Snorkeling in Silfra, Reykjavik 2025-2026

Located in Þingvellir National Park, just 34 miles (54 km) from Reykjavik, Silfra offers a one-of-a-kind experience of snorkeling between the continental plates. Silfra is a fissure formed in the Þingvallavatn Lake on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the boundary between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. As the only place in the world where you can dive between continental plates, Silfra offers unforgettable memories for adventure-seekers and nature lovers.

Silfra Waters

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. During your snorkeling experience, you have a chance to witness stunning underwater landscapes, including deep fissures and rock formations, all surrounded by vibrant blue water. 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.

Best Time to Snorkel

Snorkeling is available in Silfra year-round, with all seasons offering unique experiences. While winter is known for colder water temperatures, it also means fewer crowds, allowing you to enjoy your dive in peace. Summer offers more comfortable water temperatures, with gentle winds creating mesmerizing ripples on the surface. 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 Tours

Numerous tour operators in Reykjavik offer either standalone snorkeling trips to Silfra or include it 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 queue and safety briefings might take up to 3 hours. Snorkeling experience begin 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.