Kvernufoss waterfall on Iceland’s South Coast, seen from inside a cave-like opening with green moss-covered cliffs and water falling into a rocky basin below.

    Kvernufoss on Iceland’s South Coast, viewed from behind as the waterfall drops from a moss-covered cliff into a secluded gorge.

    South Coast

    The South Coast is a coastal plain in southern Iceland formed by glacial rivers, black sand shorelines, and steep volcanic escarpments. The region includes the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black beaches near Reynisfjara, and the glacial lagoons at Jökulsárlón, where ice, sediment, and ocean converge. Its character is shaped by the meeting of ice, open Atlantic surf, and active volcanic systems. The landscape transitions between broad outwash plains, glacier tongues descending from the highlands, isolated coastal stacks, and exposed basalt cliffs. Elevation changes are modest across the plains but rise sharply at volcanic ridgelines and ice-capped summits inland. Seasonal variation influences river flow, glacial melt, coastal conditions, and atmospheric clarity, contributing to shifting contrast and surface texture throughout the year.

    Structured Map of South Coast

    A connected view of the landscape, organised by regions, areas, and key locations.

    Open in Explore
    1

    Seljalandsfoss

    water feature

    2

    Gljúfrabúi

    water feature

    3

    Skógafoss

    water feature

    4

    Kvernufoss

    water feature

    5

    Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

    landmark

    6

    Dyrhólaey

    landmark

    7

    Kirkjufjara

    beach

    8

    Reynisfjara

    beach

    9

    Hjörleifshöfði

    landmark

    10

    Fjaðrárgljúfur

    landmark

    11

    Dverghamrar Basalt Columns

    landmark

    12

    Stjórnarfoss

    water feature

    13

    Svínafellsjökull Viewpoint

    glacier

    14

    Múlagljúfur Canyon

    landmark

    15

    Fjallsárlón

    water feature

    16

    Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

    water feature

    17

    Diamond Beach

    beach

    Gallery

    Black sand beach at Reynisfjara on Iceland’s South Coast, showing Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore near Vík at sunset.

    Reynisfjara on Iceland’s South Coast, with the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising f…

    Kvernufoss waterfall on Iceland’s South Coast, seen from inside a cave-like opening with green moss-covered cliffs and water falling into a rocky basin below.

    Kvernufoss on Iceland’s South Coast, viewed from behind as the waterfall drops f…

    Large glacial ice chunks on the black sand of Diamond Beach on Iceland’s South Coast at sunset, with golden light reflecting through the ice.

    Diamond Beach on Iceland’s South Coast, where glacial ice blocks rest on black v…

    Icebergs floating in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on Iceland’s South Coast at sunset, with colorful clouds reflected in the water and distant mountains in the background.

    Jökulsárlón on Iceland’s South Coast, where floating icebergs drift across the g…

    Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks on Iceland’s South Coast, standing in rough Atlantic waters below steep coastal cliffs near Vík.

    Reynisdrangar rising from the Atlantic Ocean off Iceland’s South Coast near Vík,…

    Overview

    The South Coast forms a transitional band between Iceland’s interior highlands and the Atlantic Ocean. Glacial rivers spread sediment across wide plains before reaching the sea, creating horizontal landscapes interrupted by isolated mountains and cliff-backed shorelines. Waterfalls descend from elevated lava layers into open lowlands, while offshore stacks and basalt formations define segments of the coastline. The region operates as a sequence of distinct coastal and glacial environments rather than a single continuous feature. Light conditions are shaped by open horizons, reflective water surfaces, and Atlantic weather systems. Wind, mist, and fast-moving cloud cover influence tonal separation across beaches, plains, and ice-dominated landscapes.

    Key photography subjects

    • Black sand beaches meeting Atlantic surf
    • Glacier tongues descending onto sediment plains
    • Waterfalls dropping from volcanic escarpments
    • Offshore basalt stacks and sea cliffs
    • Braided rivers crossing wide outwash fields
    • Ice lagoons and floating glacial fragments
    • Seasonal light, atmosphere, and weather effects

    Workshops in South Coast

    No upcoming workshops scheduled for South Coast at this time.

    Check back soon or explore other destinations.