Sólheimasandur is a vast glacial outwash plain, a black sand desert. Due to its desolate and surreal landscape, it has become a popular photography spot, with numerous productions having filmed here. The vast expanse of black sand in each direction offers a unique perspective for filmmakers seeking to capture the beauty of this location. A striking feature on the plain is the wreckage of a US Navy plane that had to do an emergency landing on the sand in 1973. Now, it lies abandoned, a deteriorating skeleton with nothing but endless black sand surrounding it, it makes an eerie destination even more ominous. All in all, this is a hauntingly beautiful place.
Sólheimasandur
South coast, Iceland
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Climate
The South Coast of Iceland is known for its unpredictable and ever-changing weather. The region is characterized by a subarctic oceanic climate, which means that the temperatures are relatively mild, but the weather can be quite stormy and windy.
Data source Temperature averages
Lighting
The longest day in Iceland is multiple days from May through July when the sun doesn't set. The daylight hours in Iceland on the shortest days of the year are 4-5 hours per day (December to January).
Data source Accessibility
The area is on route no 1. With a special permission from landowners, you could drive the road that leads all the way to the airplane. Depending on where you film, there are several private roads that lead to different locations on the sand.
Permits
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Basecamp and facilities
There is a large parking lot at the entrance to the path towards the DC-3 Plain wreckage that is suitable as a basecamp area. With a special permission from landowners, you could drive the road that leads all the way to the airplane. There are no facilities at the location. Phone coverage is excellent.
Risk factors
It can become tiresome to work in the sand. The airplane is a wreckage with sharp metals sticking out and a rather high fall if you climb on top of it.
Visitors
This location is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions. The sand, however, is vast and controlled by nearby farmers. A tourist company schedules trips to the wreckage every 30 minutes.
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