Silfra Snorkeling Tour — Snorkel Between Two Continents

The Silfra Fissure snorkeling tour starts from $145 per person. This includes a certified PADI divemaster guide, a full dry suit with thermal undersuit, neoprene hood and gloves, snorkeling equipment, hot drinks and cookies after the tour, and free GoPro underwater photos. The only extra is parking at Þingvellir National Park (ISK 750, roughly $5), which is not included. See our full booking guide for all tour options and prices.

Absolutely. Silfra is consistently rated one of the top snorkeling experiences in the world — this tour holds a 4.87/5 rating from nearly 2,800 verified travellers. You float through glacial meltwater so clear you can see over 100 metres ahead, between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dry suit keeps you completely dry, the free GoPro photos are a genuine keepsake, and most visitors call it the highlight of their Iceland trip. Read our first-timer's guide for a full walkthrough, or see how Silfra compares to other snorkeling spots in Iceland.

No. Icelandic regulations require all snorkelers and divers at Silfra Fissure to be accompanied by a certified guide. A PADI-certified divemaster leads every tour, handles all safety equipment, and ensures you follow the designated route. This is a safety requirement — the water is a constant 2–4°C year-round and the fissure has strong current sections.

Participants must be between 12 and 69 years old (those 60–69 require a medical clearance from a doctor). You must be at least 145 cm (4 ft 9 in) and no more than 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) tall, and weigh between 45 kg (99 lbs) and 120 kg (264 lbs) to fit correctly into the dry suit. You must also be comfortable in water and able to swim.

Wear warm, close-fitting layers underneath — wool or synthetic thermal base layers (leggings and a long-sleeve top) work best. Avoid cotton. Your guide fits a dry suit over your clothes, so you stay completely dry in the water. Bring warm socks, no jewellery (earrings, bracelets, watches), and a change of clothes. Everything else — dry suit, hood, gloves, mask, snorkel, fins — is provided. Our what-to-expect guide covers the full dry suit fitting process.

The water at Silfra stays between 2°C and 4°C (35–39°F) year-round. It is fed by glacial meltwater from Langjökull glacier, filtered through underground lava rock for 30–100 years before surfacing. The dry suit keeps you completely dry — only your face contacts the cold water (neoprene hood and gloves protect your head and hands).

Yes — Silfra snorkeling tours run every day of the year, including winter and December. The water temperature barely changes between seasons (2–4°C all year). Winter tours have a magical atmosphere: snow-covered lava fields, fewer crowds, and dramatic Arctic light. The dry suit keeps you just as warm in January as in July.

The deepest point of Silfra Fissure reaches approximately 63 metres (207 feet) in the section known as Silfra Cathedral. Snorkelers float on the surface and do not need to dive — the route takes you through four sections: Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. From the surface you can see down to extraordinary depths thanks to the near-perfect water clarity.

The total experience is approximately 3 hours. This includes arrival and check-in (15 min), dry suit fitting and safety briefing (30 min), the guided snorkeling swim through the fissure (approximately 50 min in the water), and warming up with hot chocolate and cookies afterwards (30 min). The actual time swimming in Silfra is about 45–50 minutes.

Silfra Fissure is located in Þingvellir National Park, approximately 60 km (37 miles) northeast of Reykjavik. The drive takes about 45–50 minutes via Route 36. There is no public transport to Þingvellir — you need a rental car or a tour with hotel pickup from Reykjavik (available as an upgrade). The meeting point is the Tröll Snorkel Meeting Point at the P5 parking lot in Þingvellir.

Snorkeling is ideal for beginners and first-timers. No prior experience or certification is needed — you float on the surface wearing a dry suit while your PADI guide leads you through the fissure. The surface views of Silfra's crystal-clear glacial water are spectacular. Scuba diving at Silfra requires a dry suit diving certification (PADI Dry Suit Diver or equivalent) plus at least 10 logged dry suit dives. Most visitors — including experienced divers — choose snorkeling for their first Silfra visit. See our detailed diving guide for certification requirements and a side-by-side comparison.

Everything you need is included: a certified PADI divemaster guide, full dry suit with thermal undersuit, neoprene hood and gloves, mask, snorkel and fins, hot chocolate and cookies after the tour, and free GoPro underwater souvenir photos emailed to you within 24 hours. The only extras are parking at Þingvellir (ISK 750) and optional hotel pickup from Reykjavik (available for an additional fee). Our booking guide compares all tour options and pricing.