Snorkeling and Diving in Silfra, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland 2025

There are only a few places in the world where people can see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the boundary between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, above the ocean, and the largest part of it is located in Iceland, in the Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, just 34 miles (54 km) from Reykjavik. The Ridge is the longest chain of mountains on the globe. It spans around 65,000 km, but 90% of it is located underwater. This breathtaking location is known as a Silfra fissure and remains the only place in the world where you can dive between continental plates.

Silfra Waters

The Silfra fissure is a part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and a very popular diving and snorkeling spot. Silfra is approximately 207 feet (63 m), which makes it one of the deepest fissures. The glacial water in Silfra is incredibly clear, having been filtered through underground porous lava for decades, which resulted in underwater visibility of over 100 meters. It's so clear that you can even drink the water from the fissure since lava acts as a filter.

Best Time to Snorkel & Dive in Silfra

Snorkeling is available in Silfra year-round, with all seasons offering unique experiences. The temperature in Silfra generally hovers around 35-39°F (2-4°C) year-round, making it a great destination any time of the year. While winter is known for slightly colder water temperatures, it also means fewer crowds, which means you can enjoy your dive in peace.

Summer offers more comfortable water temperatures, so the combination of nice weather with snorkeling between the Eurasian and American continents can be one of the best memories. However, summer is the high season for Reykjavik, drawing in thousands of tourists. For the best visibility, consider booking your snorkeling adventure during the brightest part of the day, ideally in the mid-afternoon or just after sunrise. To avoid the crowds, come to Silfra in the early morning.

Snorkeling & Diving Tours

Thingvellir National Park is considered a place of historical and geological importance as well as a constant tourists’ attraction. Guided trips along the ridge are provided on land and underwater. Numerous tour operators in Reykjavik offer either standalone snorkeling trips to Silfra or include them in the itinerary of their bigger tours. During the tour, snorkelers spend around 35-45 minutes in Silfra, which is plenty of time to enjoy its beauty, but the entire tour, with the line and safety briefings, might take up to 3 hours. The snorkeling experience begins in the early morning, at 8-9 am, with timeslots at 10-11 am and noon.

Dive.is is one of the prominent snorkeling operators in the area, providing tours with pickup from Reykjavik and meeting in Silfra. The tours without the pickup start at 19,490 Icelandic krona, while tours with transportation start at 29,480 Icelandic krona. Arctic Adventures offers snorkeling tours, which start at 18,990 Icelandic krona per person.

Safety Tips

During your snorkeling experience, you'll be given a dry suit to make sure you stay dry and warm throughout your entire swim. It's strongly discouraged to touch the fissure walls or any of the natural environment in Silfra to preserve it in the best possible condition. Snorkelers should follow their guide's instructions and recommendations, as well as notify them of any health conditions that might hinder their snorkeling experience, such as heart disease, head injury, and epilepsy. If you are prone to higher or lower blood pressure, have type 1 diabetes, or asthma, you are required to bring a doctor's notice with permission to snorkel.