Looking for a fun winter activity? | Check out these tours!
Currency:
USD
ISK
USD
EUR
CAD
We take you where few diving tours in the world can â into the continental rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates! Thingvellir National Park is home to Silfra fissure, an out-of-this-world subaquatic rift.
Silfra fissure in Iceland has become widely known in the last few years. Divers agree that this is one of the best freshwater dive sites in the world. Glacier water from Langjökull glacier that has been filtered through the lava field on its 50 years-long journeys to the fissure is so clear that the visibility is about 100 meters. Silfra is divided into four main sections that we will explore during the tour.
The water in Silfra is at a constant 2-4 degrees celsius throughout the year but all seasons have their charm under the surface. Silfra is situated in the heart of Ăingvellir National Park, the founding place of the worldâs oldest parliament and a UNESCO world heritage site. Silfra is an otherworldly scene located in the lava field directly on top of the continental rift valley between America and Europe.
Usually one does not want to be between a rock and a hard place but in the case of Silfra, you want nothing more. Experience the weightless floating through the clear glacier water going in between the tectonic plates. The slow current gives one a perfect pace to explore this beautiful area. The freshwater visibility is an unmatched specimen, so wide and long that sometimes it is only limited by the density of the water itself.
Depth varies from 10 to 40 meters. Our dive depth is limited to 18 meters by park regulations. This is without question one of the best dive tours the world has to offer. If you are a keen diver, make sure not to miss it! Â Be aware that this is a challenging dive where you need to be capable of carrying heavy equipment up to 400m.
Please read our Diving Handbook for more information about the tour.
Customer reviews on Tripadvisor
Diving Silfra with Nebo- AMAZING
We won't forget this dive in a hurry, the site is incredible. It felt like flying around another planet. Nebo, our dive master, was really great as well. He helped kit us up anreven put our fins on for us and the hot chocolate he brought us at the end of the dive was also very welcome. He also took some fantastic photos of us both which we were really pleased with. Can't fault the experience - really professional and thoroughly enjoyable.
From
On arrival to Silfra, dive guides will give a thorough dive briefing. This will include details about diving procedures, signs and signals, national park rules, your equipment, the route, and important information on how to use the drysuit.
Once youâre geared up, itâs time to walk to the entrance and get in the water. Entry is via steps that lead onto a large metal platform. The water will be waist deep as you stand on the platform so you can easily acclimatize to the feeling of the cold water on your face, and have a quick drink of the refreshing water. After each diver has done a weight check with the dive guide, itâs time to begin the dive!
Youâll be taken through each of the four sections of Silfra, and have plenty of opportunities to have a good look around. The first section near the entrance is the Silfra Deep Crack, which is long and narrow as it winds a little to the left and right. This then widens slightly into what we appropriately call the Silfra Hall, which leads to the deepest point at 22m called the Silfra Cathedral. After the cathedral, we turn left into the Silfra Lagoon, which is incredibly beautiful and the final part of the dive. After stepping onto the exit platform, your guide will help you remove your fins and youâll have a chance to warm yourself up with roughly a 300m walk back to the car park. We can always remove your weights or even your gear if you have trouble walking with your gear on, and you can also have a rest back at the entrance which you will pass on the way back.
Once back in the car park, weâll take the gear off you and get the hot chocolate and cookies out so you can warm your hands whilst you talk through the dive.
Meeting point: The meeting point is Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park.  Please be ready in the Silfra car park to meet your guide 15 MINUTES before your tour is due to begin. Directions: If you are meeting us on location, the meeting point...)
Meeting point: The meeting point is Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park.  Please be ready in the Silfra car park to meet your guide 15 MINUTES before your tour is due to begin.
Directions: If you are meeting us on location, the meeting point is Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park. Click here for driving directions to where you can park your car (parking âThingvellir P5â). To meet your guide: Walk 400m back along the road until you reach a smaller car park with all the snorkel and dive vans, and look for your guide. Please be ready in the Silfra car park to meet your guide 15 MINUTES before your tour is due to begin.
For GPS: 64°15â23.508âłN 21°6â58.676âłW
For those who have chosen to be picked up in ReykjavĂk, the pick-up time is at 08:30 am / 12:00 pm. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is greatly appreciated! Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventuresâs pick-up list.)
For those who have chosen to be picked up in ReykjavĂk, the pick-up time is at 08:30 am / 12:00 pm. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is greatly appreciated!
Available pick-up points:Â Arctic Adventuresâs pick-up list.
If you choose the Reykjavik pick-up option, then you will return to ReykjavĂk around 13:30 pm / 17:30 pm approximately.)
If you choose the Reykjavik pick-up option, then you will return to ReykjavĂk around 13:30 pm / 17:30 pm approximately.
