Diving in Silfra

Silfra is located in Thingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The Silfra fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. As it is located in a national park, you will need to join a dive tour operator.

Diving will be done in a dry suit as the water is very cold, ranging 35.6 F to 39 F year round. There are bathroom facilities you can use before donning the dry suit. If you get thirsty during your dive, you can simply drink the water while diving - it's that pristine!

The furthest you will dive in Silfra is 18 m (59 ft) deep, but you don't even need to venture that far for beautiful views. Visibility in Silfra is unparalleled, as the glacial water has been filtered through lava rock for decades. Essentially, you're diving through one giant Brita filter! As a result, underwater visibility is over 100 m (328 ft).

While fish are an uncommon sight in the Silfra fissure, the colorful algae and dark lava rock still make for a vibrant, highly photogenic environment. Though the initial dip may be a bit of a shock, the cold sensation will quickly be forgotten as you become mesmerized by the colors and fascinating geology.