Brimketill is a natural lava rock pool on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, just west of Grindavík. Here, Atlantic waves surge over the dark lava coastline and fill a pool carved into the rock over time.

Although Brimketill is a relatively quick stop, there’s more to know before you visit. This guide covers its formation and folklore, what to expect, how to get there, and how to visit safely.

What Exactly Is Brimketill?

Brimketill is a natural pool carved into the lava coastline west of Grindavík. Unlike the hot springs and geothermal pools found elsewhere in Iceland, Brimketill contains cold seawater and is shaped by the ocean. The name roughly translates as “whitewater cauldron”, referring to the foaming seawater that surges into the rocky pool. The effect is especially noticeable when waves are stronger.

Brimketill is located along Road 425 and is part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. A viewing platform overlooks the pool, so you can see it without climbing onto the surrounding lava rocks.

How Was Brimketill Formed?

Brimketill was formed by marine erosion along the lava coastline. The surrounding basaltic lava contains cracks and fractures where seawater can enter.

As waves repeatedly hit the coast, water and compressed air force their way into these cracks. Waves can also carry loose rocks that scrape and wear away the basalt. During colder conditions, water that freezes inside cracks can expand and widen them. Over time, these processes removed sections of the rock and created hollows in the lava, including the pool you see today.

The lava around Brimketill likely dates from the Reykjanes Fires of around 1210–1240. So, while volcanic activity created the lava field, the ocean carved Brimketill itself over time.

Brimketill is Also Called Oddnýjarlaug

Brimketill has also been known as Oddnýjarlaug, meaning "Oddný's Pool". The old name comes from an Icelandic folk tale about a giantess or night troll named Oddný.

According to the story, Oddný lived nearby with her husband, Hróar, and their son, Sölvi. One night, she travelled to the coast to collect a whale carcass. On her way home, she stopped to rest and bathe in Brimketill.

In Icelandic folklore, trolls were said to travel at night because sunlight could turn them to stone. Oddný stayed too long and was caught by the rising sun before reaching home. She was believed to have become a rock pillar that stood near the coast until the sea eventually eroded it away. Brimketill was therefore also known as Oddnýjarlaug, or “Oddný’s Pool.”

What Can You See From the Brimketill Viewing Platform?

The viewing platform overlooks Brimketill and the surrounding lava coastline. From here, you can look directly into the natural pool and see how seawater moves in and out with the waves.

On calmer days, the shape of the pool is easier to see. When the sea is rougher, waves can surge into Brimketill, creating white foam and sending spray across the rocks.

If visibility is good, you may also see Reykjanesviti Lighthouse and steam rising from the Gunnuhver geothermal area in the distance. Look at the rocks below the platform too, where you may spot shells, starfish, or other marine life.

Good to know: Bring a waterproof outer layer even on a dry day. Sea spray can reach the viewing platform when waves are strong.

Can You Swim in Brimketill?

No. Never enter Brimketill or climb down towards the pool. Despite its appearance, Brimketill isn’t a safe natural swimming pool. It’s directly exposed to the North Atlantic, where strong waves and currents can make entering the water extremely dangerous. 

There is no safety supervision at Brimketill, so when visiting, make sure to: 

• Stay on the designated path and viewing platform

• Never climb onto the lava rocks around the pool

• Be careful when the platform is wet or icy

• Watch for large or unexpected waves

• Take extra care in strong winds

• Keep children beside you at all times

• Follow any closures or warning signs

The best way to experience Brimketill is from above. Leave the swimming for Iceland’s designated pools or geothermal spas, such as the nearby Blue Lagoon.

Visiting Brimketill Throughout the Year

Summer is generally the best time to visit Brimketill, especially if you want easier walking and driving conditions. Longer daylight hours also give you more time to combine the stop with other attractions around the Reykjanes Peninsula. Winter often brings rougher sea conditions, while snow, ice, strong winds, and sea spray can make the walkway and viewing platform more difficult to use safely. 

Late spring and early autumn offer a good middle ground, with plenty of daylight and generally manageable conditions. You can visit Brimketill year-round when conditions allow. However, it’s best to avoid the area during severe coastal storms. Always check the weather and road conditions before setting out.

