I went to Iceland for the first time in 2016 and fell in love. It has such an ethereal feel that I can't explain tbh and as a solo black female traveler I felt really safe.
My trip was part of one of Icelandair's infamous long layovers so I made the most of my time there by doing excursions with Gray Line. My flight landed bright and early, I left my bags and headed to the meet up spot to start my long day with the South Coast, Waterfalls and Glacier Hike tour.
It's been awhile since I was last there (pre-pandemic) but I was inspired to make this location the first of my Iceland collection because it really is a special place.
See below for some random info about Reynisfjara in particular that I featured in my Youtube video and shop the Reynisfjara collection now:
🔥 Volcanic Marvels: Reynisfjara sits along the southern coast of Iceland near the fishing village of Vik. It is a land shaped by powerful volcanic activity with a number of geologic wonders that make the area so unique, from the towering basalt columns to the roaring waves crashing against the black sand. The sand actually gets its black color from the volcanic rock around it.
👹 Tales of Trolls: According to Icelandic folklore, trolls once roamed these lands, leaving behind their mark in the form of the mystical basalt sea stacks called Reynisdrangar.
👻 Ghosts of the Past: Reynisfjara is not only rich in geological history but also shrouded in eerie tales of ghosts and supernatural phenomena. There are number of stories past down that vary slightly based on the source but all point to a female ghost haunting the beach.
⚠️ Dangers Unveiled: While Reynisfjara's beauty is undeniable, it comes with its own set of dangers. The waves (called sneaker waves) can catch unsuspecting visitors off guard which highlight's the importance of respecting the powerful forces of nature in this awe-inspiring location. The beach itself is basically sitting on an underwater cliff which contributes to the way the waves can sneak right up on you.
📽️ Filming Locations: As you can imagine with the magical yet eery backdrop, this is a popular location for filming. Productions like Game of Thrones, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Vikings, Black Sand and Star Trek Into Darkness have all been filmed there.