Silfra Snorkeling Iceland: Between Two Continents

You can see 100 meters ahead underwater in glacial water so clear it feels like flying.

Snorkel in Silfra, a freshwater fissure in Thingvellir National Park near Reykjavik where the continental plates drift apart. A PADI-certified guide leads you through the canyon, you spend roughly 40 minutes in the water with full snorkeling gear, and the operator captures photos so you don't manage a camera. The drysuit keeps you warm in water fed by glacial melt; wetsuits are available if you prefer to dive deeper. Hot chocolate waits at the end.

The Experience

Silfra sits about 50 kilometers from Reykjavik in Thingvellir National Park, formed where two tectonic plates diverge at roughly 2 centimeters per year. The fissure fills with freshwater fed constantly from glacial sources 100 meters underground, which is why visibility runs past 100 meters and the water stays drinkable. You meet your guide at the park, go through safety and procedure, then gear up and enter the canyon itself. The drysuit fits snugly—especially around the neck and wrists—so thermal underwear and thick wool socks underneath matter; the operator is the only one offering both drysuits and wetsuits in the same group, so people can choose what suits them.

You spend roughly 40 minutes in the water moving through the fissure. The clarity means you see the rock formations and the depth without the usual murk of ocean diving, and the freshwater ecosystem is unlike anywhere else. Your guide knows the best angles for photos and captures them as part of the booking, so you can focus on the moment instead of framing shots. If you bring your own camera, that works too.

Before you leave, the guide prepares hot chocolate. The whole outing runs about three hours from meeting point to departure. You'll need to provide your height, weight and age to the operator before the day—the drysuit sizing depends on it—and fill out a medical form to confirm you're fit for the activity. Eat breakfast beforehand, bring contact lenses or a prescription mask if you wear glasses, and wear clothes you don't mind getting damp; the drysuit has a very small chance of leaking.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and drysuit.
• PADI Divemaster or equivalent guide.
• professional underwater photos.
• hot chocolate after the activity.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Vikings

Is this one for you?Drift between two continental plates in water so clear you'll see 100 meters down—a geological wonder found nowhere else on Earth.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

1,377 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,283

4 ★61

3 ★12

2 ★8

1 ★13

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Silfra and why is the water so clear?

Silfra is a fissure in Thingvellir National Park formed by the divergent drift of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Freshwater fed from glacial sources 100 meters underground flows through it constantly, creating visibility past 100 meters and water so clear you can see the rock formations in detail without the usual ocean haze.

How long do I actually spend snorkeling in the water?

The time in the water is roughly 40 minutes. The full outing, including meeting your guide, going through safety procedures, gearing up and the hot chocolate afterward, runs about three hours total.

Do I have to wear a drysuit, or can I choose a wetsuit instead?

You can choose. The operator offers both drysuits and wetsuits, and multiple people in the same group can book their preferred option. Drysuits are recommended if you're not a confident swimmer; wetsuits suit people who want to dive deeper or are experienced scuba divers without the required certifications for a scuba dive.

Are the underwater photos included, or do I need to bring my own camera?

Photos are included as standard—your PADI-certified guide captures them so you don't have to manage a camera in the water. You're welcome to bring your own if you prefer, but it's not necessary.

What do I need to bring or prepare before the tour?

Eat a full breakfast beforehand. Bring contact lenses or a prescription mask if you wear glasses—regular glasses don't work underwater. Wear clothes suitable for the weather and don't mind getting damp, since drysuits have a very small chance of leaking. You'll also need to provide your height, weight and age to the operator before the day and fill out a medical form to confirm you're fit for the activity.

What's the minimum age, and are there other physical requirements?

The minimum age is 12 years; participants over 65 need a physician's approval. You must be between 150 cm (4'9") and 200 cm (6'7") tall and between 50 kg (110 lbs) and 120 kg (264 lbs). All participants must know how to swim, be comfortable in water and able to communicate in English. The activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with poor cardiovascular health, spinal injuries or claustrophobia.