will take you to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Diamond Beach is a short walk from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This service takes more time than normal 5 hours.
Natural Features
Beach’s unique Black Sand and Icebergs
The beach is known for the perfect contrast between black volcanic sand and the icebergs. Diamond Beach is also known as Breiðamerkursandur or Vestri-Fellsfjara. The Breiðamerkursandur is a glacial outwash plain formed by the erosion of the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. The reason behind the name Diamond Beach is, that such names like “Breiðamerkursandur” are difficult or pronounce. And also because of icebergs when they shine like diamonds in the sunlight, this beach is called as Diamond Beach.
The icebergs are in different shapes, sizes, and colors. People believe that these icebergs are even larger and more than 1000 years old. But with time, icebergs are getting smaller and some of them are even melted into the black sand. Some of the Icebergs are deep blue, some are bright white, while others are brilliant turquoise. This color variation is because of how light interacts with densely packed ice and air bubbles trapped within the icebergs. Larger icebergs often have a bluish hue, while smaller pieces are more transparent.
Formation of icebergs and their journey from the lagoon to the beach
The icebergs on the Diamond Beach originate from the glacier of Breiðamerkurjökul, which is a part of larger Vatnajökull ice cap. Due to climate change, ice caps break off from the glacier and fall into the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This lagoon In 2009, it was declared the deepest lake in Iceland with a depth of over 284 meters. This lake serves as a temporary home for the icebergs.
On the shores of the lagoon, the icebergs that circle the area begin to melt and drain into the Atlantic Ocean. It relieves at the ocean but before reaching the ocean the icebergs usually break and wash ashore at the Diamond Beach coating the black volcanic sand with icy diamonds.
Why the sand at Diamond Beach is Black?
There are several beaches in Iceland, where the sand is black like “Diamond Beach and Black Sand Beach”. This is because of Iceland’s geographical location around active volcanoes.
Due to volcanic eruption, hot molten lava was released. When the lava cools down, it turns into a solid basalt column. The basalt column consists of a large amount of iron and magnesium minerals. Because of the decomposition process, basalt columns break down into fine particles with time. The glacial rivers carried away these particles to deposit them on the coast. At the coastline, because of black volcanic ash and dark-colored minerals, a layer of black sand is formed.
Things to do at Diamond Beach
Wildlife viewing
Diamond Beach is home to many wildlife species like seals, birds, and many others. Seals most of the time prefer to laze on the icebergs or more often can be observed swimming in water, which is shallow near the coast. They are best seen in the latter part of Summer when these animals come to the beach to feed and perhaps shed off their skin.
The beach and the surrounding area are also a breeding spot for many birds including the Arctic Tern and the Great Skua. These birds can be seen soaring above the ocean or diving in the ocean for food. You can also get a chance to see the Glaucous Gull, the Black-legged Kittiwake, and the Northern Fulmar. It’s advised to bring binoculars and a telephoto lens for your camera to increase your chance of spotting wildlife.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours
Visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on the boat is an inspiring journey. This is an opportunity to get close to floating icebergs in the lagoon offering an interesting view of this stunning glacial landscape. The tour starts at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Cafe. When the tour starts, you will see several icebergs of different sizes, colors, and shapes. The experienced guides will tell you about the history of the area and how the lagoon was formed by the melting of the largest glacier in Europe called Vatnajökull Glacier.
The lagoon is home to a variety of wildlife like Seals. Visitors may get a chance to spot seals swimming in the water or resting on the icebergs. The participants are advised to look for the animals and this makes the tour quite interesting. Boat tours are available all year round, but the experiences can vary depending on the time you are visiting.
Seasonal Experiences
Diamond Beach is a year-round destination, that offers a unique experience in each season and every month.
Summer:
Summer is a great time to visit Diamond Beach with mild weather and extended daylight hours. The Midnight Sun allows visitors to explore the beach at any time. However, the beach gets crowded in this season, but one can visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Winter:
The winter season offers many unique experiences. The Northern Lights can brighten up the night and as their colors dance on the snow, their glow can be seen on the icebergs as well. One more attractive feature of the winter season is the opportunity to see larger icebergs. Because of low temperature, they don’t melt in the black sand and their size remains as large.
The weather is more unpredictable in winter. The clear days offer you the best opportunity to capture beautiful sunsets over the larger icebergs. The sun is very low, which makes shadows reflect the golden hue on ice and it complements the pitch black sand and deep blue of the ocean.
Safety Considerations
Whenever you are visiting Diamond Beach, it’s important to take care of yourself. This beach is located near the Atlantic Ocean where weather conditions are unpredictable. Here are some factors to consider.
Sneaky Waves:
These waves are also known as “Sneaker Waves”. These waves can start suddenly and no one can predict when they strike. They are very powerful and can knock anyone off his or her feet or even pull him or her into the water. It’s important to be aware and avoid getting close to water, especially in during high tide or stormy weather.
Follow Posted Signs and Instructions:
Do not forget to observe signs around the beach that concern safety and the state of the beach at any one time. These signs as a rule contain useful data concerning existing risks and acceptable behavior throughout the current day.
Travel in Groups:
Always ensure that you go to the beach with a friend, colleague, or relation. This way you can watch for each other and help one another in cases of need of help during the course. In the case you are accompanied by children do ensure that they are well supervised at any time they are around the site.
Wear Appropriate Footwear:
And especially you should be careful because the bottom of the beach can have sharp rocks and pieces of iron. Leather soles are not recommended; do not wear flip-flops or sandals that offer no support.
Know Emergency Contacts:
It is advised to become orientated about the whereabouts of the Lifeguard station or in an emergency the closest necessities. It is also important to understand how to get help when one is in a fix in the future.
Conclusion
Visitors who are planning their trip to the South Coast of Iceland should include Diamond Beach on their lists of places to visit. Spend some time and go for a walk on the shore or among the icebergs – do not forget about the Instagram moment. But the ultimate sure method of enjoying the beauty of this natural wonder is by taking some time and viewing the wonder in its natural state. It is a terrific journey that is worth every day you devote to it.
