Silfra Fissure Snorkeling from Reykjavík: Between Tectonic Plates

The ravine drops 82 feet below the surface, and you float between two continents.

Silfra Fissure snorkeling from Reykjavík is a small-group activity in Þingvellir National Park where you drift through crystalline water between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, guided by a certified PADI Divemaster. Round-trip minivan pickup from Reykjavík is included. Groups stay under 6 people per guide. You'll wear a specialized dry suit, thermal layers and gloves (the cold-water gear is provided), and the guide photographs you underwater. Minimum age is 12. Participants must be able to swim and have moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Thingvellir National Parkpassing by
2. Silfra Fissure1h · entry included

Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Adventure

• Pick up from Reykjavík
• Travel to Thingvellir National Park
• Introduction to Silfra fissure
• Put on dry suit and snorkel
• Safety briefing
• Snorkel in Silfra fissure
• Return to Reykjavík
• Drop off at pickup location

The experience

You get picked up from central Reykjavík and driven in a comfortable minivan to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, your certified guide introduces you to the geology of the place: how the tectonic plates are pulling Iceland apart and what that means for the fissure you're about to enter. By the time you arrive, you know what you're looking at.

At the park, you put on the dry suit, thermal undersuit, gloves, hood and boots: all provided and fitted for cold water. After a safety briefing, you descend into Silfra Fissure itself. The ravine stretches 82 feet (25 meters) below the surface, and you float through it on your belly, moving between jagged rock walls and gaping voids. Your guide leads you to the clearest sections and photographs you underwater as you drift. The water is so transparent that depth feels like an illusion. You're snorkeling, not diving, your face stays at the surface, but the geology beneath is what makes it singular: you're literally between two continents, floating in the gap where the plates meet.

After the snorkel, you return to the minivan and head back to Reykjavík. The tour includes hot chocolate and cookies on the drive, and you're dropped off where you started. The whole experience runs about 5.5 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Round-trip minivan pickup from Reykjavík.
• entry to Þingvellir National Park.
• certified PADI Divemaster guide.
• specialized cold-water gear including dry suit, thermal undersuit, gloves, hood and boots.
• snorkeling equipment.
• complimentary underwater photos taken by your guide.
• hot chocolate and cookies on the return drive.
• small group limited to 6 participants per guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour and transfer at a discountGuide in English · 12:00Noon transfer from Reykjavík: You won't need a car. Join our Silfra snorkeling tour with a convenient transfer from Reykjavík in this discounted time slot. Pickup is included.

Morning transfer for the Silfra TourGuide in English · 08:30Morning transfer: You won't need a car. Join us for a legendary Silfra Fissure snorkeling tour, with easy pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 12:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Arctic Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving in Reykjavík with a free afternoon or morning and want to see one of the world's most unusual snorkel sites without renting a car or navigating to the park yourself. The small group size and included guide photography make it worth the full day.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I wear glasses under the snorkel goggles?

Glasses cannot be worn under the goggles, so bring contact lenses if you need vision correction.

What exactly is Silfra Fissure and why is it special?

Silfra Fissure is a natural rift in the earth's crust in Þingvellir National Park caused by the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart. It fills with glacial meltwater so clear you can see 82 feet (25 meters) down, and snorkeling there means floating between two continents in water so transparent the depth feels unreal.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeler?

No experience is required, but you must be able to swim and have at least moderate physical fitness. A certified PADI Divemaster leads the group and gives a comprehensive safety briefing before you enter the water.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes round-trip pickup from Reykjavík, entry to Þingvellir National Park, all cold-water gear (dry suit, thermal undersuit, gloves, hood, boots), snorkeling equipment, the certified guide, underwater photos taken by your guide, and hot chocolate with cookies on the return drive.

How cold is the water?

Silfra Fissure is fed by glacial meltwater, so the water is very cold. That's why the dry suit, thermal undersuit, gloves and hood are essential and provided. They keep you safe and comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring warm base layers (fleece or wool, not cotton), warm socks, a small towel and a change of clothes. Contact lenses if you need them. The operator provides all snorkeling and cold-water gear.