Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach
About
A black sand beach covered with chunks of glacial ice that have washed ashore from Jökulsárlón lagoon. The ice looks like diamonds scattered on black velvet.
Ice crystals of all sizes, glinting in the light. Waves push them ashore, roll them smooth. Each piece is unique. Photographers can spend hours here.
Icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier into Jökulsárlón lagoon, drift to the sea, then wash up here. The ice can be hundreds of years old.
Right across the road from Jökulsárlón — do both. The ice changes daily with tides and weather. Sunrise and sunset make the ice glow. Don't climb on large ice pieces — they can roll.
Cars & campers
Dacia Duster 4x4
Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.
VW Caravelle
Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.
Key Camper Wild Duo
Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.
Tours near Diamond Beach
Ice Cave & Waterfalls
Katla ice cave, South Coast waterfalls and the black sand beach in one private day.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Floating icebergs at Jökulsárlón plus the best of South Iceland on the way.
Glacier & Golden Circle
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Photos & videos
No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Diamond Beach, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Reviews
Nearby
Waterfalls
A waterfall in South Coast. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

A waterfall in South Coast. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in South Coast. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in South Coast. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
Hot Springs
Natural hot spring. Off the tourist path. Bring your own towel.
Natural pool. Water temp varies but usually comfortable. Check conditions before going.
Hot tubs with Vatnajökull glacier views near Höfn. Run by local farm.
New seaside hot pot on Langisandur beach in Akranes. Ocean views.
Campsites
Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Facilities…
We are located in Öræfi, just underneath the highest peak of Iceland.
The camp site is spacious with trees as shelter. The camp site is divided into several…
Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Iceland's…
Supermarkets
Nettó supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Gas stations
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol
Olís · 310.8 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Tours
Katla ice cave, South Coast waterfalls and the black sand beach in one private day.
Floating icebergs at Jökulsárlón plus the best of South Iceland on the way.
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Frequently
asked
questions
Why is there ice on the beach?
Is the ice safe to touch?
When is the best time to visit?
Is Diamond Beach near Jökulsárlón?
Is Diamond Beach free?
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Wikimedia Commons
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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