There are few places in the world where one can drift between tectonic plates. Silfra, a crack between the North American and Eurasian plates located in Iceland’s Þingvellir National Park, offers just such an experience – and snorkelling here is as surreal as it is spectacular.
On a crisp spring day in February, I joined a small group tour with Arctic Adventures, one of Iceland’s better-known adventure companies. The plan: to snorkel the glacier-fed fissure in water that hovers just above freezing year-round.
Well-Oiled Logistics
Booking through Arctic Adventures’ website was seamless. The company offers either a self-drive option or a Reykjavik pickup; I chose the former, meeting the group at Parking Lot P5 within the national park. The vans were easy to spot, and the guides were already laying out gear by the time I arrived.
Dressing for the Dive
Snorkelling in Iceland isn’t your typical tropical holiday fare. The water in Silfra remains a frigid 2–4°C regardless of the season, so a full dry suit is essential. Arctic Adventures provided everything: a thermal undersuit, a dry suit, neoprene hoods and gloves, fins, snorkel, and mask.
Climbing into the dry suit was a feat in itself. The guides – friendly and efficient – helped with the process. I’d recommend wearing thermal layers underneath and, crucially, wool socks. You get changed in the open – in the car park – so make sure you have these layers on when you arrive.
Guidance from the Pros
Our guide was knowledgeable, calm, and thorough—offering a pre-snorkel briefing on Silfra’s geology and step-by-step instructions for staying safe and comfortable in the water. Arctic Adventures limits group sizes, which made the experience feel personal and well-managed. There were 4 people on our trip and the guide took time with us all to ensure the equipment fitted, was correctly worn and watertight. They also take underwater photos during the snorkel and provide them at no additional cost – a thoughtful touch. With cold hands its hard to fumble around with your own camera and it takes away from the experience. They were available to download free from the company website on the evening following our tour.
The Descent into Clarity
Silfra’s calling card is its extraordinary visibility—often exceeding 100 metres, thanks to decades of natural filtration through volcanic rock. Entering the water, I was immediately struck by the clarity. Beneath me, the fissure yawned open, revealing luminous blue depths, intricate rock formations, and delicate green algae known locally as “troll hair.”
The dry suit’s buoyancy and a gentle current did most of the work, making this more of a float than a swim. The physical cold—most noticeable in my face and fingers—was quickly eclipsed by the dreamlike sensation of drifting between continents. The setting felt almost sacred. You are advised to keep your hands out of the water when not swimming by resting them on the small of your back. Likewise the snorkel can be hard to use as your lips sag when they go numb, so keep a hold of it using the teeth grips they all have and rotate onto your back occasionally to get your face out fo the water.
Post-Dive Comforts
Exiting the water involved a 10 walk back to the vans, where the guides helped us peel off our suits. (They unzip them as you leave the water to stop them freezing up on the way back. We were met with hot chocolate and cookies—simple but deeply welcome after 40 minutes immersed in glacial meltwater.
Facilities at the site are basic: a couple of public toilets and small changing areas. But this isn’t a spa. It’s an adventure.
Advice for Future Visitors
- Wear proper thermal layers and wool socks for added comfort.
- Have them on under your clothes when you arrive – you change in the open.
- Trust the dry suit to keep you afloat—there’s no real need to swim.
- Keep your hands out of the water to retain heat, resting them on your back.
- Early morning tours tend to be quieter.
- Don’t miss the hot drink afterwards. Or the cookies.
Verdict
Arctic Adventures delivers a professional, well-organised, and genuinely memorable experience. Their guides strike a balance between informative and reassuring, and the company’s attention to detail—right down to the free photos—makes for a polished offering.
Snorkelling Silfra isn’t for everyone. It’s cold, it’s remote, and the prep takes time. But for those willing to embrace the chill, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to float in some of the clearest water on Earth—between two continents, no less.
A rare and extraordinary experience, expertly handled. Highly recommended.
Robert travelled as a paying guest of Arctic Adventures in February 2025. He booked through their website and self-drive to the site. Click here for his full account of the experience of the Silfra Gorge.
