Silfra Travel Guide

Explore Silfra, one of Iceland’s most remarkable natural wonders, where you can swim between two continents. This underwater fissure in Thingvellir National Park offers an unforgettable view of the divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Filled with pure glacial spring water, Silfra is a diver’s paradise and the only place on Earth where you can go snorkeling or diving between tectonic plates. Several snorkeling tours and diving tours operate daily, giving visitors a safe way to experience its calm, crystal-clear depths.

Located in Thingvellir National Park, one of the main stops on Golden Circle tours, Silfra sits about an hour’s drive northeast of Reykjavik. The area is easy to reach with rental cars and fits perfectly into a day of sightseeing in Southwest Iceland.

Visitors can book a Silfra snorkeling tour with a transfer from Reykjavik, which includes transportation, all equipment, and an expert guide. Keep reading to learn what makes this experience so unique.

Key Facts About Silfra

• Location: Silfra is located in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland, about a 45-minute drive northeast of Reykjavik.

• Silfra Iceland Visibility: The water is exceptionally clear, with underwater visibility reaching up to 330 feet (100 meters).

• Silfra Water Temperature: The fissure maintains a steady temperature between 35 F and 39 F (2 C and 4 C) throughout the year.

• Depth: Silfra reaches depths of up to 200 feet (60 meters) in its deepest sections, though most snorkeling takes place near the surface.

• Formation: It is a tectonic fissure filled with glacier meltwater, filtered for decades through volcanic rock before reaching the site.

• Activities: Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and diving between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

• Access: Silfra is easily accessible from Reykjavik via Route 36, within the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park.

What is Silfra?

Silfra is a water-filled fissure in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland, where you can snorkel and dive between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The water’s clarity and geological setting make it one of the world’s most unique dive sites.

Where Is Silfra Located?

Silfra is located within Thingvellir National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s sometimes called Silfra Park by visitors because of its world-famous diving and snorkeling site.

The fissure sits in the heart of the Thingvellir Valley, about 45 minutes northeast of Reykjavik in Southwest Iceland. The Silfra site is accessible by car year-round via Route 36 (Thingvallavegur) from Reykjavik toward Thingvellir National Park.

Once inside the park, follow the signs toward the Silfra Car Park (P5), which is the designated area for snorkeling and diving tours. It is located close to the water entry point and just a few minutes’ walk from the Silfra Meeting Area, where guides assemble participants.

Public transportation does not reach Thingvellir, so self-driving tours or booking a Silfra snorkeling tour with pickup from Reykjavik are the best ways to visit. Road conditions are generally good, but always check road status and weather conditions for winter travel updates.

Travel Tip: Thingvellir has four main parking lots. Each serves as a convenient starting point for different attractions in the park. For more details, learn where to park in Thingvellir National Park.

Why Is Silfra Famous?

Silfra is best known for its position directly between two continental plates. It is the only dive site in the world where you can explore the gap between continents. The fissure formed as the North American and Eurasian plates slowly drift apart, widening by about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) each year.

Silfra’s clear water comes from meltwater that begins in the Langjokull Glacier, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) away. It travels underground for decades and filters through volcanic rock before reaching the fissure. The result is water so pure that visibility often reaches 330 feet (100 meters).

The Four Sections of Silfra

Silfra covers an area of roughly 2000 feet by 650 feet (600 meters by 200 meters). The fissure is divided into four main sections that visitors explore during snorkeling or diving tours:

• Silfra Big Crack: Located underneath the platform is the first part of Silfra called the Silfra Big Crack, where visitors engaging in diving and snorkeling enter the water. Even though this is only the first part of Silfra, it is still a good spot to get great pictures.

• Silfra Hall: As divers venture further into the Silfra Fissure, they reach the Silfra Hall, a wider section of towering rock formations on either side. The hall offers a display of natural beauty, with sunlight filtering through the water and illuminating the underwater world.

• Silfra Cathedral: Deeper into the Silfra Fissure lies the Silfra Cathedral, a section known for its incredible clarity and blue hues. Here, divers can witness the full extent of the fissure's depth, as well as explore intricate rock formations and crevices.

• Silfra Lagoon: At the end of Silfra Fissure, Silfra Lagoon is a shallower and wider area compared to the previous sections. Snorkeling tours usually finish here, while diving tours end just before the lagoon.

