Things That Can Kill You in Iceland (Plus Sand Snakes)

The country is often called "the land of fire and ice," and that name should not be taken lightly. In light of recent fatal accidents taking place at one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations, Reynisfjara beach, we compiled the main dangers in Iceland that tourists and locals should keep in mind.

We want to help make your trip to Iceland an incredible and safe adventure. We hope to inform you of what to be aware of and to prepare for, many of the dangers inherent to Iceland can be avoided and accidents mitigated.

Before traveling in Iceland, make sure you read up on how to drive in Iceland safely and inform yourself about the Icelandic search and rescue teams. Additionally, always be sure you leave your travel plan with the search and rescue teams and avoid making preventable mistakes, so you don't need to waste their valuable time. We want our travelers to explore safely and return in one piece.

Deadly Icelandic Beaches

Some of Iceland's beaches are incredibly popular tourist destinations, especially the Reynisfjara black sand beach on the southern coast of Iceland. Millions of people have visited this stunning area, where you can admire the pitch black sand, the linear basalt columns, and the impressive waves of the North Atlantic Ocean.

These waves, however, are highly unpredictable and, therefore, one of Iceland's dangers that is most often underestimated by travelers. They can be very high and large, and the undercurrent in the ice-cold ocean is powerful.

What's known as "sneaker waves" can also occur. This is when a single wave is much larger than the others, resulting in it sneaking further up onto the beach. Additionally, there are many large rocks with sharp edges in the area where the waves crash.

Visually the waves look spectacular, so perhaps it comes as no surprise that tourists (and locals) can spend hours watching them and taking pictures and videos. The danger lies in getting too close to the waves. Even if it's a nice and calm day and you feel like you're at a safe distance, a big wave can come along and sweep you out to sea.

Someone gets caught by the waves almost every day. Whereas most people just get slightly wet clothes or shoes, some have their camera equipment ruined, and tragically, there have even been a few tourist deaths in Iceland as a result.

In February 2016, a 40-year-old Chinese man stood atop the middle rock in the picture above when a sudden wave took him out to sea, where he drowned. His wife and two children were with him but unable to save him.

In 2007, a 75-year-old woman from the Unites States got caught by a wave and drowned. Three people jumped in to try to save her but couldn't reach her and put themselves in great danger at the same time.

The most recent tragedy took place in January 2017, when a German woman in her fifties was caught by a wave and washed ashore a couple of hours later. She was traveling with her husband and two children. Her son (in his thirties) also got caught by a wave but managed to return to shore alive. In 2013, a four-year-old girl ran straight towards the waves, but fortunately, a guide reacted quickly and managed to run after her and swiftly pick her up before the next wave.

All of these incidents took place on nice and sunny clear days, so you can imagine what the waves can be like in the middle of winter when it can be stormy and snowing.

Take extra care when you go to Reynisfjara and any other beach in Iceland.

Djupalonssandur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is another popular black sand beach where people have gotten caught in the surf, although luckily, no one has died there so far. 

Make sure, under all circumstances, not to turn your back to the sea or get lost in taking a selfie. The waves are much stronger than you'd expect, and heeding these warnings can be the difference between life and death.

The Unstable Icebergs in Glacier Lagoons

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is one of Iceland's most popular destinations, and it's not hard to understand why. Impressive icebergs float around in a large lagoon near Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull.

In wintertime, you can catch the northern lights dancing overhead, sometimes reflected in the lagoon and the ice in it. This is a photographer's heaven and provides an array of stunning aurora photos.

When you go to the lagoon, you'll see signs that forbid people to walk on the ice in the lagoon. There are usually some tour guides nearby who tell people not to walk on the ice.

Nevertheless, some people are either are oblivious to the danger or choose to ignore it. They'll walk on the ice (or even swim in the lagoon) to a floating iceberg. This is often done for an ever-so-precious selfie.

Tourists in danger by Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Picture by Gylfi Blöndal.

