Rauðisandur

About Rauðisandur

Rauðisandur is a beach of red and gold sand, about 10 kilometers long, on the southern coast of the Westfjords, on the same peninsula as the Látrabjarg bird cliffs. Rauðasandur beach, as it's also spelled, sits at the bottom of a steep gravel road, and few beaches in Iceland feel this far from everything.

The color shifts with the light and the tide. On a bright day the sand glows orange and pink, while under heavy cloud it can look plain brown, so wait for sun if your schedule allows. On clear days Snæfellsjökull shows across Breiðafjörður bay, and seals often rest on the sandbanks at low tide.

Access is by Route 614, which leaves Route 612 and drops to the coast on a steep, winding gravel road with tight bends and few guardrails. In dry summer conditions an ordinary car can manage it with care, though a 4x4 is more comfortable. Snow often closes the road in winter and spring, so check the official road-conditions map before setting out.

Most people start from the small church at Saurbær or from Melanes campsite. Reaching the sand takes 15 to 20 minutes from the parking, often through shallow water even at low tide, so waterproof boots help. Check the tide tables before you go and allow at least an hour on the beach.

Patreksfjörður, the nearest town with gas and groceries, is about an hour's drive away. Summer is the practical season for Rauðasandur beach in the Westfjords, and there's no fee to visit. A seasonal café near Saurbær has opened in past summers, but don't count on it for lunch.