Reynisfjara Beach & Hálsanefshellir Cave

Reynisfjara Beach & Hálsanefshellir Cave are popular attractions located near the town of Vík on the South Coast of Iceland. The black sand beach and basalt pillars make this area a widely sought after location and travelers flock to year-round to visit.

Please note: anyone who visits this beach must exercise caution, as the waves have strong undercurrents – known as ‘sneaker waves’ – that can be very dangerous and can move up the beach quickly. Make sure to maintain a safe distance from the water!

Hálsanefshellir Cave at Reynisfjara Beach

Quick Facts

Time Spent30 minutes

Best Time to Visit?Morning or at Sunset

Bathroom Available?Yes

Cost for EntryFree

Worth It?Must Go

Seasonal?Year-Round

Attraction Tips

Be careful of the sneaker waves!

The waves are very unpredictable and can come very far up the beach. If you’re not paying attention or get too close to the water, you might walk away from this attraction with some wet feet – or worse, get swept away into the ocean. Be very careful on the beach and pay close attention to the waves.

Visit at sunset

The best time of day to visit Hálsanefshellir Cave and Reynisfjara beach is in the early evening, shortly before sunset. During this time, the sun casts a beautiful golden light on the black basalt formations, making for an unforgettable sight.

How to Get There & Parking

Address:

Reynisfjara Beach & Hálsanefshellir Cave

CW4V+2H Vik, Iceland

Directions via Google Maps

Parking: Free

Attraction Details

Reynisfjara Beach is a popular destination on Iceland’s south coast and is known for having volcanic black sand, huge sneaker waves washing up on shore and the impressive Hálsanefshellir Cave. Many people climb up on the basalt rock columns next to the cave to take pictures, using them as a backdrop for a stunning photo. The beach is also very expansive and extends all the way to Dyrhólaey, which is a lookout area that offers 360 degree views of the southern coast.

Although this beach is beautiful, one thing you absolutely need to keep your eye on are the sneaker waves that crash up on shore. A sneaker wave is an unanticipated coastal wave that is much greater in force and height than what you expect to wash up, pushing the waves further up the beach. As you’ll see in the video below, these waves are pretty powerful and you should keep your distance as you’re taking pictures and videos. We were there for only 30 minutes and saw two different groups of people get caught up on the tail end of a sneaker wave and their feet were soaked! This is the last thing you’ll want if you’re planning a hike after visiting the beach.