01 Dec Silfra Snorkeling in Iceland: Everything to Know

The Silfra fissure is a popular tourist destination for snorkeling and scuba diving due to its incredibly clear waters. Divers can see views up to approximately 300 feet (~100 meters) away while underwater. As a bonus, the water is also pure enough to drink due to the fact it flows from a glacier. That being said, the water is COLD. It is not like a geothermal pool, such as the Blue Lagoon. You will definitely feel awake and refreshed after a dip in the Silfra fissure.

Check out some additional recommendations on excursions for your Iceland trip: Top 5 Excursions in Iceland. As a hint, I LOVED our glacier kayaking tour on the Glacier Lagoon.

Contents:

1) Location of Silfra Snorkeling

2) Background of Thingvellir National Park

3) Background of Silfra Fissure

4) Quick Facts

5) Snorkeling Tips

6) Silfra Snorkeling + Diving Tour Options 

7) What to Expect During the Snorkeling Tour

8) Gear Provided by the Tour Company

9) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Silfra Snorkeling

• Region: Golden Circle
• Location: Silfra Fissure
• Parking: Þingvellir Parking P5

The Silfra fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park. Moreover, it is within the Golden Circle, which is a popular circular drive in the southwestern region of Iceland. Therefore, it is easy to plan for Silfra snorkeling if you are visiting Iceland for only a couple of days, a week, or an entire month. 

For reference, the Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park is approximately 45 minutes northeast of Reykjavík and two hours southeast from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Check out my articles on the top attractions in Reykjanes as well as the top attractions in Snaefellsnes if you plan to visit those regions during your trip. 

Parking

The best place to park for a snorkeling tour is Þingvellir Parking P5. Other nearby lots are reserved for the tour companies, and thus no private vehicles can park there. The parking fee is 1,000 ISK. You can purchase a ticket online in advance or pay at one of the kiosks. Furthermore, the parking ticket covers all lots within Thingvellir National Park for the entire day! 

Lodging

Nearby lodging options include Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast in Flúðir, South Iceland Guesthouse in Steinar, and Guesthouse Pavi in Reykjavík. We stayed at each of these places during our nine day road trip in Iceland, and we would recommend them to others. 

On the other hand, you can choose to book a stay at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland and/or one of the best hotels in the Golden Circle.

Walking along the Almannagjá trail through the rift

2) Background of Thingvellir National Park

• Located on the rift between two tectonic plates 
• Öxarárfoss: waterfall
• Almannagjá: rift between tectonic plates 

The Silfra fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park. To learn a bit about the park and its other attractions, keep reading below.  

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is a popular attraction in Iceland, especially due to its convenient location within the Golden Circle. If you have not heard of it yet, the park is actually divided between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. That’s right – while in Thingvellir you will be walking between TWO tectonic plates.

Additionally, Thingvellir National Park received its name from the fact the Icelandic parliament used to meet on its grounds. “Þing” in Old Icelandic translates to assembly while “völlur” translates to “field”. “Thingvellir” (or Þingvellir) thus translates to “assembly place”. 

There is no entrance fee to visit the park, but there is a small parking fee as detailed in the section above. Check out my article for more information: Everything to Know: Thingvellir National Park in Iceland.

Additional Attractions in Thingvellir National Park

Two of the other main attractions within Thingvellir include Öxarárfoss and Almannagjá. First, Öxarárfoss is a waterfall about 44 feet (~13 meters) tall. It is believed that many years ago they redirected the river and thus the waterfall to facilitate better access to drinking water. Second, Almannagjá is the technical name for the rift between the tectonic plates. There is a pathway on which you can walk, meaning you will be walking in between tectonic plates. For fans of Game of Thrones, this is the pathway leading to the Bloody Gate.

For more information, check out my articles: Öxarárfoss in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland and Almannagjá Trail in Thingvellir National Park.

