Diamond Beach is a pristine natural wonder sitting across the southeastern coast of Iceland. It is formed by glacial and volcanic forces, which interplay to create this landscape of marvelous beauty. This article serves as a guide to help you discover the magnificence this location has to offer.
How Did Diamond Beach Form?
The place formed originated through a glacier sub-formation process in the Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier, located in the Vatnajökull National Park. The glacier had immense thickness, leading to its disintegration and production of icebergs that float into the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The formed icebergs traverse the Jökulsárlón Lagoon and flow into the open sea, with tidal waves carrying them back to the black sand shore, creating the visually striking scenery that defines Diamond Beach.
What’s the origin of these black sandy beaches, though? The primary cause of the dramatic sands and the luminous icebergs is evidence of volcanic activity. The black sand has a unique texture comprised of finely crushed basalt and volcanic rocks.
How Can I Access Diamond Beach?
Diamond Beach is a breathtaking strip of black sand coastline located by the Jökulsárlón Lagoon on the south coast of Iceland. To reach Diamond Beach, check out Iceland’s extensive selection of accessibility options, such as the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Tours, which provide guided trips such as the 6-Day Summer Ring Road Tour and self-drive excursions like the 7-Day Winter Road Trip.
Tourists can also choose to rent a car to access the location via the Ring Road. As you make your way to this breathtaking natural wonder, the journey to Diamond Beach offers sights of Iceland’s surreal landscapes and sceneries, which is a key part of the experience.
Wildlife Tourism
Diamond Beach is a fantastic place to see Icelandic wildlife and is home to a diverse range of sea and land creatures. Seals are a common sight. They comfortably lounge against the icebergs and add a distinct touch to the already beautiful scenery. 
Tourists can enjoy watching the seals while they swim, play around, and hunt. A fun fact about seals is that they are very intelligent, curious, and have good coordination and learning skills. It is also common to spot whales, orcas, and killer whales swimming in the waters time and time again.
Visitors can also sport various seabirds, including pelicans and albatrosses, soaring gracefully in the skies at the location. Bird watchers can witness this amazing spectacle by carrying their binoculars.
What Is the Best Time to Visit?
Tourists must consider the weather and climate of the Diamond Beach location to plan their travels properly. Diamond Beach is accessible to visitors at all times throughout the year, with every season bringing its own kind of tourist attractions.
Travelers visiting in the summer experience vibrant and colorful shades of the surrounding landscapes and backdrops. Meanwhile, visitors choosing to come during winter get a chance to experience the beach under a stunning cover of snow. To fully enjoy everything this destination has to offer, making plans that account for your preferences and interests is key. 
What Activities and Excursions Can You Enjoy?
To get the best out of your Diamond Beach experience, you can also consider engaging in various activities. You can explore boat rides across the glacial lagoon at favorable rates to have a close-up encounter with the beautiful icebergs and see the elaborate details of this scenery not visible from above the shorelines.
If you have an adventurous spirit and are willing to explore further, you can also embark on glacier hikes and explore the icy lands that merge into the extraordinary coastal landscape. Local guides can also be hired at the location to assist you with these glacial expeditions. They can further enrich your visit by sharing historical and geographical insights about the place in keen detail.
Where Can You Get Accommodation and Amenities Near Diamond Beach?
There are many state-of-the-art accommodation options within the vicinity of Diamond Beach. There is a range of pleasant guesthouses to luxury hotels catering to various preferences and budgets. Many people prefer to stay near or around Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon happens to be one of the closest, located approximately 16.6 miles from Diamond Beach. This facility has all the amenities to ensure you have a comfortable stay after a day outside in the wild. The establishment provides a variety of rooms suitable for different preferences, including those traveling alone, as a couple, with friends, or with children. Moreover, guests can enjoy delightful culinary experiences at the restaurant on the premises, while the gym and sauna are ideal for rejuvenating and recharging. In addition, the parking facility is free of charge.
In addition to this selection, travelers can also opt for Hotel Smyrlabjorg and Fosshotel Vatnajokull, which are located 18.2 miles and 34.7 miles away from the beach, respectively. Consider checking out reviews and opinions online to find the place that best suits your preferences. 
Passion for Photography? We’ve Got You Covered
For tourists seeking to capture the ethereal beauty of the landscape, the location is a haven for photographers. They will enjoy the amazing visual feast that this beach has to offer. Soft hues of sunrise and sunset enhance the reflection of light on the ice formations with a background of black sandy beaches, creating a magical ambiance that offers top-notch and magnificent visual content. As the scene transforms with time, there are endless possibilities for photographers to experiment with various angles and positions with different contrasts and compositions.
Why Visit Diamond Beach?
Diamond Beach in Iceland is a mesmerizing and otherworldly location that goes beyond its stunning appearance. It encourages you to delve deeper into the complex geological formations that shape it. With its lush snow-covered landscapes and gorgeous icy hues, the location is a must-visit for any tourist reaching this part of the globe.
Here, they’ll find fascinating and unique wildlife coupled with captivating nature vistas. On top of that, the wide variety of luxurious, rustic, and cozy accommodations ensures everyone from all walks of life can enjoy this place. Simply put, when coming to Iceland, Diamond Beach is a place you cannot afford to miss.
