Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates Pick Up from Reykjavik
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Dive into an unforgettable adventure at Silfra, where crystalline waters reveal the dramatic meeting of two continents. On this small-group tour, float weightlessly between tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park's underwater canyon, with excellent visibility. This otherworldly escape from Reykjavik includes all gear, expert guides, and hotel transfers—a hassle-free bucket-list experience found nowhere else. Note: Participants 60 years and older must have their doctor sign the approval form to participate.
- Experience the only place where you can snorkel between continental plates
- This tour includes hands-on guidance from a PADI-certified guide
- All equipment provided—only swimming experience required
- Round-trip transport with hotel pickup and drop-off included
What's Included
- Guided snorkeling trip
- Hot chocolate and cookies
- All necessary snorkeling equipment, drysuit and warm undersuit
- Live guide that is a PADI instructor
- Heated changing van
- Entrance fee to Silfra (ISK 1,500)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Souvenir photos of your snorkeling tour (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pick up service is available only within central Reykjavik at selected hotels and bus stops. Make sure to take this in consideration before booking your tour. If you are staying outside of the central Reykjavik area, please send us a message and we will tell you where to meet us. Please note we don't operate pickups outside of Reykjavik.
Itinerary
Start your half-day, small-group tour with pickup from your central Reykjavik hotel or alternatively, from a central location in the city. Then, travel by air-conditioned vehicle into Thingvellir National Park, where Silfra is located.
As you travel, take in the volcanic landscapes and hear from your guide about the park’s geology and history as the site of Iceland’s earliest parliaments. UNESCO-listed Thingvellir is also famous for the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates: a valley becoming gradually wider as the plates slowly pull apart. Some of the fissures and faults between the plates, such as Silfra, are filled with clear, cold water.
On arrival at Silfra, hop out and listen to an introduction to snorkeling in the fissure. Then, don a special dry suit over your everyday clothes to stay dry and warm in the cold water.
Learn how to use your snorkeling equipment and enter the water via steps. Then, follow your guide on a tour of the only place on the planet where you can snorkel between two continental plates.
Float through the intensely blue glacial waters that are famously clear. The incredible visibility—more than 328 feet (100 meters)—showcases the rocks, with their emerald plant life and algae creating beautiful colorscapes.
Swim the narrowest section known as the Silfra Big Crack, following the fissure as it widens into Silfra Hall. Gaze through the waters into Thingvallavatn Lake before entering the deep Silfra Cathedral. Float over the boulders here before finishing in stunning Silfra Lagoon.
Afterward, change out of your dry suit, and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies before your return transfer and drop-off at the Reykjavik start point.
As you travel, take in the volcanic landscapes and hear from your guide about the park’s geology and history as the site of Iceland’s earliest parliaments. UNESCO-listed Thingvellir is also famous for the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates: a valley becoming gradually wider as the plates slowly pull apart. Some of the fissures and faults between the plates, such as Silfra, are filled with clear, cold water.
On arrival at Silfra, hop out and listen to an introduction to snorkeling in the fissure. Then, don a special dry suit over your everyday clothes to stay dry and warm in the cold water.
Learn how to use your snorkeling equipment and enter the water via steps. Then, follow your guide on a tour of the only place on the planet where you can snorkel between two continental plates.
Float through the intensely blue glacial waters that are famously clear. The incredible visibility—more than 328 feet (100 meters)—showcases the rocks, with their emerald plant life and algae creating beautiful colorscapes.
Swim the narrowest section known as the Silfra Big Crack, following the fissure as it widens into Silfra Hall. Gaze through the waters into Thingvallavatn Lake before entering the deep Silfra Cathedral. Float over the boulders here before finishing in stunning Silfra Lagoon.
Afterward, change out of your dry suit, and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies before your return transfer and drop-off at the Reykjavik start point.
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DIVE.IS Meeting Point for Silfra snorkeling and diving tours
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- All participants will need to fill out a medical form before participating in the tour. Please contact local operator in order to request the form via email.
- All participant's height, weight and age information must be provided to local operator to ensure they bring the best fitting drysuit. The tour operator will contact you after booking to ask for this information.
- Participants must be at least 12 years of age
- Dry suits are worn over your own clothing. We recommend wearing long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as a base layer under the dry suit
- Minimum height is 4ft 11in (150cm). Minimum weight is 100lbs (45kg).
- Maximum height and weight is 6ft7in (200cm) and 264lbs (120kg).
- Participants must be comfortable in water and able to swim, physically fit and healthy
- Please note that that dry suits can sometimes feel quite tight and constricting
- All participants must be able to communicate in English
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- IMPORTANT - Participants who are 60 years of age and older must have their doctor sign the approval form in order to participate
- Pickup starts 30 minutes before scheduled departure, please be ready and visible at your designated pickup location
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Paige_T
An absolute must stop on your trip to Iceland. The clearest water I’ve ever seen with very deep areas makes this one of the most unique places to snorkel. Denise was an amazing guide and the entire staff is so friendly and helpful. Would recommend again and again!