Although the ice may be connected to land when you arrive and looks safe to walk on, it can easily break off from the ground. If you find yourself stranded on a block of ice in the lagoon, you're in danger since the ice can tip over without warning. You might not only fall into the ice-cold water but could also find yourself trapped under the iceberg itself.

The water is so cold that people can only stay in it for a few minutes before they get hypothermia and die. The current in the calm lagoon is also powerful and can easily carry people out to sea.

Again, people tend to misjudge how stable and safe the natural attractions in Iceland are, leading to fatal incidents - what's beautiful can also be dangerous in Iceland.

Iceland's Unpredictable Weather

In Iceland, there's a saying that goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." The weather is constantly changing here, often quite suddenly. It can change dramatically in the same place in a matter of seconds and also change drastically from one location to the next.

These sudden weather changes often make for stunning, dramatic photos; however, this is also one of the things that can make Iceland dangerous. With the vast scenery, you can see where there's rain on your right-hand side, but the sun on your left.

The weather can be dramatically different depending on your location in the country. It can be sunny and pleasant in Reykjavik, where you start your day, but a snowstorm in the Highlands, where you end your day. This means you can drive through rain, snow, sun, wind, and fog, all within the same hour or even in a matter of a few minutes! Welcome to Iceland.

Additionally, you should never underestimate the windchill factor here. This means that you can hike through the same ever-changing conditions, so ensure you pack the correct essentials for all seasons.

Whereas snowstorms mainly tend to take place in wintertime, they have been known to take place in the middle of summer. Snowstorms are more likely to occur in the Highlands, where you won't find much shelter or traffic.

Hiking in Iceland is a beautiful way to explore the country and is very popular. However, when you go hiking in Iceland, you need to be prepared for any weather, even in the summer. This is not an occasion to pack light. Bring layers of wool or fleece and avoid wearing cotton or denim, as they get cold and lose their insulation capabilities when wet.

The most popular hiking route in Iceland is Laugavegur, named after Reykjavik's busiest shopping street. Even though it's a busy route, you can still feel like you're the only one on it.

In 2004, on a clear summer's day at the end of June, a 25-year-old Israeli man started the hike from Landmannalaugar. He was poorly dressed in sneakers, light trousers, and a light jacket. The staff at Landmannalaugar warned him not to go hiking in this outfit since the route crosses a glacier and he might get cold, but he went nonetheless.

He called the Icelandic Search and Rescue teams four hours later and reported he was utterly lost in a thick fog and getting very cold. A team of about 70 people went looking for him, but he was eventually found dead, only 0.6 miles (one kilometer) from a hut where he could've found shelter from the cold.

This is just one example of someone killed in Iceland due to insufficient clothing. Many more have frozen to death in the cold and unpredictable weather. Never underestimate how quickly the weather can turn, and always make sure that you're prepared for any kind of weather.

Iceland's Strong Winds

Tour providers are usually aware of any conditions that could affect your safety and cancel or reschedule tours that could put you at risk. However, it's always best to keep aware of changing conditions to ensure your safety.

In such situations, tour providers will either offer a different activity, issue a refund, or reschedule your tour to another day or time. This is common in Iceland, and tour providers are well-drilled in managing customers' safety in Iceland's ever-changing conditions.

Unfortunately, there have been cases recently where tourists have not heeded the warning of a red alert delivering cyclonic winds to West Iceland and the south coast. Sadly, this resulted in the death of two Chinese nationals in their twenties near the Solheimasandur DC3 plane wreck.

The best rule of thumb is not to travel if you feel unsafe in Iceland's winds. If you are driving yourself, you should always slow down to a speed that you're comfortable with or simply don't travel. Always keep up to date with Iceland's weather and road conditions daily and heed the warnings of locals who have experienced these conditions many times before.

