Flow of the Route:
Big Crack → Silfra Hall → Silfra Cathedral → Silfra Lagoon → Exit Point
The entire dive takes about 30–45 minutes at a leisurely pace, drifting with the gentle current from the glacier-fed water.
1. Entry Point – The Big Crack
- You start at the entry platform on the edge of the fissure.
- This initial section is sometimes called The Big Crack — a narrow, winding canyon with steep walls on either side.
- The water here is crystal clear and cold (2–4°C / 35–39°F year-round), so dry suits are standard.
- Depth: Usually between 3–8 meters (10–26 feet).
- This is the most intimate, enclosed part of the dive/snorkel before the fissure opens up.
2. Silfra Hall
- After the Big Crack, the fissure widens into Silfra Hall.
- This is a broad, open space with panoramic underwater visibility that can exceed 100 meters.
- Both tectonic plate walls (North America on one side, Eurasia on the other) are visible in a single view.
- Depth: Around 7–10 meters (23–33 feet).
- It’s a favorite photo spot because of the sense of “flying” between continents.
3. Silfra Cathedral
- Following Silfra Hall, the fissure narrows again into Silfra Cathedral, the deepest section.
- The sheer vertical rock walls rise dramatically on each side, giving it a cathedral-like appearance.
- Depth: Up to ~23 meters (75 feet).
- Because of the depth and clarity, you can often see the entire vertical drop in one glance.
- This section feels grand and quiet, almost like an underwater canyon.
4. Silfra Lagoon
- The Cathedral opens into Silfra Lagoon, a wide, shallow basin.
- Here, the water is calm, still, and exceptionally clear — you can see the bottom in perfect detail.
- Depth: Usually 2–4 meters (6–13 feet).
- This is the most relaxing section, perfect for floating and taking in the scenery.
- It’s also the endpoint for most snorkeling tours.
- Exiting is typically via a set of steps at the far end of the lagoon.