In southeastern Iceland, near the glacial lagoon, there is a surreal place that has made science fiction films a reality. I’m talking about the diamond beach, one of the most evocative natural spectacles in the world.
The DIAMOND BEACH
# The diamonds’ journey
The journey of these ice diamonds starts when they break off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and then keep on in the Jökulsárlón lagoon.
Here they are smoothed by the waves of the North Atlantic before being washed ashore on the black Breidamerkursandur beach.
This expanse of black sand is full of ranslucent ice sculptures that sparkle in the sun as if they were diamonds.
Not surprisingly, this beach takes the name of “Diamond Beach”.
# A breath-taking panorama
The black sand, of volcanic origin, thanks to its characteristic dark color accentuates even more the colors and reflections of the ice blocks.
So the feeling that people have in front of this natural spectacle is being in front of an expanse of precious stones.
Many blocks have bright colors ranging from blue to turquoise and this has made this beach a very popular destination for all lovers of photography who lurk from the first hours of dawn to see the ice diamonds come to life in all their shades.
# Future home for humanity
Credits: @interstellarmovieThe award-winning film Interstellar was filmed near the Svínafellsjökull glacier and the diamond beach.
Released in 2014, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and Michael Caine, the film directed by Christopher Nolan follows a group of astronauts traveling through a space-time hole in search of a new home for humanity.
What landscape if not this futuristic and surreal beach could have created the perfect setting for the space?
# Travel tips
The Jökulsárlón is generally accessible all year round, but in winter there may be some discomfort related to bad weather, especially due to snowstorms.
The diamond beach and the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon are located about 380 km from Reykjavík, by car it takes at least 5 hours to travel.
You can also visit the lagoon and the diamond beach by booking an organized bus tour.
What is certain is that if you are in Iceland you cannot fail to stop at the diamond beach: the place that makes the border between reality and fiction almost invisible.
ARIANNA BOTTINI
