We will need to see proof of your certification. Technically speaking its a glacial riverwhich explainsthe steady all-year-round temperature of 2C. As ingvellir is one of the stops in the Golden Circle route it fits perfectly with the dive. Taking acaving tour along with a snorkeling tourwill satisfy both your scientific curiosity and your adventurous soul. Unfortunately, you cannot wear glasses as the glasses dont create a seal between your face and the mask. Thingvellir is a historic site, a national park in Iceland, and a. . The best choice is quick-dryingthermal or fine woolunderwear. is on the lakes north shore and is one of the three amazing attractions in the renowned Golden Circle. Snorkeling in an underwater canyon in the crystal clear water that takes you into a magical and colorful sub-aquatic world is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Explore Silfra fissure, a rift in the earth's crust between the continents of North Ameria an . There are tours departing daily from Reykjavik that offer free pickups at most hotels and hostels. Prepare to get wet on your hands and head as you will be wearing neoprene (wetsuit material) gloves and hoodie. He dives under ice, drives super trucks, snowmobiles on glaciers, and thats just the tip of the iceberg! Here you can learn more about, At Silfra, you are essentially swimming in the opening of the earth. Extraordinary historical, cultural, and geological values make ita unique gem. Take a look inside our Silfra Fissure Snorkeling tour! The water temperature is stable2 4C (35 39F)all year round. The island of Iceland was formed by the violent forces between theNorth American and Eurasian tectonic platesas theymove unstoppably apart. All relevant information for the tour can be found in our snorkeling handbook. Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Tour At Thingvellir | Arctic Adventures Silfra can be up to 60m deep. Go snorkeling in the Silfra rift, part of Thingvallavatn lake. Yes, the tour is directed in English and therefore you need to be able to understand English to participate. Before joining a dive in Silfra you should definitely prepare yourself so that you will enjoy your day. Thingvellir National Park is also the location of the veryfirst democratic parliament in the world. Driving from the East to Silfra fissureyou will be driving along the South Coast and once you have enteredSelfoss, the capital of the South you make a turn into road 35 marked Laugarvatn. Check out the Silfra Snorkeling tour: https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/snorkeling-and-diving/silfra-snorkeling/.You could be next!#silfra #snorkeling #iceland Arctic Adventures The water comes from the Langjkull glacier which keeps it cool and very refreshing! This full-day combined snorkeling and lava caving adventure tour starts with pickup from Reykjavik. Packing the correct types of clothing is one important factor. Scuba INSTRUCTOR from Slovenia, with experience diving and teaching all around the world, always with a smile and passion for his work. If you plan to drive and meet us on location, the meeting point is at the Silfra car park, inThingvellir National Park. As we glided into the icy water, I could feel my dry suit expanding with air, hugging my legs and arms to keep my body warm. Snorkeling Between Continents in Silfra with Photos Included The best clothing to wear is a base layer such as long underwear, plus socks (yes, socks) and an extra set of clothing in case youre the unlucky one whose dry suit leaks. are two popular activities at Silfra that are operated all year round. You will, however, be in separate groups with separate guides, and wont be in the water exactly at the same time. Dressed in cumbersome dry suits and snorkel gear, our family of four waited for what felt like an eternity. Unfortunately, glasses dont create a seal between your face and the mask. You are not allowed to participate in our snorkeling tour if you are pregnant as it can put your baby in high risk. See the Silfra tour options below! The draw of snorkeling in Silfra Fissure is. We joined the dive on a beautiful winter day in January. GPS: 641523.508N 21658.676WPlease note that the National Park charges a small parking fee of 500 ISK.We kindly ask you to be at the Silfra car park at least 15 minutes prior to your tour starts. Our customers safety and wellbeing is our first priority, and therefore the guide will focus on snorkelers as a priority when in the water and will be taking photos when everyone is comfortable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Besides, Silfra is neatly located close to multiple highlight attractions in Iceland, it would be impossible to miss other wonderful sights. Silfra Fissure inThingvellir National Parkis a top choice when it comes to geology and visibility. The draw of snorkeling in Silfra Fissure isthe thrill of experiencing something so amazingas you explore the depths of Earth. You cannot participate if you are pregnant due to the small risk of cold water entering the suit. My boys swam ahead of me, their black dry suits interrupting the waters two-tone kaleidoscope. Awesome experience! Silfra Fissure Snorkelling. - Review of Arctic Snorkeling - Silfra - Review of Arctic Adventures, Reykjavik, Iceland Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. If you choose the Reykjavik pick-up option, then you will return to Reykjavk around 