Places to Visit Near Brimketill

After visiting Brimketill, you can continue along the Reykjanes coast to several nearby geothermal and coastal attractions:

• Grindavík: Stop for services, food, and a closer look at this historic fishing town on the south coast of Reykjanes.

• Gunnuhver Hot Springs: Walk through a geothermal area known for powerful steam vents and bubbling mud pools.

• Reykjanesviti Lighthouse: Visit Iceland's oldest lighthouse site and explore the surrounding coastal landscape.

• Valahnúkamöl: See sea cliffs, offshore rock formations, and the exposed Atlantic coast near Reykjanes Lighthouse.

• Bridge Between Continents: Walk across a symbolic bridge spanning a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

How to Get to Brimketill Lava Rock Pool

Brimketill is located just off Road 425 (Nesvegur), around 11.5 kilometres (6.8 miles) west of Grindavík. From Grindavík, follow Road 425 west and take the signed turn for Brimketill. A short access road leads towards the coast.

Under normal conditions, you can reach Brimketill in a regular 2WD car, so a 4x4 isn’t necessary.

Note: Road access around the Reykjanes Peninsula can change because of volcanic activity or severe weather. Check the latest updates at SafeTravel.is before setting out.

Parking and Walking to the Brimketill Viewpoint

A small free car park is located close to the coast. From there, it’s only a 1–2 minute walk along a constructed walkway to the viewing platform.

The route begins with a small set of stairs, so the viewing platform isn’t wheelchair-accessible. The rest of the walk is short and easy, with no hiking required. Allow around 20–30 minutes overall to walk to the platform, see Brimketill, and watch the waves.

Note: There’s no visitor centre or other facilities at Brimketill. Plan toilet, food, and petrol stops elsewhere, with Grindavík being the nearest town with a wider range of services.

Where Does Brimketill Fit on the Volcano Circle?

Brimketill is a short coastal stop along the western section of the Volcano Circle Iceland self-drive route. If road access allows, it fits naturally between the Grindavík area and attractions farther west, including Gunnuhver and Reykjanes Lighthouse.

Around 20–30 minutes is usually enough to walk to the viewing platform, see the lava pool, and watch the waves before continuing along the route.

Brimketill is a natural lava rock pool on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, just west of Grindavík. Here, Atlantic waves surge over the dark lava coastline and fill a pool carved into the rock over time.

Although Brimketill is a relatively quick stop, there’s more to know before you visit. This guide covers its formation and folklore, what to expect, how to get there, and how to visit safely.

What Exactly Is Brimketill?

Brimketill is a natural pool carved into the lava coastline west of Grindavík. Unlike the hot springs and geothermal pools found elsewhere in Iceland, Brimketill contains cold seawater and is shaped by the ocean. The name roughly translates as “whitewater cauldron”, referring to the foaming seawater that surges into the rocky pool. The effect is especially noticeable when waves are stronger.

Brimketill is located along Road 425 and is part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. A viewing platform overlooks the pool, so you can see it without climbing onto the surrounding lava rocks.

How Was Brimketill Formed?

Brimketill was formed by marine erosion along the lava coastline. The surrounding basaltic lava contains cracks and fractures where seawater can enter.

As waves repeatedly hit the coast, water and compressed air force their way into these cracks. Waves can also carry loose rocks that scrape and wear away the basalt. During colder conditions, water that freezes inside cracks can expand and widen them. Over time, these processes removed sections of the rock and created hollows in the lava, including the pool you see today.

The lava around Brimketill likely dates from the Reykjanes Fires of around 1210–1240. So, while volcanic activity created the lava field, the ocean carved Brimketill itself over time.

Brimketill is Also Called Oddnýjarlaug

Brimketill has also been known as Oddnýjarlaug, meaning "Oddný's Pool". The old name comes from an Icelandic folk tale about a giantess or night troll named Oddný.

According to the story, Oddný lived nearby with her husband, Hróar, and their son, Sölvi. One night, she travelled to the coast to collect a whale carcass. On her way home, she stopped to rest and bathe in Brimketill.

In Icelandic folklore, trolls were said to travel at night because sunlight could turn them to stone. Oddný stayed too long and was caught by the rising sun before reaching home. She was believed to have become a rock pillar that stood near the coast until the sea eventually eroded it away. Brimketill was therefore also known as Oddnýjarlaug, or “Oddný’s Pool.”

