Dyrhólaey
Beach in Vik, Iceland
Aire Volador
- Best months: June–September
- Typical duration: 1h
- Elevation gain: 93 m
- Open weeks per year: 17
Access & fees
- no fee mentioned (fee: not stated in sources)
Things to do
- birdwatching
- panoramic coastal viewing (landmarks: Mýrdalsjökull, Reynisdrangar, Selfoss coastline)
- photography
- puffin watching (seasonal)
- scenic driving
- seabird watching (species: Atlantic puffin · location: cliff faces)
- view the black sand beaches of iceland's south coast
- visit the famous natural sea arch
- visit the historic lighthouse
- walk to panoramic viewpoints
- watch the atlantic waves crash against the cliffs
- whale watching from the cliffs (occasionally)
Best time to visit
- arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds.
- summer for puffins (reason: puffin nesting season · window: summer)
- visit between may and august for the best chance to see puffins.
Events & seasons
- puffin nesting season (window: summer · species: Atlantic puffin)
Features
- 120 m elevation (height m: 120 · height ft: 390)
- dyrhólaey lighthouse (built: 1927 · position: summit, facing sea)
- lava sea arch (description: large black lava arch in sea, namesake of peninsula)
- volcanic origin (epoch: Pleistocene · eruption: ~100,000 years ago)
Nearby
- reynisdrangar sea stacks (direction: east · visible from: Dyrhólaey)
- village of vík (coast: south · direction: nearby)
Good to know
- allow 1–2 hours to explore both the lower and upper viewpoints.
- dress in warm, windproof layers—the weather changes quickly.
- paved switchback road (paved: 2022 · gradient: steep switchback)