{"id":5473,"date":"2016-04-26T09:34:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T09:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icelandaurora.com\/tours\/?p=5473"},"modified":"2023-11-19T12:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T12:05:37","slug":"dyrholaey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/dyrholaey\/","title":{"rendered":"D\u00fdrholaey Sea Arch &#8211; South Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">D\u00fdrholaey Sea Arch&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>D\u00fdrholaey  translates as &#8216;<em>Animal Door<\/em> Island<em>&#8216;.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>D\u00fdrholaey is a volcanic island (well, almost) with a host of animal-shaped sea stacks on it\u2019s southern side. The landmass was formed by sub-glacier eruptions many thousands of years ago during thick ice ages. The sea, weather, and other volcanic events have now shaped the location into a fabulous photographer\u2019s paradise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are not many places where you can stand and get great shots in every direction, but D\u00fdrholaey is one of them. The sea cliffs accommodate a large puffin colony from May \u2013 August. This location is featured on our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/puffin-map\/\">Iceland Puffin Map<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to D\u00fdrholaey <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>D\u00fdrholaey  is not to be missed on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/self-drive-south-coast\/\" title=\"Self Drive South Coast\">south Iceland self-drive<\/a>. From Reykjavik, follow the Icelandic Ring Road (highway #1) eastward. After passing the big waterfall at Skogafoss the flat coastal road has a right bend, then a left bend, then leads uphill.  The right turn for D\u00fdrholaey is just before the road goes uphill.  There is a church opposite the turning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>D\u00fdrholaey is a popular spot for sunsets on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/south-coast-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Coast photo tours<\/a>. It also features on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/south-iceland-photo-tours\/\">multi-day J\u00f6kulsarlon photo tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">D\u00fdrholaey Viewpoints<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">D\u00fdrholaey Lighthouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The lighthouse at D\u00fdrholaey sits centrally on the highest point and warns of all the odd shaped rocks sticking out of the surface of the water below. The light house has a square architectural design with little castle turrets, the structure would have looked at home in British India in the days of the Empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facing South<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The view from D\u00fdrholaey stretches out across the North Atlantic but the immediate ocean is dominated by these animal shaped sea-stacks. The largest has a huge door and is connected to the land. It is possible to walk out onto the door and here is a view of the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_6609\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyrholaey.jpg\" alt=\"dyrholaey photo tour\" class=\"wp-image-6609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyrholaey.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyrholaey-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyrholaey-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view South includes the famous D\u00fdrholaey Sea arch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facing West<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a magnificent view as the black beach stretches West for miles and miles. In clear weather there is a good view of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photo-tutorials\/eyjafjallajokull-eruption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull&nbsp;<\/a>volcano. Also in view is the interesting P\u00e9tersey which is another fine example of a sub-glacial eruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_16013\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3336-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Dyrholaey\" class=\"wp-image-16013\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Facing West with poor visibility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyhol.jpg\" alt=\"View from Dyrholaey\" class=\"wp-image-85891\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyhol.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/Dyhol-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A vertical view to the West.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Stay<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0ba313fe\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<p>Sponsored<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Vik Accommodation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Use the sponsored links to find hotels close to Vik &amp; D\u00fdrholaey.<\/p>\n\n\n<ins class=\"bookingaff\" data-aid=\"2226789\" data-target_aid=\"2226789\" data-prod=\"map\" data-width=\"100%\" data-height=\"590\" data-lang=\"ualng\" data-dest_id=\"0\" data-dest_type=\"landmark\" data-latitude=\"63.4186315\" data-longitude=\"-19.0060479\" data-landmark_name=\"V\u00edk \u00ed M\u00fdrdal\" data-mwhsb=\"0\" data-address=\"V\u00edk \u00ed M\u00fdrdal, Iceland\" data-zoom=\"12\">\r\n    <!-- Anything inside will go away once widget is loaded. -->\r\n        <a href=\"\/\/www.booking.com?aid=2226789\">Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins><script>\r\n\r\n    (function(d, sc, u) {\r\n      var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];\r\n      s.type = 'text\/javascript';\r\n      s.async = true;\r\n      s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());\r\n      p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);\r\n      })(document, 'script', '\/\/cf.bstatic.com\/static\/affiliate_base\/js\/flexiproduct.js');\r\n<\/script>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_5475\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/20731906708_7a5bccc6db_z.jpg\" alt=\"Dyrh\u00f3laey\" class=\"wp-image-5475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/20731906708_7a5bccc6db_z.