Silfra Snorkeling and Golden Circle Tour — Thingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
9–10 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—able to climb short sets of steps and enter/exit water; basic swimming skills required.
Overview
Snorkel the crystal-clear Silfra fissure and stand where two continents split, then watch Strokkur erupt and feel the spray at Gullfoss on a single, unforgettable day from Reykjavík. This full-day Golden Circle tour blends geology, history and hands-on cold-water snorkeling.
Silfra Snorkeling and Golden Circle Tour — Thingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss
Select participants and date
The bus peels away from Reykjavík before dawn and the sky is a hard, northern blue. Low clouds hug the distant ridges as you cross a moonscape of lava fields toward Thingvellir National Park. At the rift you step onto rock older than most nations, where the American and Eurasian plates are drifting apart and the ground itself seems to be quietly rewriting the map.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in layers
Temperatures swing quickly—bring thermal base layers and a windproof shell for on-land stops and changing rooms.
Swimwear under your drysuit
Wear a quick-dry swimsuit and thin wool or synthetic layers beneath the drysuit for warmth and ease of movement.
Sturdy, waterproof shoes
Neutral, grippy hiking shoes are best for slippery boardwalks at Gullfoss and the uneven ground in Thingvellir.
Arrive hungry
Lunch at Efsti-Dalur is optional but the farm-made ice cream is a frequent highlight—pack a small snack for the bus ride.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Arctic fox (rare)
- Various migratory birds including Arctic terns and golden plovers
History
Thingvellir hosted the Althing from 930 AD, one of the world’s oldest parliamentary sites; the landscape shaped legal and social life for centuries.
Conservation
Many sites on the Golden Circle are protected and visitor numbers are managed—stick to marked paths to prevent erosion and respect closures to preserve fragile moss and lichen.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Reykjavik
Recommended Gear
Thermal base layers
Retain body heat between snorkeling and on-land stops in Iceland’s brisk air.
Waterproof hiking shoes
Provide traction on wet boardwalks and uneven volcanic rock at viewpoints.
Swimwear
Worn under the drysuit for hygiene and comfort during the Silfra snorkel.
Windproof shell
Blocks wind and light rain during geyser and waterfall stops.