DIAMOND BEACH

If you’re in a hurry, you can spend as little as 45 minutes at the Diamond Beach, strolling along the sand and snapping a few photos of the ice orbs along the shore. However, most people like to spend between one and two hours here, walking along the beach and spotting wildlife along the way. If you are combining your visit to the Diamond Beach with a boat tour at Jökulsárlón, you’ll want to allow for half a day at least.

From the carpark at Jökulsárlón, it is a very short walk to the Diamond Beach. It only takes a couple of minutes to cross the road and reach the black sand of the beach. Of course, you can stroll along the sand here to stretch your legs after the long drive and how long you walk is really up to you.

In terms of light and spectacle, the best time to visit the Diamond Beach is at sunrise or sunset when the ice on the shore is cast in a golden hue. This is quite a difficult feat in summer when the sun never really sets below the horizon and the semi-twilight hours near midnight are as close to the “golden hour” as you will get. In winter, there’s the bonus of a late sunrise, so you can hit the beach in the morning without having to get up alarmingly early. During the months of the long shadows (late February to April and late September to early November), the sun stays low in the sky, making it feel as though the country is in a constant state of sunset. During these months of sepia tones and long shadows, you can visit the Diamond Beach any time of day to capture the glorious “golden hour”.

Not only is the Diamond Beach itself a photographer’s dream, but it is also right next to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon which is one of Iceland’s biggest highlights. This is the only place in Iceland where you can see glowing blue icebergs floating in a glacial lagoon, so making the long journey from Reykjavik to see both is definitely worth it. There are also myriad natural wonders along the south coast to stop at along the way – tumbling waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches.

There is no cave on the Diamond Beach. If you want to see a beach cave, a stop at Reynisfjara black-sanded beach along the south shore is essential. Here you’ll find Hálsanefshellir cave which is formed by twisting columns of basalt. There is also the Blue Diamond Ice cave, but that is not on Diamond Beach either. You’ll find the Blue Diamond Cave on a glacier walk on the Skeiðarárjökull glacier, in the Skaftafell area.

Away from the light pollution of the city, the Diamond Beach is a great place to hunt for the northern lights. Just remember to bring a head torch or source of light to help you navigate from the carpark to the sand – it really is dark out here at night. When the conditions are right and the northern lights do make an appearance, there is something spellbinding about watching the green lights twist and turn like a wave above the sea, reflected in the water and ice on the beach.

In terms of crowds, the middle of the day and afternoon are usually the most popular times to visit the Diamond Beach. If you are staying overnight nearby and want to avoid the crowds, it's best to visit at the beginning of the day or later in the evening. However, even in the peak of the day when most visitors arrive, there's plenty of space for everyone. This is especially true considering the vastness of the lagoon, which spans an impressive 18 km² (6.9 sq mi). The same holds for Diamond Beach; you can stroll along the shore for kilometres, and often, you'll discover even more ice pieces and icebergs the further you venture. So, there's no need to be concerned about feeling crowded.

The Diamond Beach is on Iceland’s south coast, on the east side of the island. It sits just off the Route One main road so is easy to navigate to from Reykjavík. You’ll find it just across the road from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

The wind whipping off the North Atlantic is usually cold. The Diamond Beach is quite exposed, so layering up is a good idea. You’ll want a decent windbreaker coat (waterproof in case it rains or snows), sturdy walking boots, and a layer like a knitted jumper or fleece to keep you warm. In winter, a woolly hat, thick gloves and a scarf are essential on the beach as it gets really cold in Iceland.

A lot of Iceland’s beaches have black sand, but what makes the Diamond Beach special is the crystal-clear shards of ice that litter the inky shore. Ice washes down from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and rests on the beach before it is picked up by the wild waves of the North Atlantic Ocean and taken away. Seeing the sparkling orbs of ice against the black sand, especially when they catch the light at sunset, is a truly special experience.

As it is a public space, there is no fee to visit the Diamond Beach. In fact, the carpark for Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Diamond beach is free to use as well. The only thing you might want to pay for is something to eat from the cafe at Jökulsárlón visitor’s centre or a boat tour out onto the glacier lake.

Swimming is not permitted at the Diamond Beach. The abundance of ice on the shore might offer a clue to the temperature of the water – it is freezing here, so hypothermia is a risk. The south shore of Iceland is also known for its wild and restless sea, with powerful waves and weather conditions that can change with little or no warning. So, although the Diamond Beach is not prone to the sneaker waves that pull people out to sea like at Reynisfjara beach, swimming here is still not allowed or advised.

Volcanic activity in the area created the black sand at the Diamond Beach. Over thousands of years, this part of the island has seen dramatic eruptions from the volcano system that simmers beneath the island’s biggest ice cap. During volcanic eruptions, molten lava flowed down from the mountains and met the cold North Atlantic Ocean where it was cooled and solidified into black rock. Often, this sudden cooling causes the lava to shatter into tiny fragments, so it becomes black volcanic sand.

By road, it is around 380 kilometres (236 miles) from Reykjavík to the Diamond Beach, so the drive takes around five hours. From Reykjavík, you simply follow the Route One ring road along the south coast until you reach the sign for Jökulsárlón and the beach. Or, instead of driving yourself, join an organised tour with a professional driver and guide and just sit back and enjoy the view.