SNORKEL BETWEEN CONTINENTS
Silfra wetsuit snorkeling
Snorkeling in a wetsuit in Iceland may sound like a daring idea but as soon as you dive into the pristine glacial waters of Silfra, your mind shifts away from the cold as you are immediately absorbed into exploring the vivid colors of this stunning, exotic underwater fissure.
Silfra is situated in Thingvellir National Park, where the earth drifts apart around 2 centimeters every year as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates move in opposite directions – creating such natural wonders as is Silfra.
Clearest waters in the world
Glaciers melt and fill this deep crack with the clearest water that has been filtered for a century through volcanic lava rock before entering Silfra from the ground up. With an incredible visibility of more than 100 meters, Silfra is ranked as one of the clearest waters in the world -making your snorkeling experience feel like flying.
Wetsuit snorkeling
However, one of the clearest water in the world comes with a price as the temperature lingers around 2-4 degrees Celsius all year round (35 degree Fahrenheit). The wetsuit covers your whole body. It won’t protect you entirely from the just-above freezing glacial water – but our wetsuit does an amazing job of keeping you relatively warm.
Those who prefer to stay dry and warm should opt for a drysuit instead.
Unlike the drysuit, which allows you to float on the surface, the wetsuit enables you to dive a little under the surface to explore the beauty of Silfra a bit closer. We only recommend the wetsuit for our more adventurous participants because of the cold – but it will be absolutely worth it for those who are up for the challenge!
Not sure on which suit to go with? Take a look at our blog post wetsuit vs. drysuit to help you decide.
If you require pick up, there is a minimum of 2 passengers. Full refund is provided if the minimum is not met.
Included:
FREE Photos
Hot chocolate
All snorkeling equipment
English speaking guide
National park fee
Silfra Summer stat times – at Thingvellir National Park
March – Oct: 09:00, 12:00
May – 14th Sept: 09:00, 12:00, 15:00
June – August: 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 & 15:00
Winter Summer start times – at Thingvellir National Park
Nov – Feb: 09:30, 12:30
Please note that this is the meeting time at Thingvellir, Silfra car park – Pick up in Reykjavik starts 90 minutes prior and can take 30 minutes.
If you do not require pick up, the meeting point is Silfra car park in Thingvellir National Park. Please park your car at “Thingvellir P5” and walk 400m back along the road until you reach a smaller car park with all the snorkel and dive vans, and look for your Adventure Vikings guide. You can also enter “Silfra meeting point” into google maps. Please be there, ready to meet your guide 15 minutes before your tour is due to begin.
NB. For those driving please check the weather and road conditions before your tour. You can find information on safetravel.is as well as road.is.
Duration:
4 – 4.5 hours with pick up
2 – 3 hours without pick up
30-40 minutes snorkeling in Silfra
Prerequisites for Silfra wetsuit snorkeling:
- Be comfortable in water and be able to swim
- Must be physically fit
- Make sure to eat breakfast before this activity
- Have read, signed, and followed directions on the Silfra Snorkeling Medical Statement
- Sign our liability release form at the start of the tour
- 150cm (4’9) tall minimum
- Maximum 200cm (6’7) tall
- 50kg (99 lbs) minimum
- Maximum 120kg (264 lbs)
- Age limit 12 years of age
- Not be pregnant
- Not wear glasses, so if you have a prescription mask, please bring it with you. If not, we advise you to get contact lenses before you join us for snorkeling.
Minimum participants: 2
Maximum participants: 6 per guide
Rank: Medium.
What to bring to Silfra
We will provide you with all necessary gear required for snorkeling. You will however have to bring:
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Warm clothes to wear prior and after the snorkeling
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Swimwear and towel for wetsuit
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Base layer / thermals for dry suit
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Woolen socks – two pairs, one to wear under the suit and one for after
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Camera – you can rent a GoPro camera by us
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Please dress according to weather – no heels