Drysuit diving experience in the form of either Drysuit certification or a minimum of 10 logged dry suit dives. You need to have dived in a dry suit within the last 2 years. Your dive guide will ask you to see proof of your certification or logbook b...)
Drysuit diving experience in the form of either Drysuit certification or a minimum of 10 logged dry suit dives. You need to have dived in a dry suit within the last 2 years. Your dive guide will ask you to see proof of your certification or logbook before the tour starts.
All divers have to supply their height/weight upon booking to ensure we bring you suitable equipment. For safety reasons, all divers need to understand instructions in English and be able to communicate with the dive guide in English.
In order to participate in this tour, you have to have an Open Water diver certification or higher. Also please evaluate your physical health, if you have some medical issues please check health certificate and get physician approval if needed.
Please read our Diving Handbook for more information about the tour.
Age limit:Â Minimum 18 years old
Weight limit:Â 50-120 kg
Height limit:Â 155-200 cm
Kindly note:Â We are using top quality neoprene drysuits. However, no dry suit in the world can be 100% guaranteed to stay dry unless it is custom made especially for you. There is a small chance of water entering the suit. Please bring a spare set of...)
Kindly note:Â We are using top quality neoprene drysuits. However, no dry suit in the world can be 100% guaranteed to stay dry unless it is custom made especially for you. There is a small chance of water entering the suit. Please bring a spare set of clothes just in case.
The National park charges a small parking fee of 500 ISK for those that choose to meet on location.
This is a challenging dive where you need to be capable of carrying heavy equipment up to 400m.
Meet on location means travelling to the location of the tour yourself and then meeting our tour guides rather than being picked up and taken to the location.
This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.
Here you should wait for your guide.
Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.
View our pick-up locations in ReykjavĂk.
Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.
Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).
Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.
Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.
All of our tours are guided in English.
No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.
The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.
Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
Weâve partnered with the KolviĂ°ur Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.
The KolviĂ°ur Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special KolviĂ°ur forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.
KolviĂ°ur forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.
All relevant information for the tour can be found in our diving handbook.
Yes, you can bring a camera, but we recommend to have a waterproof one if you want to have it in the water with you.
If you plan to drive and meet us on location, the meeting point is at the Silfra car park, in Thingvellir National Park.
GPS: 64°15â23.508âłN 21°6â58.676âłW.
Note that the National Park charges a small parking fee of 500 ISK.
We kindly ask you to be at the Silfra car park 15 Minutes prior to your tour starts.
Some snorkeling tours match with a dive tour, and then you will be in the same area at the same time. You will, however, be in separate groups with separate guides, and wonât be in the water exactly at the same time.
You are not able to participate in the diving tour if you are pregnant.
Yes, it is important that you can both understand and communicate in English in order to participate in the tour.
The age limit for diving Silfra is 18 years old. We also recommend that you are physically fit and healthy if you have some medical issues, please check health certificate and get physician approval if needed.
Because of the dry suit sizes, there are height-weight limitations. The minimum height is 155 cm, and the minimum weight is 50 kg. The maximum height is 200 cm, and the maximum weight is 120 kg. You also need to be able to carry your full dive gear for about 250 meters.
Â
We will need to see proof of your certification. If you do not have your card, please contact us well ahead of your tour and we might be able to find you in the PADI Open Water Scuba Diver online database (if you are certified with PADI). If you come to the diving tour without your card, unfortunately, we will not be able to take you diving.
The guide will normally not take a camera on the first dive. Silfra can be a challenging dive, and the guide needs to have his or her hands-free in case a diver needs assistance in the water.
The maximum depth we are allowed to go to in Silfra is 18 meters. Most of the dive is spent at a shallower depth due to the topography of the site. The dive time is about 30 minutes per dive.
The water temperature is 2-4 degrees C (35-37 degrees F) all year round. The water comes from the Langjökull glacier which keeps it nice and cool, and very refreshing!
We use high quality neoprene dry suits from Waterproof International and OÂŽThree.
Yes, you must be able to swim independently without a lifejacket, and you must be comfortable in the water.
Yes, there are 2 toilet facilities at Silfra. However, we donât recommend that you use them for changing, as it can result in long queues.
Sometimes fish venture into Silfra from Ăingvallavatn lake, but they will quickly swim back, as they donât like chilly glacier waters. However, there is plenty of colorful seaweed, including a bright green variety known as âtroll hairâ, which makes the fissure unlike anything on the surface.
Before reaching Silfra, the water coming from Langjokull Glacier is filtered through porous underground lava rock for 30 â 100 years! This makes it the clearest water in the world, as lava rock is an excellent filter. It also means that the water is the clearest in the world allowing for underwater visibility of over 100 m (328 ft).
