Snorkeling and Diving in Iceland: Exploring the Rift Between Europe and America
Swimming Between Two Continents
At Þingvellir, in the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates separate by 2cm every year, there is a crack in the volcanic basalt called Silfra. This fissure is filled with glacial meltwater filtered for decades through porous volcanic rock until it reaches extraordinary purity and clarity: visibility exceeds 100 meters — the highest of any freshwater snorkeling/diving site in the world. The water stays at 2-4°C all year round. The result is an extraterrestrial visual experience.
Snorkeling vs. Diving: Which to Choose?
Snorkeling: The most accessible. Requires no certification. You swim on the surface with a mask and snorkel, wearing a dry suit that keeps you completely dry (provided with the tour). You can touch the walls of both tectonic plates with outstretched hands. Cost: 80-120€. Duration: 3-4 hours including briefing and suiting up.
Diving: Requires a PADI Open Water certification as a minimum. You descend to 18-20m. The underwater canyons of Silfra seen from below are even more dramatic. Cost: 180-250€. Duration: 4-5 hours.
What to See in the Four Sections of Silfra
- Silfra Big Crack: The initial section — a narrow fissure where you literally swim between the vertical walls of the two plates, within touching distance
- Silfra Hall: The widest and deepest section, with basaltic rock formations covered in bright green algae ("troll hair")
- Silfra Cathedral: The most iconic point — an underground cathedral of rock with light filtering from above, infinite visibility. The photo you saw on Instagram comes from here
- Silfra Lagoon: The final section, wider with a sandy bottom. Rainbow trout are often seen here
How to Prepare for the Experience
- Wear warm thermal layers under the provided dry suit — even if you are isolated from the water, you feel the cold after 30-40 minutes
- Bring a change of dry clothes for afterward
- Avoid eating a heavy meal 2 hours before — swimming horizontally on a full stomach is not pleasant
- If you bring an action camera, use manual white balance to capture the true water colors — auto mode loses the shades of blue
Where to Book
The main certified operators are DIVE.IS and Arctic Adventures. Both depart from Reykjavik with transfers included. Online booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance is recommended in high season. Þingvellir can also be reached independently by car (50 mins from Reykjavik), but a certified operator is mandatory for aquatic activities.
