- Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland has experienced severe erosion due to winter storms
- A major section beneath Reynisfjall collapsed, causing closures for visitor safety
- Strong easterly winds altered sand movement, leading to shoreline shrinkage
Reynisfjara Beach is one of Iceland's most striking natural wonders, known for its black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns and wild, crashing waves. It is a place many travellers dream of visiting for its dramatic beauty and unforgettable coastline. But visitors arriving now may find a scene very different from the photos that made this beach famous. Months of strong winter storms have reshaped the shoreline, leaving parts of Reynisfjara heavily eroded and almost unrecognisable. Areas that were once easy to explore are now damaged or closed for safety. If you are planning a trip soon, here is what you should know about the sudden changes.
Severe Erosion Changes Reynisfjara's Landscape
After a winter of strong easterly winds, large parts of Reynisfjara have eroded. Reports from weather.com and local media say that a major section beneath Reynisfjall has collapsed, leading authorities to close off some areas for safety. Much of the soft black sand that once covered the shore has washed away. Travellers who visited in late 2025 remember wide stretches of sand and open caves. Today, waves have reached further inland, and large rocks and boulders now cover parts of the beach.
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What Makes Reynisfjara Beach So Famous
Reynisfjara sits at the base of Reynisfjall and faces the North Atlantic Ocean. Its jet black sand and the tall Reynisdrangar sea stacks make it one of Iceland's most popular attractions. Visitors come year round, even though the beach is known for dangerous sneaker waves.
Tourists often walk close to the basalt columns and explore the caves along the shore. A recent landslide, however, has blocked access to some of these well known spots. Locals say this is the worst landslide they have seen in this area and were shocked at how quickly the beach changed.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Why So Much Erosion Happened This Winter
Experts say unusual wind patterns caused the severe erosion. Sigurður Sigurðarson, a coastal engineer at the Icelandic Road Administration, explained to RUV News, "There are persistent easterly winds that have been present all winter. Often heavy with very high waves. And it is the easterly winds that carry sand along the south coast to the west." He added, "Usually the prevailing winds are southwesterly, which carries the sand eastward."
Because Reynisfjall mountain juts into the sea, it acts like a natural barrier. When sand moves west, it gets trapped, and the beach does not receive new sand from the east. As a result, the shoreline begins to shrink.
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A local tour guide told Icelandic media that the coastline always changes, but never this fast. Experts believe the sand could return if the wind direction and ocean currents shift again. For now, Reynisfjara looks very different from what many visitors remember.
For now, travellers can expect a changed coastline, but many hope that with shifting winds and calmer seasons, Reynisfjara may slowly regain the landscape that made it world famous.
