Diamond Beach is a black sand beach in Iceland where icebergs from the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon wash up on the shore. The icebergs resemble diamonds in the sun’s light, giving the beach its name. The beach is called Breiðamerkursandur in Icelandic, after an early farm called Breiðá.
Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon, is located in Southeast Iceland along Route 1, about a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik. Jökulsárlón is admired for its breathtaking beauty, and is one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations. The icebergs that break off and float across the lagoon are various colors of white, bright blue, and black volcanic ash, and can reach the height of several stories.
Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s largest lake, and is a must-visit landmark. Jökulsárlón is formed by run off from Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajokull. Jökulsárlón is at the base of a section of the glacier where icebergs frequently break away and drift across the lagoon. The icebergs then move towards the South, under a bridge across a narrow channel under Highway 1, and into the Atlantic Ocean.
When the icebergs reach the Atlantic Ocean, they are driven back onto Diamond Beach and broken into the fragments the beach is famous for.
Jökulsárlón lagoon and Diamond Beach are relatively close together, and you can easily walk between the two. There is a large parking area close to the lagoon with several viewing areas that are popular for photo taking. There is also a souvenir shop with restrooms and a small cafe near the parking area.
There are numerous ways to explore the lagoon and beach area, including boat and kayak tours, walking tours, and even ice cave tours in the winter. You can read more about the tour options and cafe here: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours and Cafe
If you walk a short distance toward the North from the parking area, you can find a small offshoot of the lagoon that’s closer to the glacier and great for photos.
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