Diamond beach
Diamond Beach is a magical place near the Jokulsarlon Glacier. Multi-colored icebergs of the most intricate shapes and incredible sizes are crowded on the black coast. Icebergs arrive on a black beach from the Breidamerkurokul glacier. Some have been living for more than 1000 years, others have long since melted, the smallest survive the last days.
Photos
Beach description
Tourists wander between black and blue blocks, take pictures on the background of huge transparent boulders, similar to exotic animals. Some are moving around massive ice spins on a boat. Although, recently, this kind of entertainment has been suspended.
Travelers need to be careful and follow all safety precautions. Those who forget about the swift tides that exist here, try to climb far from solid volcanic soil, run the risk of being buried among this incredible deceptive beauty.
The most suitable time for visiting the beach is morning or sunset, when there are not so many people on the shore, and ice fragments in the rays of the low sun shimmer with all shades of the rainbow. Whenever you appear here, the landscape will never be like the previous one, the landscape is constantly changing, like the weather in Iceland.
Organized tours of the glacier eliminate the need to independently prepare the route and all necessary equipment. Experienced guides have the set of necessary skills and equipment for such trips. Traveling with a sensible companion is guaranteed to be safe.
When is it better to go?
"Summer" with a temperature in the region of +10 degrees lasts up to 3 months. The best time to travel is from July to August when last year’s snows have already disappeared, and tourists enjoy the Martian landscapes, fjords, and glaciers on "white" nights. Since September, the daytime is declined, public transport activity drops, and nature gives fewer smiles. Due to the unpredictability of the climate, it is worth stocking up a raincoat and windproof clothing. The Gulf Stream helps warm green meadows and a mass of rare birds.
Video: Beach Diamond
Infrastructure
Hostels, guest houses, campsites for the services of constantly arriving tourists. The closest to the beach and the best of them are in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Jokulsarlon and Hofn.
Very convenient location at Gerdi Guesthouse, 3*. From here, the Jokulsarlon Lagoon is only 10 minutes away. For those who come here for spectacular shots, this is an ideal place. The guest house has many comfortable rooms. In low season, you can stay even without a reservation.
Spacious rooms are equipped with twin beds, all necessary furniture, a bathroom. Wireless Internet does not always catch anywhere in the hotel, but for travelers with a large amount of equipment there are enough outlets to simultaneously charge all the equipment.
Meals are not included in the room rate, the hotel provides only boiling water and the necessary ingredients for making coffee or tea.
Places near Diamond Beach are not full of restaurants or cafes. One of them is in the parking lot, or they will have to be reached by car in Hofn, in Skaftafell, a national park. Most of the restaurants in Hofne are located near the harbor, have a beautiful view of it.
Guests are provided with good service, dishes made from high-quality local products. You can grab a hamburger, take everything you need for grilling and barbecue, dine on deliciously delicious fish.
In winter, when daylight hours are very short, office hours are noticeably reduced. They close at 17.00. At the height of the summer season, they work a couple of hours longer.
Weather in Diamond
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- Finding a Diamond Beach is easy. Tours are organized here, local buses go. Independent travelers get to the lagoon by rented car. “Across the road” from it is the desired location. Tourists should only remember that the path to the exotic beach takes about 6 hours from the airport of the capital. In winter, it is not possible to do it both ways. In the summer it is also not very convenient. Therefore, it’s worth getting out on a trip, having 2-3 days left.
- To visit the beach, you must be properly equipped. The best option on your feet is comfortable waterproof shoes. Clothing should also be layered, warm, able to protect from wind and spray. A flashlight will come in handy.
- Under no circumstances should you move away from the coast or try to flirt with diamond monsters. This is dangerous.
What places are worth noting when visiting the Diamond Beach:
- Several nearby glaciers, among which the largest in Europe.
- Ice caves, waterfalls.
- Hofskir Church.
- Skaftafell National Park.
- Aurora Borealis is one of the most beautiful local attractions, but not always accessible.