Diamond Beach in Iceland is an 11-mile stretch of black sand covered with icebergs and is located on the country’s southern coast.
The beach has become a major attraction for tourists, with large chunks of ice scattered across dark sand, making it look like diamonds are sprinkled along the shore.
The icebergs on Diamond Beach come from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which is just across the road.
Pieces of ice break off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float through the lagoon to the sea.
When the tides push them back to shore they end up on Diamond Beach where they contrast against the volcanic black sand.
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Some icebergs are crystal clear, others have shades of blue and some are even streaked with black from volcanic ash.
The beach’s black sand is typical of Iceland’s volcanic landscape created from basalt lava that has been ground down over thousands of years. This gives Diamond Beach its incredible look.
Visitors come from around the world to visit the beach and take photos of the icebergs that range in size and shape.
What makes it even more interesting is the fact that the beach looks completely different from day to day.
This is because the icebergs are constantly moving due to the weather and waves.
For anyone who loves to take a good photo, sunrise and sunset are particularly good times. On top of that, the beach is one of the best spots in Iceland to see the Northern Lights in winter.
Diamond Beach is also home to many different animals. Seals often swim near the shore and with a bit of luck visitors might catch sight of orcas passing by in the distance.
As far as getting there is concerned, Diamond Beach is accessible from Reykjavik by car. The journey takes about four to five hours along Iceland’s beautiful Ring Road.
While it’s open all year, visitors should check the weather in advance, as conditions can change quickly. For safety, visitors are advised to avoid climbing on the icebergs, as they can be unstable and slippery. Swimming is also not recommended due to the freezing water and strong currents.