1:30 pm / 5:30 pm approximately. Reykjavik Combo Snorkel in Silfra Fissure & Lava Caving The dive itself is truly unique! Dear Ralph,Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with us.We are happy to hear you have enjoyed hot springs, it's one of the best things Iceland has to offer. Thesuit is filled with airwhich, therefore, keeps itcompletely dryand also allows you to float on the surface of the water. Occasionally fish venture into Silfra from ingvallavatn lake, but they will quickly swim back as they dont like the cold glacier water. This equipment will make it not only possible but also very enjoyable, to stay in the water despite the low temperature. Yes, there are two toilet facilities at Silfra. The weather was beautiful, but it was freezing cold and everything was covered in snow. This movement has been forming Iceland's landscapes over the last 18 million years. The green algae under the water grow only in summer. GPS coordinates of Silfra:64.2551151 N,-21.1157913,15.75 W. Driving from Reykjavk to Silfra fissureis a short drive only about 50minutes through the town of Mosfellsbr and up the valley Mosfellsdalur, past fields of horses and Lake ingvallavatn until making a turn once down to the lower plane of ingvellir. No, you do not need any previous experience to snorkel, however, it is important that you can swim independently and feel comfortable in the water. Maximum depth is now 18 meters and cave diving is forbidden. in which you can rest on the water while the slight current takes you to its natural course along the fissure. These assemblies were the largest social events in Iceland for centuries. A fissure, that even has a name, Silfra, which translates to "silvery," appeared in 1789 after a major earthquake. You can see the 100-meter (328 feet) long and 23-meter (75 feet) deep walls which even rise above the surface at some points. Silfra, as the most unique site, has great advantages. The only thing we had to get used to was the buoyancy control which is a lot trickier compared to wetsuit diving. You can wear a thin thermal layer in wool, fleece or synthetic, and warm socks made of wool, fleece or neoprene. Icelandic summer is calling you for an adventure. Feel weightless for a full 30-40 minutes as you cruise through the otherworldly underwater crag. Feel free to have a sip of some of the purest water in the world! Rated one of the top ten activities in the world by TripAdvisor. Please select the type of request, and then fill out the rest of the fields. A true explorer, Kuba will take you on even the most extreme diving adventures as long as you are ready for them. You should be able to see the cars and huts marked Diving and Snorkeling on your way in and you will then need to walk back around about 400 meters. Yes, there are 2 toilet facilities at Silfra. The water comes from the second largest glacier in Iceland . If you are uncertain about your abilities regarding diving in Silfra water then snorkeling is the best option and nothing short of fantastic. All the staff are friendly, helpful and have a vast amount of knowledge which they are only too happy to share with you! Address, ingvellir, 801 Selfoss, GPS;N 641648.9426 W 21 517.4444. After getting our Hoods, Gloves, Goggles and Snorkel we went through with the tour guide where we we're going and what we we're doing and it sounded amazing! The space between the walls widens out to 8 meters (26 feet). Silfra Fissure Are you interested in? He not only loves diving, but also skiing and winter sports. If you meet us on location, the meeting point is Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park. Yes! Dorothea Mine, Freudenstadt, Karlsruhe Region, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany Day 1: Thingvellir | Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure Thingvellir, located in Iceland, boasts a rich cultural history and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the dive there was agentle current thatslowly pulled usthrough the length of the fissure, making the swimpretty effortless. There are things you can't see anywhere else but in the underwater world in Iceland. For those who have chosen to be picked up in Reykjavk, the pick-up time is 08:30 am / 12:00 pm. If you choose the Reykjavik pick-up option, then you will return to Reykjavk around, Please fill in the medical statement form in our. as the vivid colors seen throughout a dive or snorkeling are breathtaking. We continued into Silfra Hall, which features a massive cave system with a maximum depth of nearly 150 feet, then through Silfra Cathedral, a divinely beautiful blue channel plunging more than 60 feet deep. We highly recommend long underwear and some warm socks. Tripadvisor recently rated Snorkeling at Silfra as one of the Top 5 travel experiences in the world. As well as neoprene hood and gloves to protect your head and hands from the cold. You might be asked to provide a physician's approval if you have any medical conditions. Diving and snorkeling are possible at Silfrayear-round! before booking the tour. WORLD CLASS DIVES WITH A PADI 5 STAR DIVE CENTER. Fun Facts! Arriving in Iceland as a diver from the UK, she demonstrated mad skills in her dry suit and soon developed into an exceptional diving guide. The water in Silfra originates at Langjokull Glacier and is filtered through lava rock. If you set out to explore Iceland, youll see and do much more