Diving in Silfra & Whale Watching Self Drive Tour
Drive yourself to Þingvellir National Park, located approximately 45 km from Reykjavík. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary experience of diving in the crystal-clear glacial waters of Silfra, where you can enjoy over 100 meters of visibility encompassing its breathtaking surroundings. Furthermore, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim between two continents, providing an excellent view of the fissure that separates the European and American continental plates. The total diving duration is approximately 3 hours, including one dive and the chance to explore Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon.
Following your diving adventure, please return to Reykjavík Old Harbour to embark on the whale-watching tour, commencing at 14:00. During the cruise, you’re likely to encounter Minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and possibly even Humpback whales! After an exhilarating exploration of these magnificent marine creatures and seabirds in Faxaflói Bay, we’ll return to the harbor around 17:00, where our shuttle bus will take you back to your hotel.
To engage in diving at Silfra, there are specific requirements and criteria that participants must meet:
Certification or Experience: Participants must either hold a valid certification as a dry suit diver or provide evidence of at least 10 logged dry suit dives within the past two years. This proof should be in the form of a written confirmation from an instructor affiliated with a globally recognized diving organization.
Medical Statement: All diving participants are required to carefully review and sign a “Diving Silfra Medical Statement.” If necessary, individuals must follow any instructions provided for obtaining medical clearance from a doctor for the tour.
Age and Height/Weight Criteria: Participants must be at least 18 years old (17 with parental permission) and no older than 65 years.
They should have a height of at least 150 cm and weigh a minimum of 45 kg, but not exceed 120 kg. Additionally, they should be physically fit.
Diver Certification: Participants must possess certification as a diver at the level of PADI Open Water or an equivalent certification. Proof of this certification should be brought along.
Comfort with Dry Suit: Be prepared to wear a sometimes snug and constricting dry suit. Prior dry suit diving experience is recommended to ensure comfort.
Swimming Abilities: Participants should feel comfortable in the water and possess the ability to swim.
These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and preparedness of all participants in order to fully enjoy and benefit from the Silfra diving experience.
- Guided diving & whale watching trip
- All necessary diving equipment & overalls whale watching
- Hot chocolate and cookies after the diving trip
- Entrance fee of 1.500 ISK per person into Silfra
- Pick up at your accommodation in Reykjavik
- Long thermal underwear
- Warm wool socks
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Long underwear
- Thick socks
- Suitable clothes for the weather of the day
- Contact lenses if you wear glasses
- Participants must be a certified diver at the level of PADI Open Water or equivalent.
- Participants need to have dry suit diving certification and a logged dry suit dive within two years of the tour date OR have at least 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of the tour date and be able to provide written proof from a diving instructor of these dry suit dives.
- Ensure that you have carefully reviewed, signed, and adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Diving Silfra Medical Statement.
- Please sign our liability release form at the commencement of the tour.
- Participants must have a height ranging from 150cm to 200cm.
- Weight requirements dictate that participants should fall within the range of 45kg to 120kg.
- Ensure that you fall within the parameters of our dry suit size chart.
- Participants must be minimum 17 years of age (signature of legal guardian required for under 18 year old participants)
- Comfort and proficiency in the water, along with the ability to swim, are prerequisites.
- Physical fitness is essential for the activity.
- Be prepared to wear a dry suit that may occasionally feel snug and restrictive.
- Effective communication in English or having access to a translator throughout the tour is mandatory.
- Pregnant individuals are not eligible to participate.
- 90% of the cost is refundable up to 48 hour before your tour
- 10% of the cost is non-refundable regardless of cancellation time
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Itinerary
Itinerary
Diving at Silfra FissureUpon arriving at Silfra, your guide will provide you with a dry suit and diving gear. Your diving guide will offer instructions on how to use the equipment to ensure your comfort and warmth during the 30- to 40-minute snorkeling expedition, covering Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon.
During your dive, you will explore Silfra’s four main sections. You’ll start by going through Big Crack, Silfra’s narrowest point, where the continental plates are so close that you can almost reach out and touch them. The fissure then opens up into Silfra Hall, showcasing the full spectrum of Silfra’s vivid colors and exceptional clarity. From this vantage point, if you gaze at just the right angle, you can see all the way to Lake Thingvallavatn, a distance of over 150 meters. As you approach the entrance to Thingvellir Lake, you’ll enter the mesmerizing Silfra Cathedral, where the depth reaches 23 meters, creating a sensation of gliding over boulders and glacial silt. Your diving experience culminates in the endless visibility of Silfra Lagoon.
Whale WatchingReykjavikWe set sail from the Elding ticket office and during the 3-hour Whale Watching tour, your guide will share insights about the expected marine life and provide tips for optimal viewing.
Upon arriving at Silfra, your guide will provide you with a dry suit and diving gear. Your diving guide will offer instructions on how to use the equipment to ensure your comfort and warmth during the 30- to 40-minute snorkeling expedition, covering Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon.
During your dive, you will explore Silfra’s four main sections. You’ll start by going through Big Crack, Silfra’s narrowest point, where the continental plates are so close that you can almost reach out and touch them. The fissure then opens up into Silfra Hall, showcasing the full spectrum of Silfra’s vivid colors and exceptional clarity. From this vantage point, if you gaze at just the right angle, you can see all the way to Lake Thingvallavatn, a distance of over 150 meters. As you approach the entrance to Thingvellir Lake, you’ll enter the mesmerizing Silfra Cathedral, where the depth reaches 23 meters, creating a sensation of gliding over boulders and glacial silt. Your diving experience culminates in the endless visibility of Silfra Lagoon.
We set sail from the Elding ticket office and during the 3-hour Whale Watching tour, your guide will share insights about the expected marine life and provide tips for optimal viewing.