One of the top dive sites in the world, the Silfra fissure in Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park is a transcontinental once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A crack between two tectonic plates, it’s the only spot on Earth where you can actually swim between the North American and European continents. Silfra lies at the rim of the Pingvallavatn Lake in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in southwestern Iceland approximately one hour east to Reykjavik by car.
Silfra Fissure is a newly opened rift between the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates that appeared after a major earthquake in 1789. This 200-feet-deep (60 meters) crack continues to widen by about 2 cm (0.79 in) per year.
Melted snow from Langjokull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier, about 30 miles north, feeds into the fissure after being filtered through porous underground lava for 30 to 100 years, until it reaches the north end of Thingvallavatn Lake. Nature’s amazing filtration system makes Silfra’s water the cleanest and clearest on earth and allows swimmers to see across 300 feet into the abyss submerged in crystal blue freshwater. Because of the cold water, not many creatures are able to live in the fissure. Silfra is connected with Thingvellir Lake and in the lake live three species of fish: sticklebacks, arctic char, and brown trout. The arctic char can sometimes be found in the fissure, but they are rarely seen. Luckily there’s still lots of other life in Silfra, like plant life and algae! The colors of the plants and algae and the blue color of the fissure are simply stunning. It’s an underwater wonderland.
If you want to go diving in Silfra, you need to have an Open Water diving certification, plus you need to be certified to go diving in a dry suit. It’s possible to get a dry suit certification during a 2-day Silfra diving course. It isn’t allowed to go diving in a wet suit. Like snorkeling, diving in Silfra is a unique experience. The visibility, colors, and location make this rift one of the most special dive and snorkel spots on the planet.
The Silfra fissure can be 60 meters (197 feet) deep at some points, but the maximum dept allowed is 18 meters (59 feet) while diving. As the tectonic plates keep moving, it isn’t allowed to go diving in caves and overhead surroundings. The shifting constantly creates new areas like tunnels and caves.
Keep in mind that you cannot snorkel or dive Silfra on your own. You must be guided and equipped by a professional tour guide in a small group due to safety regulations. Your tour operator will provide drysuits, snorkeling gear, and other needed equipment. Your guide will dress everyone properly to keep you dry and warm from cold water as much as possible. Most importantly, they make sure everyone is safe and swim closely as a group. They also take many free and creative photos for everyone during the tour.
Tips and important things to know
Things to bring onto your Silfra snorkeling tour: Long wool underwear set or long fleece underwear set (cotton thermal clothes not recommended); 2 pairs of thick wool socks; Change of clothes and a towel just in case water leaks into your drysuit; Wear contact lenses. It’s not possible to wear your glasses with the diving goggles.
Don’t drink too much liquid before the tour. The tour lasts around 2-3 hours (without transfer from and to Rekjavik) or 4-5 hours (with transfer). Swimming time is between 30 to 40 minutes. The last chance to use the restroom is before you get dressed by the tour guide. It takes the guide a lot of time to dress and undress the group one by one. So, plan on 2 hours being in your drysuit.
Book your Silfra snorkeling tour in advance. They fill up quickly due to limited capacity per day. Each year, only about 50,000 people dive or snorkel in Silfra.
If you are meeting the tour group in the park (instead of being picked up from Reykjavik), make sure to arrive early. The GPS doesn’t work really well in Thingvellir National Park, so give yourself plenty of time to navigate.
Don’t panic. Take your time swimming and looking around especially near the drop-in point where there is the clearest water and the most dramatic depth.
Nature’s amazing filtration system makes Silfra’s water the cleanest and clearest on earth and allows swimmers to see across 300 feet into the abyss submerged in crystal blue freshwater