with our certified expert guides, than you would on your own. In 1789, a major earthquake took place in the Thingvellir area and opened up several fissures. Silfra Snorkeling Iceland: Snorkeling In The Clearest Water On Earth Touch the moving lava rocks and get a feel for the power and uniqueness of Icelandic nature in complete calm. Get exclusive deals and a taste of Iceland, Canada, Scandinavia & Baltic States straight to your inbox. Multi-day Tours, Hiking & Camping Tours, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Day Trips, Kayaking & Canoeing, Multi-day Tours, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, Private Tours, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Day Trips, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Private Tours, Day Trips, Historical & Heritage Tours, Sightseeing Tours. Its been said that snorkeling in Silfra Fissure is like flying. After reading this guide, you will be able to decide whether or not this experience is for you. As if this wasn't alluring enough, Silfra Fissure is the only place where you can go snorkeling between the two continental plates, slowly drifting apart. Silfra Fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site and a must-visit place in Iceland. We use high quality neoprene dry suits from Waterproof International and OThree. To dive in a dry suit you will need to carry a lot more weight and a steel tank (instead of aluminium) to outbalance the increased buoyancy of trapped air inside the dry suit. It makesa meditation-like, effortless snorkeling experiencein which you can rest on the water while the slight current takes you to its natural course along the fissure. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian booked on the same tour. You can either choose aday tour with pickup in Reykjavkor drive there by yourself andmeet the guides at the location. Such outstanding visibility is further enhanced by theall-year-round low water temperatures that are between 2-4 C (35 to 39F). The flowing water ends in the nearby ingvallavatn, Icelands largest natural lake. Your connection to the land fades away as the underwater sensation starts to take over. Perfect visibility will let you see incredible rock formations that make up a magical sub-aquatic paradise. Often called troll hair, the algae looked to me like irradiated spaghetti noodles, waving to me as I passed. All rights reserved. The geological singularity is a natural, romantic backdrop for you to drift in the crystal clear water and enjoy the enchanting moment its one of the kind. | Check this out! People built temporary camps, traded, held feasts, told stories from the far-away edges of the island, and discussed legal disputes. Plus, , when the pure natural spring flows into Silfra its strong enough to create, Its another major reason that Silfra has such excellent visibility, since the flowing clear water never becomes dirty. Snorkeling in Iceland is an adventure you will find unusual and an experience never to forget! Copyright 2023. Thingvellir National Parkis on the lakes north shore and is one of the three amazing attractions in the renowned Golden Circle. It was about 150 million years ago that Eurasian and North America started diverging while lava from underneath the Earths crust was being pushed out to the Atlantic Ocean. There have been a few accidents in Silfra in the past years and the safety regulations have been strictly revised. Its not often you say that you have been diving between two continentalplates. The minimum height is 150 cm, and the minimum weight is 45 kg. If you are interested in photos please let your guide know before you go into the water and after the tour, the guide will provide you the code to the folderwhich includes all the photos from that day. The Silfra fissure hasfour main parts: the Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. It is not onlyillegalbut alsolife-threatening. Diving in Iceland and Silfra fissure - day tours with DIVE.IS The moment you dip your face into the water and start floating in the gentle current, you will forget about everything that was bothering youjust a minute earlier. For a few minutes, you might feel as if you are wearing a weird spacesuit. We will be back and use Artic Adventures for all our future trips. Andri had to try at least three different suits to get the suitablesize around his neck. But it also contains some of the clearest water we had ever encountered perhaps the clearest, with visibility up to nearly 330 feet which is melted from the nearby Langjokull Glacier and filtered through lava for 30 to 100 years before being deposited here. The organisation and staff are superb. It was one of the coldest days of winter (-7C) but luckily we had clear skies and most importantlyno wind! To experience the feeling of swimming between the boundaries of the tectonic plates, you need to signup for a snorkeling tour. We also provide a neoprene hood and neoprene wet gloves to protect your head and hands from the cold. The soft current carried us gently through the first part of the tour a narrow passageway called Silfra Crack until we reached the spot where Gunn would snap the iconic Silfra Fissure photo: each of us posing with our right hand on Eurasia and our left on North America. You are not able to participate in the snorkelling tour if you are pregnant. You will spend about30 to 40 minutes in the water. Still today, you