Most reviewed
Meets at Silfra
Troll, at Silfra
For a first time: by far the most reviews, in a group of 6 at most, with photos included.
From€126See dates: Troll, at Silfra
Silfra fissure
A flooded crack at Þingvellir, in a rift that is still opening. What the national park says about it, what the operators say, and where they differ.
- From
- €117
- Duration
- 2 h 30 to 3 h
- Water
- 2 to 4 °C
- Tours compared
- 17
Where is the Silfra fissure?
In Þingvellir National Park, about 60 km from Reykjavik.
It lies in the park's rift valley, in the area that the park places on the plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The park allows diving and snorkeling in two fissures only: Silfra and Davíðsgjá.
The rift is small: about 600 by 200 m, says Dive.is. You reach it on foot, about 5 minutes from parking P5.
Which tectonic plates does Silfra lie between?
The sources differ: the park says North America and the Hreppar microplate, Visit Iceland says North America and Eurasia.
The phrase you will read on most tours is “between two continents”. It comes from the operators, and we do not repeat it as fact. The national park, which sets the rules for the site, describes a rift valley separating “the North American and the Hreppar micro plate”.
Visit Iceland, for its part, calls Silfra the only place in the world to dive between the North American and Eurasian plates, drifting about 2 cm a year.
We give both, because we read both, and leave the geology to geologists.
Why is the water in Silfra so clear?
Dive.is says it filters through lava for 30 to 100 years on its way from the Langjökull glacier.
Temperature
2 to 4 °C all year, says Dive.is; about 3 °C, says Troll. We read no official measurement.
Visibility
100 m in Dive.is' words, up to 150 m in Arctic Adventures'. These are figures from those who sell the tours.
Depth
63 m at the deepest, says Wikipedia; a cave beside the entrance reaches at least that, says Dive.is. Divers may go to 18 m.
Drinking it
Adventure Vikings invites you to take a sip. Arctic Adventures says a little through the snorkel is generally harmless, and that there is no need to drink from it.
Life
Dive.is says Arctic char visit, often in August and September.
What are the parts of Silfra?
Dive.is names four, from the entry to the exit.
Big Crack
A deep canyon
The first of the three deep sections that Dive.is describes as canyons.
Hall
A deep canyon
Dive.is says these canyons sometimes extend down into uncharted cave systems.
Cathedral
About 100 m long
Wikipedia describes visibility almost from end to end.
Lagoon
Shallow
A shallow stretch with fields of algae, about 100 m across, says Dive.is.
How can you get into the water?
With a guided tour, from €117, or as a registered individual with your own gear.
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To begin with
The most reviewed and the lowest price.
Lowest price
Meets at Silfra, or pickup
Arctic Adventures, at Silfra or with pickup
For the lowest price here, with the park fee and photos included, and pickup from Reykjavik as an option.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To begin with | ||||||
Most reviewedTroll, at SilfraTroll ExpeditionsSuit: Dry suitTime in the water: 50 minutes in its itineraryGroup size: Up to 6 peopleHeight: 135 cm in its list, 145 cm in its text, up to 200 cmWeight: 45 to 120 kgAge: Up to 69 in its text, 70 in its list; a doctor's clearance from 60Photos: GoPro photos includedKeep in mind: Its page gives two minimum heights, 135 and 145 cm, and two upper ages, 69 and 70: ask if you are near a limit. Parking is extra. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Silfra, plus code 7V4M+FCQ | €126 | See dates: Troll, at Silfra | ||
Lowest priceArctic Adventures, at Silfra or with pickupArctic AdventuresSuit: Dry suitTime in the water: 45 minutesGroup size: Up to 6 peopleHeight: 150 cm to 200 cmWeight: 45 to 120 kgAge: From 12Photos: IncludedKeep in mind: 150 cm and 45 kg at least, 120 kg at most, and the longest list of health exclusions here. Its own website says 30 to 35 minutes in the water, this page 45. What's includedIncluded
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Silfra car park | 12 years | €117 | See dates: Arctic Adventures, at Silfra or with pickup | |
All the tours, side by sideEvery Silfra tour on GetYourGuide
Can you see the Silfra fissure without snorkeling?
You can visit the area without going in, but the underwater view needs a tour.
How was Silfra formed?
Dive.is dates the opening of the fissure to the earthquakes of 1789.
How deep is Silfra?
63 m at the deepest, says Wikipedia. Divers may go to 18 m, and snorkelers stay on the surface.
How cold is Silfra?
2 to 4 °C, says Dive.is, all year.
Is Silfra in the Golden Circle?
It is in Þingvellir National Park, a stop of the circuit. 3 tours here add the snorkel to it.
See the toursIs there somewhere to eat nearby?
Dive.is says the nearest restaurant is at the park's Information Centre, 3.5 km away.
Where to next?
Now choose how you want to see it.
