Tourists Still Taking Dangerous Chances At Reynisfjara

Recent video footage has emerged which shows adults and children alike putting their lives in danger at the notorious Reynisfjara beach.

Vísir has posted a video taken by Þórir Kjartansson at Reynisfjara beach last Wednesday. In the video, children can be seen climbing the basalt pillars near the beach and leaping into the water, while adults who tread too close to the sea get hit and knocked down by rogue waves.

While this displays dangerous behaviour, especially in light of the deaths that have occurred there, Þórir told reporters that tourists should be given the benefit of the doubt.

“It’s often like people are quite beside themselves,” he said. “But seas come in all sizes, so it isn’t surprising that people don’t do a good job of protecting themselves, if they maybe have never been to the sea before. I can’t call them stupid, like many people do.”

Increasing numbers of tourists to the beach have been a cause of concern for many in the tourism industry. Even setting up a new hazard sign at the location has done little to make a difference.

The Grapevine would like to emphasise, again, that the undertow at Reynisfjara is deceptively strong. Do not wade into its waters. Wherever you travel in Iceland, abide the safety warnings of your tour guides and any hazard signs around the area, and overall, exercise common sense when approaching forces of nature.