Snorkeling and Diving in Silfra

A snorkeling or diving tour in Silfra lets visitors experience the world’s clearest water between two continental plates. The site is open year-round and welcomes both beginners and certified divers.

Every tour includes professional guides, full dry suit equipment, and safety instruction suited to the water’s steady temperature. Conditions are calm and the current is gentle, allowing participants to enjoy the view.

Both activities are guided, follow strict safety standards, and provide one of the top underwater experiences in Iceland. The table below highlights the main differences between snorkeling and diving in Silfra.

Snorkeling in Silfra

Snorkeling in Silfra is one of Iceland’s best outdoor experiences. The fissure’s cold, crystal-clear water lets you float directly between two continents and enjoy visibility that reaches more than 330 feet (100 meters).

Guided tours run all year and include all gear, safety instruction, and certified guides to ensure a safe and memorable adventure.

2025 Silfra Snorkeling Requirements

Participants must meet the following conditions to join a snorkeling tour in Silfra:

• Be able to swim independently and feel comfortable in open water

• Be at least 12 years of age (some tours may require those under 18 to be accompanied by a guardian)

• Be in good physical health and able to walk short distances in full gear

• Be at least 4 feet 9 inches (150 centimeters) tall and not over 6 feet 5 inches (200 centimeters)

• Weigh at least 99 pounds (45 kilograms) and not over 265 pounds (120 kilograms)

• For safety, you can't snorkel while pregnant

• Some operators may require a medical waiver for older participants or those with certain health conditions

Gear and Equipment Provided on a Silfra Snorkeling Tour

Most snorkeling tours include a drysuit, undersuit, and all necessary accessories such as gloves, hood, and fins. Drysuits keep you completely insulated from the water and retain body warmth.

Tour operators also provide masks, snorkels, and fins that fit securely over the drysuit boots. You can wear your own base layer underneath the undersuit, preferably made of thermal or moisture-wicking material. Cotton clothing is not recommended.

Safety and Health Conditions for Silfra Snorkeling

Before entering the water, all participants receive a safety briefing from a certified guide. You will learn how to move, float, and communicate during the tour. Operators may ask you to sign a medical form or liability release, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Tours are considered safe for anyone who meets the requirements and follows the guide’s instructions. The current is slow and the water is calm, so there is no strong swimming involved.

What To Expect on a Silfra Snorkeling Tour

Snorkeling tour typically starts at the Silfra Car Park (P5) in Thingvellir National Park, where you meet your guide and receive your equipment. After a safety briefing and gear fitting, you walk a short distance to the water.

The route passes through four sections of Silfra: Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. Each area has different rock formations and shades of blue.

The in-water portion usually lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, and the full tours take around 2.5 hours, including preparation and changing time.

Wetsuit Snorkeling in Silfra

The most common option for snorkeling is in a drysuit. Drysuits work with a fluffy undersuit to keep your body free from water and insulated against the cold, so swimming through the near-freezing temperature is more achievable. 

While drysuit snorkeling is the most comfortable and popular option, a few tour companies offer wetsuit snorkeling in Silfra, which provides more flexibility and allows you to feel the water directly. Wetsuits, made of neoprene, allow water to surround your body in a thin layer that your body then heats up and uses to protect you.

Though they grant you more flexibility, they are not so warm. Wetsuit tours are better suited to confident swimmers and travelers accustomed to cold water. Because of the exposure, they are less common than drysuit tours, but some visitors prefer the closer contact with Silfra’s environment.

Diving in Silfra

A guided diving tour in Silfra offers an extraordinary way to explore the space between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The crystal-clear water lets you see up to 330 feet (100 meters) in every direction, revealing underwater rock formations carved by centuries of glacial movement.

The experience combines calm conditions, surreal visibility, and a sense of weightless exploration that few dive sites in the world can match. Maximum dive depth is 60 feet (18 meters), as regulated by Thingvellir National Park.

2025 Silfra Diving Requirements

Because of the cold water and technical nature of the dive, participants must meet all requirements and the following rules:

• Be at least 18 years old (Divers under 18 are not permitted unless joining a private, pre-approved tour with a guardian’s written consent)

• Hold a PADI Open Water certification or equivalent qualification

• Hold a Dry Suit Diver certification or show proof of at least 10 logged dives in a drysuit conducted over the past two years, signed by an instructor or divemaster

• Provide a medical clearance if over 60 years old or if you have certain health conditions

• For safety, you can't snorkel while pregnant

Equipment and Safety for Silfra Diving

All diving tours include a drysuit, undersuit, gloves, hood, and other equipment necessary for the cold conditions. Masks and fins are provided and checked for proper fit before entry. Divers are advised to bring their own thermal base layers and to avoid cotton clothing.

