Silfra Fissure Scuba Dive from Reykjavik — Dive Between the Continents
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness and comfort with cold-water diving required; must be able to carry heavy gear up to ~400 m and manage long periods in a dry suit.
Overview
Dive Silfra and swim between the North American and Eurasian plates in crystalline glacial water. This 6-hour guided dry-suit dive from Reykjavík visits four distinct sections of Silfra, where visibility exceeds 100 meters and depth reaches 22 meters.
Silfra Fissure Scuba Dive from Reykjavik — Dive Between the Continents
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You surface into a sky so clean it feels like a punch of cold light, and below, the water is the color of polished glass. On the shore of Þingvellir, the rift between the Eurasian and North American plates narrows into Silfra, a fissure carved by glacial melt and tectonic insistence. When you step into the dry suit and slip your fins on under a pale Icelandic sun, the fissure doesn’t feel like a geological map— it feels like a corridor that pulls you between two worlds.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring your dry-suit certification
Operators require proof of dry-suit certification or a logbook with at least 10 dry-suit dives; your guide will check credentials before boarding.
Dress for the walk back
After the dive there’s a short 300 m (984 ft) walk to the car park—bring warm socks and a change of clothes to avoid hypothermia.
Skip glasses—use contacts or a prescription mask
Standard glasses won’t seal under a dive mask; bring contact lenses or a prescription dive mask to see clearly underwater.
Avoid flying immediately after diving
Plan flights at least 24 hours after diving to reduce the risk of decompression illness as standard diving protocol advises.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Arctic char (found in Þingvallavatn)
- Whooper swan and various migratory waterfowl
History
Þingvellir hosted Iceland’s Alþingi since 930 AD, the open-air assembly that helped shape Icelandic law and identity.
Conservation
Silfra’s clarity depends on strict rules—no touching rock surfaces or using sunscreen; dive operators limit group sizes and enforce leave-no-trace practices to protect the fissure.
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Adventure Hotspots in Reykjavik
Recommended Gear
Thermal undergarments (wool or fleece)
Insulating layers worn under your dry suit retain warmth during long cold dives.
Warm socks and spare clothes
Change into dry clothing immediately after the dive to prevent chill on the walk back and transfer.
Contact lenses or prescription dive mask
Clear vision is essential; regular glasses cannot be worn under a dive mask.
Waterproof dry bag
Keeps your post-dive clothing and electronics dry during transfers and the short walk to the exit.