Silfra: Small-Group, Half-Day Snorkeling Tour From Reykjavik
Start your half-day, small-group tour with pickup from your central Reykjavik hotel or alternatively, from a central location in the city. Then, travel by air-conditioned vehicle into Thingvellir National Park, where Silfra is located. As you travel, take in the volcanic landscapes and hear from your guide about the park’s geology and history as the site of Iceland’s earliest parliaments. UNESCO-listed Thingvellir is also famous for the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates: a valley becoming gradually wider as the plates slowly pull apart. Some of the fissures and faults between the plates, such as Silfra, are filled with clear, cold water. On arrival at Silfra, hop out and listen to an introduction to snorkeling in the fissure. Then, don a special dry suit over your everyday clothes to stay dry and warm in the cold water. Learn how to use your snorkeling equipment and enter the water via steps. Then, follow your guide on a tour of the only place on the planet where you can snorkel between two continental plates. Float through the intensely blue glacial waters that are famously clear. The incredible visibility—more than 328 feet (100 meters)—showcases the rocks, with their emerald plant life and algae creating beautiful colorscapes. Swim the narrowest section known as the Silfra Big Crack, following the fissure as it widens into Silfra Hall. Gaze through the waters into Thingvallavatn Lake before entering the deep Silfra Cathedral. Float over the boulders here before finishing in stunning Silfra Lagoon. Afterward, change out of your dry suit, and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies before your return transfer and drop-off at the Reykjavik start point.
Highlights
- ✓Experience the only place where you can snorkel between continental plates
- ✓This tour includes hands-on guidance from a PADI-certified guide
- ✓All equipment provided—only swimming experience required
- ✓Round-trip transport with hotel pickup and drop-off included
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will pick you up in Reykjavík and drive you to Thingvellir National Park. During the one-hour drive, your guide will provide you with information about the unique geology and cultural history of Iceland and Silfra as well as the surrounding area of the UNESCO world heritage site. Once your group of max 6 people has been formed, your guide will give you your drysuit, warm undersuit and snorkeling equipment. Your guide will explain how to use this equipment and how to ensure that you will be warm during your tour. You can change in our heated Changing Van and the guide will help you with putting all the gear on. We recommend wearing long underwear and thick socks. The briefing and gearing up takes approx 1 hour. You will walk 5 minutes to Silfra and start your 30 - 45 minute snorkeling tour of Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. After snorkeling in the cold water, we warm you up with hot cocoa and cookies. This is your chance to chat with your guide.
What's included
- ✓Heated changing van
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Live guide that is a PADI instructor
- ✓Hot chocolate and cookies
- ✓Entrance fee to Silfra (ISK 1,500)
- ✓Guided snorkeling trip
- ✓All necessary snorkeling equipment, drysuit and warm undersuit
What's not included
- ✓Souvenir photos of your snorkeling tour (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All participants will need to fill out a medical form before participating in the tour. Please contact local operator in order to request the form via email.
All participant's height, weight and age information must be provided to local operator to ensure they bring the best fitting drysuit. The tour operator will contact you after booking to ask for this information.
Participants must be at least 12 years of age
Dry suits are worn over your own clothing. We recommend wearing long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as a base layer under the dry suit
Minimum height is 4ft 11in (150cm). Minimum weight is 100lbs (45kg).
Maximum height and weight is 6ft7in (200cm) and 264lbs (120kg).
