Black Sand Beaches

One day we woke up early (I think 10ish) so we could drive down the south coast. Our first stop was near the ferry terminals for Vestmannaeyjar - the western islands. In these photos the beaches came out looking grey but they were black. The kids ran around. The islands in the distance appeared and disappeared like ghosts in the low clouds.

Some time later, near the town of Vik, we took a short detour to more black sand beaches. Here is a view of the drive into Dyrhólaey. There is a lighthouse on top of the cliff for scale.

The beaches at Dyrhólaey were much more pebbly. But the cliffs were imposing. Vivian and Evan explored some caves, tried to climb the cliffs and made cairns from the mounds and piles of flat smooth beach rocks.

This is the height of summer. There are miles of empty beaches. These Icelanders don't know what to do with their beaches. Jo and I think there is a business opportunity. Cabanas and margaritas and tikis all that. And perhaps some sheep skins to cover yourself when you get cold. But this part of Iceland is almost tropical. Vik is the southernmost town in Iceland. If you get on a boat a head due south from here, you can get all the way to Antarctica without touching land anywhere (thanks for the useful fact, Grant).