Hvalnes: Pebble Beach and Lighthouse on Route 1
A black pebble shoreline and lighthouse headland between Höfn and Djúpivogur.
Hvalnes is a small peninsula with a black pebble beach stretching for a few kilometers and an old, yellow lighthouse on its tip, according to Visit South Iceland. The sources used establish no protected-area designation for it. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
Key takeaways
- Visit South Iceland describes Hvalnes as a small peninsula with a black pebble beach stretching for a few kilometers and an old yellow lighthouse on its tip. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
- Visit South Iceland’s Hvalnes listing gives road number 1 and postal code 781. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
- Vitaskrá, the list of lights published by the Icelandic Coast Guard and Vegagerðin in January 2026, lists the Hvalnes light with the characteristic Fl(2)W 20s and a yellow tower 12 m high. Vitaskrá (source checked 2026-11-10) Vitaskrá (source checked 2026-11-10)
- The Icelandic Meteorological Office lists an automated weather station named Hvalnes, station number 35666, owned by Vegagerðin. Icelandic Meteorological Office (source checked 2026-11-10)
- Vegagerðin says its watch stations update road conditions on umferdin.is. Vegagerðin (source checked 2026-11-10)
| Fact | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road | Road number 1, postal code 781 | Visit South Iceland listing (checked November 10, 2026). |
| Shore | Black pebble beach stretching for a few kilometers | Visit South Iceland describes a small peninsula with an old, yellow lighthouse on its tip. |
| Lighthouse | Yellow tower 12 m, characteristic Fl(2)W 20s | Vitaskrá, January 2026, Icelandic Coast Guard and Vegagerðin (checked November 10, 2026). |
| Printed coordinates | N64° 24' 11.307" W14° 32' 32.159" | Visit South Iceland (checked November 10, 2026). |
| Weather station | Hvalnes, station number 35666, owned by Vegagerðin | Icelandic Meteorological Office (checked November 10, 2026). |
| Protected-area status | Not established by the sources used | No source read states a protected-area designation for Hvalnes. |
What is there to see at Hvalnes?
Visit South Iceland describes Hvalnes as a small peninsula with a black pebble beach stretching for a few kilometers, with an old, yellow lighthouse and an old turf farm of the same name on its tip. Of the beach it says: “It is an excellent location for bird watching and photography.” Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10) Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
The listing also says the beach would make a nice walk, or a place to enjoy the view. The sources used mention no seals at Hvalnes. Read Visit South Iceland’s Hvalnes page for the full description. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
Where is Hvalnes, and how do you find it?
Visit South Iceland’s Hvalnes listing gives road number 1 and postal code 781 and prints the position N64° 24’ 11.307” W14° 32’ 32.159”. This guide places Hvalnes on Route 1 (Ring Road) between Höfn and Djúpivogur. The printed position is a destination pin, not a verified parking-space coordinate. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
Open the regional Hvalnes page and its directions link before setting off. The sources used give no distance or drive time from Höfn or Djúpivogur, and no parking or access-road details.
What is the Hvalnes lighthouse like?
Vitaskrá, the list of lights published by the Icelandic Coast Guard and Vegagerðin in January 2026, lists the Hvalnes light as no. 251 with the characteristic Fl(2)W 20s, a light height of 27 m and a yellow tower 12 m high. Vitaskrá (source checked 2026-11-10) Vitaskrá (source checked 2026-11-10) Vitaskrá (source checked 2026-11-10)
Visit South Iceland calls it an old, yellow lighthouse. Neither source says whether visitors may enter the tower, and the sources used say nothing about a step-free approach. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
Does Hvalnes have a protected-area designation?
The sources used for this guide establish no protected-area designation for Hvalnes. Visit South Iceland describes a small peninsula with a black pebble beach, an old, yellow lighthouse and an old turf farm, and names no protection status, so the guidance here concerns the coastal visit, not access rules or permits. Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-10)
What are road and weather conditions near Hvalnes?
Vegagerðin says its watch stations update road conditions on umferdin.is, so that site is the place to check Route 1 before driving. The Icelandic Meteorological Office lists an automated weather station named Hvalnes, station number 35666, in its East fjords forecast region and says Vegagerðin owns it. Vegagerðin (source checked 2026-11-10) Icelandic Meteorological Office (source checked 2026-11-10)
The weather station is a data point for the area, not a statement about access to the headland or the lighthouse on any day.
What else is on the Route 1 drive near Hvalnes?
Höfn and Djúpivogur are the two towns this guide uses to place Hvalnes, and Iceland.org has a guide to each. The sources used give no distance or drive time from either town to Hvalnes.
Iceland.org’s guides to Höfn and Djúpivogur cover those two towns.
Destination sources checked November 10, 2026. Current access and conditions still depend on local signs and weather.
Planning help
Hvalnes FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Where is Hvalnes?
Visit South Iceland’s Hvalnes listing gives road number 1 and postal code 781 and prints the position N64° 24' 11.307" W14° 32' 32.159". This guide places Hvalnes on Route 1 between Höfn and Djúpivogur. (checked November 10, 2026)
Can I see seals at Hvalnes?
The sources used mention no seals at Hvalnes. Visit South Iceland calls the beach an excellent location for bird watching and photography.
Is the Hvalnes lighthouse accessible?
The sources used do not say whether visitors may enter the lighthouse tower or how the approach is surfaced. Visit South Iceland calls it an old, yellow lighthouse, and Vitaskrá (January 2026) lists a yellow tower 12 m high. (checked November 10, 2026)
What kind of beach is at Hvalnes?
Visit South Iceland describes a black pebble beach stretching for a few kilometers, and says it would make a nice walk or a place to enjoy the view.
When is the best time to visit Hvalnes?
The sources used give no season, opening hours or access rules for Hvalnes. Vegagerðin says its watch stations update information on driving and road conditions on umferdin.is.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.