Visit Diamond Beach in iceland – A Paradise for Photographers

Words and pictures from the Diamond Beach in Iceland, which is also known as Breidamerkursandur, are by Martin Schulz. He is from Germany and has been addicted to Iceland since 2007. Martin has visited Iceland twelve times and explored it from the shore up to the highland interior. He works as an audiologist and maintains the IT infrastructure of a medium-sized enterprise. Martin is an accomplished photographer and focuses on work with filters (grey and graduated grey filters) and long exposure techniques. He has done voluntary work with hearing impaired children in Africa (Namibia) and likes beer, Whisky, rock, and heavy metal music.

Finding the diamond beach in Iceland

It just takes a day-long trip from Reykjavik, you will find one of the most well-known natural wonders of Iceland. The glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. I have spent lots of time there, watching the floating icebergs on the water. Enjoying the reflection of the glacier in the water.

The black beaches of the Icelandic south coast

An equally beautiful but less known attraction can be found a stone’s throw away: the black beaches of the South coast, right next to the lagoon, called Breiðamerkursandur. Along a short river, the Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi, chunks of ice regularly float into the open sea and, depending on the high or low tide, are washed onto this beautiful beach.

Shine bright like a diamond

Like diamonds in the sun, they sparkle on the black beach and transform the Breiðamerkursandur into a glowing field of ice. Already in summer, this spectacle is gorgeous. Often the whole beach is covered in close mist, which brings up a really mysterious atmosphere.

Wait in the coldness of the night

From November onward, this wonder of nature becomes even more spectacular. At this time of the year, the sun rises on the south coast of Iceland on the ocean side. The first rays of the sun appear above the horizon and dip the chunks of ice lying on the beach into almost magical light. You know that this moment was worth the waiting in the coldness of the night.

Ever-changing light

Several times I was able to witness this miracle. Was able to feel how the warmth of the rising sun slowly dispersed the cold of the winter night while the glowing ice blocks were torn around by the sea. With every minute you spend there, the light changes. Deep red turns into bright orange until the sun is above the horizon, and grays predominate.

You really forget the cold and wetness while watching the chunks of ice getting washed by the waves. When new, glittering pieces are thrown onto the beach, ending their century-long journey from the glacier into the sea.

About an hour before sunrise the sky slowly gets illuminated by the first light of day. Even this time should not be missed. It is something very special to experience the feeling when the light of day awakens after a long winter night. This is the beauty of the diamond beach in Iceland.

How to get to the ´Diamond Beach´in Iceland?

From Reykjavik, drive on Highway 1 for ages until you reach Jökulsár Glacial Lagoon.

Get even more awesome pictures from Martin Schulz

You can explore his photography work on the photography site, and contact him directly if you are interested in purchasing his pictures. We are really grateful for his contribution. This is his second entry on Stuck in Iceland, previously he shared his experience of visiting Brúarfoss waterfall, Thingvellir and Mount Kirkjufell.