Before a scuba diving tour in Silfra, guides conduct a safety briefing that covers drysuit operation, hand signals, and the dive plan. Because the water is calm and current-free, most of the challenge comes from temperature and buoyancy control.

What Is a Silfra Dive Experience Like

A typical dive in Silfra lasts about 30 to 40 minutes at a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 meters). Divers move slowly through the narrow passageways, observing the rock walls and shimmering light above. The cold water feels comfortable inside a properly fitted drysuit and undersuit.

Guided groups are small, with a maximum of three divers per guide. After gearing up at the Silfra Car Park (P5), divers walk a short distance to the entry platform. The tour finishes in the wide, shallow area of the Silfra Lagoon, where you can rest and admire the view before exiting.

Best Time To Visit Silfra

Silfra is open for snorkeling and diving throughout the year, with tours running daily in every season. The underground water source keeps the temperature steady at 35 F to 39 F (2 C to 4 C), so the experience stays consistent whether you visit in summer or winter.

Silfra Snorkeling in Summer

Summer in Iceland is the most popular time to visit Silfra. The air is warmer, and long daylight hours allow flexible tour schedules. The nearby meadows turn green, and sunlight highlights the bright blue tones beneath the surface.

Although the water temperature does not change, getting into your drysuit feels easier in the mild air. Because summer attracts more travelers, it is best to book your Silfra snorkeling tour in advance to secure a preferred time.

Silfra Snorkeling in Winter

Winter in Silfra feels calm and atmospheric. Air temperatures often fall below freezing, but the water remains at the same stable temperature inside the fissure. The low winter sun creates clear, silvery light that enhances underwater visibility.

Iceland in winter is also quieter, with fewer visitors in the park and more space on each tour. Snow often covers the surrounding lava fields, which adds a striking contrast to the blue water.

Things To Do Near Silfra

Several great experiences are within a short drive from Silfra, allowing you to make the most of your visit to the Golden Circle. These stops combine nature, relaxation, and local culture, and follow a natural route from Thingvellir National Park through the region’s most popular sights.

• Explore Thingvellir National Park: Walk through the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates meet. Visit Law Rock, see Oxararfoss Waterfall, and explore Almannagja Gorge.

• Relax at Laugarvatn Fontana: Drive about 9 miles (15 kilometers) east after your snorkeling tour in Silfra and unwind at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa. Soak in warm pools overlooking Lake Laugarvatn and experience geothermal rye bread baking.

• Visit Bruarfoss Waterfall: Continue your Golden Circle tour with Bruarfoss Waterfall, about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from Silfra. Bruarfoss Waterfall’s vivid blue water and narrow cascades make it a favorite for photographers.

• Watch the Geysir Geothermal Area: Continue about 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Silfra to visit the Geysir Geothermal Area. Strokkur Geyser erupts every few minutes, sending hot water up to 100 feet (30 meters) into the air.

• Experience Gullfoss Waterfall: Travel about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Silfra to one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. Walk to the viewing decks at Gullfoss Waterfall to see the Hvita River plunge into a deep canyon, surrounded by mist and rainbows on sunny days.

• See Faxi Waterfall: Just 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Silfra, Faxi Waterfall is a wide, tranquil cascade along the Tungufljot River. A short path leads to a viewing platform beside the falls.

• Dine at Fridheimar: Visit the Fridheimar Tomato Farm, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Silfra, to enjoy a fresh meal. Many travelers enjoy a Golden Circle tour with Fridheimar, combining local cuisine with a glimpse of greenhouse farming in Iceland.

• Explore Kerid Crater: Stop about 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Silfra to visit Kerid Crater, a volcanic basin filled with turquoise water. Entry to Kerid allows you to walk along the rim or follow the path down to the lake.

Places To Stay Near Silfra

If you are looking for a place to stay near Silfra, here are some fantastic hotels and accommodations in the Golden Circle:

• ION Adventure Hotel: Situated near Thingvellir National Park, this award-winning hotel offers panoramic views, a geothermal spa, and modern Icelandic cuisine at the on-site restaurant.