can find ruins of old stone shelters, the lakes, and the Lgberg (Law Rock). Still today, you can find ruins of old stone shelters, the lakes, and the Lgberg (Law Rock). Iceland's Silfra Fissure | Diving & Snorkeling | Arctic Adventures Now in it's fifth year, From Ice To Spice is home to a collection of destinations, guidebooks, presets, tours, hotels, and different adventures! You need to be more than 12 years old. You will be wearing your long underwear and warm socks under the dry suit. That being said, here are a few tips about the best time for activities at Silfra: June to September at Silfra have the best conditions for snorkeling and diving because the onshore temperatures are higher and it feels more pleasant than in winter. The silfra fissure is full of crystal clear fresh waterfrom Langjkull glacier. You need to know how to swim independently. Snorkeling in an underwater canyon in the crystal clear water that takes you into a magical and colorful sub-aquatic world is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Yes, we could have booked each individually, but the price for the tour was good and it was convenient to have two tours we wanted handled by one company on the same day. Immerse yourself in the clearest water in the world and float between two continents in Iceland! You will also be given fins, mask and snorkel. ingvellir also plays an important role in the history of Iceland. You will seewhy snorkeling in Iceland is so popularand why divers from all over the world come to Iceland to explore this unique place. The rift soon after began to fill with meltwater fromLangjkull,Icelands second-largest glacier, located 50 kilometers (31 miles) away. Silfra Scuba Diving Tour - Deep Into The Blue, Arctic Adventures Snorkeling Silfra Guide. The only cold sensations I felt as I began swimming were on the exposed parts of my face, especially my lips. We had a great snorkelling tour at Sifra. We took a walk around the national park, where the snow lit up the whole nature. The quickest way there is through the Hvalfjararggn tunnel and back into the capital area and through Mosfellsdalur back towards ingvellir. When you enter the pool, you will feel the current slowly pushing you forward. Copyright 2023. At the Silfra fissure, you swim in between continental plates! There isone guidefor every group ofsix snorkelers. This slow but violent movement is accompanied by both small and largeearthquakes. Silfra is atruly awe-inspiring wonderland. the snorkeling tour with the golden circle. Furthermore, this natural spring creates agentle currentthat keeps the 2 to 4C (35 to 39F) water moving constantly, ensuring it never becomes dirty and thatbacteria cannot thrive. There is always a small risk that water can enter the dry suit, that is not dangerous but you can feel a little cold, therefore, we recommend you to bring an extra spare set of clothes and a towel, just in case. Plus, when the pure natural spring flows into Silfra its strong enough to createa gentle current that keeps the water from being static. it's a wonderful place with lots of activities to try. Credit: 2022 Maleo Photography/stock.adobe.com Dressed in cumbersome dry suits and snorkel gear, our family of four waited for what felt like an eternity. We conduct a variety of different Snorkeling Day Tours, such as the all time bestseller, the Snorkeling Silfra Day Tour or a number of Combo Tours where you can combine Snorkeling in Silfra with the Golden Circle or Caving in a lava tube or a visit to the Blue Lagoon or Horseback Riding or more. After removing the suits and slipping into warm wool sweaters we enjoyedsome complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Open in Google Maps. We didn't see the lights, but it wasn't for lack of our guide's trying. The Golden Circle is the mostfrequently visited sightseeing routein Iceland. Silfra Snorkeling and Horseback Riding | Adventures.com We recommend wearing contact lenses instead. You cango snorkeling and sightseeing in the area on a day tour. Floating in the crystal clear glacial water will give you the sensation of flying as you pass through an expansive canyon created by the slow separation of the tectonic plates. W, Snorkeling and Diving in Different Seasons, Efsti-Dalur Farm (homemade dairy products). All relevant information for the tour can be found in our snorkeling handbook. Our client to guide ratio is 1 guide for every 6 snorkelers. My boys swam ahead of me, their black dry suits interrupting the waters two-tone kaleidoscope. You will need to wear a rubber strap around your neck to ensure that the water does not get inside the suit. The tour information said to be at your pickup point by 9:00 a.m. And that pickup would be between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Here, you can stretch your arms totouch the borders of Eurasia and North American Continents. Don't believe us? Silfra is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park that was formed in 1789. If you dont have a rental car there are plenty of tour options taking you to Silfra fissure for a day of adventures. It was time to head into the ice cold water. Its where the two continents split further away and where two worlds collide. Its theultimate highlightof traveling in Iceland. We provide an undergarment and neoprene dry suit from Waterproof and 0Three. The snorkel tour ends in the shallowSilfra Lagoonwhere vibrantly greenalgae thrive in summer. If you come to the diving tour without your card, unfortunately. Iceland is not only famous for its epic landscapes and wild nature. I'm sa Steinars, a 29 years old travel photographer and blogger born and raised in Iceland. