Iceland's Hidden Beaches: From Black Sand to Hot Springs Near Akureyri

The 4.5-hour drive from Reykjavík to Akureyri is like watching the evolution of Iceland's landscape in fast-forward. I've driven some spectacular coastal routes—PCH has been my home turf for years—but Route 1 (Ring Road) heading north delivers inning after inning of jaw-dropping scenery.

Leaving the capital, you'll wind through moss-covered lava fields before the landscape gradually shifts to dramatic mountain passes and eventually the stunning fjord views approaching Akureyri. This isn't a drive to rush; I scheduled an entire day for the journey, making frequent stops to photograph the changing terrain.

Akureyri itself sits at the head of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, making it the perfect home base for exploring Northern Iceland's coastal treasures. With a population of just 19,000, it feels like a small town but offers all the amenities you'll need—from cozy coffee shops to surprisingly excellent restaurants serving local specialties.

For this road trip, I chose a mid-size SUV with decent clearance for some of the rougher coastal access roads. While summer driving conditions are generally good, Iceland's weather changes faster than a pitcher's strategy with bases loaded—clear skies can transform to sideways rain in minutes. Having a reliable vehicle with 4-wheel drive isn't just nice-to-have; it's essential for reaching some of the more secluded beaches.

About a 2.5-hour drive northwest from Akureyri lies what I consider the MVP of Northern Iceland's beaches. Hvítserkur Beach features a 15-meter basalt rock formation rising from the shallow bay waters like something straight out of a fantasy novel. Local folklore claims it's a petrified troll caught by daylight while attempting to destroy a monastery, but geological explanations aside, the sight is nothing short of magical.

Timing is everything here. I arrived about two hours before low tide, which let me witness the changing perspective as the water gradually receded, eventually allowing closer access to the formation. The beach itself is a striking mix of black volcanic sand and smooth stones polished by the relentless North Atlantic.

The drive to Hvítserkur takes you through the Vatnsnes Peninsula, a remote area where you're more likely to encounter seals than tourists. The final approach is via a gravel road that descends steeply to a small parking area. From there, a wooden staircase leads down to the beach—wear sturdy hiking shoes as the steps can be slippery when wet.

I spent nearly three hours here, completely alone except for a brief visit from a local photographer who shared stories of how the rock formation appears dramatically different under various light conditions. As the midnight sun cast an ethereal glow across the beach around 11 PM, I understood why this place inspires such devotion among landscape photographers.

While most travelers associate black sand beaches with Iceland's southern coast, the north offers equally dramatic volcanic shores without the tour buses. Djúpalónssandur, a secluded cove about a 3-hour drive from Akureyri, features a beach composed entirely of small, polished black lava pebbles that create a mesmerizing sound as the waves retreat.

What makes this beach particularly special is the collection of four lifting stones of different weights that have been used since medieval times to test the strength of fishermen. The heaviest—the "Full Strong" stone—weighs a formidable 154 kg, and I can confirm that I couldn't budge it an inch. These strength tests were once used to determine if men were strong enough to work on fishing boats, and they remain perfectly preserved on the shoreline.

The beach is also home to the rusting remains of the British trawler Epine GY7, which wrecked here in 1948. The Icelandic government has left the twisted metal pieces as a memorial to the 14 men who lost their lives in the disaster. Walking among these rust-colored remnants against the jet-black beach creates a sobering yet beautiful contrast.

The hike down to the beach follows a well-marked path through a lava field, and I'd recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots as the terrain can be uneven and often wet. The round trip from the parking lot takes about 30 minutes, but plan to spend at least two hours exploring the beach and surrounding cliffs.

If there's one thing that makes Iceland's beaches truly unique, it's the possibility of encountering geothermal activity right at the ocean's edge. Krossneslaug in the remote Westfjords region (about a 4-hour drive from Akureyri on some challenging roads) represents the perfect marriage of these elements—a man-made geothermal pool built right at the edge of the black sand beach.

