Silfra Snorkeling Adventure, Reykjavík

4.8 (44 reviews)
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.

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
2h 30m
Recommended for
12 years old & up
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Hot chocolate and cookies

What you'll do

Your snorkeling adventure begins upon meeting your guide near the steps leading into the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park, where 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 incredible clarity, with visibility stretching up to 394 feet (120 m). Throughout the swim, you'll also 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.

Start times

  • Daily
    8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 8:00 pm

What's included

  • Silfra entrance fee
  • Snorkel guide
  • Snorkeling equipment (including dry suit)
  • Hot chocolate and cookies

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Traveler reviews

44 total ratings, 33 with reviews
4.8
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
5.0
Susan
Susan Y.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
This is so much fun! Read more

This is so much fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Liz
Liz K.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 05, 2026
A truly unique Iceland experience! We all really enjoyed this and it was as beautiful as in the photos you'll see online. The only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because once we were suited up in the dry suit (not the most comfortable, but necessary), we had to wait over an hour to get in the water. There are THAT many people there to do this activity. Once in the water it was great, but be prepared to have a cold face and hands. We checked in at 11 am and didn't finish until about... Read more

A truly unique Iceland experience! We all really enjoyed this and it was as beautiful as in the photos you'll see online. The only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because once we were suited up in the dry suit (not the most comfortable, but necessary), we had to wait over an hour to get in the water. There are THAT many people there to do this activity. Once in the water it was great, but be prepared to have a cold face and hands. We checked in at 11 am and didn't finish until about 3 pm with only 30-40 minutes of that in the water.

Tips for future travelers

Bring 2 pair of wool socks for this activity and definitely bring the suggested underlayer. It's helps a ton.

Jennifer
Jennifer Y.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2026
This experience is truly one of a kind in the world. If you like snorkeling, then you should definitely try this experience. There is no wildlife but the water, rock and depth of sight is amazing Read more

This experience is truly one of a kind in the world. If you like snorkeling, then you should definitely try this experience. There is no wildlife but the water, rock and depth of sight is amazing

Tips for future travelers

If you need prescription glasses for nearsightedness, you'll want to invest in a prescription snorkel mask so you can see the depth and distances in the water.

Quality of Experience
Great location and interesting snorkel.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide in the water was awesome. Explained everything very well. They move a lot of people in and out of Silfra, and they've got it down. You'll take more time than you think at the busiest times of the year. The entire staff is hustling to get people dressed and ready.
Transport
Good job providing vans and seating to help people change.
M
Maressa M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2026
This was a nice idea but was not my favorite. You have to get set up in a dry suit to stay dry and warm. This was helpful but it was so tight and uncomfortable. If I had know how uncomfortable I would be in the suit I might have decided not to go. Many of the others did okay with the suits so could just be me. Also be prepared to be cold if you are going in the winter because it is cold. Also there are no fish really to see and it is just rocks. The promotional pictures make it look... Read more

This was a nice idea but was not my favorite. You have to get set up in a dry suit to stay dry and warm. This was helpful but it was so tight and uncomfortable. If I had know how uncomfortable I would be in the suit I might have decided not to go. Many of the others did okay with the suits so could just be me. Also be prepared to be cold if you are going in the winter because it is cold. Also there are no fish really to see and it is just rocks. The promotional pictures make it look better than it was. Might be a better thing to do in the summer. The guides were great and very helpful.

Tips for future travelers

Beware you will be cold as it is cold water and the air is cold. We did in winter and would not do in winter again. Also if you have any claustphobia or difficulty with really tight fitting iteam on your entire body this is not for you. Everything is very tight to prevent the water coming in but they also have to put this strap around your neck and that one almost did me in. You will also get water in your gloves and hood so just know that will happen. If doing in the winter you will be cold before during and after.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Donn
Donn S.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Nov 12, 2025

The Silfra Snorkeling Adventure was fantastic. The guide was great, and it's amazing to think that you're snorkeling between two tectonic plates. Although it's understandable that you don't see much marine life, the rocks and underwater views were still captivating. It's a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else.

Paul
Paul H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2025

The Silfra Snorkeling Adventure was the highlight of our trip! It's definitely not for everybody, but it was a very unique experience that's worth doing. The location and the whole experience were nothing short of spectacular and stood out as a memorable part of our Iceland trip.

Lisa
Lisa H.
Bethlehem, PA, USA | Reviewed on Sep 19, 2025
As avid snorkelers, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! With our own base thermal layer and a thermal jumpsuit and dry suit/hood/gloves provided by Dive.is, we were pleasantly warm enough to thoroughly enjoy this 30-minute swim in freezing cold waters. Mind-blowing to snorkel the crystal-clear blue water and reach out to touch Europe on one side and North America on the other! Highly recommend for the experienced snorkeler. Read more

As avid snorkelers, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! With our own base thermal layer and a thermal jumpsuit and dry suit/hood/gloves provided by Dive.is, we were pleasantly warm enough to thoroughly enjoy this 30-minute swim in freezing cold waters. Mind-blowing to snorkel the crystal-clear blue water and reach out to touch Europe on one side and North America on the other! Highly recommend for the experienced snorkeler.

Tips for future travelers

May be better for those who are comfortable with snorkeling. May not be a good first time snorkeling experience.

Quality of Experience
Concern for comfort and safety was obvious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide from Portugal was cautious yet humorous.
Transport
We drove ourselves to the location, but the process of gearing up, walking to the fissure, entering and exiting, discarding gear, was, from start to finish, efficient.
Carla
Carla W.
Irving, TX | Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025
This was a very cool (and very cold!) activity! The tour operator was first-rate, making sure we were properly kitted out. Seeing the crystal clear water was a wonderful and unique experience. Read more

This was a very cool (and very cold!) activity! The tour operator was first-rate, making sure we were properly kitted out. Seeing the crystal clear water was a wonderful and unique experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Scott
Scott C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025
An absolute must do! Great experience all around. It's not nearly as cold as some people make it out to be. Our guide, Shenae, was awesome and super helpful. Read more

An absolute must do! Great experience all around. It's not nearly as cold as some people make it out to be. Our guide, Shenae, was awesome and super helpful.

Tips for future travelers

Get a nice set of Merino Wool baselayer and socks and you'll be fine. Merino.Tech has a great heavyweight set that is sold on Amazon that was perfect for this. Pay for the picture package, it's worth it.

Quality of Experience
10/10 - Must Do
Guides, Drivers and Staff
S
SUE S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2025
Jenny was a great guide and took wonderful pictures! Read more

Jenny was a great guide and took wonderful pictures!

Tips for future travelers

It is not as cold as you may think!

Quality of Experience
just the though of swimming between tectonic plates is amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We drove so there was no transport.

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Itineraries with Silfra Snorkeling Adventure