Snorkel in the Silfra Fissure, Golden Circle

4.8 (26 reviews)
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Andrew
Andrew H.
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... Read more
Krista
Krista D.
Aug 24, 2023
Very cool experience! Highly recommend doing it!
Cara
Cara W.
Aug 08, 2023
Leon loved this very unique experience! Unlike anything else he has ever done.
S
Steve H.
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.
Jennifer
Jennifer B.
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!... Read more
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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!

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Traveler reviews

26 total ratings, 20 with reviews
4.8
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
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
F
FRANK D.
Nanuet, NY | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2023
Amazing once in a lifetime experience snorkeling between two Continents. Waters were crystal clear, and we were well geared up that we weren't cold at all. Read more

Amazing once in a lifetime experience snorkeling between two Continents. Waters were crystal clear, and we were well geared up that we weren't cold at all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
David
David L.
Queens Village, NY | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
One of the coolest things I’ve ever done Read more

One of the coolest things I’ve ever done

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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