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes. The underwater visibility in the Silfra fissure is over 100 meters, making it some of the clearest water on the planet. But it is good to know that there is always a small risk that water can enter the dry suit. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. And what makes snorkeling in Silfra extra special is the incredibly clear water. The Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park is the meeting point. Meeting with our instructors Another popular option after exploring the depths of the water is to explore the depths of the ground. natural hot springs. ingvellir National Park is one of the three stops making up theGolden Circleand once you are at Silfra, you are only 63,2 km (39 mi) away fromGullfossand 53,5 km (33 mi) away fromGeysir. Check out what NOT to do while at Silfra. Located 2 km NW of Freudenstadt. Park at "Thingvellir P5" & walk 400m back along the road until you reach a smaller car park with all the snorkel & dive vans. Under the dry suit, you need to wear your ownwarm long-sleeved undergarments. The water in Silfra Fissure has the greatest underwater visibility than any other diving spots in the world. You need to be prepared to divein a dry suit. DO NOT REMOVE. The gentle force of the current is helpful for snorkeling at Silfra, too. Cannot praise the staff and company enough! Every day Elsika is in search of a buddy with whom to discover a new diving location in Iceland. Only Silfra Fissure was filled with the glacial meltwater from the nearby, , this is why it got the name Silfra, meaning, Exploring the sub-aqua marine world of Silfra will reveal rock formations which are simply incredible. Take Route 1 from Reykjavk heading towards the town of Mossfellsbr. Clickhere for driving directionsto where you can park your car (parking Thingvellir P5). Put on a mask and look below to find supernatural shades of blue. Icelandic summer is calling you for an adventure. It is incredible geographically, and its water is crystal clear. Thanks to its great location, a Silfra snorkeling tour can beeasily combined with other adventuresand sightseeing tours. It is possible towalk betweensome of these rifts while others stretch out underwater. Arctic Adventures 4.5 9,819 reviews #15 of 49 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Reykjavik Multi-day Tours Scuba & Snorkelling Hiking & Camping Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours Day Trips Closed now 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Arctic Adventures is an Icelandic adventure and activity company. So you better be patient and find thecorrect size. Make your next big adventure a rare one! Thingvellir national park, National park, 801 Thingvellir, Iceland. At least that happens when we are driving around. The visibility in Silfra exceeds 100m, making it some of the clearest water in the world, and . Tour Review: Snorkeling Iceland's Silfra Fissure With Arctic Adventures 0:00 / 3:59 Inside the Silfra Snorkeling Tour | Arctic Adventures Arctic Adventures Iceland 1.25K subscribers Subscribe 3.5K views 3 months ago #iceland #snorkeling #silfra Take a look. You will be provided with high-quality neoprene dry suit from Waterproof International and OThree. Wool or fleece is the best material to wear. They certainly made our trip to Iceland a fantastic experience! Although it was cold (Snow was on the ground) Arctic Adventures had all the right gear with a "changing van" which had a constantly running heater to take the edge off a bit. Please wear or bring some long underwear and some warm socks. It's the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel directly between two continental plates. Please be ready in the Silfra car park to meet your guide 15 MINUTES before your tour is due to begin. Dive into your summer adventure with these Icelandand Canadatours! Today, Silfra is filled with crystal clear glacial water, making it theonly place in the world where you can dive or snorkel between two continental plates. I read through dive silfra reviews to find the best company for me! . That being said, here are a few tips about the best time for activities at Silfra: Snorkelinganddivingare two popular activities at Silfra that are operated all year round. To serve as a point of comparison, the majority of themost popular diving sites in the worldfeature10 to 30 meters (32 to 98 feet)of visibility. The whole area is within 50 kilometers from the capital and only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik. Chat with us on Facebook Messenger, Snorkeling & Lava Caves in Iceland at Silfra Fissure, The famous Golden Circle & Snorkeling at the Silfra Fissure, Horseback Riding in the Icelandic nature & Snorkeling in Silfra fissure, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. (ingvellir) where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have been moving apart at the rate of 2 centimeters per year. is a short drive only about 50minutes through the town of Mosfellsbr and up the valley Mosfellsdalur, past fields of horses and Lake ingvallavatn until making a turn once down to the lower plane of ingvellir.