Snorkeling in Reykjavik

Iceland is a country with landscapes, monuments and natural phenomena that have earned it the nickname of magical land. One of these wonders is precisely Silfra, a unique place that has managed to enchant more and more people around the world, especially diving and snorkeling lovers.

This crack is formed by the tectonic plates of America and Europe, separated by a width of at least 5 kilometers, enough to enjoy at your leisure. In the center of the crevice, the water that flows is filtered by volcanic rock, which gives it a wonderful purity and transparency.

Knowing Silfra is one of the best plans among the things to see and do in Reykjavik. In addition, the city is one of the best starting points to visit this place, since the distance between the two is about 50 kilometers, and there are several ways to reach this magical destination. Once in the fault, the adventure will be full of incredible underwater landscapes, with areas of caves and clearings, a unique nature and an unforgettable experience.

The adventure begins in Thingvellir National Park, where you will find Lake Þingvallavatn. There, forming part of it, is the famous Silfra fault. A fissure in the earth that separates the European and American continent, and that is where the main tourist attraction of the area is currently focused, so it is of great geological interest and a point without comparison for lovers of diving and snorkeling.

The water comes from the Lángjökull glacier, which over the years has been melting and travels through the natural filter of the 50 kilometers of volcanic rock that separate the ice mountain from the crack between the tectonic plates.

Hence its purity and transparency, which make the visibility insurmountable, according to calculations, reaching between 150 and 300 meters. One of the main reasons that make diving in Silfra an unforgettable experience, be sure to give it a good sip too!

The water temperature is 2 to 4 °C, regardless of the time of year, and the current is gentle and relaxing. The underwater landscape of Silfra has very marked shades of color, mostly blue, and although there are no fish, swimming in these waters becomes unforgettable and the vegetation adds spectacular shades. At some points, the proximity is such that it is possible to touch both plates at the same time, both continents at the same time.

In addition to the incredible transparency of the water, the Silfra landscape offers another peculiarity that makes diving and snorkeling a higher level adventure. Every year, the tectonic plates of each continent separate by two centimeters. That is to say, that the whole structure presents small earthquakes with a great frequency.

Due to these movements, the landscape is constantly changing, which is both fascinating and dangerous, especially for divers who venture into the caves. Therefore, only the entrances and wide spaces are allowed to be visited, which is more than enough for unparalleled enjoyment. You can swim leisurely back and forth between the two continents- there is so much to see!

You will find that this aquatic grotto is divided into three areas of great attraction. The Lagoon, the Hall and the Cathedral. In this third place is where you will be able to better appreciate the scope of visibility of the purest water on the planet. From this point, you can see with impressive clarity the extent of the fissure, that is, the beginning and the end of Silfra. This alone is reason enough to visit Iceland.

When reading about Iceland, you will find that there is an area that is known as the Golden Circle. This refers to three stunning wonders located in close proximity to each other, which geographically form what could be defined as a circular route, which, by the way, you can't miss. Thingvellir National Park is one of these locations, along with the valley of Haukadalur, and its famous geysers; and the Gullfoss waterfall. And all of them are very close to Reykjavik.

As already mentioned, in Thingvellir Park you will find the Silfra fault, where you can live the best diving and snorkeling experience of all. But, if you are already determined to get to know Iceland and its wonders, why not include some additional stops as part of the best getaways from Reykjavik.

In this case, you can't miss Geysir, which is the most famous geyser in the world, even when inactive. But so you do not go home without having enjoyed the impressive spectacle, you can approach the Strokkur, which if it is well active and throws an impressive column of boiling water over 20 meters high. Be sure to visit the geothermal spa!

Another mandatory stop is the magical Gullfoss waterfall. Undoubtedly the most important waterfall in Iceland and one of the most spectacular on the planet. The visual effect of the geography that gives rise to this wonder is unique, and will make you think that the earth has opened to swallow the river. The perfect stop to start a tour of the best waterfalls in Iceland.

The Crater of a Thousand Colors and the Warm Secret Lagoon

In addition to the three wonders mentioned above, in the Golden Circle you will find two more stops that you should definitely book. One of them is the Kerid crater, a spectacle that is well worth a tour just to see it. This circular sinkhole has accumulated water inside, forming a magical-looking lake, which thanks to the green colors of the moss and red earth, gives it the appearance of a talisman. You can delight yourself admiring its beauty and take beautiful pictures there.

