A Complete Guide to Snorkeling in Silfra in Iceland (+ Helpful Tips)

Have you ever thought about going snorkeling in Iceland?

This post details everything you need to know about snorkeling in Silfra, including FAQs, how to book the best Silfra snorkeling tour, what to expect, and why you should plan a trip to do it!

On one of my trips to Iceland (I have been 7 times), I booked a tour to try this experience out and see if it was worth writing about to encourage other travelers to do so.

It was – so this guide recaps my time snorkeling in the Silfra fissure with Tröll Expeditions, along with some photos from the day. Please let me know if you have any questions about booking this Silfra snorkeling tour – I am happy to answer and share my thoughts!

Let me know if you’ve taken a Silfra snorkeling tour and how your experience went (as well as some tips for others).

What is the Silfra fissure (and where is it located)?

In 1789, an earthquake happened in the Þingvellir area, and, as a result, several fissures opened underground with glacial meltwater from the Langjökull glacier.

This meltwater is filtered through lava rocks for 30-100 years before reaching the fissure, making the water you’ll snorkel through some of the cleanest water on the planet. You can even drink it!

The Silfra fissure is located inside Þingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Þingvallavatn Lake, which is situated between two of the Earth’s tectonic plates. These plates make up the North American and Eurasian continents, and this is the only place in the world where you can swim between them, touching both at the same time.

Due to the water’s purity and clarity, you can see 320 feet (100 meters) below you, giving you a view and experience is can only be seen and done in Iceland!

Silfra is about one hour from Reykjavík, so plan enough time to get there in time for your activity.

How to Book a Silfra Snorkeling Tour

Meeting Point: P5 parking lot at Þingvellir; Look for Tröll Snorkel
Duration: 3 hours
Seasonality: Year-round
Prior experience? Comfortable in water and can swim
➡️ CHECK PRICES HERE

The best way to book this tour is to do it online before your trip to Iceland. It is one of the most popular tours in the country, and it is likely to sell out.

I book my tours via GetYourGuide, an online platform that works closely with tour companies across the globe to offer only the best experiences. But, the real reason I love GYG so much is that I can book all of my tours in one place and not have to insert my credit card details onto different sites across the web.

When you go to book this snorkeling excursion, you will notice that there are a few timeslots (9 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm). Choose the one that works for your schedule, and then you can book, with an option to pay later if you want to space out paying for the trip.

Once you book, they will send you a voucher with all the information you need to take with you to your tour’s meeting point.

This tour was surreal, cold, and one I’ll remember forever. You will spend around 45 minutes in the water, which seems short at first, but that is how long it takes to swim and float throughout the fissure. It is not a warm experience, so 45 minutes is plenty long!

Snorkeling in Silfra: FAQ, Tips, and More

Even though you are going to snorkel in one of the most beautiful places in the world, it can still be uncomfortable physically and mentally, so there are things you need to know before planning your snorkeling experience in Silfra.

Let me know if there is something you’d like to know that I don’t answer below.

Who can do this Silfra snorkeling tour?

You need to be 12 years of age or older to take the tour. If you are 60-69, then medical waivers and a doctor’s statement are required.

In addition, you must be between 4’4 and 6’6” (135 cm and 200 cm) in height and between 66 and 265 lbs (30 and 120 kg) to be permitted to do the activity.

If you are pregnant, physically unfit, claustrophobic, or inebriated, you are not permitted to do the tour. I am mildly claustrophobic; this is more geared to someone with severe claustrophobia.

In addition, if you have piercings that you cannot remove (including ear piercings) that are not flat or studs, you cannot do the tour if you cannot remove them, as they may puncture the suit.

As the tour description states, you will receive a Snorkeling in Silfra Medical Statement Form that you need to get familiar with, print, and bring with you with all of the information filled out. I was unable to get this done, so they had one on the spot for me to fill out.

However, be aware that if you check any of the boxes on it, you may not be permitted to go on the tour due to safety and legal obligations.

What should I bring with me?

You will see some of my recommendations below for what to bring with you. Please keep in mind that they will provide all of the stuff for the actual snorkeling once there, so you don’t need to bring snorkel gear or a suit along.

• Thick socks
• Towel
• Long underwear
• Change of clothes
• Contact lenses if you wear glasses

You will also get a dry bag to throw your belongings into. It will not go in the water with you, but will stay around the changing area and meeting points.

When you are snorkeling, you will need to wear very thin yet warm clothes underneath the dry suit. Thick sweaters are not a good option, as they will potentially allow water to seep into the suit. Therefore, I recommend wearing a layer of thin wool underneath.

Is snorkeling in Iceland cold?

The water that flows from the glacier never freezes in Silfra, and the temperature of the water fluctuates between 35F and 39F (2C and 4C) year-round. So yes, the water in Silfra is cold.

And it can be even colder when the outside temperature is below freezing, like when I went. But the experience was completely worthwhile, and the suit kept me dry.

When you put on the suit, you will feel like you’re going to get wet, and even when you step into the water, it can still give off that feeling. However, you will stay dry.

The only part of your body that will be exposed to the water and get wet is your face. The gloves and sleeves will get a little wet, too.

Can you snorkel in Silfra in the winter?

Absolutely yes! I did my Silfra snorkeling in November and was informed that there was no difference in the water temperature throughout the year.

However, if the air is cold outside, you will need to bring some warm stuff for the briefings before the activity (they will put you into the drysuit quickly, though), and once you change after the tour.

You will have hot chocolate and a moment to gather yourself before leaving Þingvellir National Park.

Are there toilets available?

You will need to use the toilets at the check-in area before you step into your suit! There are no stops along the way once you get in the water.

Does the drysuit help you float?

Snorkelers will be provided a waterproof drysuit that will not only protect you from getting wet, but will also help you float! You will stay on the surface of the water like a bubble as you move down the fissure.

Do I need to be able to swim to snorkel in Silfra?

Per the tour’s requirements, yes, you should be a capable swimmer if you book this tour. While you can float in the suit quite well, it is still a requirement for safety purposes.

Where do I park when I get there?

You will find a parking lot near the meeting point right off the P5 at Þingvellir. Just go past that point a little, park in the national park area, and then backtrack on foot to the area where you can find all the tour outfitters offering this snorkeling tour.

What is the best way to take photos while snorkeling?

Of course, you can bring your own GoPro with you (I opted to leave mine in the car), but the tour guide will be taking photos of you and the other people on the tour throughout it.

He or she will send you the GoPro photos via email if you want them. I received mine later in the evening, and they were free for me to use, even in this post!

Is there a Silfra tour that offers pickup in Reykjavík?

Yes! There are a few, but the one I took did not. Here is a top-rated suggestion of a Silfra tour that offers pick-up at select points in Reykjavík.

If you do have a rental car, I would highly advise going out there without a pickup because you can stick around and see the park after your tour (or before). It is a must-visit on an Iceland itinerary!

Have you ever been snorkeling in Iceland? Let me know about your adventures snorkeling in Silfra in the comments! Thanks!