Silfra Fissure: Scuba Dive Between Continents & Small Group

Summary

Glide through silfra fissure’s crystal water with expert guides and dry suit gear

You’ll slip into Silfra’s glacier-fed waters with a small group and certified guide, floating between two continents in surreal clarity. Expect cold cheeks, clumsy gloves, laughter over “troll hair,” and warming up after with hot chocolate and biscuits—plus stories you’ll replay long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

I remember standing at the edge of Silfra fissure, already zipped into the dry suit, feeling that weird mix of nerves and excitement. The air was sharp—almost metallic—and our guide, Einar, checked our masks one last time. He grinned and said something about “liquid glass” before we slipped in. I’d read about the visibility here, but nothing really prepares you for seeing your own bubbles drift off into blue that just doesn’t end. My hands felt clumsy in the thick gloves; I kept flexing my fingers to get used to it. Einar motioned for us to follow, slow and steady.

Diving between continents is one of those phrases you hear a lot online, but when you’re actually moving along that rift—rock walls on either side, cold pressing against your cheeks—it’s a different thing entirely. The silence underwater is almost total except for your own breath and the occasional clink when someone’s tank brushes stone. At one point I caught sight of tiny green threads waving from a rock—Einar later called it “troll hair,” which made me laugh inside my mask. We didn’t go deeper than 18 meters (park rules), but honestly, depth didn’t matter; it was all about drifting through this impossible clarity.

Afterwards my lips were numb and my hair had gone wild under the hood. We peeled off layers by the van while Einar poured out hot chocolate—he handed me a cookie with a wink like he knew exactly how cold we all felt. There was this odd camaraderie between us three divers, even though we’d barely spoken before gearing up. The taste of sweet cocoa after all that glacial water—I still think about that sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Scuba dive in Silfra fissure

• Meet at Thingvellir National Park
• Dive in Silfra fissure with instructor
• Explore underwater between two continents
• Warm up with hot chocolate and biscuits

Top questions

Do I need dry suit certification for Silfra Fissure diving?

Yes, you must have dry suit certification or proof of at least 10 dry suit dives within the last 2 years signed by a dive professional.

How deep do you dive at Silfra Fissure?

Dives are limited to a maximum depth of 18 meters due to park regulations.

Is equipment included for the Silfra scuba tour?

Yes, all specialized dive equipment including dry suit, mask, fins, thermal undersuit, tanks, weights and regulator are provided.

How many people are in each group?

The Silfra scuba tour is limited to small groups with a maximum of 3 participants per guide.

What is included after the dive?

You’ll get hot chocolate and cookies to warm up after your dive experience.

Where does the tour start?

The scuba diving tour starts at Thingvellir (Þingvellir), where you meet your guide at Silfra fissure.

What should I wear under the dry suit?

You should wear warm undergarments like fleece or wool layers and thick socks under your dry suit for comfort and warmth.

What’s included

Your day includes all specialized scuba equipment (dry suit, thermal undersuit, mask, fins, tanks), guidance from a certified PADI Divemaster throughout your Silfra fissure dive experience in a small group setting (max three divers), plus hot chocolate and cookies to help you warm up afterwards before heading back out into Iceland’s wild air.