Participants must be comfortable in water and able to swim, physically fit and healthy
Please note that that dry suits can sometimes feel quite tight and constricting
All participants must be able to communicate in English
Not suitable for pregnant women
IMPORTANT - Participants who are 60 years of age and older must have their doctor sign the approval form in order to participate
Pickup starts 30 minutes before scheduled departure, please be ready and visible at your designated pickup location
Pick up service is available only within central Reykjavik at selected hotels and bus stops. Make sure to take this in consideration before booking your tour. If you are staying outside of the central Reykjavik area, please send us a message and we will tell you where to meet us. Please note we don't operate pickups outside of Reykjavik.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Silfra: Small-Group, Half-Day Snorkeling Tour From Reykjavik
Start your half-day, small-group tour with pickup from your central Reykjavik hotel or alternatively, from a central location in the city. Then, travel by air-conditioned vehicle into Thingvellir National Park, where Silfra is located. As you travel, take in the volcanic landscapes and hear from your guide about the park’s geology and history as the site of Iceland’s earliest parliaments. UNESCO-listed Thingvellir is also famous for the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates: a valley becoming gradually wider as the plates slowly pull apart. Some of the fissures and faults between the plates, such as Silfra, are filled with clear, cold water. On arrival at Silfra, hop out and listen to an introduction to snorkeling in the fissure. Then, don a special dry suit over your everyday clothes to stay dry and warm in the cold water. Learn how to use your snorkeling equipment and enter the water via steps. Then, follow your guide on a tour of the only place on the planet where you can snorkel between two continental plates. Float through the intensely blue glacial waters that are famously clear. The incredible visibility—more than 328 feet (100 meters)—showcases the rocks, with their emerald plant life and algae creating beautiful colorscapes. Swim the narrowest section known as the Silfra Big Crack, following the fissure as it widens into Silfra Hall. Gaze through the waters into Thingvallavatn Lake before entering the deep Silfra Cathedral. Float over the boulders here before finishing in stunning Silfra Lagoon. Afterward, change out of your dry suit, and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies before your return transfer and drop-off at the Reykjavik start point.
Highlights
- ✓Experience the only place where you can snorkel between continental plates
- ✓This tour includes hands-on guidance from a PADI-certified guide
- ✓All equipment provided—only swimming experience required
- ✓Round-trip transport with hotel pickup and drop-off included
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will pick you up in Reykjavík and drive you to Thingvellir National Park. During the one-hour drive, your guide will provide you with information about the unique geology and cultural history of Iceland and Silfra as well as the surrounding area of the UNESCO world heritage site. Once your group of max 6 people has been formed, your guide will give you your drysuit, warm undersuit and snorkeling equipment. Your guide will explain how to use this equipment and how to ensure that you will be warm during your tour. You can change in our heated Changing Van and the guide will help you with putting all the gear on. We recommend wearing long underwear and thick socks. The briefing and gearing up takes approx 1 hour. You will walk 5 minutes to Silfra and start your 30 - 45 minute snorkeling tour of Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. After snorkeling in the cold water, we warm you up with hot cocoa and cookies. This is your chance to chat with your guide.
What's included
- ✓Heated changing van
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Live guide that is a PADI instructor
- ✓Hot chocolate and cookies
- ✓Entrance fee to Silfra (ISK 1,500)
- ✓Guided snorkeling trip
- ✓All necessary snorkeling equipment, drysuit and warm undersuit
What's not included
- ✓Souvenir photos of your snorkeling tour (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All participants will need to fill out a medical form before participating in the tour. Please contact local operator in order to request the form via email.
All participant's height, weight and age information must be provided to local operator to ensure they bring the best fitting drysuit. The tour operator will contact you after booking to ask for this information.
Participants must be at least 12 years of age
Dry suits are worn over your own clothing. We recommend wearing long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as a base layer under the dry suit
Minimum height is 4ft 11in (150cm). Minimum weight is 100lbs (45kg).
Maximum height and weight is 6ft7in (200cm) and 264lbs (120kg).
Participants must be comfortable in water and able to swim, physically fit and healthy
Please note that that dry suits can sometimes feel quite tight and constricting
All participants must be able to communicate in English
Not suitable for pregnant women
IMPORTANT - Participants who are 60 years of age and older must have their doctor sign the approval form in order to participate
Pickup starts 30 minutes before scheduled departure, please be ready and visible at your designated pickup location
Pick up service is available only within central Reykjavik at selected hotels and bus stops. Make sure to take this in consideration before booking your tour. If you are staying outside of the central Reykjavik area, please send us a message and we will tell you where to meet us. Please note we don't operate pickups outside of Reykjavik.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.