Silfra: Freedive Between Continents with Gear & Hot Cocoa

Summary

Freediving Silfra’s clear rift with local guides and gear

You’ll slip into Silfra’s legendary clear water with a local guide nearby, freediving right between two continents. Expect chilly thrills, surreal underwater views, and hot cocoa waiting when you climb out. No certification needed — just bring your nerves (and something warm for after).

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll taste the water — it’s that pure,” our guide Jón said, grinning as he handed me the wetsuit. I laughed, but he wasn’t kidding. Thingvellir felt quiet that morning except for the crunch of gravel under our boots and a bit of wind that kept tugging at my hood. The parking lot (P5, if you’re driving) was only five minutes away, but stepping out here felt like landing somewhere else entirely. I fumbled with the zipper; Jón helped without making a big deal of it — just a nod and a quick Icelandic phrase I didn’t catch.

The walk to Silfra was short but weirdly suspenseful. You can see the rift from above — just this stripe of unreal blue cutting through mossy rocks. I’d read about freediving Silfra before, but nothing really prepares you for sliding into water that clear and cold (I mean, I lost feeling in my lips for a minute). There’s over 100 meters visibility most days, which sounds like a brag until you duck under and realize it’s true — you can see every ripple on the rocks below and even your own shadow drifting along the bottom. Our guide kept close but let us move at our own pace. I got nervous at first but then found this odd calm with each breath — slow in, slow out.

Afterwards, peeling off the wetsuit was almost harder than getting in it (pro tip: bring something warm for after). My hands shook a little while Jón poured hot cocoa into mismatched mugs from the van. It tasted sweet and somehow smoky — or maybe that was just my brain thawing out. We stood around sipping quietly; someone cracked a joke about “continental breakfast” since we’d literally swum between continents. That part still makes me smile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Freedive Silfra in Thingvellir Park

• Meet guides at Thingvellir National Park
• Receive safety briefing
• Put on freedive equipment
• Walk 2 minutes to Silfra
• Freedive with guide in water
• Return to changing room with guide
• Remove equipment with guide's help
• Enjoy hot cocoa to warm up

Top questions

Do I need freediving certification for Silfra?

No certification is required to join this freedive tour at Silfra.

Where do we meet for the Silfra freedive?

You meet your guide in Thingvellir near P5 parking, about 5 minutes’ walk from the site.

How long does the tour last?

The freedive tour lasts around 3–4 hours total.

Is equipment included in the price?

Yes, all necessary freediving gear and wetsuits are provided as part of the tour.

Is there an age or size limit?

You must be over 145 cm tall and 45 kg; not over 210 cm or 130 kg.

What should I bring for after the dive?

It’s best to bring warm clothes to change into after getting out of the water.

Are drinks or snacks provided?

You’ll get hot cocoa after your dive to help warm up.

Can non-swimmers join?

No; you must know how to swim and be physically fit to participate.

What’s included

Your day covers all national park fees, professional local guidance throughout your time in Silfra, top-quality freediving gear including wetsuits, all activities in the rift itself, plus warming beverages (hot cocoa) served after you finish changing back at the van before heading off again.