• Hotel Gullfoss: A modern option located in the heart of the Golden Circle. It is a great place to stay if you wish to explore the nearby area or drive along Iceland's South Coast.

• Hotel Geysir: Another modern accommodation, literally located across the road from the Geysir Geothermal Area.

• Torfhus Retreat: A Viking-inspired eco-luxury hotel built from reclaimed wood, local stone, and turf. It is designed in the style of a traditional Icelandic turf house and is within a short distance of amazing attractions.

FAQs About Silfra

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Silfra Fissure. 

What does the name Silfra mean?

The name Silfra means “silver” in Icelandic. It reflects the shimmering, crystal-clear water that sparkles under sunlight.

How clear is the water in Silfra?

Visibility in Silfra can reach up to 330 feet (100 meters), allowing snorkelers and divers to see every detail of the fissure’s rocks and colors. The water is so transparent that many describe the experience as floating through air.

How cold is the water in Silfra?

The water stays between 35 F and 39 F (2 C and 4 C) all year. It comes directly from the Langjokull Glacier, and drysuits keep participants comfortable in the near-freezing temperature.

Is diving in Silfra worth it?

Yes. Diving in Silfra is a bucket-list experience for travelers and scuba enthusiasts. Floating between two continents in water so clear you can see hundreds of feet ahead is unforgettable. Even snorkeling offers the same surreal sense of weightlessness and color.

Can you snorkel in Silfra in winter?

Yes. Snorkeling and diving tours run year-round. In winter, the light is softer, crowds are smaller, and visibility is excellent, even though the water remains about 35 F (2 C).

Is Silfra safe for beginners?

Yes. Snorkeling tours are beginner-friendly and always guided by certified professionals. Participants receive full instructions and safety checks before entering the water.

Do you need a guide to dive in Silfra?

Yes. All tours at Silfra must be led by a licensed guide, as required by Icelandic law. Independent diving or snorkeling is not allowed.

Do you need a diving license for Silfra?

Yes. Divers must hold both PADI Dry Suit and Advanced Open Water certifications, or equivalent qualifications, to join a Silfra dive tour.

How deep is Silfra?

The Silfra fissure extends to about 200 feet (60 meters) in total, but the deepest part that divers can reach goes down to around 60 feet (18 meters). Snorkelers stay near the surface, between 6 and 32 feet (2 and 10 meters), where visibility and color are at their best.

Are there animals in Silfra?

Very few. Silfra’s cold, filtered water supports minimal wildlife. Occasionally, small fish such as Arctic char or brown trout swim in from nearby Thingvellir Lake, a popular spot for fishing in Iceland, but the site is known more for its clarity and rock formations.

How long does a Silfra snorkel take?

Most snorkeling tours last about 2.5 hours, including safety briefings and time to change into gear. Actual water time is usually around 30 to 40 minutes.

How do you get to Silfra from Reykjavik?

Silfra is inside Thingvellir National Park, about 28 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of Reykjavik. The drive takes around 45 minutes along Route 36 (Thingvallavegur). Travelers without a car can join guided tours that include round-trip transportation.

Can you drink the water in Silfra?

Yes. The water is safe to drink because it’s naturally filtered through volcanic rock for decades. Many visitors take a sip during their tour to experience its freshness.

Can you touch both continents in Silfra?

Yes. In the Silfra Big Crack, divers and snorkelers can reach out and touch the walls of both tectonic plates. It is one of the most unique experiences in the world.

What should you bring to Silfra?

Bring a swimsuit, thermal base layers, a towel, and a waterproof camera if you plan to take photos. Most operators provide all other equipment, including the drysuit and undersuit. Avoid cotton clothing under the drysuit, as it traps moisture and makes you cold.

Dive into the Magic of Silfra

Silfra is where Iceland’s natural beauty and geology meet beneath the surface. The pure glacial water, unmatched visibility, and the chance to swim between tectonic plates make it one of the most unforgettable places to visit in the country.

A Golden Circle and Silfra snorkeling tour is the ideal way to experience this unique site while exploring Iceland’s most famous route. Travelers can see waterfalls, geysers, and volcanic scenery before ending the day with a swim in Silfra’s clear, calm waters.

Take the plunge into Silfra’s shimmering depths and see Iceland from a perspective few ever do. The stillness, color, and clarity of this hidden world will stay with you long after you’ve returned to the surface.