Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

Iceland is well known for offering visitors the opportunity to discover otherworldly landscapes combined with historical wonder, and it doesn’t get much better than the mysterious Sólheimasandur plane wreck. 

Resting on the ashy sands of Iceland’s South Coast, the DC-3 aircraft remains are an eerie reminder of a US Navy plane crash that miraculously ended with no casualties. 

The History of the Plane

In November 1973, the naval plane DC-3, which had been on a mission delivering supplies, was en route to Keflavík Airport when it encountered difficulties. There is some speculation and debate around what actually resulted in the crash, with some sources suggesting it was due to icy conditions freezing the engine and others claiming that pilot error resulted in the plane running out of fuel. 

Extraordinarily, there were no fatalities, and all five crew members were airlifted from the remains with just the memory of their harrowing ordeal. 

Soon after the crash, the plane was stripped of all salvageable parts (including the leftover fuel), and the skeleton of remains was left to rust on the black sands at Sólheimasandur. These remains are now a very popular tourist attraction and have even been featured in music videos, including Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You”. 

How to Get There

The crash site, Sólheimasandur Beach, is just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the Ring Road on the South Coast of Iceland. 

If you’re traveling from Reykjavík, the drive should take around two hours and fifteen minutes without stopping. If you are visiting Vík, the drive to the parking lot takes just 15 minutes. 

Parking for Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

The popularity of the site and safety concerns mean that it is no longer possible to drive directly to the ruins; you’ll therefore need to hike down from the parking area, which is located just off the Ring Road. 

The parking lot is not signposted, and you’ll need to look closely for the entrance, which is located near the signpost for Sólheimasandur. The walk from the parking area takes around an hour, depending on how quickly you stroll.  

When to Visit the Wreck 

As the remains of the plane are located on a beach, there are no specific open or closing times for visiting, it is open all year round. The summer months, with favorable weather conditions and longer daylight hours, are particularly popular for visitors. However, some visitors opt to visit at night during the months when the Northern Lights can be seen. The striking green and blue hues dancing above the wreckage are unlike anything you will have ever seen. 

As this attraction is so popular, an early morning or later evening visit may allow you to enjoy the scenery with fewer tourists around you. 

It is important to remember that weather conditions in Iceland can be volatile, and the winter months bring challenging conditions for hiking, which can make getting to the beach fairly difficult, particularly when snow is falling or winds are strong. Especially with an hour walk to consider, remember to check the weather ahead of your trip; do not make the journey if you do not think the conditions are safe. 

Other Attractions Nearby

As with all road trips in Iceland, there are many other attractions nearby, and you may decide it’s worthwhile to plan a stop or two before reaching the beach. Local sights that you can include are:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Dyrhólaey
• Skógafoss Waterfall
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Ready to plan your trip to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck? Our rental cars are competitively priced and comfortable, giving you the chance to explore Iceland your way!

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