Silfra Snorkeling from Reykjavik: Between Tectonic Plates

Snorkel 100 meters down into glacial water so clear you can drink it.

Snorkel in Silfra, a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park near Reykjavik, with a certified guide, drysuit or wetsuit, and professional underwater photos included. The 45-minute drive from Reykjavik gets you to the site; you'll spend 30–40 minutes in the water with visibility over 100 meters, then warm up with hot chocolate. Small groups of up to six per guide mean personalized attention, and you can book different suit options within the same group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling at Silfra in Thingvellir Park

• Depart from Reykjavik accommodation
• Drive 45 minutes to Silfra location
• Meet certified guide and gear up
• Listen to safety overview
• Snorkel in Silfra fissure for 30–40 minutes
• Walk back for 5 minutes after snorkeling
• Warm up with hot chocolate
• Receive photos for download later

The Experience

You leave your Reykjavik accommodation and drive 45 minutes through Thingvellir National Park to reach Silfra, passing the landscape that frames this unique fissure. Once there, a PADI-certified guide walks you through the gear—drysuit or wetsuit, your choice—and a safety overview before you enter the water. This is the only company in Iceland offering both options, so if your group splits between them, you still snorkel together.

The fissure itself is a crack running between two continental plates roughly 6–7 kilometers apart. You're literally floating between them in water so clear—over 100 meters of visibility on average—that the depth feels like flying. The glacial water has filtered through lava fields for decades, leaving it pure enough to drink straight from the fissure. You'll spend 30–40 minutes in the water before a short 5-minute walk back to the surface and a hot chocolate to warm up.

The guide photographs the snorkel as it happens, typically capturing 40–100 images depending on group size. You download them free a few days later. Drysuit participants should bring thermal base layers and thick wool socks; the suit itself can feel snug around the neck and wrists, though it keeps you warmer than a wetsuit in glacial water. Breakfast beforehand matters—the cold and the physical effort demand fuel.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Reykjavik accommodation.
• snorkeling equipment (drysuit or wetsuit, your choice).
• use of mask, fins and snorkel.
• PADI Divemaster or equivalent guide.
• underwater photos (40–100 images, downloadable free).
• hot chocolate after the snorkel.

Good to know

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

Operated by Adventure Vikings

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the clearest light for photos and prefer to snorkel early; the noon option suits a later start or a schedule that leaves your morning free. Both options include everything—the choice is timing, not what you get in the water.

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Top questions

How cold is the water in Silfra, and will a wetsuit keep me warm enough?

Silfra's glacial water stays cold year-round. A drysuit traps an insulating air layer and keeps you warmer, especially for longer sessions; a wetsuit works but offers less protection. The operator lets you choose at checkout, so pick based on your cold tolerance and how long you want to stay comfortable in the water.

Can I wear my regular glasses underwater, or do I need contacts?

Glasses don't work underwater in snorkeling masks. Bring contact lenses instead, or bring your own prescription mask if you have one. The operator can't provide prescription masks, so plan ahead if you need vision correction.

What's the drive like from Reykjavik, and how much time do I actually spend snorkeling?

The drive takes about 45 minutes each way through Thingvellir National Park. Once you arrive, gear-up and safety briefing take time before you enter the water for 30–40 minutes of actual snorkeling, then a 5-minute walk back and hot chocolate. The whole outing runs around 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need diving certification to snorkel in Silfra?

No certification is required for snorkeling. You do need to be comfortable in water, know how to swim, and be able to communicate in English with your guide. The guide handles all instruction and safety briefing on-site.

Will I get photos from the snorkel, and can I use them on social media?

The guide takes 40–100 photos during the snorkel depending on group size. You download them free a few days after your activity, and they're yours to share however you like.

What happens if someone in my group is taller or heavier than average?

Participants must be between 150cm and 200cm tall and weigh between 50kg and 120kg for the equipment to fit safely. If you're outside this range, contact the operator before booking to discuss options.