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,197 reviews
Matthew_E, Feb 2026
What a great experience! Snorkeling between the tectonic plates was amazing. The guides were amazing, my wife was a little nervous, but they assured her it would be great. We went in February and thankfully it was warm outside, about 34 Fahrenheit. The coldest part was waiting to change into the dry suit. Once in the water it was comfortable in the dry suit.
Amanda_G, Feb 2026
It was great snorkeling! If you are uncomfortable with tight clothes the dry suit is very tight around the neck and hands. I was worried about being cold but in the end, only my hands were cold.
Nicole_M, Feb 2026
Doing this in the winter was another level of adventure. They supply the warm onesie, the dry suit and all the rest of the gear. Come dressed in your good thermals and bring a few pairs of warm socks. Getting the gear on can be uncomfortable but the reward is absolutely amazing. An unforgettable experience!
Beth_D, Jan 2026
Awesome and unique experience. Highly recommend. Our tour guide Diogo was super fun and knowledgeable. Had a great time.
Chris_G, Jan 2026
The whole thing might sound scary but it's a really once in a lifetime experience.
The drysuits really do keep the water and cold out plus you'll really float along so there's no danger there. And the views of the Silfra fissure are just spectacular.
Also have to call out our guide Diogo who was fantastic throughout the day and made the experience all the more better.
Tahni_G, Jan 2026
Amazing experience! No where near as cold as I was expecting! Visibility was great. All the guides were super fun! Had fun with us, each other and other groups. Would love to do the deeper dive next time!
Kimberly_S, Dec 2025
The experience was fantastic! Anticipation of the cold water soon passed when we entered the water. Gabe was a great guide & all the additional help/prep for the swim was top notch from Dive.IS!
Tammy_W, Dec 2025
I enjoyed the experience. It was smooth from pickup to putting on the gear, getting instructions from the guides & snorkeling to returning back to my drop off location.
I thought I would be cold, but the dry suit kept me warm... and dry. The water was beautiful and I definitely recommend.
Christopher_W, Dec 2025
Don’t think about doing this, just do it! You won’t regret it. A 5 star experience from start to finish.
Alecia_C, Dec 2025
Great day snorkeling. Our guide GC was very knowledgeable and patient. I wish I would have worn 2 pairs of socks but for the most part I was able to stay warm.
Kira_M, Nov 2025
I was never picked up. After 2 attempts to communicate through Viator with no response, I called dive.is directly. I was on the pickup list at the office but not on the drivers list. The driver was already out of town so I was out of luck. Three stars because I was offered a timely refund or rebook. I can’t fairly say that I do or don’t recommend since I did not go.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Kira,
Thank you for taking the time to post your review.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for the mistake we made on the day of your tour, which resulted in you not being picked up.
We are glad to hear that you appreciated our responsiveness, offering you to move to another date or receive a full refund.
We truly hope you will visit Iceland again soon and will decide to give us another opportunity to show you a wonderful time at Silfra.
Lorna_D, Oct 2025
Great tour, our guide Marian was very helpful, patient with us all, dry suits do take a bit of getting used to as they have to fit tight around neck etc so they keep you dry, recommended a thin base layer as you are provided with a fleece under suit which keeps you warm, nice amount of time in the water to take in the experience, all of the guides are very helpful checking and getting you in to your equipment and hot chocolate and biscuits at the end, overall a well organised tour.
Emma_C, Sep 2025
Had a great time! Dry suits kept us toasty and floating. Face was chilled but that’s okay we knew that going in! Great guide.
Thomas_G, Sep 2025
Wilfred was such a great and professional guide. He made sure everyone was safe. The driver for picking us up and driving us to the snorkeling was great as well.
Emma_R, Aug 2025
Be aware of timings so that you don't delay others when they have to wait for latecomers. Make sure to have drunk plenty of water & eaten.
Konrad was a superb guide & host.
Jenny_S, Aug 2025
Our guide was phenomenal, great experience.
It was breathtaking, very clear water… we got great photos.
Kristy_N, Aug 2025
It was a great snorkeling experience at Silfra. Liliana our Padi certified instructor was amazing! She put us at ease and stayed with us throughout the experience. We went out in groups of 6. That’s the max allowed. The dry suit really kept us dry and the cold didn’t bother me. I was very surprised. I went into it a bit terrified but determined. I would 100% recommend to anyone. Thanks Liliana!!
Molly_M, Aug 2025
It is a fantastic experience but just be prepared for the fact that it takes a long time to get into all of the gear and then today at least there was about a 30 minute wait in line to get in the water. Totally worth it but just be mentally prepared.
Teri_I, Aug 2025
This tour was the best!! Gabe made us feel safe and prepared for this incredible experience! He was knowledgeable and helpful and fun! Knowing that you are swimming g between two continents is surreal! The water was cold but incredibly clear! Highly recommend!