Getting here is half the adventure. The final 60km stretch follows a rough gravel road that hugs the coastline, with steep drops to the ocean on one side and mountains on the other. It's reminiscent of Big Sur's more dramatic sections, but with even fewer guardrails and the very real possibility of sheep wandering into the road. The drive requires patience and confidence, but the reward is absolute coastal magic.

The pool itself is a simple concrete structure with naturally heated water hovering around 100°F (38°C). What makes it extraordinary is the setting—as you soak, waves crash on the black sand beach just feet away, and on clear days, the Arctic Circle feels close enough to touch. I arrived just as a summer shower was clearing, creating a double rainbow that arched perfectly over the pool and out to sea—one of those baseball-metaphor moments where you feel like you've hit a grand slam in the travel experience department.

A small changing facility is available, and the modest entrance fee (about $10 USD) is collected via an honor box when no attendant is present. I packed my quick-dry travel towel which proved perfect for this kind of adventure—compact in my daypack but absorbent enough for a post-soak dry-off before the long drive back.

The isolation is part of what makes this place special—I shared the entire beach and pool with just two other visitors during a three-hour visit. We exchanged knowing glances that seemed to say, "Can you believe this place exists?"

Most Iceland itineraries include the famous Diamond Beach near Jökulsárlón in the south, where glacial ice chunks wash ashore on black sand. What many travelers don't realize is that Northern Iceland offers its own version of this phenomenon near the town of Húsavík, just an hour's drive from Akureyri.

Locally known as "Northern Diamond Beach" (though that's not its official name), this stretch of coastline receives smaller but equally photogenic ice fragments from nearby glacier runoff. The contrast between the crystalline ice and volcanic black sand creates a natural art installation that changes with each tide.

I arrived shortly after sunrise, when the low-angled light transformed each ice chunk into a glowing jewel against the dark canvas of the beach. The morning fog was just lifting, creating an ethereal atmosphere that felt almost otherworldly. Unlike its southern counterpart, I encountered only two other photographers during my three-hour visit—both Icelanders who seemed surprised to find a tourist who'd discovered their local treasure.

Birdlife adds another dimension to this beach experience. Arctic terns nest in the area during summer months, performing impressive aerial displays as they hunt small fish just offshore. Their distinctive calls provided a soundtrack to my morning of photography and beachcombing.

The beach access requires a short 15-minute hike from a small, unmarked parking area, which helps keep it relatively secret. I was grateful for my waterproof camera backpack as unexpected rain showers swept through twice during my visit, but my gear stayed perfectly dry as I captured the ice formations from various angles.

While the ice pieces here are generally smaller than at the southern Diamond Beach, the intimate scale and complete lack of crowds more than compensate. This is the kind of place where you can sit in silent appreciation of nature's artistry without jostling for the perfect Instagram shot.

My travels have always been guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility, so I was particularly moved to discover Akureyri's growing beach conservation community. Despite Iceland's pristine appearance, its beaches aren't immune to the global plastic crisis, with ocean currents depositing debris even on the most remote shores.

On my third day in Akureyri, I spotted a flyer at a local coffee shop advertising a weekend beach cleanup at a nearby cove. Despite the language barrier, I showed up early Saturday morning and was welcomed by a group of about 15 locals armed with reusable bags and gloves. What followed was three hours of combing the shoreline for everything from fishing nets to microplastics, all while learning about local conservation efforts from my new Icelandic friends.

One participant, Magnús, explained that these cleanups happen monthly during summer and have removed over two tons of debris from Northern Iceland's beaches in the past year alone. He introduced me to the Blue Army (Blái herinn), Iceland's volunteer coastal cleanup organization that coordinates efforts around the country.

For travelers wanting to incorporate conservation into their Iceland experience, these cleanups offer a meaningful way to connect with locals while giving back to the landscapes we enjoy. The Akureyri Information Center keeps a schedule of upcoming events, and visitors are always welcome to join—no Icelandic language skills required.

After the cleanup, our group gathered for coffee and kleinur (Icelandic donuts) at a nearby café, where conversation flowed easily between discussions of ocean conservation and recommendations for hidden local beaches I should visit. This impromptu cultural exchange became one of my favorite memories from the trip—proof that meaningful travel connections often happen when you step off the tourist path and into the local community.