Going to Iceland and thinking about doing the Silfra Snorkel Tour? This post will review the Silfra Snorkel Tour based on my experience and will also provide some useful tips so you can spend more time enjoying the crystal-clear glacial waters of Silfra.
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Intro
Iceland is known for its breathtaking landscapes and among its many natural wonders is the Silfra Fissure. The Silfra Fissure is a rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is located in Þingvellir National Park. Silfra offers a unique snorkeling experience where the fissure is filled with crystal-clear glacial waters where you check off a bucket list item and snorkel between two tectonic plates! This review will go over my experience on the Silfra Snorkel Tour and some tips to make the most of your adventure.
Tickets
If you haven’t already booked your Silfra Snorkel Tour, book it here or in the widget below:
Why Silfra Snorkel is Unique
First things first, why is Silfra Snorkel unique? For me the Silfra Snorkel was undoubtedly one of the most unique experiences I’ve done abroad. It has 1) unmatched visibility, 2) a geological significance, and 3) incredible natural beauty:
Unmatched Visibility
The glacial waters are filtered through lava rock which naturally filters it and therefore provides some of the clearest water! To me, the waters were definitely the clearest I’ve ever snorkeled in where the underwater views are extraordinarily sharp. Almost as if you can’t tell the rocks are underwater.
Geological Significance
Snorkeling between two tectonic plates is a rare and exciting experience!! It is one of the only places that can give you a real tangible connection to the Earth’s geological processes. You learn about tectonic plates but never think you’ll actually be able to snorkel and touch two separate plates the way you can here.
Natural Beauty
The vivid colors and unique rock formations is mind-blowing! They create an underwater landscape you’d never have seen before. It is both serene and otherworldly. Not to mention, I loved the different shades of blue that gradient darker into the deeper parts. Something so simple and natural can be so beautiful as well.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Silfra Snorkel Tour Experience
Arrival and Preparation
When arriving at Þingvellir National Park, it’s hard to not notice the surrounding landscapes. It’s the perfect introduction for a unique snorkeling adventure in Iceland! Once you park and get situated in the meeting area, the tour begins with a brief orientation where guides provide an overview of the snorkeling experience and the significance of Silfra Fissure.
Then they will provide you with all the necessary gear and equipment to enjoy the swim. They provide a thermal dry suit, swimming cap, gloves, shoes, fins, goggles and snorkel. All the included equipment and gear were noticeably very clean and of high quality.
Thermal Dry Suit
If you haven’t worn a dry suit before, it is waterproof and will keep your clothes and body dry. The only part that gets wet is a small part of your face (around the lips and cheeks) that the head cap and goggles don’t fully cover. The dry suit also has insulation to help keep you warm in the chilly waters.
The thermal dry suits were definitely a first for me, and I was surprised how dry I was kept underneath it. I did however have some water seep through at the ankles part of my snorkel booties. Luckily it did only happen towards the end of the snorkel. I can imagine if the water seeped through at the beginning of the snorkel, I would have had a very uncomfortable and cold experience.
Regardless, I did feel the cold waters against the dry suit about 2/3rds of the snorkel, mostly towards the end. Although I can’t complain too much since we were in the same cold temperature water environment for ~30 minutes by the end of the snorkel. I also went into the dry suit wearing a thin sweater but I think if I wore a thicker sweater, then I wouldn’t have felt the cold so quickly.
The Waters of Silfra
The waters of Silfra comes from the Langjökull glacier which gets filtered through porous lava rock. This makes the water incredibly clear where you can see the different colors of the underwater rock formations and see all the way to the bottom. Also, the clarity of the water and varying depths create an incredible gradient of vibrant shades of blue that really makes Silfra look otherworldly.
The water temperature is also chill around 36-39°F (2-4°C) year-round, so dress accordingly. Additionally, the glacial water is so clean and pure that you can actually take a drink of it while you’re snorkeling!
Clear waters and the Gradient shades of blue it creates
The Underwater Journey
During the snorkel, the guides will bring you through the tectonic plates as you snorkel through the fissure. You do need to know how to swim but you won’t use too much energy during the snorkel either since the dry suit is extremely buoyant. Because of this you won’t need to tread water too much nor need to worry about sinking. You do need to gently kick your feet from time to time to stay with the group though. The entire snorkeling journey lasts about 30-40 minutes.
