Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland
A black pebble beach with rusted pieces of a trawler wrecked in 1948 and four lifting stones once used to test fishermen’s strength. Stay well back from the waves.
Djúpalónssandur is a pebble beach on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, inside Snæfellsjökull National Park, about 200 kilometres north-west of Reykjavík. It is reached by Route 574.
On the beach lie rusted remains of the British trawler Epine GY7, which ran aground in 1948; they are now protected as a historic monument. There are also four lifting stones (Steinatök) weighing 23 to 154 kilograms. The lightest is called Amlóði (“Weakling”, 23 kg), the heaviest Fullsterkur (“Fully Strong”, 154 kg). Anyone wanting to sign on as a fisherman had to lift at least the third-heaviest stone.
To the west lies the bay of Dritvík, one of Iceland's largest fishing stations in the 18th and 19th centuries, with up to 60 boats. Swimming is prohibited because of dangerous currents and waves. Stay well away from the water, tread carefully on the volcanic ground, and do not take any pebbles.
- Nearest town
- Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 64.7520, -23.8970
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Tjaldsvæðið á ArnastapaCampsite13 km from DjúpalónssandurTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Tjaldsvæðið á HellissandiCampsite18 km from DjúpalónssandurTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Tjaldstæðið í ÓlafsvíkCampsite18 km from Djúpalónssandur
All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Djúpalónssandur?
Djúpalónssandur is in Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland, at GPS 64.7520, -23.8970. It is about 13 km from Arnarstapi.
Can you camp near Djúpalónssandur?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Tjaldsvæðið á Arnastapa, about 13 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Djúpalónssandur?
Djúpalónssandur is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Snæfellsnes: Iceland in miniature and Bird cliffs, fjord gravel and glacier light – by camper across Snæfellsnes into the Westfjords.
What is there to see near Djúpalónssandur?
Places worth a stop nearby: Búðir Church (25 km), Kirkjufell (35 km), Gerðuberg (73 km) and Látrabjarg (89 km).
When is the best time to visit Djúpalónssandur?
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)