#581 European Rank
Raudasandur
Westfjords, Iceland•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August
Photo: Evgeniy Metyolkin (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.23/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
10.6°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€69/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Pink Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Raudasandur: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Westfjords, Iceland
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
10.6°C
Air ~22°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 10.6°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.3°C | 8°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 3.7°C | 9°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 3.4°C | 11°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 4.2°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 5.9°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 8.3°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 10.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 10.6°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 9.6°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 8.1°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 6.6°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 5.4°C | 10°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Iceland Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 10.6°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (10.6°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Raudasandur for the optimal June–July–August swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Raudasandur (Westfjords, Iceland)
🌊 Water temperature: 10.6°C
⛱️ Beach access: 90% free public sand • Sunbeds: €10–€18
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/raudasandur-is/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.9 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.9 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing3.7 / 5
About Raudasandur
A ten-kilometre sweep of red-gold shell sand that shifts colour with the light in Iceland's remote Westfjords.
Destination Advisory & Classificationcold-water destination (10.6°C peak) — aesthetic/scenic ranking rather than warm swimming
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Accessible via Route 612 and a steep gravel mountain pass (Route 614) down to Saurbæjarkirkja in the southern Westfjords
•Protected Status / Environment: Remote Westfjords coastal ecosystem with seal colonies and seabird nesting areas
•Notable Feature: 10 km expanse of unique red, orange, and golden sands derived from pulverized scallop shells, shifting color with tides and sunlight
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (90%)Private Concessions (10%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€10low season→€18August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Open public coastline with statutory right of access and free public recreational use.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Westfjords. Accessible via regional coastal roads (65.465°N, -23.988°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Raudasandur involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Too cold and remote for real swimming, but wade the shallows.
•A wild, remote Westfjords bay backed by mountains, reached by a steep gravel road.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Westfjords, Iceland.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Raudasandur?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Raudasandur
What is the water temperature at Raudasandur?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Raudasandur averages 10.6°C (51°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Raudasandur?
Raudasandur is classified as a pink sand shoreline located in Westfjords, Iceland.
Is Raudasandur good for families with kids?
Yes, Raudasandur is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Raudasandur?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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