If the crowded white sandy beaches of the Caribbean now sound like a mundane holiday destination, then the crowded black sand beaches of Iceland must be the complete opposite.
First of all, the sand here is black. It is the antithesis of white sand. And it is cold! (What else could you expect in Iceland?) But without a doubt, if Reynisfjara Beach is anything different from the beaches of the Caribbean, it is that it is far from ordinary.
Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting Reynisfjara Beach, undoubtedly it is anything but ordinary.
You might feel like being in a Salvador Dali painting, but neither J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of “The Lord of the Rings,” nor the famous surrealist painter of the 20th century could have imagined the sight of walking on a shimmering black obsidian sand beach that stretches for miles.
Just like in “The Hobbit,” legend has it that there were three trolls on Reynisfjara Beach who accidentally touched sunlight and turned into stone. This story explains the origin of the towering sea stacks protruding from the ocean that can be seen from the coast of Iceland.
Not only is Reynisfjara akin to the Middle-earth world of Tolkien, but it has also served as a backdrop for universes in “Game of Thrones,” “Star Trek,” and “Star Wars.” The iconic hexagonal basalt columns featured in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” were filmed here to represent an outer planet.
Compared to standard white sandy beaches, Reynisfjara appears to be from another realm. It is surreal.
For anyone looking to sunbathe and relax, Reynisfjara may not be the ideal destination. However, if you do visit, Icelandic authorities urge you to heed warnings and not risk your life. Located near Vik, Iceland, where it sounds cold, indeed it is, it is very cold. But it can get even more severe.
Unlike the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, swimming at Reynisfjara Beach is virtually impossible. The water contains hazardous chemicals that pose a threat to health. Yes, people have died, and authorities do not want anyone to go into the water. There is a particular kind of wave called a “sneaker wave” that unexpectedly crashes onto the shore and knocks down anyone who happens to be climbing on the cliffs, whether seeking a better view, taking selfies, or just recklessly playing around.
The government has installed red warning lights here to indicate when the water is especially dangerous and warns visitors to stay away from the shore. Beachgoers on a clear day would do well to heed those red lights and keep a safe distance.
Do not swim. Do not climb the cliffs. Pay attention to the red lights. Iceland’s black sand beaches are treacherous.
Evidently, all this black sand comes from volcanoes. Beaches like Reynisfjara, brimming with exoticism, raise a question about how they were formed. Geologists explain that volcanic eruptions spewed molten lava into the cold Atlantic, where the extreme cooling of the molten rock turned it into a volcanic glass called obsidian. Over millions of years, wind and rain eroded the black obsidian into sand, forming the Reynisfjara Beach we see today.
Similar processes have occurred with the twisted hexagonal basalt cliffs. The gleaming lava quickly cooled as it was struck by the seawater, then contracted and fractured in a peculiarly uniform manner.
Gorgeous and adorable seabirds nest can be found all along the coastal cliffs of Reynis. These highly photogenic birds form large colonies on the rocky shoreline, breeding here in late spring and diving into the sea for food. These incredibly beautiful birds with their black and white feathers and stunning red beaks are a rare sight that attracts bird watchers, photographers, or anyone seeking a unique selfie.
Apart from the rare puffins on the black sand beach, Arctic terns, fulmars, and sandpipers, along with other migratory birds, also congregate here.
This much is certain. The beauty of Iceland’s black sand beaches shares a similar allure with the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. Of course, the weather is cold. It may be deadly and desolate. But indisputably, Reynis’ grandeur and natural beauty – its towering cliffs, sea stacks, and black ash beaches – are awe-inspiring. No wonder it has been rated by National Geographic magazine as one of the best beaches in the world.
The black sand beach showcases the raw power of nature, the fresh Arctic spray, and the awe-inspiring geological forces that created it, sparking lofty imaginations reminiscent of alien worlds. Its magnificent avian residents are endearing. Reynis is definitely not a run-of-the-mill beach; it possesses unparalleled vacation potential.