Rauðasandur Beach, beach in Iceland
Rauðasandur is a sandy beach in Vesturbyggð, Iceland, stretching roughly 10 km along the coast. The sand shifts in color from yellowish to golden orange to darker red tones, and in some coves you can find white or black sections formed by volcanic rock and crushed seashells.
The bay served for centuries as a landing point for fishermen seeking shelter from storms. In the 19th century a small farm called Melanes stood here, and its ruins are still visible near the eastern parking area today.
The beach's name comes from the Icelandic word for red sand, though the color shifts between golden yellow and deep orange depending on the light. Visitors often see seals resting along the shore, and during summer months seabirds nest in the nearby cliffs and fly overhead in small groups.
The approach via gravel road 614 takes around 15 minutes and is drivable with a regular car in summer, though it can get slippery after rain. Two parking areas serve as starting points for short walks to the beach, and warm clothing is advisable because of the often changing weather.
The reddish hue of the sand comes from crushed scallop shells that have been washed ashore by waves over thousands of years. At low tide the water retreats far out, revealing sandbars where seal colonies rest and can be observed clearly from the walking trails.
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