Snorkeling in Silfra is one of Iceland's most incredible experiences. This crystal-clear water offers visibility that can reach over 100 meters, making it one of the clearest dive sites in the world. If you're thinking about snorkeling in Silfra for the first time, this guide will tell you everything you need to know.
What is Silfra and Why is it Special?
Silfra is a fissure located in Thingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. What makes Silfra truly unique is that you're actually snorkeling between two tectonic plates - the North American and Eurasian plates. The water here is glacial meltwater that has been filtered through underground lava rock for 30-100 years, making it incredibly pure and clear.
The water temperature stays around 2-4°C (35-39°F) year-round, which means you'll need a dry suit to stay warm. But don't let the cold water scare you away - the experience is absolutely worth it.
Best Time to Go Snorkeling in Silfra
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The good news is that you can snorkel in Silfra all year round. Each season offers something different:
- Summer (June-August): Warmer air temperatures make it more comfortable to get in and out of your dry suit. The days are long, giving you plenty of daylight. However, this is peak tourist season, so tours can be busier.
- Winter (December-February): Fewer crowds and a chance to see the Northern Lights if you book an evening tour. The snow-covered landscape around Silfra is stunning, though the cold air can be challenging.
- Spring and Fall: A perfect middle ground with moderate temperatures and fewer tourists than summer.
- Most people find that summer offers the easiest conditions for beginners, but Silfra is beautiful any time of year.
What to Expect: Water Temperature and Visibility
The water in Silfra stays cold throughout the year at 2-4°C (35-39°F). This is why you'll wear a dry suit that keeps you completely dry underneath. Your face will be exposed to the cold water, which takes a few minutes to get used to, but most people adjust quickly.
The visibility in Silfra is what makes it world-famous. On most days, you can see over 100 meters underwater. The water is so clear that it almost feels like you're floating in the air. The blue color of the water is natural and comes from the way light passes through the pure glacial meltwater.
Silfra Snorkeling Requirements for Beginners
Before you book your Silfra snorkeling tour, make sure you meet these basic requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 12 years old (some tours require 14+)
- Height and Weight: Minimum 150 cm (5 feet) tall and maximum 120 kg (265 lbs) to fit properly in dry suits
- Swimming Skills: You need to be comfortable in water and able to swim
- Health: No major health conditions that could be affected by cold water
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women cannot participate
- Alcohol: You cannot snorkel if you've consumed alcohol within 24 hours
You don't need any snorkeling certification or previous experience. The tour guides will teach you everything you need to know.
What to Wear Under Your Dry Suit
Choosing the right clothing under your dry suit is important for staying warm and comfortable. Here's what you should wear:
- Base Layer: Long thermal underwear (top and bottom) made of wool or synthetic material. Avoid cotton as it doesn't keep you warm when wet.
- Middle Layer: A fleece or wool sweater and pants for extra warmth.
- Socks: Thick wool socks. You'll wear two pairs - one regular pair and one thick pair.
- What Not to Wear: Avoid jeans, cotton clothing, or anything bulky that restricts movement.
Most tour operators provide the dry suit, hood, gloves, mask, snorkel, and fins. Some also provide thermal undergarments if you don't have your own.
Silfra Snorkeling Tours: What's Included
When you book a snorkeling tour in Silfra, here's what typically comes with your package:
- Certified guide (usually a small group of 6-8 people per guide)
- Dry suit, hood, gloves, and neoprene face seal
- Mask, snorkel, and fins
- Safety briefing and snorkeling instructions
- Approximately 30-45 minutes in the water
- Hot chocolate and cookies after the snorkel
- Photos (some tours include these, others offer them for purchase)
Most tours last about 2-3 hours total, including the time to get suited up, the safety briefing, snorkeling time, and getting changed afterward.
Available Tours: We offer several Silfra snorkeling tour options on our website, including small group tours, private tours, and combination packages that include other Reykjavik attractions. Browse our Silfra tour options to find the perfect fit for your schedule and budget.
