In a country filled with black volcanic beaches, Rauðasandur stands out as a rare sight. This red sand beach in Iceland's Westfjords region creates a contrast to typical Icelandic landscapes. If you want to avoid crowds and see one of Iceland's unique natural spots, add Rauðasandur to your list.
Key Takeaways
Rauðasandur is a 10-kilometer red sand beach in Iceland's Westfjords, made from crushed scallop shells instead of volcanic rock.
Visit from June to August when roads are open and the weather is milder.
A 4x4 vehicle works best for the rough gravel road (Route 614) that leads to the beach.
Low tide shows more of the red-orange sands and offers better wildlife watching.
Nearby attractions include Látrabjarg cliffs (Europe's largest bird sanctuary) and the historic Saurbæjarkirkja church.
What's Rauðasandur?
Rauðasandur (meaning "Red Sand") is a 10-kilometer stretch of beach on the southern coast of Iceland's Westfjords peninsula. Unlike the black sand beaches found across Iceland, Rauðasandur exhibits colors ranging from golden yellow to rust red, which change with the light, weather, and tides.
The beach gets its color from crushed scallop shells and marine life that have built up over thousands of years. This creates a contrast against the blue sea and green mountains around the beach.
The beach is flat and wide, especially at low tide when large tidal flats appear. Walking on Rauðasandur feels strange but beautiful. The red sand stretches for miles, with pools of water that reflect the sky like mirrors.
Rauðasandur differs from typical Icelandic beaches in its geology. While most of Iceland's coastlines have black sand from volcanic basalt, Rauðasandur's red-orange color comes from thousands of years of waves grinding down seashells into tiny pieces. These shell fragments contain minerals like iron that give the beach its warm color, which changes with the light.
Beyond its natural history, Rauðasandur has a dark human story. The beach area was the setting of the Sjöundá murders of 1802, one of Iceland's most infamous crimes. At the isolated Sjöundá farm on the eastern end of the beach, two lovers, Bjarni Bjarnason and Steinunn Sveinsdóttir, plotted to kill their spouses to be together. The crime shocked Iceland, and the couple was caught, tried, and executed in 1805.
This tragic story later inspired the Icelandic novel "Svartfugl" (Black Bird) by Gunnar Gunnarsson, making Rauðasandur important in Icelandic cultural history. Today, you can see the ruins of the Sjöundá farm.
Location & How to Get There
Rauðasandur sits in the southern part of Iceland's Westfjords region, on the Látrabjarg peninsula. Reaching it is challenging, as this is one of Iceland's most remote areas.
Getting There By Car
From Reykjavík, the drive takes about 5-6 hours (roughly 400 km). Follow the Ring Road (Route 1), then take Route 60 into the Westfjords, and continue on Route 62 toward Patreksfjörður. From there, follow Route 612 toward Látrabjarg, and finally turn onto Route 614 (Rauðasandsvegur), which goes directly to the beach.
Route 614 is a challenging gravel mountain road with steep sections and sharp turns. It drops sharply from the highlands to the coast with no guardrails in some places. While the road is maintained during summer, hiring a 4x4 vehicle is a good idea. If you don't feel comfortable driving on rough roads, join a tour from Patreksfjörður instead.
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Another option is taking the Baldur ferry from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords. From Brjánslækur, it's about an hour's drive to Rauðasandur. This sea route offers nice views and can be a good alternative to the longer drive.
Remember that outside summer (June-August), Route 614 often closes due to snow and ice, making Rauðasandur inaccessible in winter.
What to Do at Rauðasandur
From beach walks to wildlife watching, there's plenty to do at this coastal spot:
Beach Walking and Shell Collecting
The main activity at Rauðasandur is walking along its vast expanse of red-golden sand. At low tide, you can walk far out on the firm sand, where wet flats reflect the sky. The sand's color and texture change as you walk. Some areas have fine, pinkish powder, while others have coarser, golden grains or visible shell fragments.
Walking along the water's edge offers chances to find shells, small crabs, and other marine items. Remember to take only photos of anything special, leaving the beach as you found it for others to enjoy.
Wildlife Watching
Rauðasandur hosts diverse wildlife. A colony of harbor seals lives in the bay, often seen resting on sandbars or poking their heads up from the water. The best time to spot seals is at low tide on the western end of the beach, where they often come onto the sand.
Birdwatchers will see many coastal birds. Arctic terns, oystercatchers, plovers, and eider ducks are among the regular visitors. Rauðasandur's location near the Látrabjarg cliffs means you might see some of the millions of seabirds that nest there, including puffins, during summer (May-August).
For the best wildlife viewing, bring binoculars and keep a distance from animals, especially seals, who don't like being disturbed.
Photography
Photographers will find many subjects at Rauðasandur. The contrast between the rust-red sand, blue ocean, and green mountains creates striking images. The best light for photos comes during early morning or evening, when the low sun makes the sand's red colors more intense.
At low tide, the wet sand creates reflections, while tide pools offer framing options. For landscape photographers, climbing slightly uphill behind the beach provides views of the entire bay. In summer, the Midnight Sun lights the beach with golden light from around 10 PM to 1 AM. That’s the perfect time for photos with no crowds.
Exploring Historical Sites
History fans should visit the Saurbæjarkirkja church near the western end of the beach. This small black turf church was moved from elsewhere in the Westfjords in 1982 and now stands as a picture of Iceland's rural heritage.
If you’re adventurous, you can find the ruins of the Sjöundá farm on the eastern end of the beach, where the infamous 1802 murders happened. Standing among the grass-covered foundations, with only the calls of seabirds and the wind around you, connects you to Iceland's past.