View of Öxarárfoss waterfall

3) Background of Silfra Fissure

• Located on the rift between two tectonic plates 
• Can see 328 feet (~100 meters) in the water 
• Water temperature: low to mid 30 degrees Fahrenheit (~0 Celsius)

What is better than walking between two tectonic plates? Snorkeling between them. Companies offer snorkeling tours in the Silfra fissure, which formed as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drifted apart. They continue to drift further apart, thus widening the fissure. The water temperature is in the mid to high 30 degree range in Fahrenheit (~zero to five degrees Celsius). 

Additionally, the water in the Silfra fissure is incredibly clear and pure. The water runs from Langjökull glacier, and thus it is pure enough to drink. However, there is some algae floating around. You might even eat a little bit if you take a sip of water. Furthermore, Silfra boasts some of the clearest water in the world. While snorkeling or diving in Silfra, you can see up to approximately 328 feet (~100 meters) in the water. 

Looking for other places (with chilly waters) where you can swim in Iceland? Then check out Stuðlagil Canyon, which was also my favorite attraction from our trip.

Site of former Icelandic parliament at Thingvellir National Park

4) Quick Facts – Silfra Snorkeling

1. The Silfra fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle.

2. The fissure is located on the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates

3. The water within Silfra is incredibly clear as well as pure, for it runs from a glacier. 

4. Tour companies offer snorkeling as well as diving tours in the Silfra fissure. 

5. Prepare for a chill, for the water temperatures are in the mid to high 30s Fahrenheit (~zero to five degrees Celsius).

A trail leading through Thingvellir National Park

5) Snorkeling Tips

Let’s discuss a couple of snorkeling tips specific to the Silfra fissure as well as a couple of tips for snorkeling in general. 

Silfra Snorkeling Tips

Here are some tips specific for Silfra snorkeling:

• If thirsty, drink some of the water! It is pure and safe to drink.
• The water is COLD, although the drysuit is designed to keep you dry. However, you will still feel the coldness of the water on your face around your hood and possibly in your gloves as well. Focus on the snorkeling to not notice the temperature of the water as much. Nevertheless, please consider your physical condition and whether an extended time in such cold waters is safe for you.
• Rest your hands on the water above your head to reduce the amount of water leakage in the gloves. 
• Book in advance if possible! The tours are pretty popular and thus can sell out, especially in peak summer season.
• Go to the bathroom before putting your gear on – you do not want to have to put on a drysuit just to take it back off. 

General Snorkeling Tips

Here are some tips for snorkeling in general:

• Feel comfortable breathing out of a snorkel before entering the water. Put on the snorkel while walking to the water and practice breathing if necessary.
• Allow your body to float on top of the water. You can direct and propel yourself with your fins, but snorkeling is generally a more slow-paced, relaxing activity. 
• Any time you feel uncomfortable or start to panic, lift your head out of the water and flip onto your back. Then rest there for a couple of moments until you feel calm enough to flip over and put your head underwater again.
• If water enters the mask, lift up the bottom to allow it to drain out. 
• If water enters the snorkel, lean your head back slightly and blow into the tube. Make sure to blow strong enough to expel any water inside. 
• Focus on breathing, especially if you are nervous. Take deep breaths in and deep breaths out. 

If you prefer the warmth of a geothermal pool, consider buying tickets for the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths. 

Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park

6) Silfra Snorkeling + Diving Tour Options   

Choose between snorkeling or scuba diving in the Silfra fissure. Please note you cannot free dive in Silfra; you must be accompanied by a tour company.

Moreover, snorkeling in Silfra was one of my favorite activities in Iceland. Interested in learning about my other favorite activities?: Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland.

Silfra Scuba Diving

If you prefer a scuba diving tour, then I recommend the Silfra Diving Tour with Dive.

You will need, at a minimum, a drysuit specialty certification and an open water diving certificate. Tour companies want to ensure you have some experience before they guide you in the water. Specifically, they want to know you have previously utilized a drysuit while diving, as it is different from a wetsuit. 

For any additional requirements or restrictions, check out the individual tour company’s FAQs. Additionally, most companies offer the option of a pick up from Reykjavik. Please note this will most likely cost extra, generally around 5000 ISK.

Silfra Snorkeling 

Ready for some good news? You do NOT need any certifications to snorkel in the Silfra fissure! Book the tour in advance, show up on the appropriate day, and jump in the water. Okay, well there might be a couple of steps in between. 

