Djúpalónssandur Beach – Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Djúpalónssandur Snæfellsnes

The photo above was taken on the shore at Djúpalónssandur on an early August tour of Snæfellsnes peninsular in West Iceland. The Djúpalónssandur bay is on the Southern shore of the Snæfellsnes peninsular and quite close to Snæfellsjokull volcano which has added plenty of lava to the Icelandic landscape.   

The Djúpalónssandur coastline is between Arnarstapi and Lóndrangar and Svalþúfa Hill. Djúpalónssandur beach has many small, shiny, black pearls and huge sea stacks. You can see the remains of a 100-year-old shipwreck from a Grimsby fishing trawler sprawled across the beach as a reminder of the angry sea. There are interesting volcanic lava formations leading to the beach and a small lagoon, which gives the place it’s name.

Strength stones

In the fishing communities of old Iceland, they would test the strength of prospective fishermen with weighted stones. These are much like the huge boulders you see in “World’s Strongest Man” contests. You will find a collection of strength stones at this West Iceland coastal location.

You can see one of the heavy stones has been placed on a platform (by yours truly). This stone is just over 100 kg. If a man is able to lift this to the platform (like me), they are classed as “Half Strong” and allowed to work on a sailing ship. The full-strength stone is about 20 kg heavier, and I could barely lift it.

The Strength Stones, which were used to measure the potential of prospective fishermen, are a reminder of Iceland’s fishing past. Although they are a relic of the past, they are an important marker of the strength of these communities. Even today, these stones have become a unique attraction for visitors to the beach.

Djúpalónssandur Landscape

The volcanic rock formations on the beach add an interesting geological touch, providing an interesting insight into the Earth’s history.

Shipwreck at Djúpalónssandur

Djúpalónssandur was the site of a tragic shipwreck in 1948. The shipwreck of 1948 still has a chilling effect on the beach and its surroundings. There is an eerie sensation of despair that hangs in the air, reminding visitors of the power of the sea. Pieces of the wreck can still be seen on the beach and provide the perfect backdrop for a somber moment of reflection.
The rocks that find their way onto the shore from the wreck are mostly black, which adds to the somber atmosphere.

Overall, Djúpalónssandur Beach provides a unique glimpse into Iceland’s past and present. Both its beauty and legacy of its tragic shipwreck are interwoven and make this beach a must-see for anyone visiting the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Hotels Near Djúpalónssandur

Snæfellsnes Tours

This coastal location on the Snæfellsnes peninsular can easily be explored in a day tour. In 10-12 hours you can see the highlights of the Snæfellsnes peninsular comfortably. Longer tours will give you quality time at several points of interest and the sunset at one of the top locations such as Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.  You could stretch out the Snæfellsnes peninsular over 2 days easily with an overnight stop near Kirkjufell to capture the Mid-night sun or Northern lights. The Golden Snæfellsnes tour combines Snæfellsnes with West Iceland and an overnight stay in the Icelandic Nature.