Diamond Beach Iceland – The Ultimate Guide
Diamond Beach Iceland is hands down one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen – and I couldn’t believe I finally got to visit after having it on my bucket list for so long! At Diamond Beach Iceland, the crystal-clear ice chunks look like actual diamonds scattered across this black volcanic sand, and every single piece is different – from tiny hand-sized bits to massive chunks as big as cars.
The beauty of Diamond Beach Iceland is that it never stays the same. The waves keep bringing in new ice pieces while taking others back to sea, creating this constantly changing landscape that’s impossible to get tired of. I stayed there for hours just watching and taking photos. The contrast between the ice and black sand is just unreal – it’s definitely one of those places that looks even better in real life than in photos!
Know Before You Go
Before you go, here are some essential things to make planning your trip to Iceland easier. I know planning can feel overwhelming, but a little prep goes a long way in saving you time, money, and stress. Below, I’m sharing my personal recommendations to help you get the most out of your trip.
Beautiful Hotels Nearby
- Fjallsarlon igloo – is a unique igloo on the water, so you’re practically alone on a glacial lagoon, with icebergs drifting by. Definitely a one-of-a-kind stay worth experiencing!
- Hótel Skógafoss – is a cozy, welcoming hotel with amazing views and a great location, perfect for exploring the area!
- Hótel Jökulsárlón – Glacier Lagoon Hotel – is a beautiful hotel with an outdoor hot tub, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
Epic Once-in-a-Lifetime Tours You Can’t Miss in This Area
- Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour – Chase the Northern Lights and explore the stunning Glacier Lagoon on this unforgettable tour.
- Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride – Take a scenic boat ride through the Glacier Lagoon and take incredible photos.
- Into the Glacier Ice Cave Tour – Go inside an actual glacier on this epic ice cave tour and discover a whole new world beneath the surface!
Stay Connected
I always use eSIM when I travel, and Airlo makes it simple to stay connected without having to remove your current SIM card.
Never Travel to Iceland Without Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an absolute must when visiting Iceland – the wild weather can completely mess up your plans in minutes!
Rent a Car to Explore the Best of Iceland
Renting a car is the best way to explore the stunning landscapes and hidden gems of Iceland at your own pace, and Discover Cars is great for comparing prices and finding the best deal.
Ever Wonder Why Diamond Beach Is Called That?
Diamond Beach Iceland is a part of a larger black sand area called Breiðamerkursandur, but let’s be real, that’s a bit of a tongue twister! I mean, can you imagine trying to tell your friends that you’ve been to Breiðamerkursandur? If you’re planning to visit Diamond Beach Iceland, just remember it’s part of Breiðamerkursandur – but don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it! The name “Diamond Beach” caught on because of those incredible chunks of glacial ice that wash up on the beach. They really look like diamonds, especially when the sun hits them just right at Diamond Beach Iceland.
The ice pieces come straight from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon right across the road. When these chunks break off from the glacier, they float through the lagoon and out to sea, then the waves toss them back onto the beach. That’s why you’ll never see the same “diamonds” twice – they’re always melting, moving, and being replaced by new ones. Pretty cool how nature works, right? And honestly, this name fits perfectly!
Is Diamond Beach Iceland Free to Visit?
Diamond Beach Iceland is completely free to visit, but like most popular tourist spots in Iceland, you’ll need to pay for parking. The fee is 1000 ISK (around $7.50 USD) per car for the whole day – which is actually a pretty good deal considering what you’re about to experience! Here’s the best part about the parking situation – your ticket covers both Diamond Beach and the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon right across the road, so you can explore both incredible locations without paying extra. They’ve got convenient parking lots on both sides of the Ring Road, and paying is super easy – you can use the payment stations right there in the lots.
This place is really popular, and for good reason! The parking lots can get pretty crowded, especially during peak season (June through August) and between 10 AM and 4 PM when all the tour buses roll in. If you’re planning to spend a few hours here (and trust me, you’ll want to!), try to arrive early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s less busy. Diamond Beach Iceland is absolutely worth the small parking fee and any time spent waiting for a spot!