Anonymous, Aug 2025
A very unique experience! I’ve snorkeled all over the world but this is the only time it was between tectonic plates! Suits are very constricting and it takes awhile to get suited up, but worth the effort. Our guide, Anezka was so friendly and knowledgeable. She was a pleasure to be around.
sharon_w, Aug 2025
Insufficient information given at time of booking as well as advertising that states "ages 12-99" without indication that a doctor"s approval is necessary. I paid for the trip, got to the site and was not allowed to participate. And Viator denied my refund. Book with the operator, not through a third party that cares only about the $$$
Ruth_L, Aug 2025
A very cool one of a kind experience! Be advised that this will definitely take several hours between getting into the snorkeling equipment, queuing to get in the water, and actually going on the dive. But it’s definitely worth it. The guides are helpful and knowledgeable about the land. The snorkeling itself is truly a unique experience. The water is cold, but you get used to it quickly. It’s crystal clear and you can see incredible rock formations and plant life under the surface. And even if you do get a little water in your snorkel, it’ll be the clearest purest water you’ve ever tasted. I recommend dressing in layers and having something thin underneath the dry suit to keep you warm. Your clothes won’t get wet, but it’ll be uncomfortable if you have a sweater underneath the suit. I do think they could do a better job of having private spaces for people to get changed and the check-in process could be more organized. But overall, a fun experience I would do it again.
Drew_H, Jul 2025
Elsa was a great guide. Interacted well with our group and made sure everybody felt safe. Suits fit well and kept us so dry that we didn’t even need to change clothes afterwards. The wait to get in the water was a little uncomfortable since we were all suited up, but it wasn’t too bad. The snorkeling views were amazing, the water is so clear words can’t do it justice and really an amazing and unique way to experience Iceland. Bus pickup and transfer was right on time and had us back for the cruise ship departure with plenty of time to spare.
Michelle_W, Jul 2025
Snorkeling in Silfra was absolutely breathtaking—truly one of the most unforgettable experiences I've ever had! The water is crystal clear, with visibility that goes beyond anything I’ve seen before. Floating between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates is both surreal and humbling.
Our guide Sara was fantastic—professional, informative, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable in the dry suits. They explained the geology and history of Silfra, which made the whole experience even more meaningful.
Even though the water is cold, the dry suits kept us warm, and the sensation of gliding through that glacier-filtered water was like flying. The vibrant blues and the alien-like underwater rock formations made it feel like another planet.
If you're visiting Iceland, do not miss this! It’s a peaceful, awe-inspiring experience that gives you a whole new appreciation for the beauty of our planet.
Jennifer_S, Jul 2025
A great experience. The guides helped everyone suit up and briefed us well on what to expect. The slow current carried us at a leisurely pace through the water. All we had to do was float (which the buoyant suits make easy), look down, and enjoy the picturesque view below. Beautiful and unforgettable. Plus, afterward you can walk to Thingvellir, the location of the medieval Viking parliament, which is just around the corner. Geology and history in one gorgeous spot.
Leithia_W, Jul 2025
Our guide Jenny was fantastic!! It was my first time snorkelling, I was a bit scared, and she was incredibly patient and guided me through the whole journey. If you've never snorkelled before, you get used to it pretty quickly, and the views are spectacular! Highly recommend!
Slhslp, Jul 2025
This was a once in an a once in an lifetime experience. The equipment was high-quality and kept us warm, the water was extremely clear, and everything was run very smoothly. Our guide, Terrza, was amazing.
Madeleine_K, Jul 2025
A once in a lifetime experience and definitely worth it! Lilian was my snorkel guide and was amazing. They go above and beyond to get everyone ready to go snorkeling. To get ready, you should wear thermal layers and wool socks. Then they provided a thermal suit and a wet suit and then boots, gloves, head mask, goggles, snorkel, flippers, and they have to help you with every step. It’s like a child getting dressed by the parents, but they do this to make sure everyone is properly fitted into the suits. They are very kind about helping and getting you ready. One note is to properly fit you they may have to put a band on your wrists and a strap around your neck to make sure no water will get through. It’s a bit tight, but it’s for you to be safe in the cold water and not get fully wet. Also getting into the dry suit and head mask can be a bit tight. It is all worth it once you’re in the water!!! They give you a briefing and make sure everyone is okay and safe and you travel in your group of six people. The wet suit makes you feel like a buoy so you kind of just float and don’t have to swim much. The most shocking part is the cold water on your face and hands when you first enter the water, but you get used to it. Lilian was great with helping us, guiding us, and taking pictures. She is as very knowledgeable and I felt very safe. Water was crystal clear and you could see so much! After we even got hot chocolate and it was lovely day snorkeling!
Kathryn_J, Jul 2025
We had a memorable experience snorkeling with Armand. He prepared us very well for what to expect and was incredibly friendly and personable. Your face does eventually go numb and you don’t even realize how cold it is. How many people do you know that can say they have snorkeled between tectonic plates?
LeeAnne_S, Jul 2025
Our Silfra snorkeling experience was more than we could have hoped for. Yes, the water is (almost) freezing. But it is so clear and refreshing after putting on all the layers you need to protect you. Our guide was Elsa, and she was so great. Informative, funny, very helpful and made sure we were all safe. She learned our names so she could check on us individually and direct us where needed. I cannot recommend this enough.
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