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/20731906708_7a5bccc6db_z-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Facing West with good visibility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It used to be possible to walk out on the D\u00fdrholaey sea arch.&nbsp; Although the ground is rough with rocks and boulders, the hike to the end of the arch was fairly safe.&nbsp; In the middle of the tourist boom, the authorities close the coastal feature to hikers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_5474\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/13600932494_64e8d2dc5c_z.jpg\" alt=\"Dyrh\u00f3laey\" class=\"wp-image-5474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/13600932494_64e8d2dc5c_z.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/13600932494_64e8d2dc5c_z-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view from the half way along the Sea Arch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facing East<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In the East it is possible to view Reynisdrangar (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/vik-reynisdrangur\/\">sea stacks at V\u00edk<\/a>) and from beach at Reynishverfi it is possible to see D\u00fdholaey. Here is the beach at Reynishverfi from the cliffs at D\u00fdrholaey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\" id=\"attachment_83371\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy.jpg\" alt=\"Dyrholaey view to Reynisdrangar\" class=\"wp-image-83371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy-768x479.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy-610x380.jpg 610w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/VikBeachVpan1TMcopy-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view East towards Reynisdrangar sea stacks and Reynisfjara beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Facing North<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is possible to see much of the M\u00fdrdalsj\u00f6kull Glacier which is dominated by the dome of the Katla Volcano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>D\u00fdrholaey was the home of an important character in the Icelandic \u201cBruna Njalls Saga\u201d (The Burning of Neil). Kari (the singed) was the only person to escape the arson attack. He was a friend of Njall\u2019s son and he vowed to avenge the attack (although he never did). He was reported to have a farm here at D\u00fdrholaey<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: in the early Summer, they close D\u00fdrholaey in the evenings to allow the birds to nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Danger!<\/strong><br>A few years ago a Dutch couple were standing on the edge of the cliff here when it collapsed into the sea.&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/icelandreview.com\/news\/2012\/05\/30\/dutch-couple-dyrholaey-comment-accident\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dutch couple in Dyrholaey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Private South Coast Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>South coast tours often include D\u00fdrholaey. Small group tours &amp; minibuses may explore the coastal road to the puffin cliffs.  In good conditions, they might take you up to the lighthouse. These private tours increase the chances of being able to explore D\u00fdrholaey fully.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-f98a9420\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div data-vi-partner-id=\"P00056912\" data-vi-language=\"en\" data-vi-currency=\"USD\" data-vi-partner-type=\"AFFILIATE\" data-vi-url=\"161018P8,58717P9,60440P8,2970P88\"><\/div>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/orion\/partner\/widget.js\"><\/script>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/photoguide\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/2BeachHDR.jpg\" alt=\"Kirkjufjara Beach at Dyrholaey\" class=\"wp-image-85489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/2BeachHDR.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/2BeachHDR-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/2BeachHDR-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kirkjufjara&nbsp;is one of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\tD\u00fdrholaey is close to the M\u00fdrdalsj\u00f6kull glacier and was the home of an important character in the Icelandic &#8220;Bruna Njalls Saga&#8221; (The Burning of Neil).  Kari (the singed) was the only person to escape the arson attack.\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":16010,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[88,117,120,136,272,288,289,304,2360,306,325,2398],"table_tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322.jpg",800,533,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322.jpg",800,533,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/04\/IMG_3322.jpg",800,533,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>\t\t\t\tD\u00fdrholaey is close to the M\u00fdrdalsj\u00f6kull glacier and was the home of an important character in the Icelandic &#8220;Bruna Njalls Saga&#8221; (The Burning of Neil).  Kari (the singed) was the only person to escape the arson attack.\t\t<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/category\/location-guide\/landscapes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Landscapes and seascapes<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Tony Prower","url":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/author\/walstib\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5473"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5473"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88546,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5473\/revisions\/88546"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5473"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icelandaurora.com\/archive-phototours\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=5473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}