Best Time to Visit Diamond Beach
If you want to dodge the crowds you should visit Diamond Beach Iceland in the morning, like really early – we’re talking sunrise early! Most tourists roll in around 10 AM, so if you get there between 6-8 AM (depending on the season), you’ll practically have those gorgeous ice diamonds all to yourself. Plus, the morning light hitting those crystal-clear chunks of ice at Diamond Beach Iceland? Absolutely breathtaking!
Another tip – visit during Iceland’s shoulder season, especially September to early October. You’ll still get decent weather, but with way fewer tour buses. Winter can actually be amazing too – yeah, it’s colder, but Diamond Beach Iceland is less crowded, and the Northern Lights might make a surprise appearance! Just avoid mid-June through August unless you’re cool with sharing your photos with dozens of other people. Quick tip – if you’re visiting during peak season and can’t make it for sunrise, try going around dinner time (7-9 PM in summer) when most tour groups have left. The midnight sun in summer means you can shoot pretty much 24/7!
How To Get to Diamond Beach Iceland
Diamond Beach Iceland sits on the southeastern coast of Iceland, right off the famous Ring Road (Route 1), about 380 kilometers from Reykjavík and just 2.5 hours east of Vik. You really can’t miss Diamond Beach Iceland – it’s right across the road from the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The beach is located at the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, which is home to Europe’s largest glacier!
Getting to Diamond Beach Iceland is pretty straightforward – just follow the Ring Road east until you see signs for Jökulsárlón (trust me, you’ll spot the lagoon first with all its blue icebergs floating around). The drive from Reykjavík takes about 5 hours without stops, while from Vik it’s about 2.5 hours along the Ring Road. There are actually two parking lots – one on each side of the Ring Road – and both give you easy access to either the beach or the lagoon. Just remember to grab your parking ticket, and you’re good to explore both spots!
Is Diamond Beach Iceland Worth It?
Diamond Beach Iceland is honestly one of those places that exceeded all my expectations – and trust me, I had pretty high ones after seeing it all over Instagram! When I finally got there, I couldn’t believe how magical it felt to actually see it in person. If you’re wondering whether Diamond Beach Iceland is worth the long drive, let me tell you – absolutely yes! The small parking fee and the journey are totally worth it for what you’re about to experience.
What makes Diamond Beach Iceland so incredible is how it feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet. It’s one of those rare places where reality looks better than any photo or video you’ve seen online. It’s so fun to walk around and discover different shapes of ice – some look like actual diamonds, others like glass sculptures, and sometimes you’ll even find ones that look like animals! Plus, you get two incredible locations in one stop since the glacier lagoon is right across the road. Just make sure to go early in the morning or during shoulder season to avoid the crowds – trust me, having this magical place mostly to yourself is an experience you won’t forget!
Other Things to See Near Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach in Iceland is part of an incredible area with multiple must-see spots very close to each other. The most famous spot is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon literally right across the Ring Road – you can’t miss it! The parking ticket covers both spots, so you can easily explore the beach and the lagoon with the same ticket. At the lagoon, you can take boat tours to get up close to those massive blue icebergs, which is pretty epic, and you might even get lucky and spot some seals playing in the water.
Just a 10-minute drive away, you’ll find the less crowded but equally stunning Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. If you’re up for a bit more exploring, Vatnajökull National Park is super close too, where you can do glacier hikes in summer or experience ice caves with professional photos included in winter (October to March). Here’s a tip: While most tourists rush to see the Golden Circle, this part of Iceland has so much more to offer. Be sure to book a hotel and stay longer in this area to explore everything it has to offer. The southeastern coast of Iceland is packed with jaw-dropping spots – you’ve got massive glaciers, and some of the most unique landscapes you’ll ever see. Whether you’re exploring ice caves, watching icebergs float at the lagoons, or hiking to stunning glacier viewpoints, this area gives you those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make Iceland so unique and different from anywhere else!
