Dalvik Beach runs along the shore of Eyjafjörður, on the edge of the fishing village of Dalvík in Northeast Iceland. The sand is black lava sand, and locals come down to the beach to collect it. A parking area off the main road leaves a short walk to the shore. The bay is quiet, with open water across the fjord, and there is nothing built here — no toilets, no drinking water, no information board.
Dalvik Beach
Local name: Dalvik
Dalvik, the virtual machine that ran Android apps up to version 4.4, was named by its creator after Dalvík, the fishing village behind this beach.
- Parking
- Free parking area off the main road, under 600 m from the beach. The bay takes a campervan and is sheltered from the wind; a junkyard adjoins it.
- Transport
- Dalvík bus stop, about 600 m from the beach.
- Address
- Sandskeið, 620 Dalvík
What makes it special
The sand is black lava sand, and it is not only scenery: locals come down to the beach to collect it. The bay is quiet, and the water opens out onto Eyjafjörður. Nothing here is arranged for visitors, and the surroundings are not tidy — the parking bay stands directly beside a junkyard, so the first view of the beach comes with scrap in the frame. The same bay is sheltered from the wind and wide enough for a campervan, which is why people stop here.
Good to know
- No facilities. No toilets, no drinking water and no information point at the beach.
- The parking bay takes a campervan. It looks out over the sand and is sheltered from the wind.
- A junkyard sits next to the car park, and it is in full view from the parking bay.
- Dogs are allowed and the beach suits children.
Getting there
Leave the car in the parking area off the main road; from there it is a short walk to the beach. In winter the approach is the awkward part: after a snowfall the parking area is hard to make out while it is still being cleared. The bus stop in Dalvík is a walk of much the same length.
Best time to visit
Better: summer, when the sand is clear of snow and parking is straightforward.
Avoid: the days straight after a snowfall, while the parking area is still being cleared.
Winter does not spoil the walk — the beach is pleasant under snow, and it stays quiet in any season. The problem in winter is the car, not the beach.
Sun & daylight
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a car park at Dalvik Beach?
Yes. A free parking area sits off the main road, and from it the beach is a short walk.Are there toilets?
No. There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information point at the beach.Why is the sand black?
It is lava sand. Locals come down to the beach to collect it.Can you get there by bus?
Yes. The Dalvík stop is about 600 m from the beach.Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are allowed, and the beach is suitable for children.