Snorkeling in Reykjavik

Iceland is a country with landscapes, monuments and natural phenomena that have earned it the nickname of magical land. One of these wonders is precisely Silfra, a unique place that has managed to enchant more and more people around the world, especially diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

This rift is formed by the tectonic plates of America and Europe, separated by a width of at least 5 kilometres, enough to enjoy at your leisure. In the centre of the rift, the flowing water is filtered by volcanic rock, which gives it a wonderful purity and transparency.

Visiting Silfra is one of the best things to see and do in Reykjavik. Moreover, the city is one of the best starting points to visit this place, as the distance between the two is about 50 kilometres, and there are several ways to get to this magical destination. Once on the fault, the adventure will be full of incredible underwater landscapes, with areas of caves and clearings, unique nature and an unforgettable experience.

The adventure begins in Thingvellir National Park, where you will find Lake Þingvallavatn. There, forming part of it, is the famous Silfra fault. A fissure in the earth that separates the European and American continents and is currently the main tourist attraction in the area, it is of great geological interest and an unparalleled spot for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

The water comes from the Lángjökull glacier, which has melted over the years and travels through the natural filter of the 50 kilometres of volcanic rock that separate the ice mountain from the crack between the tectonic plates.

Hence its purity and transparency, which makes for unsurpassed visibility, according to calculations, reaching between 150 and 300 metres. One of the main reasons why diving in Silfra is such an unforgettable experience- be sure to give it a good sip too!

The water temperature is between 2 and 4 °C, regardless of the time of year, and the current is gentle and relaxing. The underwater landscape of Silfra has very distinct shades of colour, mostly blue, and although there are no fish, swimming in these waters is unforgettable and the vegetation adds spectacular hues. At some points, the proximity is such that it is possible to touch both plates at the same time, both continents at the same time.

In addition to the incredible transparency of the water, the Silfra landscape offers another peculiarity that makes diving and snorkelling a higher level adventure. Every year, the tectonic plates of each continent separate by two centimetres. In other words, the entire structure is subject to small earthquakes with great frequency.

Due to these movements, the landscape is constantly changing, which is both fascinating and dangerous, especially for divers who venture into the caves. Therefore, only the entrances and the wide spaces are allowed to be visited, which is more than enough for unparalleled enjoyment. You can swim leisurely back and forth between the two continents- there is so much to see!

You will find that this aquatic grotto is divided into three areas of great attraction. The Lagoon, the Hall and the Cathedral. It is in this third place where you can best appreciate the extent of the visibility of the purest water on the planet. From this point, you can see with impressive clarity the extent of the fissure, i.e. the beginning and the end of Silfra. This alone is reason enough to visit Iceland.

When reading about Iceland, you will find that there is an area known as the Golden Circle. This refers to three stunning wonders located in close proximity to each other, which geographically form what could be defined as a circular route, which, by the way, is not to be missed. Thingvellir National Park is one of these locations, along with the Haukadalur Valley and its famous geysers, and the Gullfoss waterfall. And they are all within easy reach of Reykjavík.

As already mentioned, in Thingvellir Park you'll find the Silfra Fault, where you can experience some of the best diving and snorkelling of all. But, if you're already determined to see Iceland and its wonders, why not include some additional stops as part of the best getaways from Reykjavik.

In this case, you can't miss Geysir, which is the most famous geyser in the world, even when it's dormant. But to make sure you don't go home without enjoying the awesome spectacle, you can also visit Strokkur, which is still active and spews an impressive column of boiling water more than 20 metres high. Be sure to visit the geothermal spa!

Another must-see is the magical Gullfoss waterfall. Undoubtedly the most important waterfall in Iceland and one of the most spectacular on the planet. The visual effect of the geography that gives rise to this wonder is unique, and will make you think that the earth has opened up to swallow the river. The perfect stop to start a tour of the best waterfalls in Iceland.

The Crater of a Thousand Colours and the Warm Secret Lagoon

In addition to the three aforementioned wonders, there are two more stops on the Golden Circle that you should definitely make a note of. One of them is the Kerid Crater, a spectacle well worth a tour just to see it. This circular sinkhole has accumulated water in its interior, forming a magical-looking lake, which, thanks to the green colours of the moss and the red of the earth, gives it the appearance of a talisman. You can admire its beauty and take beautiful pictures there.

