Cliffs and sea stacks of Iceland
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Iceland's cliffs and sea stacks by height and region
| Cliff / cape | Height, m | Region | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reynisfjara | — | South (near Vík) | Black beach, basalt columns, Reynisdrangar stacks |
| Dyrhólaey | 120 | South (near Vík) | Lava arch, lighthouse, puffins |
| Látrabjarg | 440 | Westfjords | Europe's largest bird cliff |
| Hvítserkur | 15 | Vatnsnes, North | Troll-shaped stack with two holes |
| Arnarstapi | — | Snæfellsnes | Gatklettur basalt arch |
| Lóndrangar | 75 / 61 | Snæfellsnes | Two basalt pinnacles |
| Kirkjufell | 463 | Snæfellsnes | most-photographed mountain, Game of Thrones |
Places7
FAQ4
Why is Reynisfjara beach considered dangerous?
The beach is known for sneaker waves - sudden surges far stronger than the waves before them that rush high up the sand. Between 2007 and 2024 they caused at least five deaths and about a dozen rescues, with another fatality in August 2025. Keep well back from the water, never turn your back to the sea and stay far from the surf line.
Where and when can you see puffins?
Puffins nest on the cliffs in summer, roughly from May to August. The best spots in this collection are Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, home to millions of birds, and the Dyrhólaey promontory in the south. In autumn and winter the birds head out to the open ocean.
Why are basalt columns hexagonal?
Columns form when a thick lava flow cools slowly and evenly. As it contracts, the basalt cracks into regular polygons, most often six-sided ones. You can see such columns in the Hálsanefshellir cave at Reynisfjara.
What is Hvítserkur and where does the 'troll' come from?
Hvítserkur is a 15-metre basalt sea stack off the Vatnsnes peninsula. Local legend says it was a troll who tried to destroy the monastery at Þingeyrar but was caught by the sunrise and turned to stone. Two holes at its base make the rock look like a drinking animal or a dragon.