Breiðamerkursandur/Diamond Beach

Background

History & Background

The beach gets its name from the stunning sight of ice blocks — some centuries old — that drift through Jökulsárlón lagoon and wash ashore on the black sand. The ice is incredibly pure and ancient, calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. When sunlight catches the ice, each block glitters like a giant diamond. The beach and lagoon together are considered Iceland's most spectacular natural locations for landscape photography.

Diamond Beach, or Breiðamerkursandur as it's known locally, is one of Iceland's most captivating natural attractions. Located in South Iceland, this black volcanic sand beach is adjacent to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It's here that large chunks of crystal-clear glacial ice, calved from the Vatnajökull glacier, drift from the lagoon and wash ashore, creating a stunning visual feast. The ice pieces, often translucent blue-white from centuries of compression, gleam against the dark sand like scattered diamonds, their intricate internal patterns catching the light, as seen in the image. This unique setting, where brilliant white ice contrasts dramatically with jet-black volcanic sand and the vast North Atlantic, offers unparalleled photographic opportunities. While the scene is ever-changing due to the continuous arrival and melting of ice, visitors should always be mindful of sneaker waves, which can be extremely dangerous – never turn your back on the ocean. The beach is a significant glacial outwash plain within the municipality of Hor and is easily accessible via a 5-minute walk from the main Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.