The view from the city-side beach (Vik I Myrdal) is nice, but if you have the time definitely drive around the mountain to Reynisfjara beach. Also worth a visit is the Dyrhólaey natural reserve (it's the same road that leads to Reynisfjara beach, but you turn right before the fork to Reynisfjara. Apart from the Dyrhólaey island, the lighthouse, black sand beach and dramatic cliffs you might also see a huge puffin colony - that's actually as close as I got the a live puffin during my 3-week road-trip across Iceland.
What a stunning place to visit the natural outstanding beauty of this beach and surrounding area is absolutely awe-inspiring. But to go and photograph a sunrise and sunset on the speech and if your into photography this is a firm location.Watch out for the waves, the sea can be particularly rough and can be extremely dangerous so be very very careful.Most of all enjoy your trip...
This is a pretty beach but our poor little car got stuck in what we thought was snow but was really about two feet of loose sand. Luckily we were able to get out. Do yourself a favor and park down the street prior to getting to the really sandy part.There are two black sand beaches close to each other Reynisdrangar and Reynisfjara. If you are coming from the west you will come to Reynisfjara first. Both have sea stacks to photograph.
We're on a ten day trip and have hired a car so that we can pick and choose what we want to see. So, it means that you have to make up your own mind and make your own plans......with the inevitable "bad" choice now and then. This definitely isn't one of those! Dramatic black beach with amazing basalt rock formations. Well worth the drive to it : ) There's also a very smart cafe right there and what we had was very pleasant. I'd certainly suggest you fit this beach into your plans.
We visited Reynisdrangar (Reynisfjara beach) as part of full day tour with Iceland Offroad. It is quite a spectacular place, with the basalt columns. And for the sake of anecdote, have you seen the movie "Noah" with Russel Crowe? Really crappy film, I know, but the last scene is shot here. Look at that next time! Just weeks before we were there, a small coffee shop with an architecture that fits right there, had opened. I think it is ok.
The beach is long and broad, a nice hike to Dyrhólaey and back. There's a headland there with perfect basalt columns. Just around the headland is the village of Vík, but you have to hike over and above the cliffs to get there, and for hikers with a few hours, start at one place and over to the other side, and hitch back to your car. Yes, someone will pick you up fairly quickly.
There are images of these sea stacks decorating the walls in many homes. Apart from seeing them from the beach of Reynisfjara, or from the beach at Vík, one can hike to the cliffs of Reynisfjall, or drive a jeep to the top. The view is totally awe-inspiring, and there're lots of puffins in the summer season, their nesting season.
Visiting this area is spectacular and a must see. Basalt cliffs, black sands and rock beaches, rock formations in the ocean, enormous amounts of puffins and other birds. The whole area around Vik gives easy access to the beaches and some of the cliffs for amazing views.
Part of the black sand beach and quite awesome. There is a small restaurant there that has awesome sandwiches and soup. Views are spectacular