An unbelievable distance view!
Iceland offers one of the top dive sites in the world. A view of up to 100 meters under water also amazes the passionate diver and the feeling of swimming in a gap between Europe and America crowns the experience. The Silfra Fissure is located in Þingvellir National Park. It was created by the drifting apart of the Eurasian and North American continental plates. The crystal clear water comes from the Langjökull glacier and is additionally filtered through lava rock on its long way. The water temperature is only around 3 ° C, but don't worry, the tours take place in a dry suit. The best? As a snorkeler you can enjoy the magic of this place even without a diving license.
Snorkeling between the Silfra Column in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Detail and distant view while Silfra snorkeling and diving in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Silfra Column tectonic plates snorkeling and diving in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Underwater world Silfra Column snorkeling and diving in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Ice-cold crystal clear water in the Silfra Fissure - diving and snorkeling in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Between the worlds and continents with Silfra snorkeling and diving in Thingvelir National Park Iceland
Interwoven in a gently rolling lake landscape, Silfra looks almost inconspicuous from above - but my head under the water welcomes me to another sphere. It lies crystal clear in front of me, as if I were looking through glass. Rock walls stretch down into the shimmering blue depths ... Rays of light dance around the rocks, bright green algae loll in the glow and the sun weaves a network of light and colors. I gently touch both continents as I cross a narrow gap and feel the timeless magic of this place ... Time and space seem to blur and I slide weightlessly through this beautiful, surreal world. "
Interwoven in a gently rolling lake landscape, Silfra looks almost inconspicuous from above - but my head under the water welcomes me to another sphere. It lies crystal clear in front of me, as if I were looking through glass. Rock walls stretch down into the shimmering blue depths ... Rays of light dance around the rocks, bright green algae loll in the glow and the sun weaves a network of light and colors. I gently touch both continents as I cross a narrow gap and feel the timeless magic of this place ... Time and space seem to blur and I slide weightlessly through this beautiful, surreal world. "
Offers for snorkeling tours in Silfra
Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park is operated by several providers. The group size is limited by the rules of the national park. The entry into the water as well as the exit is located in the same place for all providers. There are big differences in the equipment. Most organizations offer dry suits, and some thermal suits are also provided. Individual providers snorkel in wetsuits, which is definitely not suitable for people who are sensitive to the cold due to the very cold water conditions. The comparison is worth it.
The pleasant group size of a maximum of 6 people was common to both tours. However, the provider Troll Expeditions convinced us in comparison. The quality of the neoprene gloves was noticeably better and the drysuits were of good quality and less worn. In addition, each participant received an additional thermal suit. This is quickly and positively noticeable in water at 3 ° C.
Our guide “Pawel” led his group professionally and confidently and was having fun with it. We felt safe, but at no time restricted by the instructions from our guide. Overall, we were able to move much more freely than on the other tour. The small additional snorkeling stop at “Klein-Silfra”, a narrow crevice just before the exit point, was particularly nice. We were only allowed to make this additional detour, also on request, with the second provider in a much shorter way.
to Iceland • Golden circle • Thingvellir National Park • Snorkeling in Silfra
Experience of snorkeling in Silfra:
A special experience!
Unreal, beautiful and unique in the world. Convince yourself of the unique view and dive into the fascinating world between the continents in the Silfra Fissure of Iceland.
How much does snorkeling cost in Silfra Island? (Stand 2021)
The tour price for one person is 17.400 ISK.
Please note possible changes. You can find current prices here.
Entry to Pingvellir National Park is free. The national park charges a fee for snorkeling and diving in Silfra. This fee is already included in the tour price. The parking spaces in the national park are chargeable and controlled. The parking fees are to be paid separately.
How long does a snorkeling tour last?
You should plan around 3 hours for the tour. This time also includes instruction as well as trying on and taking off the equipment. The walk to the entry point into the water is only a few minutes. The pure snorkeling time in the water is around 45 minutes.
Is there food and toilets?
Toilets are available at the meeting point and can be used before and after snorkeling. After the tour there will be hot cocoa and cookies to finish off.
Where is the meeting point?
You can park your car at Thingvellir's paid car park number 5. This place is only 45 minutes drive from Reykjavik. The meeting point for the Silfra snorkeling tour is about 400 meters in front of this parking lot.
Which sights are nearby?
The Silfra column belongs to the Thingvellir National Park. Snorkeling at Silfra can therefore be perfectly combined with a visit to the Almannagjá gorge associate. Then you can on Oxararfoss waterfall relax in the national park. The Thingvellir National Park is one of the popular Golden circle from Iceland. Well-known sights like the Strokkur geyser and the Gullfoss waterfall are only about an hour's drive away. Also the Fridheimar tomato farm and their tomato soup buffet are waiting for your visit. the Capital Reykjavik is just under 50 km from Silfra. A day trip from Reykjavik is therefore easily possible.
Exciting background information
How big is the Silfra column?
The maximum width of the Silfra column is only 10 meters. Often the rock faces are so close together that the snorkeler can touch Europe and America at the same time. The widest section is called Silfra Hall and the deepest section is called Silfra Cathedral. The maximum depth of the crevice is 65 meters. The lagoon, the shallow area just before the exit, is only 2-5 meters deep. Only a very small area of the Silfra Fissure is actually visible, in reality it is around 65.000 kilometers long. The fact that the Silfra Fissure is still being formed is exciting, as it widens by about 1 centimeter every year.
How does the water get into the Silfra Fissure?
Most of the fault between the continental plates is filled with soil. In contrast, the meltwater from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Silfra Fissure. The water has come a long way. After melting, it flows through porous basalt stone and then emerges underground from the lava rock at the end of the crevice at Thingvellir Lake. The glacier water has covered 50 kilometers for this and takes 30 to 100 years for this route.
Good to know
Walking between two continents
In the Almannagjá Gorge in the Pingvellir National Park you can walk between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
Diving and snorkeling between two continents
In the Silfra Fissure in Pingvellir National Park you can snorkel and dive between the continents.
A bridge that connects Europe and America
The Miðlína Bridge in Iceland connects the continental plates of America and Europe. Nowhere in the world can you travel faster between Europe and America.
AGE ™ visited three cool Troll activities for you
1. Under the ice - the imposing Katla Ice Cave
2. On the ice - exciting glacier hike in Skaftafell
3. Snorkeling between the continents - an unforgettable experience
to Iceland • Golden circle • Thingvellir National Park • Snorkeling in Silfra
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Troll Expeditions - Passion for Adventure in Iceland: Homepage of Troll Expeditions. [online] Retrieved on April 06.04.2021th, XNUMX, from URL: https://troll.is/