Reynisfjara black-sand beach, Iceland. (Serge / Flickr)

Reynisfjara quite literally means ‘Reynir’s beach’. The Black Sand Beach was named after Reynir, a wealthy man from Norway who had settled in the region back in the 18th century. 

Most beaches have white sand, and they are formed due to the corrosion and breaking down of light coloured minerals, rocks, and stones. The beaches form when these tiny sand particles are washed away from the parent rock by the oceans and deposited on the edges over the years. Akin to white sand beaches, black sand beaches actually form in a very similar way, but the source of the sand particles are volcanic rocks. The rivers and streams help in cutting and corroding the volcanic rocks. As they gradually reach the ocean, the strong currents do the rest of the work and granulate them further. The sand grains get sediment on the beach as each wave hits the shore. There are also certain rare instances when the lava directly hits the ocean, and upon the sudden change of temperature, erupt into multiple sharp shards. These shards thereafter go through the same process of granulation and meet their inevitable fate of becoming sand.

A volcanic rock on the beach. (Serge / Flickr)

The sand is almost always pitch black in appearance. This is because of the fact that it is located in one of the wettest and heavy-perspiration areas of Iceland. Since it’s always raining and foggy in the area, the sand doesn’t get a chance to dry up and takes a greyish look to it.

The black sand of Reynisfjara. (Callie Reed / Flickr)

Caves and columns

The beach has multiple facets that add up to its value and appeal. Apart from the beautiful black sand, that contrasts with the pearly foam from the ocean the area is also home to many active and dormant volcanoes. In fact, most of Reynisfjara Beach’s physical attributes are a contribution of these volcanoes itself. One of the most famous and photogenic areas of this beach is the Gardar, an area filled with multiple columns that are closely packed. These structures are mostly made of Basalt and other volcanic rocks. The fractures form as a result of instant cooling down of the magma, as the outside shell cools instantly, but the insides take a much longer time. Upon the gradual cooling of the core, the outside surface becomes ridged and fractured, that give it the appearance of closely packed columns on the sea bed.

Natural pillar-like formation at Reynisfjara. (dconvertini / Flickr)

There are natural caves on the Beach that have been carved out by the sea. The ferocious tides and currents of the Atlantic Ocean managed to corrode the big rocks in such a way that it had formed into beautiful caves.

Fauna at the Reynisfjara

As mentioned previously, Reynisfjara Beach has formed off volcanic ashes and rock particles for the most part, and consequently, there is a scarcity of flora and fauna in this region. There are, however, some traces of animal life in that area. Birds are the most abundant of creatures that live in this area, making nests on the top of the hills. Puffins are quite a common sight in the region. Apart from this, and there is the usual abundance of sea creatures that thrive in the frigid Atlantic waters.

Is the Reynisfjara beach dangerous?

Owing to its geographic location, this Beach has proved fatal to many tourists. The extreme currents and tides of the Atlantic Ocean, coupled with the sudden drop of height, make this an extremely dangerous beach. Tourists are under strict surveillance and have been advised against going too close to the ocean.

Elves and trolls: Folklore around the Reynisfjara

The Reynisfjara Beach with its rare and mesmerizing scenery has left many people awestruck and intrigued, and it is needless to say that there are folklores built around it.

Some of the most interesting ones are those about trolls and elves. It is believed that one time, a few trolls had attempted to pull a ship ashore, but they did not realise that the sun was coming up. Engrossed in trying to pull the ship ashore, they worked till dawn, and the sun came up. As the sun touched their skin, they turned to stones and became the stones that we now see in Gardar. There have been stories built around elves as well, who had somehow turned into the rugged basalt columns on the Beach. These stories have become an intrinsic part of the local folklore and have been passed down the generations.

Filming location

Reynisfjara Beach was used as a filming location in the famous HBO show, Game of Thrones. The world presents us with a host of marvellous natural creations and mesmerising scenes- from the Pink Lake of Australia (Lake Spenser) whose salt content makes it look like it is filled with strawberries, to the Reynisfjara Beach with its inky black sands. The Beach manages to leave all its visitors awestruck, acting as a stunning amphitheatre to host the performance presented by the roaring oceans. 

Enjoyed this article? Also, check out “Playa de Gulpiyuri: The Tiny Beach in the Principality of Asturias in Spain.”

