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Operated by: Adventure Vikings

Reykjavík: Snorkel Silfra Fissure in Þingvellir – Wetsuit or Drysuit

Snorkel between two tectonic plates in Silfra, one of the world's top dive sites, located inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir. Choose wetsuit or drysuit, enjoy crystal-clear glacial water, and receive free underwater photos. Hotel pickup from Reykjavík included.

Duration
4 hours 30 minutes
Starts From
Reykjavík
Pickup
Pickup required
Minimum age
12+
Difficulty
EASY
Season
All year
Passengers
Min 1 · Max 18
Travel method
Mini Bus / Car

About this experience

Silfra is a freshwater fissure in Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site roughly 50 km from Reykjavík. The water here is so extraordinarily clear that visibility stretches almost end to end through the fissure — snorkelers often describe the sensation as flying weightlessly through liquid glass.

The fissure reaches depths of 60–63 metres, and the glacially filtered water is among the purest on Earth. You will snorkel directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, making this one of the most geologically remarkable snorkelling experiences available anywhere in the world.

Two suit options are available: a drysuit, which uses insulating layers to keep you dry and protected from the cold, or a wetsuit, which allows you to dive beneath the surface and explore the fissure more dynamically. No diving experience or licence is required for either option.

The tour departs from downtown Reykjavík with hotel pickup included. Your guide speaks English, all snorkelling gear is provided, and free underwater photos of your experience in Silfra are included. The tour concludes with hot chocolate before the return transfer to Reykjavík.

Highlights

  • Snorkel in Silfra, rated one of the world's top dive sites
  • Located inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir
  • Choice of wetsuit (dive into the fissure) or drysuit snorkelling
  • No diving experience or licence required
  • Free underwater photos included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Reykjavík

Experience details

Your guide will collect you from your downtown Reykjavík hotel before the tour begins. The transfer to Þingvellir National Park takes approximately 45–50 minutes, giving you time to take in the Icelandic landscape en route.

On arrival at the Silfra car park, your guide will brief the group and help everyone suit up. You will spend approximately 30–40 minutes snorkelling in the fissure itself, drifting through passages of exceptional clarity between the tectonic plates.

  • Choose wetsuit snorkelling to dive beneath the surface, or drysuit for a more buoyant, surface-level experience
  • English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout
  • Free underwater photos are taken during the snorkel
  • Hot chocolate is served after the snorkel
  • Return transfer drops you back in downtown Reykjavík

Total tour duration, including pickup, transfer, briefing, suiting up, and snorkelling, is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

Why choose this tour

This tour is operated by Adventure Vikings, the only Icelandic company offering wetsuit snorkelling in Silfra. The wetsuit option lets you actively dive into the fissure rather than simply floating on the surface — a fundamentally different and more immersive experience.

All necessary gear is included, no prior snorkelling or diving experience is needed, and the small-group format ensures personal attention from your English-speaking guide. Free underwater photos mean you leave with a lasting record of one of Iceland's most extraordinary natural encounters, without any additional cost.

What’s included

All necessary snorkelling gear English-speaking guide Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Reykjavík Free underwater Silfra photos Hot chocolate

Pickup locations

Final available pickup options are selected during checkout and may vary by operator.

Pickup locations

Frequently asked questions

Do I need snorkelling or diving experience to join this tour?
No experience or licence is required. Your English-speaking guide will brief you fully before entering the water, and all necessary gear is provided. You simply need to be able to swim and feel comfortable in water.
What is the difference between the wetsuit and drysuit options?
A drysuit uses insulating layers to keep you completely dry and is more buoyant, so you float on the surface. A wetsuit allows you to dive beneath the surface of the fissure for a more active, immersive experience. Both options are available on this tour.
How cold is the water in Silfra?
The water in Silfra maintains a consistently cold temperature year-round, typically around 2–4°C. Your suit — whether wetsuit or drysuit — is designed to protect you from the cold for the duration of the 30–40 minute snorkel.
Where does the tour depart from, and is pickup included?
Hotel pickup in downtown Reykjavík is included. Your exact pickup time and location will be confirmed at checkout. If you prefer to make your own way, the meeting point is the Silfra car park in Þingvellir National Park.
Are the underwater photos really free?
Yes. Free underwater photos taken during your snorkel in Silfra are included in the tour price. If you want to capture your own footage, you can also rent a GoPro camera through the operator.
What are the physical requirements for this tour?
Participants must be at least 12 years old, between 145 cm and 200 cm tall, and between 45 kg and 120 kg. You must be physically fit, able to swim, and comfortable in water. Pregnant participants are not recommended to join.

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