Step-by-Step: Your Silfra Snorkeling Experience
Here's what you can expect during your Silfra snorkeling adventure:
1. Arrival and Check-In: You'll meet your guide at Silfra parking lot in Thingvellir National Park. Some tours include pickup from Reykjavik.
2. Getting Dressed: Your guide will help you put on your dry suit, which takes about 20 minutes. The suit has tight seals at the wrists and neck to keep water out.
3. Safety Briefing: Your guide will explain how to use the snorkeling equipment, what to expect in the water, and important safety rules.
4. Entering the Water: You'll enter from a platform and immediately feel the cold on your face. Take slow, deep breaths and give yourself a minute to adjust.
5. The Snorkel: You'll follow your guide through four main sections of the fissure: Silfra Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. The entire route is about 300 meters.
6. Exit and Warm-Up: After exiting the water, you'll remove your dry suit and enjoy hot chocolate while sharing your experience with other snorkelers.
Silfra's Main Sections Explained
As you snorkel through Silfra, you'll pass through four distinct sections:
- Silfra Big Crack: This is where you enter and where the crack between the tectonic plates is most visible. The walls on either side represent different continents.
- Silfra Hall: The widest part of the fissure, where you can see down about 12 meters to the sandy bottom. The visibility here is stunning.
- Silfra Cathedral: The deepest part at 23 meters. The rocks and formations here are particularly beautiful, with incredible colors and textures.
- Silfra Lagoon: The end of your journey, where the fissure opens into a wider, shallower area with bright blue water.
Is Silfra Snorkeling Safe for Beginners?
Yes, snorkeling in Silfra is safe for beginners when you book with a reputable tour company. The guides are trained professionals who know the area well and keep groups small. The water is calm with no current, and the entire route is relatively short and shallow enough that you can touch the bottom in most places if needed.
The dry suit provides buoyancy, which means you float easily on the surface. You don't need to work hard to stay afloat, which makes it much easier than regular snorkeling.
That said, some people find the cold water on their face uncomfortable. If you have concerns about cold sensitivity, anxiety in water, or claustrophobia, talk to your tour operator beforehand.
How Cold is the Water Really?
The most common question about Silfra is about the cold. Here's the honest truth: the water is cold at 2-4°C (35-39°F), but it's not as bad as you might think.
Your body stays completely dry and relatively warm inside the dry suit. Only your face is exposed to the cold water. For the first 2-3 minutes, your face will feel very cold and might ache slightly. This is normal and called "ice cream headache." After a few minutes, your face goes numb and you stop noticing the cold.
Your hands will also get cold in the neoprene gloves. They provide some insulation but not complete warmth. Most people find the cold hands more uncomfortable than the face.
The good news? Once you start snorkeling and see the incredible visibility and beautiful underwater landscape, most people forget about the cold entirely.
What Happens After Your Snorkel
After you exit the water, you'll remove your dry suit and put your warm clothes back on. Most tour operators provide hot chocolate or coffee and cookies, which taste amazing after being in cold water.
This is a great time to chat with other snorkelers and your guide about the experience. Many tours include or offer photos for purchase, so you'll have memories to take home.
If you booked a combination tour, you might head to other attractions in Thingvellir National Park or continue on the Golden Circle route.
Is Silfra Worth It? Final Thoughts
Snorkeling in Silfra is an experience unlike anything else in the world. Yes, the water is cold. Yes, it requires some courage to jump in. But the incredible visibility, the unique geology, and the bragging rights of snorkeling between two continents make it absolutely worth it.
Most first-time snorkelers in Silfra say they would do it again in a heartbeat. The cold becomes a minor detail compared to the overwhelming beauty of floating through the clearest water on Earth.
If you're visiting Iceland and wondering whether to add Silfra to your itinerary, the answer is yes. Book a tour, embrace the cold, and prepare for one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
