Skjolfjorur Beach (Skjólfjörur)
Skjolfjorur Beach (Skjólfjörur)
Meaning 'sheltered beach', Skjolfjorur is easily accessed on foot from road 917.
As you stroll along the beach, marvel at the variety of colored pebbles, but please don't take them with you as this is a protected site!
You'll also find copious quantities of driftwood on the beach. This originates from Siberia, where logs are floated down rivers.
Some escape into the ocean where they get caught in a clockwise polar current and drift westwards until they are taken by the southbound cold currents, which bring them to Iceland.
In past centuries, driftwood was an important source of timber for Icelanders.
Ljosastapi is the name of the prominent sea-stack just offshore.