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Operated by: Arctic Adventures

Hveragerði: Lava Tunnel & Silfra Snorkeling Self-Drive Combo Tour

Explore a 5,000-year-old lava tube at Raufarhólshellir, then snorkel the crystal-clear Silfra Fissure between two tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park. This self-drive combo includes all gear, free underwater photos, and hot chocolate.

Duration
5 hours
Starts From
Raufarhólshellir, Iceland
Pickup
No pickup
Minimum age
12+
Difficulty
MODERATE
Season
All year
Passengers
Min 1
Travel method
Mini Bus / Car

About this experience

This 5-hour self-drive combo tour takes you through two of Iceland's most extraordinary geological wonders in a single day. Beginning at the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, you'll descend into a volcanic tube formed over 5,000 years ago, marvelling at the vivid colours and intricate lava formations that reveal the raw power of Iceland's volcanic past.

Your second stop brings you to the Silfra Fissure inside Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located approximately 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Here you'll snorkel directly between the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates — a geological experience found nowhere else on Earth.

The glacial water at Silfra originates from Langjökull glacier and is naturally filtered through lava fields over decades, producing some of the purest water on the planet with visibility of up to 150 metres. Your certified PADI divemaster guide will capture free underwater photos throughout the snorkel.

This is a meet-on-location tour: you drive yourself to each site and meet your expert guides directly at Raufarhólshellir and then at the Silfra car park in Þingvellir. All specialist equipment is provided for both activities, and hot chocolate and cookies are served after snorkeling.

Highlights

  • Explore the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel formed by a volcanic eruption over 5,000 years ago
  • Snorkel the Silfra Fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates
  • Visibility of up to 150 metres in glacially filtered water from Langjökull glacier
  • Located within Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Free underwater photos taken by your certified PADI divemaster guide
  • Hot chocolate and cookies included after snorkeling

Experience details

This is a self-drive combo tour combining two separate guided activities at two locations. You drive yourself to each meeting point and join your guides on arrival.

  • First stop — Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: An expert caving guide leads you through one of Iceland's longest lava tubes. You'll see dramatic lava formations, learn about the volcanic processes that shaped the tunnel, and explore an underground world frozen in geological time. Specialist caving gear including helmet and headlight is provided.
  • Second stop — Silfra Fissure, Þingvellir National Park: After driving to Þingvellir, your PADI-certified divemaster fits you with a dry suit and all snorkeling equipment before guiding you through the fissure. Water temperatures are cold year-round, but the dry suit keeps you warm. Your guide photographs the experience underwater at no extra charge.

After snorkeling, warm up with hot chocolate and cookies provided by your guide. Plan sufficient driving time between the two locations and check road conditions before you depart.

Why choose this tour

Few tours in Iceland combine underground and underwater adventure in a single day. This combo pairs the eerie beauty of a 5,000-year-old lava tube with the world-renowned clarity of Silfra — one of the top snorkeling destinations on the planet.

All specialist equipment for both activities is included, so there is nothing extra to organise. Þingvellir National Park admission is pre-included, meaning no separate payment is required at the gate. Free underwater photos and post-snorkel hot chocolate add genuine value without hidden extras.

Guides are English-speaking specialists: a certified PADI divemaster for Silfra and an expert caving guide for Raufarhólshellir, ensuring safety and insight at every step.

What’s included

English-speaking tour guides (certified PADI divemaster and expert caving guide). All necessary snorkeling gear and safety equipment. All necessary caving gear including helmet and headlight. Þingvellir National Park admission fee. Hot chocolate and cookies after snorkeling. Free underwater snorkeling photos taken by your guide.

Pickup locations

2 pickup or meeting locations are available for this tour.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need snorkeling or diving experience to join this tour?
No prior snorkeling or diving experience is required. However, participants must be comfortable in water and able to swim. Your certified PADI divemaster guide will provide a full briefing and fit you with all necessary equipment, including a dry suit, before entering the water.
What is the minimum age for this tour?
The minimum age is 12 years. Participants aged 12 to 15 are priced in the Child category. All participants regardless of age must meet the physical and medical requirements outlined in the Snorkeling Handbook.
Is this tour suitable for people who wear glasses?
Standard snorkeling masks cannot accommodate glasses. If you wear glasses, you will need to use contact lenses during the snorkeling portion of the tour. If you own a prescription snorkeling mask, you are welcome to bring it.
What should I wear and bring on the day?
Wear warm, waterproof outdoor clothing with thermal underlayers such as fleece or wool, warm socks, and gloves. Bring a change of clothes and a packed lunch or snacks. Good hiking shoes are recommended for the lava tunnel. All specialist gear for both activities is provided.
How does the self-drive format work?
You drive your own vehicle to each location. Your first stop is Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel on Route 39. After that activity, you drive to the Silfra car park in Þingvellir National Park, where your guide meets you. Allow sufficient driving time and check road conditions before you leave.
Where do I find my free underwater photos after the tour?
Your guide photographs you underwater during the Silfra snorkel at no extra charge. After the tour, photos are uploaded to www.adventures.is/snphotos. Please allow up to 48 hours for them to appear.

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