Then, you will find the Secret Lagoon, which is actually an open secret, as it is one of the oldest and best known natural hot pools in Iceland, and a must-see among the best thermal baths in Iceland in Reykjavik. In these waters you will enjoy a warm climate, no matter what time of the year you visit, as they are always around 40 °C (104 °F). The beauty of the nature that surrounds you while swimming is incomparable. In addition, you will be able to see from there one of the small geysers doing its act.

One of the best and most recommended ways to get to know the Silfra Rift and enjoy its underwater scenery is to take a snorkeling or diving tour, guided by professionals. I must insist on it, since, as I have mentioned, it is a place as beautiful as it is risky, given its constant movement. But it is unforgivable not to know it, especially if you are already in Reykjavik and you plan to treat yourself to one of the best tours from the city. If you are going to give yourself a spectacular getaway, you have to include this wonderful experience.

There are several modalities from which you can choose the one that best suits your preferences. Some include photos, others a tour of the Golden Circle, and with departure and arrival at your hotel. You can also take the small group option, which generally allows for a more intimate enjoyment of the tour.

What you cannot miss, whatever your choice, is a professional instructor, with PADI certification, and all the necessary diving or snorkeling equipment. That is, dry suit and neoprene gloves, snorkel, and everything else. This is essential, as these are not ordinary suits, but special ones to keep you warm in these icy waters.

Details of interest

• Price: Depending on the specifications, the tours can have a cost starting at 130 euros.
• Duration: likewise, depending on the modality, they can be between 3 and 9 hours.
• To consider: Most tours include hot chocolate and cookies after the dive, but other food and beverages will be on the visitor's account.
• Additional: Unless specified in the directions, vehicle parking, photos and other items are not included in the rates. Please take note of these details when choosing the tour of your preference.

If you prefer to get to Silfra on your own, of course it is possible, especially if you are in Reykjavik, as both locations are quite close. In fact, the distance by road is 50 kilometers, and there are options to get there, whether you have a car or not.

The travel time is about an hour, so it is not much to invest in it, plus the scenery along the way is a delight. For starters, if you have a rental car, it will only be 45 minutes of travel, and the cost of gasoline will be between 10 to 17 euros. If you go by cab, the cost would be 120 to 160 euros, being the most expensive option.

However, bus line 15 can take you quite close, for example to Varmárskóli, Reykjabyggð or Reykjavegur, from where you should take a cab to Silfra. This option would cost between 100 and 140 euros in total, and the travel time about an hour.

Of course, each offers its pros and cons, and it all depends on how much time and money you have to invest, as well as how much comfort you are willing to give up. Actually, though, traveling by bus isn't so bad. In fact, there are some excellent sightseeing bus tours in Reykjavik, which allow you to see the city at your own pace, and they are excellent.

Besides having the right staff to accompany you, there are other details I would like to recommend you to keep in mind when visiting Silfra. For example, bring some warm wool clothes to wear under your dry wetsuit, it will help you stay warmer.

Additionally, bring some extra clothes in case the ones you are wearing get wet. It's not something that happens often, but it's better to be safe - don't forget a good coat! Remember that the weather out of the water is also cold.

Take a good camera. Some tours charge you extra money for the pictures they take with their special cameras, others include them in the package. Whatever your choice, you will always want more pictures of this underwater paradise, so don't forget it. But make sure it's easy to wear and doesn't get in the way of your swimming.

The suit is tight at the wrists and neck, something to consider if you suffer from claustrophobia, as it may make you uncomfortable. On the other hand, leave the jewelry at home or at the hotel, because it is forbidden because it could break the suit.

This is a great experience, and although it is not necessary to be a professional diver or snorkeler, you should know how to swim and be used to moderate exercise (walking 500 meters), especially since there are times when you swim against the current. Another important recommendation is to ingest food and drinks before swimming and wait for adequate time for digestion.

This excursion is among the best you can enjoy on the South Coast from Reykjavik. Just follow the guide's instructions and don't try to explore on your own, no matter how attractive the grottoes that open up in the slabs may look. Remember that even the bubbles you exhale can generate enough vibration to dislodge some rocks.

Things to keep in mind

In addition to the above mentioned, here are some other specifications to take into account before deciding to enjoy this activity.

• Keep in mind that this is not an activity for pregnant women due to the low temperatures and the minimal risk of the special wetsuit breaking.
• If you have any specific medical condition, it is preferable to consult your doctor and professionals if it is suitable for you.
• Children under 12 years old are not allowed to participate in this activity.
• In the case of some tours, they may require written authorization from representatives of children under 18 years of age.
• Finally, it is essential to be fluent in English to be able to communicate with the guides.