Facing the notoriously cold Icelandic waters to scuba div and snorkel in Silfra
When I was in Iceland, I decided to go snorkeling in Silfra. I was excited to try out the supposedly amazing water visibility, even though the water was super cold. I thought to myself, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I’m going to go for it, even if it means getting a little wet.”
But, boy, was I nervous about having to act like a “big girl” and take the plunge into those crystal-clear waters that felt like they were freezing my bones off.My husband Alex and I were both itching to go scuba diving, but he ended up taking the plunge solo. Since I’ve got a bit of a history with ear issues and asthma, my doctor has kindly advised me to stick to snorkeling. But hey, it’s not all bad! Alex and I ended up with some pretty unique stories to chat about that night.
We decided to go with Dive.is, which is truly the best option for Silfra scuba diving and snorkeling. They’ve been doing this for almost 20 years, so they know their stuff!
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iceland travel tips
The experience
Whether you’re a scuba diver or a snorkeler, our tour has got you covered! We’ll pick you up right in the heart of Reykjavik, take you to the amazing diving site in Silfra, and make sure you have all the gear you need. And to top it off, we’ll treat you to some delicious cookies and hot chocolate after the tour! Believe it or not, the best part wasn’t the drive to Þingvellir or the dive itself. It was putting on all those layers and the dry suit. I’m not even kidding, it’s the least flattering thing in the world, no matter what your body shape is. Everyone kind of looks like a love child of the Michelin Man and a black bear.
I really enjoyed the fact that we were part of a diverse group of snorkelers and scuba divers. Since divers got to go in the water twice, snorkelers had some free time to explore the area on foot. It looked absolutely stunning in the 6 p.m. light, and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day!
Snorkeling in Silfra was a magical experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Iceland, even if you’re not planning on renting a car and exploring beyond Reykjavik. It’s an incredible feeling to be in such cold waters, but the sense of being between two continental plates in one of the world’s most rugged islands is truly unmatched.
Scuba Diving & snorkelling in Silfra
Useful tips for scuba diving and snorkeling in Iceland
- Snorkeling in Silfra is just ISK 16,900 (about $150).
- Most of the tours are available year-round, but I highly suggest going in the summer months to enjoy the amazing daylight hours.
- The water at Silfra is very cold, just a couple of degrees over zero. If you have a tendency to get cold easily, a drysuit won’t shield you from that; it merely keeps you afloat. Bring plenty of layers, especially for your extremities (wool socks and thick gloves are a must). For your face, there’s not much you can do except tough it out. Your skin will adjust, and you’ll be amazed at how well you can handle the cold. Just think of how young and fresh you’ll look with half your face frozen in time!
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iceland travel tips
- If you’re into scuba diving, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. If you’re planning on diving in Silfra, it’s a good idea to get your PADI dry suit certification first. If not, plan enough time to do it in Reykjavik (Dive.is offers courses). Scuba diving in a dry suit is a whole different experience compared to diving in a wetsuit, and it requires some specific skills that could even be life-saving. Just a heads-up, your open water certification won’t necessarily cover this.
- We really want you to have the best experience possible, so we don’t recommend trying scuba diving or snorkeling in Silfra on your own if you’re planning on driving to Þingvellir National Park. And please, please don’t think that booking with a tour company is unnecessary. They’re professionals and they know all about the risks of diving in such cold waters. We really want you to be safe and have the best experience possible, so please don’t underestimate the dangers.
- Book your snorkelling trip to Silfra here, with Dive.is.