Reynisfjara black sand beach is changing! Recently, the area of Reynisfjara has experienced dramatic coastal erosion. Strong Atlantic currents coming in from the south and east have stripped away large amounts of the black sand that normally protects the base of the cliffs. What used to be a wide, walk-able beach is now sharply reduced.
In several areas, the ocean now reaches all the way to the basalt wall during high tide. Parts of the famous columnar basalt formations have been undercut by the sea, and access to the cave area is currently extremely difficult and often unsafe.
Reynisfjara has always been a wild place. But right now, it is in a retreat phase.
The powerful North Atlantic swell carries enormous energy. When sand that once acted as a natural buffer disappears, waves begin hitting exposed rock directly.
The result:
To slow the erosion, large boulders have been poured into sections of the beach. These rocks act as shock absorbers — breaking wave energy before it reaches the cliffs and walking areas. It’s not about stopping the ocean (that’s impossible here). It’s about buying time and protecting the most vulnerable spots.
Additional safety monitoring and access adjustments are ongoing, but Icelandic coastlines are dynamic. Sand can return with different wind patterns. Or it may not. Nature decides.
While Reynisfjara is undergoing these dramatic changes, the South Coast still offers incredible alternatives, often with less crowds and just as much geological drama. Here are a few options where you can find black sand and basalt columns.
Just east of Skaftafell, near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, lies the Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash ashore on black volcanic sand. Instead of waves crashing against cliffs, you get crystal-clear glacier ice scattered like diamonds across the beach. The conditions at the beach change hourly, it’s wild and it really is unreal.
In the South East of Iceland there is a long stretch of black volcanic sand called Breiðamerkursandur beach. It feels untouched and vast, a truly Icelandic landscape. The beach is secluded meaning that you might find your self alone when you visit there. It is located in the Vatnajökull national park, with icebergs from two glacier lagoons washing up on the beach. The raw nature in the area is only polished by the untamed North Atlantic ocean.
Hidden in the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, lies one of Iceland’s most unusual basalt formations. Kirkjugólf means “Church Floor,” and it looks exactly like someone tiled the earth with perfectly cut basalt slabs. But it’s 100% natural basalt column formation shaped by mother nature. It’s easy to access, rarely crowded compared to Reynisfjara, and offers a surreal geological experience without battling the ocean.
Insider tip: Visit in low light or after rain, the patterns pop beautifully.
If you want to see basalt columns at its most dramatic, head to Svartifoss in Skaftafell. The waterfall drops in front of towering black basalt columns, like a natural cathedral carved by lava. The hike is scenic and manageable, and the reward is one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Iceland. Less dangerous than Reynisfjara’s sneaker waves, but really impressive.
Dverghamrar, or the “Dwarf Rocks,” is a stunning canyon in South Iceland featuring massive, hexagonal basalt columns. These striking formations were shaped by cooling lava and later carved by the sea during the last ice age. Local folklore suggests they are the homes of elves and dwarfs, adding a touch of Icelandic magic to this geological wonder.
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