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Float between continents in crystal-clear glacial water, naturally filtered through lava fields. Swim through a tectonic fissure where the North American and Eurasian plates drift apart. Snorkeling in Iceland is an unusual adventure and an experience you will never forget!
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Please read our Snorkeling Handbook before booking - it's mandatory.
Your day begins at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll meet your friendly guides and prepare for your Silfra snorkeling adventure. You can choose pickup from Reykjavik or meet the guide on location at Thingvellir.
Once at Silfra, you’ll wear a fully insulated dry suit to stay warm in the glacial waters. Your guide will give you a full briefing about the area, safety instructions, and how to use your equipment.
After a short 150-meter (490-foot) walk to the entry point, you’ll slip into the glacier-clear water and begin your journey between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Drift through Silfra’s bright blue channels, where visibility often reaches 150 meters (490 feet), and enjoy the slow-moving “lazy current” carrying you through the rift.
You’ll spend about 30–40 minutes snorkeling before exiting at the Silfra Lagoon. From there, it’s a 400-meter (1,300-foot) walk back to the parking area.
After the snorkel, warm up with hot chocolate and cookies while you enjoy the views of Thingvellir’s lava fields and mountains — the perfect ending to an unforgettable day!
Thingvellir is a historic site, a national park in Iceland, and a UNESCO heritage site. Initially known for being the place where Alþingi (the parliament) first took place in 930, this place had served a significant role in Icelander's saga since the settlers came. Still today, you can find ruins of old stone shelters, the lakes, and the Lögberg (Law Rock). The park sits on a rift valley caused by the separation of two continental plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. In this separation sits the remarkable Silfra fissure.
Silfra is one of the world’s top snorkeling sites—uniquely located between the tectonic plates of Europe and North America. Nowhere else on Earth can you snorkel between two continents!
Fed by Langjökull glacier about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away, Silfra’s water travels through lava fields for up to 100–200 years before reaching the fissure. The filtration creates incredible visibility, reaching 150 meters (490 feet).
As you snorkel through Silfra’s vibrant blue channels, you’ll float between continents, glide past moving lava rocks, and experience some of the clearest water on Earth. The surreal colors, calm atmosphere, and gentle movement make it feel like floating through air—an experience often called “liquid meditation.”
Silfra is divided into four main sections: Big Crack, the narrowest part where the tectonic plates nearly touch; Silfra Hall, a wider area filled with giant rocks; Silfra Cathedral, a deep corridor with some of the clearest views; and Silfra Lagoon, a shallow, calm pool.
Our experienced and well-qualified specialist diving guides will ensure you are provided with all the proper equipment and information you need. Underwater pictures are taken by our guides during the tour so it is not necessary to bring a waterproof camera.
Meeting point
The Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park is the meeting point. Please be ready in the Silfra car park to meet your guide 15 MINUTES before your tour is due to begin.
Driving directions to the meeting location
If you meet 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 “Thingvellir P5”). 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°15’23.508″N 21°6’58.676″W
Pick-up
For those who have chosen to be picked up in Reykjavík, the pick-up time is 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is greatly appreciated!
If you choose the Reykjavik pick-up option, then you will return to Reykjavík around 1:30 pm / 5:30 pm approximately.
Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’ pick-up list.
Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim. You cannot participate if you are pregnant due to the small risk of cold water entering the suit.
To participate in the tour, you must read and sign the medical statement form in our Snorkeling Handbook before booking. If you have any medical conditions, medical approval from a doctor is required.
Dry suit sizes: While we would like everyone to join our tour, our gear sizes reflect what is available on the market, and it is important guests are within the size parameters. This ensures the safety equipment can serve its purpose and keep guests from getting cold in the glacial water.
Weight limit: 99-265 lbs (45-120 kg)
Height limit: 4'11" - 6'7" (150-200 cm)
English: It is important that you can both understand and communicate in English to participate in the tour.
Meet our guides
Federica
My name is Federica, but I go as Fede. My diving journey started in 2020 in the beautiful waters of Sardinia and my passion for challenges and extreme activities took me to Iceland. Back then, I would have never imagined to build a life here... but fortunately I did! I have been here for almost 3 years and counting. Water is definitely my element, I am very passionate about my job, animals, the environment and food, but only if it's vegan (sorry Mamma for my vegan lasagna...). Being Italian is for sure a big chunk of my personality. Can't wait to show you the magic of Silfra!
