Silfra Diving Tour Iceland

This Silfra diving tour takes certified divers into the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park, where glacial meltwater gives visibility of over 100 metres between two tectonic plates.

• Dive in glacial water with visibility over 100 metres
• Swim between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates
• All rental dive equipment and cold-water-specific gear provided
• Small groups led by a certified diving guide
• Set inside Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Your day, stop by stop

2Briefing and gearing upCheck certification, get fitted with a dry suit and equipment.

Your guide checks your certification and logbook, briefs you on the dive plan and safety points, then helps you into a dry suit and the rest of your gear. Allow about an hour.

Time here · about an hour

3The diveSwim through the fissure between the tectonic plates.

You descend into the fissure and swim through several named sections, including the Silfra Cathedral, in water so clear it feels almost like flying. The water is a few degrees above freezing all year, and visibility is often over 100 metres.

Water temperature · a few degrees year roundVisibility · often over 100 metres

4Warm up and changeReturn your gear and change into dry clothes.

After the dive you head back to the changing area to warm up and get out of the dry suit before heading off. Bring dry clothes and something warm to wear.

About the Silfra diving tour

Silfra is a water-filled fissure in Þingvellir National Park, formed where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The water is glacial meltwater, filtered through porous lava rock for years before it reaches the fissure, which is why visibility regularly exceeds 100 metres.

This is a dive, not a snorkel, so you need real certification: either a dry suit certification, or an open water certification plus proof of at least 10 logged dry suit dives within the last two years, along with your logbook and certification card in English. Minimum age is 18. Because the water sits at only a few degrees year round, you dive in a dry suit with warm layers underneath, all of which is provided along with the rest of your gear.

You should be comfortable with moderate physical exertion, since you walk to and from the dive site in full gear and swim a reasonable distance in the water. People over 60 or with certain medical conditions need a signed health certificate, and pregnant women cannot take part.

The dive runs roughly February to September, when the site is accessible and conditions are manageable; the fissure itself does not freeze over, but access and comfort levels vary by season. Afterwards there is time to change and warm up before heading back.

• Gloves to buy
• Beanie to buy
• T-shirt to buy

Questions people ask