Silfra Fissure Snorkeling from Reykjavík — Snorkel Between Continents in Thingvellir
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5–5.5 hours
Fitness Level
Requires a moderate fitness level and the ability to swim; comfortable buoyancy and breathing control in cold water help.
Overview
Float effortlessly between two tectonic plates in the crystalline blue of Silfra—one of the world’s clearest snorkel sites. This small-group tour from Reykjavík includes dry-suits, certified guides, and complimentary underwater photos.
Silfra Fissure Snorkeling from Reykjavík — Snorkel Between Continents in Thingvellir
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A cold wind strips the warmth from your cheeks as the minivan eases out of Reykjavík and the volcanic plains open like a raw wound. Þingvellir National Park arrives not as a postcard but as a seam in the earth: jagged lava, patches of bright green moss, and a rift that hums with geological impatience. At the edge of Silfra, your guide helps you into a drysuit; the fabric seals you from the Arctic chill while the fissure below promises impossible clarity.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer under the drysuit
Wear warm wool or fleece base layers—cotton traps moisture and chills; thermal layers make the hour in Silfra far more comfortable.
Bring contacts if you need vision correction
Glasses can’t be worn under the snorkeling mask; bring contacts or ensure your prescription mask is pre-arranged.
Know the medical restrictions
Review the operator’s medical handbook and get doctor clearance if you have heart, lung, or recent-surgery conditions; pregnant guests cannot participate.
Expect a short drive and changing time
Plan for a 45–60 minute transfer from Reykjavík and 30–45 minutes for gearing up and safety briefings before entering the water.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Arctic tern (seasonal, aggressive nesting behavior near shorelines)
- Rock ptarmigan and various waterfowl around the park’s lakes
History
Þingvellir hosted Iceland’s Althing from 930 AD, where law-speakers met on the rift’s plains to legislate and settle disputes.
Conservation
Silfra’s clarity depends on strict protection: visitors must not touch rock or introduce contaminants, and small-group limits reduce impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Reykjavík
Recommended Gear
Warm base layers (wool or fleece)
Thermal underlayers trap heat and prevent rapid chill while you’re in the drysuit.
Wool socks
Thick socks add insulation inside the drysuit booties and keep feet warm before and after the dip.
Sturdy waterproof shoes
Gravel paths and wet decks make a secure, closed-toe shoe useful when walking to the entry point.
Contact lenses or prescription mask
Glasses won’t fit under a snorkel mask—contacts or a pre-arranged prescription mask ensure clear vision.