Hiking
For more active visitors, several hiking options exist around Rauðasandur. A popular route is climbing Skaufhóll, a hill on the western side that offers views of the beach and the surrounding area. If you’re an experienced hiker, you might consider the longer coastal trail that connects Rauðasandur with the Látrabjarg cliffs, although this requires proper preparation and possibly arranging transportation back.
The varied land around Rauðasandur includes grassy dunes, rocky outcrops, and highland paths, each offering different views of this unique landscape.
Practical Information for Visitors
Being prepared is key when visiting this remote location:
Weather
The weather in the Westfjords changes quickly, even during summer. Temperatures typically range from 8 °C to 15°C (46-59°F) during the summer months, but strong winds, fog, and rain can appear suddenly. The coastal location means the weather can shift rapidly; a sunny morning might become a foggy afternoon with little warning.
Always check the forecast before heading out and be prepared for all conditions. The remoteness of Rauðasandur means you should be self-sufficient if the weather changes. In poor visibility or strong winds, it's safer to delay your visit or stay near your vehicle.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit Rauðasandur. During these months, the access road is open, daylight lasts nearly 24 hours, and wildlife is at its most active. July typically offers the best mix of stable weather and wildlife viewing, especially for seeing puffins at nearby Látrabjarg.
For the most dramatic beach colors, plan your visit for low tide on a sunny day. Check tide tables in advance, as the difference between high and low tide significantly affects how much of the red sand you can see. The beach looks most vibrant in direct sunlight, particularly during early morning or evening.
Outside the summer season, access becomes difficult. By October, snow often closes Route 614 until the following May or June. While some visitors do reach Rauðasandur in late May or early September, always check road conditions at road.is before attempting the journey.
What to Bring
Due to Rauðasandur's remote location and variable conditions, proper preparation is essential:
Waterproof hiking boots: Needed for crossing wet sand and shallow streams to reach the beach.
Warm, waterproof clothing: Layers work best, including a windproof/waterproof outer layer even in summer.
Food and water: No services exist at the beach itself, so bring all necessary supplies.
Binoculars: Useful for wildlife watching, especially seals and birds.
Camera: The beach's colors are worth capturing, especially at low tide.
Map and offline GPS: Cell reception is unreliable, so download offline maps before your trip.
Full fuel tank: Fill up in Patreksfjörður, as there are no gas stations near the beach.
Tide chart: Check tide times to plan for the best beach access.
Accommodation Options
While Rauðasandur can be visited as a day trip from Patreksfjörður or Ísafjörður, staying closer allows more time to experience the beach at different tides and light conditions:
Melanes Campsite: Located right at Rauðasandur, this basic campground offers tent spaces with great views. Facilities are minimal but include toilets and cold water.
Hotel Látrabjarg: About 30 km from Rauðasandur, this seasonal hotel offers comfortable rooms and a restaurant, making it the closest proper accommodation to the beach.
Breiðavík Guesthouse: Near Látrabjarg cliffs, this guesthouse provides rooms and a restaurant in a peaceful setting, about 1 hour from Rauðasandur.
Patreksfjörður: This small town (33 km away) has several guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants, making it a practical base for exploring the wider area.
Booking accommodation in advance is recommended during the summer season, as options are limited and fill quickly.
Things to Do & Places to Visit Nearby
Make the most of your journey to this remote region by exploring these nearby attractions:
Látrabjarg Cliffs
Just 30 km west of Rauðasandur, Látrabjarg is Europe's largest bird cliff and a must-visit companion to your Rauðasandur trip. These dramatic 400-meter-high cliffs stretch for 14 km and host millions of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and kittiwakes.
Látrabjarg is known for its approachable puffins, which nest on the cliff tops from May to August. You can often get quite close to these birds, though maintaining a respectful distance is essential. The cliffs themselves offer views over the Atlantic, and on clear days, you might even see Greenland in the far distance.
Patreksfjörður
The nearest town to Rauðasandur, Patreksfjörður makes an excellent base for exploring the area. This small fishing village (population ~700) offers essential services including a supermarket, gas station, bank, swimming pool, and several restaurants.
The Patreksfjörður Swimming Pool is also worth a visit; like many Icelandic pools, it's geothermally heated and offers hot tubs with fjord views. For local culture, check if any events are happening at the community center, and try fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants.
Other Westfjords Attractions
The broader Westfjords region offers several other outstanding attractions within driving distance of Rauðasandur:
Hnjótur Museum: located near Örlygshöfn on Route 612, this folk museum showcases local history, farming tools, and aviation artifacts.
Garðar BA 64 Shipwreck: On the road between Brjánslækur and Patreksfjörður, you'll find this rusting hull of Iceland's oldest steel ship, beached in 1981.
Hellulaug Hot Spring: about an hour's drive from Rauðasandur near Flókalundur, this natural geothermal pool beside the sea provides a relaxing spot after a day of exploration.
Dynjandi Waterfall: if traveling further west in the Westfjords, don't miss this multi-tiered waterfall, located about 100 km northeast of Rauðasandur.
Conclusion
Rauðasandur represents Iceland at its most magical and untamed. Far from the tourist crowds of the south coast, this remote red beach offers an experience of pristine nature, fascinating history, and unusual beauty that few visitors to Iceland ever see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Swimming is not recommended due to cold water temperatures, strong tides, and unpredictable currents. Visitors usually enjoy walking, wildlife viewing, and photography instead.
Yes, Rauðasandur is generally safe for families. The wide, flat beach gives children space to explore, but supervision is needed because of tides, soft sand areas, and lack of nearby facilities.
Cell reception is unreliable or nonexistent in the area. You should download offline maps and be prepared to navigate without mobile data.
You can't camp directly on the beach, as wild camping is not permitted in Iceland; however, Melanes Campsite is situated right by the beach. It’s basic, with toilets and cold water, but offers a unique chance to stay close to Rauðasandur’s shifting tides and colors.