What Can You See From the Brimketill Viewing Platform?

The viewing platform overlooks Brimketill and the surrounding lava coastline. From here, you can look directly into the natural pool and see how seawater moves in and out with the waves.

On calmer days, the shape of the pool is easier to see. When the sea is rougher, waves can surge into Brimketill, creating white foam and sending spray across the rocks.

If visibility is good, you may also see Reykjanesviti Lighthouse and steam rising from the Gunnuhver geothermal area in the distance. Look at the rocks below the platform too, where you may spot shells, starfish, or other marine life.

Good to know: Bring a waterproof outer layer even on a dry day. Sea spray can reach the viewing platform when waves are strong.

Can You Swim in Brimketill?

No. Never enter Brimketill or climb down towards the pool. Despite its appearance, Brimketill isn’t a safe natural swimming pool. It’s directly exposed to the North Atlantic, where strong waves and currents can make entering the water extremely dangerous. 

There is no safety supervision at Brimketill, so when visiting, make sure to: 

• Stay on the designated path and viewing platform

• Never climb onto the lava rocks around the pool

• Be careful when the platform is wet or icy

• Watch for large or unexpected waves

• Take extra care in strong winds

• Keep children beside you at all times

• Follow any closures or warning signs

The best way to experience Brimketill is from above. Leave the swimming for Iceland’s designated pools or geothermal spas, such as the nearby Blue Lagoon.

Visiting Brimketill Throughout the Year

Summer is generally the best time to visit Brimketill, especially if you want easier walking and driving conditions. Longer daylight hours also give you more time to combine the stop with other attractions around the Reykjanes Peninsula. Winter often brings rougher sea conditions, while snow, ice, strong winds, and sea spray can make the walkway and viewing platform more difficult to use safely. 

Late spring and early autumn offer a good middle ground, with plenty of daylight and generally manageable conditions. You can visit Brimketill year-round when conditions allow. However, it’s best to avoid the area during severe coastal storms. Always check the weather and road conditions before setting out.

Places to Visit Near Brimketill

After visiting Brimketill, you can continue along the Reykjanes coast to several nearby geothermal and coastal attractions:

• Grindavík: Stop for services, food, and a closer look at this historic fishing town on the south coast of Reykjanes.

• Gunnuhver Hot Springs: Walk through a geothermal area known for powerful steam vents and bubbling mud pools.

• Reykjanesviti Lighthouse: Visit Iceland's oldest lighthouse site and explore the surrounding coastal landscape.

• Valahnúkamöl: See sea cliffs, offshore rock formations, and the exposed Atlantic coast near Reykjanes Lighthouse.

• Bridge Between Continents: Walk across a symbolic bridge spanning a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

How to Get to Brimketill Lava Rock Pool

Brimketill is located just off Road 425 (Nesvegur), around 11.5 kilometres (6.8 miles) west of Grindavík. From Grindavík, follow Road 425 west and take the signed turn for Brimketill. A short access road leads towards the coast.

Under normal conditions, you can reach Brimketill in a regular 2WD car, so a 4x4 isn’t necessary.

Note: Road access around the Reykjanes Peninsula can change because of volcanic activity or severe weather. Check the latest updates at SafeTravel.is before setting out.

Parking and Walking to the Brimketill Viewpoint

A small free car park is located close to the coast. From there, it’s only a 1–2 minute walk along a constructed walkway to the viewing platform.

The route begins with a small set of stairs, so the viewing platform isn’t wheelchair-accessible. The rest of the walk is short and easy, with no hiking required. Allow around 20–30 minutes overall to walk to the platform, see Brimketill, and watch the waves.

Note: There’s no visitor centre or other facilities at Brimketill. Plan toilet, food, and petrol stops elsewhere, with Grindavík being the nearest town with a wider range of services.

Where Does Brimketill Fit on the Volcano Circle?

Brimketill is a short coastal stop along the western section of the Volcano Circle Iceland self-drive route. If road access allows, it fits naturally between the Grindavík area and attractions farther west, including Gunnuhver and Reykjanes Lighthouse.

Around 20–30 minutes is usually enough to walk to the viewing platform, see the lava pool, and watch the waves before continuing along the route.