Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey is a headland up to 120 m high on Iceland’s south coast near Vík. Sailors used to call it Cape Portland. In front of the cape stands a huge arch of black lava rock in the sea, large enough for boats to pass through; in 1993 a pilot even flew through it. On top stands the small lighthouse, built in 1927; the first lighthouse, a steel tower from Sweden, dates from 1910. Its light flashes every ten seconds.

From about late April to mid-August puffins nest on the cliffs; keep your distance so the birds are not disturbed. From the walkway you also look towards Reynisfjara beach with its sea stacks. The steep switchback road to the upper car park was rebuilt and asphalted in 2022. During the spring nesting season (roughly mid-May to late June) parts of the nature reserve are closed from time to time, and in winter the upper road is often shut by ice and wind (as of October 2026). Ask locally about the current situation before you go.