Diamond Beach Iceland: Your Complete Travel Guide

If you’re planning a South Coast road trip in Iceland, you’ve probably wondered whether Diamond Beach is actually worth the five-hour drive from Reykjavík.

After visiting twice, once on a summer road trip with James, and again on a guided tour with my mum in March (this was her dream stop), I can tell you it’s 100% worth adding to your route.

Both times, it looked exactly like the photos with bright blue ice washed up on black sand, and it’s right across the road from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

It’s easy to fit into a South Coast itinerary or a full Ring Road loop, and if you don’t want to drive that far, booking a tour is a genuinely good option, especially in winter when the roads can be really hard to navigate.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to get there, what’s nearby, and a few things I learned from both trips, including the best time to visit and how to avoid the crowds.

What Is Diamond Beach?

So, what is Diamond Beach, and why is it so special?

It’s not actually covered in real diamonds (I wish!), but the name comes from the glistening chunks of glacial ice that wash up on the black sand, sparkling like giant diamonds in the sun.

These icy pieces break off from Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, float through Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and eventually get carried back to shore by the tide. The result? A beach scattered with icebergs that glisten like huge diamonds against the dark volcanic shore.

The ice can be anything from towering, jagged blue chunks to smaller, smooth pieces that look like giant crystals. And because the tides and weather change all the time, the beach always looks different.

One day, you might find massive icebergs stacked along the sand, and the next, it could be dotted with delicate shards catching the light. No two visits ever look the same!

How To Get To Diamond Beach

Found on the south coast of Iceland, Diamond Beach is about a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik (380km). It’s easily accessible from the Ring Road and is signposted in English, so you can’t miss it! It’s a great stop to add to any Iceland road trip itinerary.

To get here, you can either book a tour or you can rent a car to drive yourself. If you choose the self-drive option, I recommend that you do this over a few days to break up the trip. I love the drive along the south coast, it’s incredibly scenic with plenty of beautiful waterfalls, you’ll want to stop at every turn.

The sweet town of Vik is a great place to stay between Reykjavik and Diamond Beach. It’s also the perfect location to base yourself so you can visit a few other bucket list attractions, such as Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Dyrhólaey Lighthouse.

When To Visit Diamond Beach In Iceland?

The short answer to this is anytime! Icebergs fall from the glacier all year round, so there is a good chance you’ll see them on the beach when you visit!

There are a few things to consider depending on the time of year, but there isn’t really a wrong time for you to visit.

During The Winter

This probably won’t come as a shock to you, but Iceland’s weather can be extreme. 

If you plan on visiting in the winter months, reaching Diamond Beach can be a bit more of a challenge due to snow, ice and wind. This may not be the best time to visit Iceland if you’re on a tight schedule. It’s not impossible to visit, but you should check road.is, safe.is and vedur.is for road and weather information before starting your trip.

That said, visiting in winter does have its perks. There are fewer tourists, so you’ll likely have Diamond Beach to yourself and just a few others, and the sky can be super dark, making it an incredible spot to catch the Northern Lights if conditions are right. 

You’ll also get amazing photos at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are perfect for capturing those soft, colourful tones against the ice and sand.

During The Summer

If you visit Diamond Beach in the summer months, you’ll have a better chance of good weather on your visit, although the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable all year round! You’ll still need to pack some waterproof and windproof gear just in case.

You won’t be able to see the northern lights at Diamond Beach during the summer; instead, you’ll be able to visit under the midnight sun! During the later hours, when the sun is low, you’ll get a few hours of a sunset sky, perfect for getting some awesome shots of the icy crystals.

Summer is peak tourist season, so you will probably notice that there will be more crowds during this time. If you walk further along the beach away from the car park, the crowds will thin out and there will be fewer people.

It is also worth remembering, we are at the hands of Mother Nature! On the very odd occasion, you could arrive and there will only be a sparse amount of ‘diamonds’ or even none! This can be due to the tides or the amount of ice falling from the glacier. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s not unheard of.

Things To See Near Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach is part of Vatnajökull National Park, so there’s plenty to see nearby! 

Right across the road is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland’s deepest lake, where huge icebergs gather before floating out to sea. On clear days, you can even spot the glacier tongue of Breiðamerkurjökull, where these icy giants break off. 

If you’re into hiking, Skaftafell Nature Reserve has trails for all levels, with highlights like the stunning Svartifoss waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull glacier on shorter routes. For something more challenging, you can hike to spots like Morsárdalur Valley or Kristínartindar peaks. 

Winter is the time to explore the incredible Crystal Ice Caves, with their glowing blue ice formations. These can only be visited on guided tours as they’re constantly changing and can be dangerous. 

You can also book a glacier hike, starting in Skaftafell, to explore icy landscapes like Falljökull glacier. Like the caves, glacier hikes must be done with a guide, as glaciers are always moving and can be very risky without expert knowledge.

Related Post: Solo Travel To Iceland: Tips, Tours & Safety

Diamond Beach FAQ’s

If you’re still curious about Diamond Beach, these are the most frequently asked questions with all the answers.

Is It Safe To Walk Along Diamond Beach?

You can definitely walk along Diamond Beach to check out the icebergs up close, but there are a few things to watch out for. 

The waves here are no joke, they’re super strong, so make sure you keep your distance from the water. Also, don’t climb on the icebergs. They might look tempting, but they can be sharp or even flip over, which can be pretty dangerous.

While we were walking along the beach, we saw loads of seals in the water, which was such a cool surprise. If you’re lucky, you might even spot whales or other wildlife too.

Is There Parking At Diamond Beach?

Yes, there is plenty of parking at Diamond Beach!

The parking actually used to be free until June 2023 but there is now a fee for you to park at Diamond Beach and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which is just a short walk across the road.

If you’re driving a car that fits between 1 and 5 people, the parking cost is 1000 ISK which is approximately £6 or $7 USD, this is pretty standard across Iceland.

You can pay by card so you won’t need to worry about having loose change handy.

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Diamond Beach?

Except for the parking fee, visiting Diamond Beach is free!

You’ll find that many natural sights around the ring road don’t charge entry unless you need a guided tour, which is great for the budget, seeing how expensive other aspects of Iceland can be!

Can I Swim At Diamond Beach?

No, you can’t swim at Diamond Beach, and honestly, I’m not sure you would want to!

Not only is the water icy cold, but the tides and currents can be extremely dangerous! The weather can change with little to no warning, and conditions can change in a heartbeat.

Keep safe and stay on dry land, there are plenty of hot springs you can swim in instead! I’ve even written a comparison between Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon so you can decide which one is best for you to visit.

Is Diamond Beach In Iceland Worth It?

In my honest opinion, Diamond Beach is definitely worth a visit if you have time on your Iceland trip.

Not only do you get to see the unique sight of glacial ice, some of which can be over a thousand years old, shimmering on the dark sand, but you also have the chance to see some of Iceland’s wildlife.

As it is close to other popular sights, you can easily add this stop to your South Coast or Ring Road itinerary without going off the beaten path.

Related Post: Vegan Food in Iceland: The Best Ring Road Guide

Final Thoughts: Diamond Beach Iceland All You Need To Know 2024

Diamond Beach in Iceland is a really unique experience, and it’s a stop you should add to your south coast trip if you have the time. I really enjoyed our visit her,e and I think you will too.

Not only will you get to see the ‘diamonds’ glittering on the dark volcanic shore, but you’ll have a good chance of seeing some of Iceland’s wildlife!

So, whether you’re experiencing the midnight sun or chasing the northern lights, Diamond Beach will be an awesome addition to your adventure in the land of fire and ice.