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Marvel at the Diamond Beach in Iceland

Think of icebergs in Iceland and most people would mention the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. However, venture just across the road to discover Breioamerkursandur Black Beach, a hidden gem that’s got more than just a little sparkle up its sleeve.

Colloquially known as the Diamond Beach, the shore is dotted with countless real-life ‘diamonds’ that glisten in the sunlight. These diamonds refer to chunks of ice that have broken off from the nearby glacier, landed in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, floated out to sea and washed ashore. It’s a common joke among the locals that Iceland has literally got some of the best gems around – especially those that can be enjoyed without a price tag.

It’s like a scene out of a movie. Chunks of ice of all shapes and sizes sit conspicuously on a bed of black sand, with larger blocks standing sentinel in the wake of the lapping waves.

Grab the chance to take plenty of photos – it’s a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with so many icebergs.

The chunks of ice are big and sturdy, so much so that they can even serve as benches of sorts to rest on. However, do take caution that some might not be as stable as they seem; it’s best not to clamber onto any icebergs that are too far out in the water to avoid being washed out to sea.

Take the opportunity to hold some of this ice in your hands; you might be holding some chunks of 1000-year-old history in your hands!

Some chunks of ice are so big that they’re almost as tall as a human.

The sand on this beach is also black in colour. This black sand is volcanic in origin, formed from the interaction between molten lava and seawater.

The Diamond Beach is a prime sunset spot and, when darkness falls, an ideal location to spot the Northern Lights.

As these icebergs continually break off the glacier and wash ashore, no one visit to the Diamond Beach will be the same. Don’t miss out on this utterly spectacular sight along Iceland’s South Coast!

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