Next, you will find the Secret Lagoon, which is actually an open secret, as it is one of the oldest and best known natural hot pools in Iceland, and a must-see among the best thermal baths in Iceland in Reykjavik. In these waters you will enjoy a warm climate, no matter what time of the year you visit, as they are always around 40 °C (104 °F). The beauty of the nature that surrounds you as you swim is incomparable. You will also be able to see one of the small geysers doing its thing.

One of the best and most recommended ways to get to know the Silfra Rift and enjoy its underwater scenery is to take a professionally guided snorkelling or diving tour. I must insist on this, since, as I have mentioned, it is a place as beautiful as it is risky, given its constant movement. But it is unforgivable not to visit it, especially if you are already in Reykjavik and are planning to treat yourself to one of the best tours from the city. If you're going to indulge in some spectacular escapades, you have to include this wonderful experience.

There are several types of tours to choose from and you can choose the one that best suits your preferences. Some include photos, others a tour of the Golden Circle, and with departure and arrival at your hotel. You can also take the small group option, which generally allows for a more intimate enjoyment of the tour.

What you can't miss, whatever your choice, is a professional instructor, with PADI certification, and all the necessary diving or snorkelling equipment. That is, dry suit and neoprene gloves, snorkel, and everything else. This is essential, as these are no ordinary wetsuits, but special ones to keep you warm in these icy waters.

Details of interest

• Price: Depending on the specifications, tours can cost from 130 euros.
• Duration: Also, depending on the modality, it can be between 3 and 9 hours.
• Things to consider: Most tours include hot chocolate and biscuits after the dive, but other food and drinks are at the visitor's expense.
• Additional: Unless specified in the directions, car parking, photos and other items are not included in the rates. Please take note of these details when choosing your preferred tour.

If you prefer to get to Silfra on your own, it is of course possible, especially if you are in Reykjavík, as both locations are quite close. In fact, the distance by road is about 50 kilometres, and there are options for getting there whether you have a car or not.

Travel time is about an hour, so you don't have to spend a lot of money on it, and the scenery along the way is a delight. For starters, if you have a rental car, it's only a 45-minute drive, and you'll spend between 10 and 17 euros on petrol. If you go by taxi, the cost would be between 120 and 160 euros, being the most expensive option.

However, bus number 15 can take you quite close, for example to Varmárskóli, Reykjabyggð or Reykjavegur, from where you can take a taxi to Silfra. This option would cost between 100 and 140 euros in total, and the journey time would be around an hour.

Of course, each has its pros and cons, and it all depends on how much time and money you have to invest, as well as how much comfort you're willing to give up. In reality, though, travelling by bus isn't so bad. In fact, there are some excellent sightseeing bus tours in Reykjavík, which allow you to see the city at your own pace, and they're excellent.

As well as having the right staff to accompany you, there are a few other things I would like to recommend you to consider when visiting Silfra. For example, bring some warm woollen clothes to wear under your dry wetsuit, it will help keep you warmer.

Additionally, bring some extra clothes in case the ones you are wearing get wet. It's not something that happens often, but it's better to be safe - don't forget a good coat! Remember that the weather out of the water is also cold.

Take a good camera. Some tours charge extra money for the pictures they take with their special cameras, others include them in the package. Whatever your choice, you will always want more pictures of this underwater paradise, so don't forget it. But make sure it's easy to wear and doesn't get in the way of your swimming.

The suit is tight at the wrists and neck, something to consider if you suffer from claustrophobia, as it can be uncomfortable. On the other hand, leave your jewellery at home or at the hotel, as it is forbidden as it could break your suit.

This is a great experience, and although you don't need to be a professional diver or snorkeller, you should know how to swim and be used to moderate exercise (walking 500 metres), especially as there are times when you swim against the current. Another important recommendation is to ingest food and drinks before swimming and to allow adequate time for digestion.

This tour is one of the best you can enjoy on the South Coast from Reykjavik. Just follow the guide's instructions and don't try to explore on your own, no matter how attractive the grottoes that open up in the slabs look. Remember that even the bubbles you exhale can generate enough vibration to dislodge some rocks.

Things to keep in mind

In addition to the above mentioned, here are some other specifications to take into account before you decide to enjoy this activity.

• Please note that this is not an activity for pregnant women due to the low temperatures and the minimal risk of the special wetsuit breaking.
• If you have a specific medical condition, it is best to consult your doctor and the professionals if it is suitable for you.
• Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to participate in this activity.
• In the case of some tours, written permission may be required from representatives of children under the age of 18.
• Finally, it is essential to be fluent in English in order to be able to communicate with the guides.