Reynisfjara

White ocean spray whipped with black sandpaper, scratching subtle warnings into ancient stone towers. Stealthily approaching, waves grasped for life before maliciously subsiding. Partially obscured, a salty dungeon lay carved in the foreboding cliffs. Luring curious thieves into its darkness, the path through no man's land teetered hazardously between timeless opponents. Surrounded, the current captured trepidation with a thunderous roar, sweeping petrified fear violently into the depths below.

Dangerous Caves

Abstract twisted patterns that form within caves under the basalt rock cliffs are both mesmerizing and deadly. Hálsanefshellir basalt cave is one of few basalt caves in the world, giving a unique glimpse into the inside of the towering basalt cliffs. But it can be dangerous to access this natural wonder. Walking between the ocean and the cliffs provides little protection from sneaker waves and it is not uncommon for people to be pulled out into the freezing water and into the strong rip currents just off shore.

Black Sands

Located near the small fishing village of Vík, Reynisfjara beach is one of the most famous black sand beaches in the world. The location of this beach in the wettest part of Iceland and it's proximity to Katla, one of Iceland's most active volcanos, gives the beach it's uniquely dark color. Black sand beaches form when lava flows into the cold water, causing it to cool so quickly that the lava disintegrates into sand almost instantly. In addition, the region is known for frequent rain, so the sand is always wet, making it appear darker.

Towering Cliffs

Often found near water, basalt columns are sculpted by the slow cooling of lava over an extended period of time. These hexagonal rock shapes often grow to form tall cliffs like Reynisfjall that resemble church organs. In the summer, thousands of Puffins can be seen nesting in these unique cliffs.

Basalt Legends

The basalt sea stacks seen just off the shore are the center of two local legends. The first legend tells of two trolls who were turned to stone by the morning sun while attempting to drag a passing ship to shore. The second legend describes the story of a man who was seeking vengeance for his murdered wife and froze the trolls so they could never kill again. These sea stacks were once connected, but constant battering from the extreme weather and the ocean waves have caused significant erosion.