Silfra Snorkeling Adventure with Transport, Reykjavík

4.7 (30 reviews)
Enjoy a private transfer from Reykjavík to swim amid tectonic plates and impressively crystalline waters of the Silfra fissure.

Overview

Snorkel the world's clearest water and float between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on this day trip from Reykjavík to Þingvellir National Park. Led by experienced PADI divemasters, you'll swim the cold Silfra fissure's breathtakingly clear waters—with visibility up to 394 feet, featuring sections dubbed the Big Crack and Silfra Lagoon. This activity, best for adventure seekers not afraid of getting a little cold, includes a dry suit fitting and snorkeling gear, with a heated changing area and post-snorkel warming cup of hot cocoa.

Highlights

  • Snorkel between two continents in Silfra's crystal-clear glacial waters
  • Follow PADI-certified divemasters who ensure you have a memorable and safe experience
  • Check out Silfra's four main sections: Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon
  • Enjoy an après-snorkel treat of cookies and hot chocolate
  • Learn about Iceland's geology and cultural history on the drive to Þingvellir National Park

Know before you go

Duration
5 hours
Recommended for
12 years old & up
Group
Small group, 6 people or less

What you'll do

Your snorkeling adventure in the Silfra fissure begins with the 50-minute transfer from your accommodation in Reykjavík to Þingvellir National Park, where you'll hear about the geological marvels of the area en route. Upon arrival, you'll receive all the necessary snorkeling gear, including a dry suit to keep you warm (and dry) in the chilly waters. The guides, trained PADI divemasters and instructors, will ensure your comfort and readiness before you "dive" in. They'll explain how to use the equipment and what to expect as you float through each of the sections of Silfra, including the Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon.

As you snorkel, you'll be amazed by the vivid underwater colors and the incredible clarity, with visibility stretching up to 394 feet (120 m). As well, throughout the swim, take in the surreal notion of floating between two tectonic plates—the North American and Eurasian plates, a geological marvel. The day trip wraps up with a post-snorkel treat of hot chocolate and cookies, followed by the return drive back to your hotel.

Start times

  • Daily
    8:30 am, 11:30 am

What's included

  • Round-trip transportation from/to Reykjavík
  • Entrance fee into Silfra
  • Snorkel guide
  • Snorkeling equipment (including dry suit)
  • Hot chocolate and cookies

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Traveler reviews

30 total ratings, 22 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
5.0
ashlie
ashlie g.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2024
Such a neat experience! You have to wear thermal underwear of some sort and warm socks. You put on a suit, and then a dry suit over it. It is tight, and uncomfortable around the neck and wrists - but it's to keep the 2°c water out sooo it's worth it. There's a short walk to the entry point. We had to wait about 20 mins to get into the water because of other groups ahead of us. Once you are in the water, it naturally propels you and the suit loosens up a bit. You barely have to do work. Our... Read more

Such a neat experience! You have to wear thermal underwear of some sort and warm socks. You put on a suit, and then a dry suit over it. It is tight, and uncomfortable around the neck and wrists - but it's to keep the 2°c water out sooo it's worth it. There's a short walk to the entry point. We had to wait about 20 mins to get into the water because of other groups ahead of us. Once you are in the water, it naturally propels you and the suit loosens up a bit. You barely have to do work. Our guide was funny and nice. At the end we all drank hot chocolate and talked about the experience.

Tips for future travelers

Look at what your tour group recommends like the day before and listen to them. Smaller, younger kids are going to be turned away without a refund - doesn't matter how good of a swimmer they are. If you are unsure, I'd call talk directly to them.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We had James and he was wonderful!
J
Jesse R.
Iselin, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2024
Great guide and staff. Wish it was longer. really cool experience. Read more

Great guide and staff. Wish it was longer. really cool experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Andrew
Andrew H.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2024
Exceeded expectations. This was a highlight of the trip and one of my favorite travel experiences. You go in groups of 6 per guide so you get a really good experience and attention from the guide. Read more

Exceeded expectations. This was a highlight of the trip and one of my favorite travel experiences. You go in groups of 6 per guide so you get a really good experience and attention from the guide.

