Breiðavík Beach

Westfjords

Most of Iceland's beaches are black. Breiðavík is a sweep of golden sand over five kilometers long that faces west across the Atlantic, backed by green hills and framed by low headlands. On a bright afternoon the color contrast is genuinely jarring. The bay sits in the far southwest of the Westfjords, roughly 12 kilometers from the Látrabjarg bird cliffs — home to large puffin and razorbill colonies from May through August. Most visitors combine the two in a single day. Getting here takes commitment: Reykjavík is over 400 kilometers away and the drive runs at least six hours, with the final stretch on gravel roads that can be rough in wet conditions. A high-clearance vehicle is a good idea. There is a small hotel and restaurant at Breiðavík, making it a practical overnight base for catching the late-evening light or reaching Látrabjarg early. The beach is open coastline with no lifeguards, and the Atlantic stays cold year-round despite the inviting color. Budget an hour to walk end to end at a relaxed pace.

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