Mattia
Passionate for any water activity, I worked over and under the most beautiful waters of Europe and Asia for the last 15 years as a diving and sailing instructor, boat captain and tour manager. I'm always looking for the next skill to learn and ready to guide you safely through your next adventure.
Ioannis
Ioannis (John) Scuba Instructor and CBO (Chief Barbecue Officer) from Greece, I started my diving journey in the warm waters of the Mediterranean sea and Greece. I like the challenges, and this is why I came to Iceland. I realized that I love COLD water and Silfra, and now I am very enthusiastic about any activity out in the cold arctic environment. I love guiding and teaching people and creating lifetime experiences for them.
Weronika
Weronika, I am a diving instructor from Poland. I came to Iceland for a while, I stayed for longer. I am a positive person, always smiling and waiting for challenges. Raised in cold waters, I am not afraid of any work and any challenge, so if you want to drown, do it only with me 😉. ‘Mayday Mayday we are sinking!’ ‘What . . . what are you sinking about?’
Marcin
Marcin, diving instructor from Poland. I also love hiking, traveling, sport, outdoor activities, movies, books and many others. I enjoy learning and trying new things, especially overcoming my own fears. I enjoy specific sense of humor.
All relevant information for the tour can be found in our snorkeling handbook.
Participants must be more than 12 years old. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian booked on the same tour.
You need to know how to swim independently.
All participants must have read and followed the directions in the Silfra Handbook.
Participants must check that they fit within the following height and weight limitations for the dry suits:
Minimum Height: 150 cm (4'11")
Minimum Weight: 45 kg (99 lbs)
Maximum Height: 200 cm (6'7")
Maximum Weight: 120 kg (265 lbs)
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°15’23.508″N 21°6’58.676″W
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.
Our guides normally have an underwater camera and usually, take photos during the tour without any fees. If you are interested in photos please let your guide know before you go into the water and after the tour, the guide will provide you the code to the folder which includes all the photos from that day.
Kindly note that photos cannot be guaranteed. Our customer’s safety and well-being are our first priority, and therefore the guide will focus on snorkelers as a priority when in the water and will be taking photos when everyone is comfortable.
No. Unfortunately, glasses don’t create a seal between your face and the mask. We recommend wearing contact lenses instead.
You are not able to participate in the snorkelling tour if you are pregnant.
Yes, the tour is directed in English and therefore you need to be able to understand English to participate.
Some snorkelling 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 won’t be in the water exactly at the same time.
Yes, you must be able to swim independently without a lifejacket, and you must be comfortable in the water.
When snorkelling in Iceland you will be wearing a dry suit, hood and gloves made of neoprene, along with fins, mask and snorkel. This equipment will make it not only possible but also very enjoyable, to stay in the water despite the low temperature. It is a fantastic experience.
No, you don’t need any previous experience to snorkel, but it is important that you can swim independently and that you are comfortable in the water.
Please wear or bring some long underwear and some warm socks. Wool or fleece is the best material to wear. You will be wearing your long underwear and warm socks under the dry suit.
We provide dry suits so that your body stays dry, and you will also wear undergarments to keep you warm. We use high-quality neoprene dry suits from Waterproof International and O´Three. But it is good to know that there is always a small risk that water can enter the dry suit. This is not dangerous but can feel a little cold, so we recommend you bring a spare set of clothes and a towel, just in case. Kindly note that your hands and face will get wet, which is completely normal and not actually that cold.
We provide an undergarment and neoprene dry suit from Waterproof and 0’Three. We also provide a neoprene hood and neoprene wet gloves to protect your head and hands from the cold. You will also be given fins, mask and snorkel.
Our client to guide ratio is one guide for every 6 snorkelers.
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 O´Three.
The tour takes places at Silfra Fissure which is located in Thingvellir National Park.
Yes, there are 2 toilet facilities at Silfra. However, we don’t recommend that you use them for changing, as it can result in long queues.
Sometimes fish venture into Silfra from Þingvallavatn lake, but they will quickly swim back, as they don’t like chilly glacier waters. However, there is plenty of colorful seaweed, including a bright green variety known as “troll hair”, which makes the fissure unlike anything on the surface.
The cave systems in Silfra can be up to 60 m deep. However, your dive in Silfra will be from about 7 to 12 m, and the maximum diving depth that is permitted is 18 m.