We booked the Silfra Snorkeling Tour with Dive, and everything from the booking to meeting them to getting ready was easy and explained well. We booked online, and they immediately sent us an email. The email contained information on the booking details and meeting location, recommendations for what to wear, and a medical waiver for signature. 

For any additional requirements or restrictions, check out the individual tour company’s FAQs. Furthermore, most companies offer the option of a pick up from Reykjavik. Please note this will most likely cost extra, generally around 4000+ ISK.

Love the idea of snorkeling in the Silfra fissure? Check out this article for more places to swim: Best Places to Swim in Iceland. 

Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park

7) What to Expect – Silfra Snorkeling

Our tour lasted approximately two hours and was broken down into two main stages. First, we received general instructions from our guide and got dressed in our drysuits. Second, we snorkeled! 

First Half of the Tour: General Instruction

• Meeting time: 10:45am
• Start time: 11:00am
• One hour of general instructions and preparation

Our tour began at 11am, though we met the tour company 15 minutes beforehand. We parked in Þingvellir Parking P5 and walked five minutes to the meeting point. Then we signed in with the company and waited for instructions. Once the remaining individuals within our tour group arrived, the guide began to give detailed instructions. They first walked us through what the tour would look like in terms of getting ready and then for snorkeling in the Silfra fissure. 

Next we began the long process of getting dressed in the drysuits. I had never worn a drysuit before, and it is quite complicated. Nevertheless, do not worry as the guide will help you as much as necessary. They also double check that everything is tightened and adjusted appropriately. After I put the entire drysuit on, I felt a little bit like an astronaut. My recommendation is to walk around a little bit to adjust yourself and get comfortable. 

Second Half of the Tour: Silfra Snorkeling

• One hour of snorkeling
• Five minute walk to the fissure entrance

Once everyone was dressed, we walked five minutes to the Silfra pond entrance. However, it felt like a long walk since I was wearing a heavy suit and carrying fins, a mask, snorkel, etc. Then the moment we waited for – snorkeling in the Silfra fissure. The tour guide instructed us to enter the water one by one and also addressed a couple of safety concerns.

We then enjoyed snorkeling in some of the clearest water in the world! The time spent in the water was approximately one hour. I spent 99% of the tour with my head under the water, looking in awe at my surroundings. For the other 1%, I occasionally looked up to make sure I was close to the group and following the guide’s path. 

We swam through the Silfra fissure at a slow, leisurely pace. The guide gave us enough time to truly enjoy everything Silfra has to offer. The tour then ends in the Silfra snorkeling pond. It is a somewhat circular portion of Silfra that varies in depth. Once we were done swimming around, we exited at the steps. The guide was waiting there to help us remove our fins.

Silfra fissure (aka the fissure between tectonic plates)

8) Gear Provided by the Tour Company  

You do not need to purchase any snorkeling-specific equipment. The tour company will provide all equipment of that nature.

Here is a list of the gear provided by the tour company for Silfra snorkeling tours: 

• Drysuit with under suit, hood, boots, and gloves 
• Fins
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Bonus! Some companies provide hot chocolate and crackers/cookies afterwards.

Stream leading past Öxarárfoss

9) Recommended Items to Bring

While the tour company provides all snorkeling equipment, there are a couple of items you should bring. Generally, these are recommendations for what to wear to have the most comfortable experience.

If you just need general help while packing for your Iceland trip, then check out my list of international travel essentials and Iceland summer road trip packing list.

Here is a list of necessary gear to bring for Silfra snorkeling tours: 

• Warm, thick socks
• Contacts, if you usually wear glasses
• Long pants, preferable wool or fleece
• Long-sleeve shirt or jacket, preferably wool or fleece

Here is a list of recommended gear to bring for Silfra snorkeling tours: 

• Towel – consider the Rainleaf microfiber travel towel 
• Change of clothes
• Go Pro or underwater camera – consider the AKASO EK7000 underwater camera

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Check out my favorite activities in Iceland: Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland. 

Check out our Iceland itinerary: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.