The snorkeling route in Silfra takes you through four main sections:
- Big Crack: The narrowest section where you can touch both continental plates simultaneously.
- Silfra Hall: A wider area that opens up into stunning views of submerged rock formations.
- Silfra Cathedral: The deepest section, offering the most dramatic views and the feeling of flying over an underwater abyss.
- Silfra Lagoon: The final section with calm, shallow waters and vibrant shades of blue.
For me, the snorkel journey was at a good pace where I never fell too far behind (and I’m not exactly a great swimmer). I’m on the more lightweight side and really just floated leisurely through the fissure. I only hard kicked a few times to propel myself forward. The time in the water did seem a bit short for me but maybe that was because I wanted to keep seeing more! Seeing the underwater rocks and the overall fissure where you can visibly see the separation of two landmasses was really a highlight for me.
Throughout the whole journey, the staff will take awesome pictures of you and your group. However, if you want to bring your own waterproof action camera, like a GoPro, you can bring it with you on the snorkel.
Post-Snorkel
After exiting the water, a guide will help you out of the dry suit gear. They will also provide some hot chocolate and cookies to help warm up. Also if you want souvenirs to remember your snorkel, they have several items available for purchase, such as shirts, hats, mugs, magnets and beanies.
Silfra Tour Staff
Each staff member – from the introduction and overview, to the in-water snorkel guides, and the souvenir shop staff – was extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.
Overall Thoughts
I can see how some people might not enjoy the experience. Those who do not like being in cold waters regardless of a dry suit’s thermal protection may not enjoy as much. Or, if rocks, science, and geology doesn’t interest them too much either. However, for me, the entire experience was definitely a bucket list item! I can now say I swam between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates!
If you’re interested in checking off a bucket list item, have interest in science or geology, or just want to experience a really cool and unique snorkel, then I definitely recommend booking the Silfra Snorkel Tour.
Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters between the North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates at Silfra
Tips to Prepare for & Enjoy Your Visit
1. Dress Accordingly (Warmly)
The water temperature is chill around 36-39°F (2-4°C) year-round, so dress warmly because it is possible you will feel the cold water up against your dry suit. Be sure to wear long underwear, thick socks, and suitable clothes for the weather of the day. I was wearing a shirt and thin sweater under the thermal dry suit but I wish I had worn a slightly thicker sweater made with warmer materials to battle the cold waters a bit better. Wearing a heat-trapping undershirt would also be helpful.
RELATED: 5 Must-Have Clothing Items for Exploring Iceland in September
2. Wear Contacts
If you wear glasses, wear contact lenses since you will have to wear goggles the entire time.
3. Bring Change of CLothes
In case you get wet or get too cold from after the snorkel, bring a change of warm clothes, including socks and a beanie to stay comfortable after the tour. As mentioned, a bit of water seeped through the ankle portion pf my snorkel booties. Luckily I brought an extra pair of pants and socks and they certainly came in handy after the snorkel.
4. Use the Toilet Pre-Snorkel
There are restrooms and changing rooms for privacy. Use the restroom before you get into the water. The dry suits do keep your clothes underneath dry so don’t try relieving yourself while you’re snorkeling.
5. Bring an Action Camera
If you want to bring your own waterproof action camera, like a GoPro, you can bring it with you on the snorkel. Just be sure that it stays connected to you by a tether or wristband. I got to bring one with me and captured some really cool footage and photos.
6. Explore Þingvellir National Park
Arrive early or stay longer to explore Þingvellir National Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with rich historical and geological significance.
7. Follow Instructions
Follow the guides’ instructions carefully when putting on the dry suit. The guides will also help ensure your dry suit is glacial water ready. Additionally, follow any instructions by the snorkel guides while in the water for your own safety.
8. Appreciate the Swim
The entire snorkel experience is breathtaking and unique and unfortunately doesn’t last very long. Take your time and move slowly through each section to fully appreciate the clarity and beauty of the underwater scenery.
9. Drink the Glacial Water
Try to drink the glacial water! It is pure water and a unique bucket list item to check off!
Book your Silfra Snorkel Tour here or in the widget below:
Final Words
The Silfra Snorkel Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines adventure, natural beauty, and a geological wonder. Floating between two continents in some of the clearest water on the planet is an unforgettable experience that should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. Additionally, the professional guides and excellent equipment make the tour accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Hope this review of the Silfra Snorkel Tour encourages you to book it! Bon Voyage!
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