Vikurfjara Black Sand Beach

Víkurfjara runs west from the village of Vík í Mýrdal along Iceland's south coast. Its sand is fine, jet-black volcanic grit, backed by dunes and washed by the open Atlantic. Offshore stand the Reynisdrangar sea stacks — basalt pillars that folklore calls trolls caught by the sunrise. Away from famous Reynisfjara around the headland, the beach is usually far quieter and its waves gentler. It is still the ocean, and the sea deserves respect.