Fact Analysis:
STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. However, things can go wrong. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [email protected].

The post Reynisfjara: The Black Sand Beach that Looks Straight out of a Gothic Novel appeared first on .

Playa de Gulpiyuri beach. (Franciaio / Wikimedia Commons)

There are many extraordinary natural wonders in the world, many of which can make you doubt your own eyes. The Playa de Gulpiyuri in the Principality of Asturias in Spain is one such marvel. To reach it, you must walk through a lush green meadow and then you will stumble upon the tiny, jewel of a beach, with its crystal clear waters and gentle waves. Yes, it is a real beach that experiences high and low tides. The only strange thing about it is that it lies inland, a good distance away from the ocean.

Playa de Gulpiyuri beach

When we think of a beach, what generally comes to mind is a long sandy stretch near an ocean, a lake, or a river. The Playa de Gulpiyuri, however, is different. It is the smallest beach in the world and also the only known inland beach. Moreover, it is unique in being located in the centre of a meadow.

The Cantabrian Sea lies 100 metres away from the shell-shaped, picturesque Playa de Gulpiyuri. Tall limestone cliffs rim the cove and an underground network of caves channel in the seawater from the Cantabrian Sea.

Due to its special geographic features, the Playa de Gulpiyuri is a part of Spain’s Regional Network of Protected Areas. Additionally, the tiny beach is also a designated National Natural Monument in Spain.

Read more: The Unusual Glass Beaches of California and Hawaii

Geographical features of the Playa de Gulpiyuri

In Spanish, Gulpiyuri means water circle. The name probably refers to the semi-circular shape of the flooded sinkhole. According to geologists, this natural sinkhole formed when a cave collapsed inwards. Crystal-clear and ice-cold sea water laps gently from this flooded sinkhole against the yellow sands of the 40 metres long beach. At high tide, the beach becomes visible and it disappears at low tide. It is the only beach of its kind in the world with a fully tidal nature.

The inland beach came into being after the salt from the seawater eroded its way through a limestone cliff. The gradual erosion led to the formation of a series of underground caves aeons ago during the Ice Age. These caves finally connected the Cantabrian Sea—also known as the Bay of Biscay— with the inland Playa de Gulpiyuri and, ever since then, the sea water has been forcing its way to the landlocked little cove.

The water is not deep enough to swim in, but most people will be able to wade in up to knee height. This may be easier said than done, however, as the water is ice-cold throughout the year after coming from the underground caves.

Visiting the Playa de Gulpiyuri

Along with being the smallest beach on the planet, the Playa de Gulpiyuri is also one of the less accessible ones. You’re not going to find this beach without some legwork on your part. However, this hasn’t hampered its popularity with tourists. For obvious reasons, it is on the must-see list of most people visiting the Principality of Asturias.

To reach the Playa de Gulpiyuri by car, you will have to drive along the A8 highway to the village of Naves. The beach is about one kilometre away from Naves. Since you cannot drive right up to the beach, you can either park your car in Naves or in a field located about 1000 metres from the beach. Then you can use your GPS to get to the beach, or, better yet, you can ask the locals for directions. The walk to the beach is rather scenic, so it probably won’t be tiring for most people.

Read more: The Black Sand Beach that Looks Straight out of a Gothic Novel

Information for visitors to the Playa de Gulpiyuri

The Playa de Gulpiyuri is a wonderful place to spend a day with your family and children. Since the water is shallow and the waves are quite gentle, your children can play in relative safety in the water.

Given the remote location of the beach and the lack of any shops or other amenities close by, you should come prepared. Pack and bring your own eatables and water. Also, wear a hat if you don’t want to catch too much sun. There are a few shade-giving spots in the area.

While most people visit the Playa de Gulpiyuri on foot after parking their vehicles close by, there is also another way to reach the beach. You can actually arrive there in a kayak, you will have to undertake the trip at high tide and paddle through the 100 metres of long caves that connect the beach with the Cantabrian Sea.

In addition to the caves at the Playa de Gulpiyuri, there are many other caves worth exploring in the region.

Remotely located and beautiful to behold, it is not surprising that this beach has been consistently voted as one of the best beaches in Spain.

Fact Analysis:
STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. However, things can go wrong. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [email protected].

The post Playa de Gulpiyuri: The Tiny Beach in the Principality of Asturias in Spain appeared first on .