Diamond Beach (Breidamerkursandur)
Diamond Beach (Breidamerkursandur) 20210716
The Diamond Beach called Breiðamerkursandur is located between Höfn and Vík in the southeast of Iceland. Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is filled with ice blocks from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier which float down the short Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi river and washed onto the black sand beach at the mouth of the river. This black beach is spectacular with an ever-changing collection of ice blocks.
The Ring Road 1 separates the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean and just below the road is a black sand beach. This is formed from ash and small pebbles like many of the other black sand beaches, but this one has a large difference. It is covered in sparkling icebergs.
The icebergs from the glacial lagoon are washed down the river and out to sea where they are tumbled and smoothed by the action of the waves. Like any other iceberg, they will float, and are many are washed up onto the beach. This is a never-ending cycle of change as some are washed in on the tide while others are taken from the beach.
The lagoon is full of wildlife and even from the car parks, you will have amazing encounters. Seals fish in the river and are commonly seen in the winter months lazing on icebergs and hunting in the flowing water. In the summer months, they are less common, but there are always a few buzzing around.
The east beach is where the arctic tern colony can be found. Just sitting on the beach and watching will allow you to see their acrobatics and defense tactics against the arctic skua who are bullies and known as the ‘Pirates of the Sea’.
Source Meandering Wild.
Diamond Beach (Breidamerkursandur)
Diamond Beach (Breidamerkursandur) 20210716
The Diamond Beach called Breiðamerkursandur is located between Höfn and Vík in the southeast of Iceland. Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is filled with ice blocks from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier which float down the short Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi river and washed onto the black sand beach at the mouth of the river. This black beach is spectacular with an ever-changing collection of ice blocks.
The Ring Road 1 separates the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean and just below the road is a black sand beach. This is formed from ash and small pebbles like many of the other black sand beaches, but this one has a large difference. It is covered in sparkling icebergs.
The icebergs from the glacial lagoon are washed down the river and out to sea where they are tumbled and smoothed by the action of the waves. Like any other iceberg, they will float, and are many are washed up onto the beach. This is a never-ending cycle of change as some are washed in on the tide while others are taken from the beach.
The lagoon is full of wildlife and even from the car parks, you will have amazing encounters. Seals fish in the river and are commonly seen in the winter months lazing on icebergs and hunting in the flowing water. In the summer months, they are less common, but there are always a few buzzing around.
The east beach is where the arctic tern colony can be found. Just sitting on the beach and watching will allow you to see their acrobatics and defense tactics against the arctic skua who are bullies and known as the ‘Pirates of the Sea’.
Source Meandering Wild.