Vaðlasandur

Background

History & Background

Vaðlasandur, located in Vaðlavík (also known as Vöðlavík) at the mouth of Reyðarfjörður, has long been a remote part of East Iceland. Its accessibility changed significantly around 1940 when the first road was cleared into the cove, opening up this beautiful, isolated sandy beach to more visitors and connecting it better to the mainland. The beach holds a poignant place in local memory due to a tragic maritime event. In May 2014, a memorial was unveiled at Vaðlasandur, commemorating a heroic but ultimately devastating rescue operation that occurred 20 years prior. This event saw the loss of both the fishing vessel Bergvík and the rescue vessel Goðinn on the treacherous sands, despite the combined efforts of local rescue teams Gerpir and Brimrún and the helicopter squad from the Keflavík defense force. This memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the powerful and often unforgiving nature of the Icelandic sea, and the bravery of those who risk their lives to save others along its rugged coastlines.

Vaðlasandur is a striking black sandy beach located in the Vaðlaoddi area of East Iceland, primarily separated from the mainland by the Beljandi River and Lake Lón. It lies in Vaðlavík, also known as Vöðlavík, facing the open sea at the mouth of Reyðarfjörður. A road was first cleared into the cove around 1940, which made this unique and remote beach more accessible. The beach is a beautiful sandy expanse with a special view, characterized by its dark, volcanic sand, the bright blue sea, and majestic mountains with green slopes leading to snow-capped peaks. By the sand stands a poignant memorial, unveiled in May 2014, commemorating a heroic yet tragic rescue operation that occurred 20 years prior. During this event, the fishing vessel Bergvík and the rescue vessel Goðinn were lost on the treacherous sands, despite the combined efforts of local rescue teams Gerpir and Brimrún, along with the helicopter squad from the Keflavík defense force. This memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the powerful and often unforgiving nature of the Icelandic sea, and the bravery of those who risk their lives to save others. Visitors should always approach the coastline with caution due to powerful and unpredictable waves.