Reynisfjara Beach is one of Iceland’s most famous black sand beaches, known for its basalt columns, powerful waves, and sea stacks just offshore. During puffin season, it’s also a great place to look up toward the cliffs, where puffins can often be seen nesting or flying overhead.

This is a very touristy stop. When we arrived around 8:30 am we had the beach almost entirely to ourselves, but by 9:00 am, tour buses started rolling in, and the area filled up quickly. Getting here early makes a huge difference!

Before stepping onto the beach, take a moment to read the warning signs near the entrance, which show current conditions and wave risk. Sneaker waves can be unpredictable here, so stay well back from the water.

UPDATE 02/12/26: As of today, Reynisfjara Beach has unfortunately washed away due to unpredictable storms this winter. You can still visit, but you can no longer walk along the sand since it's underwater. Sand may be redeposited in the future, but it's highly unlikely. We will update here again if anything changes!