Iceland has been on the top of almost every traveller's bucket list since it became well known that it possesses an incredible natural landscape and low light pollution. With scenery that cannot be replicated anywhere else, people are often pulled in by the glimmering ice caves, the turquoise thermal lagoons, the stunning northern lights (aurora borealis) and its numerous glacial volcanoes. However, tucked away on the south coast is one of the most beautiful attractions on Iceland, the aptly named Diamond Beach.

People usually wonder why a beach deserves such a beautiful name, but all becomes clear when they set foot on its dark sand. Dotted along the shoreline are blocks of ice that shimmer in the light, which range from being perplexingly clear gems to a deep, blue hue. These ice shards broke off from a nearby glacier, floated down the stretching Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and came to rest on Diamond Beach, close to Breiðamerkurjökull and Vatnajökull National Park. The ice blocks make for the perfect addition to an already stunning sea view.

Discover Beauty in Every Season At Iceland's Diamond Beach

Despite Iceland having distinct summer and winter seasons, it still boasts relatively cool temperatures all year round. This is part of what allows the glaciers and ice clumps on Diamond Beach to stay consistently frozen. It also means you must dress warmly during your visit. With heavy boots, a thick coat, and padded gloves, you can experience the meaning of fresh sea air in a whole new way. Across the seasons, the diverse landscape changes to show you the many sides of Iceland’s beauty. 

In the summer months, the bright and long sunny days set Diamond Beach ablaze. The most important thing to note here is that the Jökulsárlón Glacier boasts a glowing lagoon during these months, which contrasts beautifully with the green surroundings and dark shorelines. You will also see some of the diamonds floating around on its waters on the Golden Circle and Glacier Lagoon tour, which showcases the best of the summer season. Some people even choose to go on boat tours in this lagoon to get as close as they can to the glacier. 

When it comes to winter, the ice that has been afloat in the lagoon comes to rest on the beach to add to the scattered gems, which will take your breath away on the Golden Circle and Glacier Getaway. You may even see the famed Northern Lights up ahead at this time of year. For this reason, winter is one of the best seasons for capturing scenery, so you should make sure to pack one a camera with you on your trip. The Northern Lights and Ice Cave Adventure is the ideal tour to choose when you are hoping to see these lights alongside Iceland’s impressive ice caves. 

Explore Your Wider Surroundings 

When people visit Diamond Beach, it is easy to become enchanted by your immediate environment. Though it lies around six hours away from Reykjavik by car, the beach and its nearby surroundings are part of what makes it so special to adventurers. Coastal hikes are recommended here, as you can take in both the Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon on one side and the sea on the other as you hike. You can also participate in boat excursions on the lagoon, and ice cave explorations into its glacier in the winter. Jökulsárlón forms due to Vatnajokull Glacier’s melting ice, which means that opportunities to see the surreal, technicoloured caves are not uncommon.

Further along the southern coast, you can find some of Iceland’s black sand beaches, such as Reynisfjara, which offers the chance to see crashing sea views that look out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Here, unique rock formations stand proudly in the sea and climb up the cliffside to form phenomenal panoramas. The nearby village of Vík adds a dose of seaside charm to any trip, where you can indulge in local cuisine before setting out again to explore your surroundings. Diamond Beach, all these sights, and more can be discovered on the South Iceland Getaway tour.