The road to Dyrhólaey lighthouse and viewpoint in South Iceland was closed by Vegagerðin (the Icelandic Road Administration) in the early hours of 14 October 2026, due to severe weather. The status changed from open to “Lokað – Vegna óveðurs” (closed due to storm) at 05:51 local time. No further comment was issued by the road administration.
Why this matters for photographers
Dyrhólaey is one of South Iceland’s most photographed headlands, popular in October for dramatic coastal light, puffin colony access, and views over the black sand beaches. A weather-related closure means the road to the lighthouse and upper viewpoint is impassable, cutting off elevated compositions that are particularly sought after during autumn. Conditions sufficient to close a lowland road in this area typically also make exposed clifftop shooting unsafe.
What photographers should do
- Check the current road status at road.is before travelling — conditions can change quickly and the closure may lift or extend without advance notice.
- Plan an alternative session for the day: nearby Reynisfjara black sand beach remains road-accessible from the main Ring Road, though always exercise extreme caution near the shoreline in storm conditions.
- Monitor Vedur.is (the Icelandic Met Office) alongside road.is for wind speed and gusts specific to the South Coast before deciding whether to travel at all.
If you do visit once the closure lifts, stay on marked paths near the clifftops. The vegetation and nesting areas at Dyrhólaey are fragile, and disturbance — even outside the main puffin season — causes lasting damage.
For full guidance, see our Iceland in Autumn for Photographers: September & October.
Source: Vegagerðin — https://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/