Tips for future travelers

Do not fear the cold.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great
Krista
Krista D.
Fayetteville, AR | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023
Very cool experience! Highly recommend doing it! Read more

Very cool experience! Highly recommend doing it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jennifer
Jennifer R.
Hanover, PA | Reviewed on Aug 20, 2023
Did this with her two teenage boys. It was very cool. It was a bit cold, but not intolerable. The staff was awesome. Read more

Did this with her two teenage boys. It was very cool. It was a bit cold, but not intolerable. The staff was awesome.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
P
paul B.
Tysons Corner, VA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2023
The Silfra Snorkeling was a unique experience and I'm glad we did it. The dry suit is quite an experience if you have not used one before, and while not comfortable, they work well in the cold water. The guide was great and took great care of us. We are not sure we would do this again, although one of our group would consider a scuba tour. Read more

The Silfra Snorkeling was a unique experience and I'm glad we did it. The dry suit is quite an experience if you have not used one before, and while not comfortable, they work well in the cold water. The guide was great and took great care of us. We are not sure we would do this again, although one of our group would consider a scuba tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cara
Cara W.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2023
Leon loved this very unique experience! Unlike anything else he has ever done. Read more

Leon loved this very unique experience! Unlike anything else he has ever done.

Tips for future travelers

In the information about the experience it says you have to be a good swimmer, however, Leon said you really just floated along. I have a bad shoulder from a Segway accident, but still would have been able to do the experience. However if you are not able to do the snorkeling, there is Thingvellir Park that you can go hiking in.

Quality of Experience
It is an experience that you can only do in Iceland.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff was well trained and worked well with the group.
Transport
Everything was well organized and set up.
S
Steve H.
Rock Hill, SC | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2023
Carla was amazing. The water is clear (and cold). This exceeded our expectations. Being able to see where the tectontic plates come together is amazing. Read more

Carla was amazing. The water is clear (and cold). This exceeded our expectations. Being able to see where the tectontic plates come together is amazing.

Tips for future travelers

The dry suits are not very comfortable if you are a reasonable body weight. If you are overweight, it can be very, very uncomfortable. You don't have to be a strong swim; you float in the dry suit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jennifer
Jennifer B.
East Tremont, NY | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
Amazing. Staff was also helpful and made everyone comfortable with their gear. The water is cold…not sure this would have been as fun in the winter! Everyone enjoyed this. Read more

Amazing. Staff was also helpful and made everyone comfortable with their gear. The water is cold…not sure this would have been as fun in the winter! Everyone enjoyed this.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent help
Transport
Rahul
Rahul S.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Jul 09, 2023
The most unique experience - very special to be snorkeling between two tectonic plates! Our guide Gabriel was excellent, caring, funny and very friendly. He did a great job and gave us an experience that we will never forget. When you are in the water and snorkeling between the tectonic plates, it feels very special and you feel like pinching yourself! I have not given 5 stars for this activity because I found that dive.is has taken on too many people and is not able to process this volume... Read more

The most unique experience - very special to be snorkeling between two tectonic plates! Our guide Gabriel was excellent, caring, funny and very friendly. He did a great job and gave us an experience that we will never forget. When you are in the water and snorkeling between the tectonic plates, it feels very special and you feel like pinching yourself!

I have not given 5 stars for this activity because I found that dive.is has taken on too many people and is not able to process this volume of tourists effectively. The expected 30-minute prep took 2 hours. Our 11am snorkel in fact started at 1pm. Our group of 6 people also had two issues with the equipment/dry-suits as two of them were leaking. There seems to be too much pressure on the guides to keep things moving and weight of numbers of tourists is too high. My strong recommendation is that dive.is review what is a realistic number of tourists and cut down a little bit. They should charge higher prices if need be but it is important to reduce the volume of people to keep it fun and enjoyable and safe.

Tips for future travelers

Allow extra time and do not have any other appointments for activities planned after this one - as it can take much longer than anticipated to get sorted out into the dry suit etc.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gabriel our guide was just awesome. His sense of humour helped one of our party which was nervous to relax. He was professional and made it a special experience for us

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Itineraries with Silfra Snorkeling Adventure with Transport