Brimketill

The draw is the shape of the rock. Waves have worn the lava shore into a rounded hollow that holds seawater, and smaller cauldrons pit the ledges around it. The rock is almost black and the surf that breaks over it is white. That contrast photographs well in any light.

Sea conditions decide the rest. On a heavy swell the waves burst into the cauldron and throw spray across the ledge. The viewing platform looks straight down onto the pool, so nothing stands between you and the water.

• Railings: the metal railings are heavily rusted. Look from the platform and keep your weight off them.
• Footwear: the path down is slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
• Clothing: wind and salt spray come straight off the ocean. Dress for both, and expect to get wet in rough weather.
• Photography: dark lava against white surf holds its contrast at any hour, so there is no wrong time of day for pictures.

Brimketill lies on the coast west of Grindavík, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, and visitors reach it by car. There is a car park at the site, and from there it is a short walk out to the viewing platform. The ground underfoot is sandy the whole way to the platform, and the path down towards the pool turns slippery when wet.

Better: winter and rough-weather days, when the swell drives waves into the cauldron and the spray is at its heaviest.

Avoid: flat calm days, when there is little to see beyond the rock itself.

Light matters less here than the sea. The dark lava and the white surf hold their contrast at any hour, so plan around wind and swell rather than around the sun. After rain the path down is slippery, whichever season you come in.