Golden Circle & Silfra snorkeling tour: Between continents

Warm up with Icelandic chocolate and hot drinks after exploring Silfra’s crystal-clear waters

This 10-hour Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik combines sightseeing at Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area with guided snorkeling in Silfra Fissure at Thingvellir National Park. A PADI-certified divemaster leads the snorkeling, a professional English-speaking guide handles the rest, and pickup from designated bus stops in Reykjavik is included. Drysuit, equipment and hot chocolate after the water are part of the package.

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from a designated Reykjavik bus stop and moves through the Golden Circle's three main stops. You visit Gullfoss, the massive two-stage waterfall, and Geysir, the geothermal area where hot springs erupt. Then comes Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park—the centerpiece. You suit up in a drysuit and under-suit, enter the water between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and snorkel through the fissure itself. The water is cold and clear; visibility runs deep. A PADI-certified divemaster stays with the group the whole time.

After snorkeling, you get hot chocolate and Icelandic chocolate bars to warm up. The guide handles the route, timing and logistics—no planning required beyond showing up at the pickup point. Groups stay small, which shapes the pace. Free GoPro photos from both underwater and on land come with the tour, so you have images without managing a camera in a drysuit. WiFi on the minibus lets you stay connected between stops.

A few practical notes: you need to be comfortable in water and able to swim. Height and weight have limits (150–200 cm tall, 45–120 kg) because the drysuit sizes are fixed. Minimum age is 12; anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian on the same tour. The medical statement form screens for cardiovascular fitness, respiratory issues and other conditions—it's available online before you book, so you can check it against your health before committing. Pickup from Keflavík airport or outside the greater Reykjavik area isn't available, and some hotels don't allow buses, so confirm your pickup location with the operator or your hotel desk.

What’s included

• Drysuit and under-suit.
• snorkeling equipment.
• PADI-certified divemaster guide.
• professional English-speaking guide for the Golden Circle portion.
• pickup and drop-off from designated Reykjavik bus stops.
• hot chocolate and Icelandic chocolate bars after snorkeling.
• free GoPro photos from underwater and on land.
• WiFi aboard the minibus.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Troll Expeditions

Is this one for you?The 10-hour full-day format bundles the three Golden Circle stops with Silfra snorkeling in one trip, but leaves no room to add other activities or take a longer break elsewhere.

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Top questions

What is Silfra Fissure and why is snorkeling there different from other dive sites?

Silfra Fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, and snorkeling there means you float between two continents. National Geographic ranks it among the world's top dive sites because of the clarity of the water, the geological setting and the unique experience of the fissure itself—you're in a narrow channel with rock walls on both sides, not a reef or open water.

How long does the snorkeling part actually take, and how cold is the water?

The full tour runs 10 hours from pickup to drop-off, but the snorkeling itself is the main event once you reach Thingvellir. The water in Silfra stays around 2°C (36°F) year-round, which is why the drysuit and under-suit are mandatory—they keep you warm and dry so you can stay in the water comfortably.

Do I need to be an experienced diver or swimmer to snorkel in Silfra?

You don't need diving certification, but you must be comfortable in water and able to swim. A PADI-certified divemaster guides the snorkeling group, so instruction and safety are built in. The operator screens for cardiovascular fitness and other health factors via a medical statement form, which you can review before booking.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes the drysuit, under-suit, snorkeling equipment, pickup and drop-off from designated Reykjavik bus stops, the English-speaking guide, the PADI divemaster, hot chocolate and Icelandic chocolate after snorkeling, free GoPro photos, and all fees and taxes. Bring a swimsuit to wear under the drysuit, a towel and a change of clothes for after. Lunch is not included.

Are there height or weight restrictions for this tour?

Yes—you must be between 150 and 200 cm tall and weigh between 45 and 120 kg, because drysuits come in fixed sizes. Minimum age is 12; maximum age is 69 (travelers over 60 need a medical waiver). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian booked on the same tour.

Where does the bus pick me up, and can it collect me from my hotel?

Pickup is from designated bus stops in Reykjavik, not from individual hotels—some hotels don't allow buses to drive there. Check the pickup locations at busstop.is or ask your hotel desk which stop serves your accommodation. Pickup from Keflavík airport or outside the greater Reykjavik area is not available.