Diamond Beach, next to the famous glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, is a black sand beach adorned with glistening icebergs that have washed ashore.
This natural wonder offers a landscape unique in the world and full of contrasts.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Why visit Diamond Beach in Winter
Is Diamond Beach worth a visit in winter? Our opinion:
Yes, Diamond Beach in Iceland is definitely worth a visit in winter. The icebergs take on spectacular shapes and shades of blue, creating a striking contrast with the black volcanic sand.
What’s more, in winter you can watch the northern lights dance over this surreal landscape.
It’s one of the must-see stops on Iceland’s south coast and one of the most beautiful winter attractions in Iceland.
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Our favorite moments
- the intense contrast between black sand and icebergs
- the sound of waves around icebergs
- the variety of colors and shapes
- reflections and sparkles as soon as the sun comes out of the clouds!
- combine with the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 6 maps that make planning easier
- + 75 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 115 photos to help you choose
How to get to Jokulsarlon beach in winter: access and map
Where is Diamond Beach in Iceland?
- On Iceland’s south coast
- Between Vik and Höfn
- Along Route 1
- From Reykjavik = 5h drive
- From Vik= 2h30 drive
- From Höfn = 1h10 drive
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
How to get there? Winter access road
By car
Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach are easy to reach, even in winter.
The parking lot is right next to Route 1, the main road around Iceland. It’s always the first road to be cleared, and the busiest, so the ice melts.
Arriving from Reykjavik, turn left just after the bridge.
Normally, the roads are cleared quickly enough for access. But during snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check the status of roads on Umferdin.
Guided tour
Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach are still a long way from Reykjavik.
In winter, with the short days, a day trip is too complicated. Choose the 2 or 3-day South Iceland tours.
See the options
Parking
There are parking lots on either side of the point.
Arriving from Reykjavik, if you turn left, you have the parking lot closer to the lagoon, if you turn right, you have the parking lot closer to the beach.
Parking lots cost ISK 1,000 per day. This entitles you to park in both parking lots.
The one on the beach is fairly flat and easy, 2 m above the sandy beach.
To pay for parking in Iceland, it’s easiest to download parka.app, which is valid in Reykjavik, Akureyri and the most popular parking lots.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, difficulties…
Best time to visit, opening hours and prices
We advise you to plan your trip so that you can visit Diamond Beach at least twice at different times.
It’s a magnificent place to see at sunrise, sunset and under the Northern Lights.
The appearance is constantly changing, as conditions affect the number of icebergs.
Some days there are just a few, and at other times the beach is covered in them!
Free access, except for parking.
It’s one of the most visited places in Iceland, so it’s very busy during the day.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow at least 30 minutes, but more like 1 hour (because you’ll be fascinated), for the diamond beach.
Plus 30min to 1h, for the lagoon side
Plus an excursion to see the ice caves (allow 4 hours) – see options
The beach is fairly easy to access from the parking lot, you just have to go down a little over some pebbles.
Catering
At the parking level, on the lagoon side, you’ll find..:
- a tourist office
- toilets
- food-trucks
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
A beach of black sand and more or less icebergs
In winter and early spring (November to April), glacial activity on the nearby Vatnajökull glacier intensifies, leading to more frequent calving of icebergs. The result is a greater concentration of icebergs transported downstream and stranded on Diamond Beach during this period.
We were lucky enough to go after a storm and the beach was covered!
The black sand beach is quite large (long and wide), so you can find your own icebergs to admire (especially when there are so many…).
The contrast between sand and ice is fascinating. It’s truly one of the most unique places we’ve seen in all our travels.
Take the time to observe: some are opaque white, some are transparent and some are blue, sometimes with a little black!
Transparent white icebergs
Factors influencing transparency:
Age and density of glacial ice
The older and denser the ice, the more compact the immense pressure exerted in the glacier, and the more air bubbles are expelled. This gives a clear, transparent appearance.
Glacial water content
Some icebergs appear more transparent due to the presence of impurity-free glacial water in the ice.
Blue icebergs
On some icebergs, the blue color is truly striking.
Factors that affect blue color:
The degree of light penetration
The brilliant blue hues seen on some icebergs are due to the way light interacts with ice. When light penetrates ice, especially dense ice, longer wavelengths (red) are absorbed, while shorter blue wavelengths are reflected and scattered.
That’s why the iceberg appears blue.
Iceberg thickness
The thicker the iceberg, the longer the light has to travel, and the more red waves are absorbed.
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River and other beach
On the other side of the bridge and river is another black sand beach. They can also have icebergs, depending on currents and winds.
There are often far fewer people on the other side. The parking lot is, we think, cleared less quickly.
Jokusarlon Lagoon
The Jokulsarlon lagoon is the main attraction next to Diamond Beach.
This vast lagoon, filled with icebergs that have broken off from the nearby Vatnajökull glacier, offers a surreal, ever-changing landscape.
The sspectacle is captivating, with the glacier in the background, clearly visible on a clear day.
>> Find out more in our article on the Jokulsarlon lagoon.
Frequently asked questions
Winter vs. summer differences at Diamond Beach
Diamond beach is a similar experience in summer and winter.
The main differences:
- There are often more icebergs in winter
- Fewer birds running on the sandy beach
- The surrounding landscapes are whiter
- You can see icebergs under the northern lights
- You’ll probably feel a bit colder…
How does the winter climate affect the icebergs at Diamond Beach?
Colder temperatures lead to increased glacial activity, often releasing more icebergs into the Jökulsárlón lagoon and then onto the beach.
However, severe winter weather conditions, such as snowstorms and high winds, can disrupt the distribution of icebergs along Diamond Beach.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
