Silfra Snorkeling Tour Review: See Iceland’s Underwater Beauty (2025)

Planning a trip to Iceland and thinking about snorkeling in Silfra? So, too it’s almost a bucket-list thing, that adventure of experiencing some unbelievably crystal-clear water wedged right between two continents. But very, is that excursion actually worth your hard-earned cash and vacation time? I’m going to share, as a matter of fact, everything I wish I’d known before taking the Silfra snorkeling tour, covering the good bits, the potential downsides, and pretty much everything else in between to, in that case, help you figure out if it’s actually a fit for you. Read our full review: Snorkeling in Silfra Full Review and Details

What’s So Special About Silfra Anyway?

Okay, but seriously, as a matter of fact what is all the fuss about Silfra? In some respects, more or less, that fissure is located in Þingvellir National Park – that’s Thingvellir for those keeping score – it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique history and crazy geology. In fact Silfra itself is a crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Seriously, and as I was saying you can touch both continents simultaneously! Beyond this whole continental divide bit, the water is virtually beyond clear. The visibility often tops 100 meters! You’ll feel like you’re floating in thin air. This just happens because the water is glacial meltwater that has been filtered through underground lava rock for something like 30 to 100 years. By the way, and naturally, that purification process results in water you can actually drink while you snorkel!. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Silfra snorkeling tour)

Booking Your Snorkeling Tour: Choosing the Right Outfit

So, you want, really, to do this thing? You need, anyway, to hook up with a tour operator. I can share some things I discovered when picking one out. Many companies run similar excursions from Reykjavik, yet there are variances which could potentially affect your experience: that actually affects it. Small group tours are, in a way, always better. Seemingly, this gets you more personalized attention and prevents you feeling like you’re a sheep being herded through the water. Check the provided gear, alright? That said make very certain the wetsuits are good quality and actually fit. I mean seriously nothing kills your experience faster than being miserably cold. Also confirm that they provide free photos. Now most operators do offer that service but sometimes, just a little, it pays to confirm it up front so as not to, in that case, incur added costs later on. Also double check the meeting point and time, that apparently most tours depart from Reykjavik. Just make certain of it so, in this situation, as a matter of fact you are not caught out and miss your departure.

Gearing Up: Staying Warm in Freezing Waters

Yeah the water is cold – typically like 2°C to 4°C (35°F to 39°F). Most of the tour operators, first, provide some adequate thermal protection: this is very necessary. They’ll often equip you with a thermal undersuit, so really this keeps heat near to the skin. After that you get a drysuit. Actually, this suit is the thing, that for all intents and purposes it will keep you dry – sort of! Make sure the neck and wrist seals are nice and tight so you remain actually bone dry. Finally you’ll get gloves and a hood made out of neoprene. Now those body parts could get wet, alright, but basically that neoprene seals assist in keeping them somewhat insulated. This gear has a bit of buoyancy to it. So that actually means you more or less float on the top of the water that sometimes is great for relaxation, and as a matter of fact less great for any chance to go under to explore any detail closer. Getting accustomed to all the gear in a way may feel odd. Really that drysuit can sometimes feel restrictive initially, basically especially around the neck. Make, actually, certainly, you make your tour guides know if things feel way too tight or uncomfortable.

The Snorkeling Experience: What to Expect in the Water

You can imagine now, that’s after you wade in. That really the initial moment you place your face into that water that the sight is almost incredible. The visibility honestly is surreal. Now as I was saying the blue hue and that clarity makes it seem like you’re flying. But it’s honestly flying over some gorgeous underwater landscapes and rock formations. Because of the temperature, well usually these snorkeling tours go for between 30-45 minutes. Still you will note so many unique things. But actually this gives plenty of duration to appreciate all that scenery without literally freezing. In addition to that, as a matter of fact there’s actually minimal current in the Silfra fissure. In other words you could be gently floating through with only small kicks for the duration of that tour. One small drawback might be, that in some respects there will be very little in the way of aquatic life in Silfra. Those severe conditions keep fish out. You might think you could see some algae in addition to the unbelievable rock formations, yet it is more or less really about witnessing this sort of geological wonderland.

Photo Opportunities: Posing in Another World

Really take advantage of the free photos! These usually are captured by the tour guides. Typically, usually they are with the aid of some wide-angle lens which showcases that impressive visibility in the clearest terms. Don’t worry that this won’t come off right: usually everyone looks a bit like a bloated teletubby with this whole drysuit getup so in short just embrace it. Think ahead of time regarding any fun poses you should attempt that apparently might show that unique scenery, especially considering you could be weightless in water.

Things I Wish I’d Known Beforehand: Tips for a Great Experience

• Eat Well & Stay Hydrated: A great, that said proper, meal before your tour and hydration basically makes a significant change in your power to stand up to the cold.
• Limit Your Skin Exposure: See if you bring only a solitary coating of clothing below the thermal suit. Any multiple levels, or a way too bulky garment, will hinder thermal insulation.
• Don’t Wear Make-up: That drysuit’s neck seal is very close, alright so, well in that case expect everything in this particular vicinity will likely be smeared in the event you use makeup.
• Inform The Guides of Concerns: As I was saying are you having trouble with the suit tightness, becoming excessively cold or feeling uneasy anyway with all the circumstances usually discuss your concerns using the instructions instantly. That clearly they will probably get this and in fact do what is required to make your snorkel adventure far more enjoyable.
• Trust Your Drysuit: It can possibly feel odd basically being in a drysuit for the very first period usually trust in the buoyancy. You could float and it is tough in that case, to incidentally sink, basically, you need to make sure the feet are facing out so the instructions may explain.

Is Silfra Snorkeling Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Now this question may keep running through your thoughts in that apparently I’m trying to be as impartial as i can. But really I would, seriously, recommend that excursion to pretty much anybody looking for something different and special in Iceland. I would actually add, and honestly as I would advise if possible be sure that weather conditions enable that snorkel be as nice that’s feasible. As a matter of fact it is clearly rather pricey, anyway there actually aren’t lots of experiences really enjoy those with all of that geological importance and the unbelievable pure and clean underwater vista!

Okay so too basically there clearly might be drawbacks in other words you are extremely cold, not seeing any marine life. Seemingly, basically you only will want the very best you can have: for one, I would state in the event the cold problems yourself be certain to go when it is summertime period where sun helps to brighten your mood and the sun actually seems somewhat warm. Alternatively be sure you can acknowledge which there exists in other words minimal marine life to experience with one of these ventures from the beginning actually to make sure expectations are practical, as a matter of fact.

Read our full review: Snorkeling in Silfra Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Silfra snorkeling tour)