Iceland’s famous black sand beach always feels a bit unreal. It was as black as coal and surrounded by cliffs. Being buffeted by Atlantic waves doesn’t work too well. For years, tourists have stood on the shores of Reynisfjara Beach, staring at the basalt columns and taking photos that look almost unreal. It’s one of those places that seems permanent. In just a few weeks, however, much of the iconic black sand appears to have disappeared. As quoted, swept away and dragged into the North Atlantic arctic portal. The Icelandic Tourist Board has long described it as one of the country’s most dangerous destinations. Sneaker waves, those sudden and powerful waves that have swept tourists out to sea before. There have been multiple deaths over the years, including one in the summer of 2025. Now, erosion may add another risk!
Iceland’s black sand beach nears ‘extensive erosion’: report
Reports from Iceland indicate that strong winds and strong currents have blown away large swaths of the coastline from Reynisfjara Beach. According to reports, what was once a wide, dramatic expanse of black volcanic sand has now become narrow strips in places. Environmental changes have been described as “widespread erosion”. The appearance and accessibility of the beach is said to have changed dramatically.Locals say the transformation is such that the towering basalt columns that once stood high above the sand now rise almost directly out of the sea. These formations, formed by ancient volcanic activity, used to be easily accessible on foot. Now they looked closer to the crashing waves.
What could be the reason for the disappearance of sand?
Experts near Reynisfjara beach point out that this winter’s wind pattern is unusual. Sigurður Sigurðarson, a coastal engineer from the Icelandic Highway Administration, explained to the Icelandic media that easterly winds have been dominant recently. This is not typical.Typically, southwesterly winds push sand eastward along Iceland’s south coast. This winter, that pattern appears to be reversing, with reports of easterly winds pushing sand westward. Nearby Reynisfjall juts into the sea. As the sand moves westward, it hits a natural barrier and stops. In this case, Reynisfjara is unable to receive fresh sand from the east. So the beach shrunk. Experts say it’s unclear whether the sand will reappear. It all depends on future wind direction and wave patterns.
