Snorkel in the Silfra Fissure

Overview

Immerse yourself in the clearest water in the world and float between two continents in the famous Silfra Fissure, a truly unforgettable experience. Silfra is a fissure created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates cutting through Iceland. The snorkeling area is just about 30 miles northeast of Reykjavik on the shores of Lake Thingvallavatn.

The fissure fills with glacial water that's been filtered underground for decades via hardened, porous lava rock. The filtering process of the glacial water makes Silfra one of the clearest bodies of water on earth, with up to 400 feet (120 m) of visibility.

During your snorkel, you'll explore the four main parts of Silfra: Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. Start by floating through Big Crack, Silfra's narrowest section, where the continental plates are so close, and you can almost touch them. The fissure then widens into Silfra Hall, where the full spectrum of the fissure's colors and clarity become all the more apparent. Looking at just the right angle, you can see Lake Thingvallavatn, nearly 100 miles (150 m) away.

Near to the opening to Lake Thingvallavatn is the Silfra Cathedral. The depth is about 75 feet (23 m), so enjoy floating over boulders and glacial silt. Complete your snorkeling adventure in the Silfra Lagoon with seemingly endless visibility!

Discover more unique experiences in the Golden Circle and other active excursions in Iceland.

Traveler reviews

Overall Rating (4 reviews)
4.8 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
Allison
Allison G.
Oak Ridge, TN | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2022

Silfra Snorkeling was one of the most unique experiences of our trip. The water was so blue, so clear and so cold! But the equipment kept us comfortable and we have a great story to tell! Read more

Silfra Snorkeling was one of the most unique experiences of our trip. The water was so blue, so clear and so cold! But the equipment kept us comfortable and we have a great story to tell!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dave
Dave K.
Gastonia, NC | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2022

The dry suits for first class and kept us nice and warm. Our guide was excellent and prepared as well for the experience. The sunny day allowed lots of light in to chasm and made our experience that much more memorable! Read more

The dry suits for first class and kept us nice and warm. Our guide was excellent and prepared as well for the experience. The sunny day allowed lots of light in to chasm and made our experience that much more memorable!

Tips for future travelers

With plenty of time to get to this venue as the GPS was not as accurate as we would’ve liked it to have been.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
With plenty of time to get to this venue as the GPS was not as accurate as we would’ve liked it to have been.
A
Anna R.
Maple Grove, MN | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2022

This was a once in a lifetime experience! Read more

This was a once in a lifetime experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Itineraries with Snorkel in the Silfra Fissure

Winter Adventures in West & South Iceland - 9 Days

Explore the wintry side of Iceland on this nine-day, snow-filled adventure. Take in the spectacular frozen waterfalls en route to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Explore several glaciers—go snowmobiling around Langjökull, ice walking in Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and hiking in Sólheimajökull. Stay in the countryside, where there’s minimal light pollution, and enjoy great views of the Northern Lights, while setting aside some time for illuminated, warming soaks in hot springs and lagoons along the way.

South Coast & Laugavegur Trek - 10 Days

Discover two sides of Iceland on this 10-day trip. Begin in the Golden Circle, home to Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates meet and go snorkeling in a fissure. Then, explore the waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and cliffs along the South Coast, followed by a day surrounded by stunning glaciers. Next, visit a few notable sites on the way back to Reykjavik, before hopping a bus to embark on the Laugavegur Trek for the next few days. Hike around the landscapes rich with volcanoes, mountains, scenic lakes, and deserts before reaching the iconic Thorsmork Valley. Return to the capital for one last night, and soak in the Blue Lagoon before departure.

Golden Circle, South Coast, & Thorsmork - 5 Days

This fast-paced Icelandic trip spans three regions—the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Thorsmork—and offers plenty to see over the course of five days. Explore Þingvellir National Park and snorkel in the Silfra Fissure in the Golden Circle. Then, view beautiful waterfalls, like Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, along with black-sand beaches in the South Coast. Next, take a bus to Thorsmork to embark on a day of hiking trails through the valley, and end in Reykjavik to discover the best of the capital city.