Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara features on many “best beaches in the world” lists, but it is far from the platinum-white shores of the Caribbean or Bora Bora. Miles of jet-black sand is a dramatic scene, especially with the wild North Atlantic waves crashing against the shore. There are hidden dangers on the beach, so it’s important to read up on Reynisfjara beach safety before your visit.

Reynisfjara beach’s black sand formed over centuries due to volcanic activity. During eruptions from the nearby Katla volcano, lava flowed to the shore, meeting the frigid Atlantic Ocean. When this molten lava encountered the cold seawater, it solidified instantly. The rapid cooling shattered the lava into fragments. Over time, ocean waves, wind, and other erosive forces broke these fragments into finer particles, resulting in the formation of the epic black sand beach.

The renowned hexagonal basalt pillars formed through a similar process. When a thick lava flow cooled, it contracted and began to solidify from the outside inward and from the bottom up.