Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure in Beautiful Iceland – Imagine diving between the tectonic plates of two continents.
Hot springs and geysers are nothing new; but, the Silfra Fissure is quite unique. The Silfra Fissure is a tectonic, freshwater rift. Again, there are many of these in Iceland, but the Silfra is not only the most interesting of all, but it is also the best one for snorkelers of all skill levels.
Silfra’s visibility is nearly 350 feet, meaning it is among the clearest waters on the planet. Divers snorkel down into the depths of the waters separating the Eurasian and North American continental plates. In some spots, divers can reach out and touch both sides of the fissure at once.
If that isn’t enough, the Silfra Fissure’s underwater seascape of sand, algae, and lava rock are a great allure to the world’s diving community. Some of the world’s most experienced divers seek out Silfra to see this amazing sight for themselves. In fact, international diving magazines rate the Silfra Fissure as among the Top 5 best sites for snorkeling in the world. But there is much more this famous dive site has to offer.
For instance, the country of Iceland is the world’s only place in which you can clearly stand between two continents, and the Silfra Fissure is the only place you’re able to dive in between to plates. Silfra is located within the Thingvellir National Park and while the park is beautiful in its own right, the majority of visitors here come for the fissure and its underwater naked beauty.
Currently the only means of snorkeling the great Silfra is by guided tour. Dive Iceland has been in business the longest and offers an amazing introduction to the region and promises incredible dive memories.
Of course, because this is Iceland, day time temps are relatively cold and the water even more so. With the proper gear, experiencing Silfra’s crystal waters can be absolutely exhilarating. The light jumps on the tops of the waves like sparkling diamonds, and shoots the sun’s rays as far as its fingers will reach down into the depths. Because of the water’s crystal clear glassiness, it creates rainbows everywhere the sun touches, refracting the rays much the same as an actual crystal.
Connect With Us!