Silfra Snorkeling: Experience Crystal Clear Glacier Water Between the Continents
Snorkel between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park is filled with glacial water that has been seeping through underground lava rocks for decades producing the clearest water on earth. The fissure allows for over 100 metres of visibility.
This thrilling tour, which doesn’t require any previous experience, takes you to the Silfra fissure, which is filled with fresh spring water, making it a popular site for diving and snorkelling tours. The crystal-clear water reveals an underwater world with jagged canyon walls and plant life. The fissure is said to have opened in 1789 due to moving tectonic plates. It never freezes, keeping a constant temperature of 2-4°C.
On the snorkelling tour, you will receive a dry suit and be briefed on safety measures. Your expert guide will explain how to use the snorkelling equipment and ensure you stay warm and comfortable during your 30 to 45-minute tour.
Once you’ve been briefed, a professional guide will lead you through the four parts of the fissure, including the Big Crack, Silfra’s most narrow section. Here, the continental plates are so close you can almost stretch out and touch them. The guide will also take you to Silfra Hall, which has striking colours and exceptional clarity, as well as the Silfra Cathedral and the Silfra Lagoon.
If you’re looking for a tour that lets you get active and up close and personal with a significant part of Iceland’s unique geology, this tour is for you!
- Availability
- All year
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Minimum age
- 12
- Meeting Point
- Silfra Meeting Point
TourID: SSDT
Activity provider: Dive.is
Silfra Meeting Point
Need to know
Participants must:
- have read, signed, and followed directions on the Snorkeling Silfra Medical Statement
- sign our liability release form at the start of the tour
- be between 150cm and 200cm in height
Requirements
- long underwear
- thick socks
- suitable clothes for the weather of the day
- if you wear glasses, please bring contact lenses or your own prescription mask if you have one
- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
See full equipment listIncluded
Entry/admission fee
- Guided snorkeling trip
- All necessary snorkeling equipment
- Hot chocolate and cookies after the snorkeling trip
- Entrance fee of 1.500 ISK per person into Silfra
Not included
Food and drinks Parking fees
Tour highlights
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
You can dive throughout the year in Iceland. The summer months are the most popular, but if you want to dive with fewer people around you might prefer to visit in the spring or autumn.
That said, any month you choose will offer you a very special experience.
The cost of dives will depend on where you dive, which tour options you choose, and any other experiences you add to your visit. For example, if you need transport from Reykjavík or want to enjoy multiple dives in a day, you can expect to pay more.
Explore the individual tour pages to see up to date prices.
Iceland has incredible opportunities for scuba diving. In fact, many people say it’s up there with some of the best diving in the world.
Silfra is the most popular dive site in Iceland. You’ll see some of the world’s clearest waters, swim between two continents, and witness some of the breathtaking rock formations beneath the surface.
Explore our tours to see more of the best diving tours in Iceland.
Yes, you can dive in Silfra in winter. Tours are available all year round. The water itself maintains a stable temperature throughout the year of around 2 – 4°C (35.6 – 39.2°F). That said, the air outside is much colder in the winter, so make sure you bring some warm clothes!
It is possible to dive in Silfra without a tour. But you’ll need to buy a permit from the Þingvellir National Park authority and prove that you have the required experience.
Unless you are highly experienced, we do recommend that you take a tour, however. It’s the safest way to enjoy your dive.
Similar tours
Hot and Cold Snorkeling and Spa tour - Selfdrive
Snorkel between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park fills with glacial water that has been seeping through underground lava rocks for decades producing the most transparent water on earth. After snorkelling, drive your rental car to the heavenly Laugarvatn Fontana spa to warm up and relax!
Diving Silfra Tour - Selfdrive
Dive between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park fills with glacial water that has been seeping through underground lava rocks for decades producing the most transparent water on earth. The fissure allows for over 100 metres of visibility. This tour is a fantastic way not just to see Iceland but to get in the water and experience it.
Diving Silfra Tour - Selfdrive
Dive between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park fills with glacial water that has been seeping through underground lava rocks for decades producing the most transparent water on earth. The fissure allows for over 100 metres of visibility. This tour is a fantastic way not just to see Iceland but to get in the water and experience it.