Other Dangers in Iceland

We've listed the main dangers in Iceland. Whatever activity you plan on doing, be sure to keep all necessary information about the location before doing anything rash. Be sure to look out for information signs in the areas you are traveling as well. These will alert you to possible dangers both on the road and at various attractions around the country.

Other dangers in Iceland include falling into cracks on glaciers, getting stuck inside unstable ice caves, or burning yourself on hot springs. Remember never to go hiking on a glacier or enter an ice cave unless you're with someone that knows the area and the landscape extremely well. Only join in these activities under the supervision of professional guides.

Be careful around hot springs, and don't step too close; you may not fall in, but the surrounding mud can be just as hot, and your feet could sink into it.

Take note that off-road and off-track driving is illegal in Iceland. The tracks can sometimes be hard to see but are still regarded as roads. If you can't see a clear track, then you're driving off-road, and you're both damaging the local nature and possibly putting yourself at significant risk (at the risk of a hefty fine at the very least).

Driving in the Highlands requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Do not attempt to drive in the Highlands with a low-clearance car that doesn't have four-wheel drive; it won't end well but rather expensively. Your car will most likely get stuck, and you may have to wait a long time before receiving help (as well as pay for the damages to the vehicle).

Be careful when driving in Iceland as there are many single-lane bridges. If you have an accident or get stuck somewhere, it tends to be a long way to the nearest gas station, police station, or hospital.

Although Iceland is a volcanic island, you don't need to fear earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. No one has ever been seriously harmed directly due to an earthquake or a modern-day volcanic eruption in Iceland. That is the one thing you do not have to be afraid of in Iceland (find out more about volcanoes in Iceland).

Dangerous Animals in Iceland

As you have no doubt noticed by now, most of Iceland's dangers are terrain or weather-related. Of course, that does not mean there are no dangerous animals in Iceland. For the most part, you have nothing to fear from the Icelandic animals, except perhaps some birds attacking you when they're protecting their eggs.

Just be careful not to hit any birds, sheep, cows, or reindeer while driving, as you may wound or kill the animals, and the crash can also harm yourself or fellow travelers.

The most dangerous animal in Iceland is probably the arctic fox. These are the only mammals native to Iceland and typically are not aggressive unless you try and pet one. However, with sharp teeth and a willingness to protect their young, these animals should not be underestimated due to their cute and cuddly looks.

Sand Snakes and Other Misconceptions

Don't worry; there are no snakes in Iceland. This is one of those great trivia facts about Iceland that always surprise people. The climate is too cold for those cold-blooded snakes (no pun intended).

Sand snakes are when strong winds blow sand through the air in a stream so fast that it looks like a snake. These are not dangerous but rather beautiful and, as some describe it, an "unworldly" experience.

If you haven't noticed yet, there's a reason so many movies with exotic, out-of-this-world environments are filmed here in Iceland.

There are very few spiders in Iceland, and none of them are dangerous to humans, so you have nothing to worry about here, either.

Although there are no polar bears in Iceland, the occasional migratory polar bear has been known to arrive for a visit during frigid winters. It's illegal to kill polar bears swimming in the waters surrounding Iceland. However, should the ice-loving animals come up on land, they're considered a risk to humans and will be captured and relocated or killed.

• See also: Top 10 Animals In Iceland You May See During Your Trip

Final Thoughts on the Dangers of Iceland

While there are many dangers in Iceland, the biggest and most important one is failing to be aware.

You must prepare for your trip with safety in mind first. Make sure when traveling around that you heed our advice in this article while also staying on top of the latest weather and road conditions daily. Also, make sure that you come dressed for the terrain, ensuring you remain as warm and dry as possible in any potential turn of events. Don't ignore local advice or warning signs under any circumstances.

Whether you're traveling the island on a self-drive adventure, planning to join guided tours, or just taking a city break to our outstanding capital, respect the rules and take our safety advice. We hope you have a wonderful stay in Iceland, make memories, enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and stay safe! We'd love to answer any questions or hear from any experiences you've had in the comments below.