Why go snorkelling in Iceland?
It might not be the first place in the world that comes to mind when you think of snorkelling. But Iceland is full of surprises. Beyond the glacial landscapes and volcanic views, the Land of Ice and Fire also boasts many breathtaking diving and snorkelling experiences.
In fact, snorkelling in Iceland offers some of the clearest waters in the world, awe-inspiring tectonic landscapes, and the unique chance to go snorkelling between continents. It’s an experience you won’t have anywhere else—and a snorkelling tour is the only way to enjoy it.
The most popular underwater experience in Iceland is the Silfra snorkelling tour. Silfra is a tectonic fissure that can be found in Lake Þingvallavatn in the Golden Circle’s Þingvellir National Park. It’s here that you can go snorkelling between continents in Iceland, as the fissure is actually the gap between Europe and North America.
The waters of the lake come from melting glaciers, so it can get quite cold. But overall it’s a completely unforgettable experience. You’ll swim above the enormous spires and rock formations in the trench and see an ever-changing world that most tourists won’t see above the water.
Thanks to its location in the Golden Circle, it’s easy to take Silfra snorkelling tours from Reykjavík. You can either organise transportation yourself or we’ll pick you up from the city centre.
Plus, you can also customise your experience to create your very own best snorkelling tour in Iceland. For example, go snorkelling and then take a whale-watching tour, see the northern lights with us, or take a horseback ride across the beautiful landscapes of Þingvellir National Park. There’s something for everyone.
Ready to see a different side to Iceland? Dive into our snorkelling tours to find the best option for you.
FAQ:
You can snorkel in Iceland throughout the year. While it might seem crazy, you can snorkel in Silfra even in winter. Probably the best time to join a diving tour is spring or autumn, when there tends to be fewer crowds in the Þingvellir National Park.
Snorkelling in Silfra is possible at any time throughout the day too, with tours running from 08:00 to 17:00.
Yes, it’s possible to snorkel in Silfra during winter. It’s a challenge you’ll remember forever.
The waters are typically no colder than at any other time of year, as they tend to be a stable 2 – 4°C (35.6 – 39.2°F) year round. It will of course be a little chillier when you get out of the water though!
Snorkelling in Silfra is not like snorkelling anywhere else. Thanks to impeccably clear water and its location in a live tectonic landscape, Silfra offers one of the most thrilling snorkelling experiences on Earth. How many times can you say you’ve swum between two continents?
Snorkelling in Silfra is available to anyone. Whether this is your first dive or you’ve snorkelled all over the world, Silfra offers something special.
That said, for your safety, there are some people who are not recommended to dive here. For example, you do need to be at least 12 years of age to snorkel safely in Silfra. Similarly, if you’re pregnant you won’t be able to dive with us.
You’ll also need to be able to fit in a dry suit, have a decent level of fitness, and be able to swim.
Most snorkelling tours at Silfra last for about 2.5 hours, including time to get fitted in the right gear and learn key safety advice. You will spend about 30 to 45 minutes in the water exploring the different areas of the tectonic fissure.
These times don’t include transportation. If you would like to start your Silfra snorkelling tour from Reykjavík, account for a further 2.5 hours in travel. We’ll pick you up in one of our comfy vans.
You can snorkel in Silfra without a tour, but you’ll have to buy a permit from the Þingvellir National Park authority. That said, it’s much safer to snorkel with an expert guide, who can provide the gear and ensure that you have the appropriate level of fitness.
There’s no doubt that snorkelling in Iceland is pretty cold! The temperature of the water in Silfra is fairly stable all year round, between 2 and 4°C (35.6-39.2°F).
While that sounds pretty cold, it won’t feel as cold as you would think. That’s because you’ll be wearing a dry suit, as well as your own thermal layers underneath.
It is perfectly safe to snorkel in Silfra if you’re accompanied by a trained guide. You will be equipped with state of the art diving gear and given all the guidance you need to ensure you’re confident, comfortable, and safe.
While you don’t need past snorkelling experience, you will need to be reasonably physically fit, over 12 years old, and weigh at least 45kg.
We don’t recommend that you swim in Lake Þingvallavatn without a guide.
The price of snorkelling in Silfra depends on the type of tour you book. For example, tours with transport from Reykjavík or private tours tend to be more expensive than the classic tour.
Check out individual tour pages for up to date prices.
Iceland is one of the few places in the world where you can snorkel between tectonic plates. At Silfra, in Lake Þingvallavatn in the Þingvellir National Park, you can swim between Europe and North America, deep in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
It’s an incredible experience to see the ever-changing tectonic world beneath the surface. As the two tectonic plates are diverging at about 2.5 centimetres each year, it’s never the same twice.
When you book a snorkelling tour, you’ll be given complete information on what you need to bring with you. But expect at the very least to bring long underwear, thick socks, as well as suitable clothes for the weather of the day. If you typically wear glasses, please bring contact lenses too.
The dry suit, snorkelling gear, and a hot drink and snacks are included in the price of the tour.
We won’t lie to you—of course snorkelling in Iceland is cold! But you’ll be surprised by how little you’ll notice. You’ll be wearing a dry suit with thermal layers underneath, so you won’t be directly exposed to the cold water.