Quick facts about Silfra Fissure
Location
Silfra is located in Thingvallavatn Lake in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland. About 1 hour from Reykjavík.
2–4 °C (35.6 – 39.2 F)
The constant year-round temperature of Silfra’s glacial water.
1789
The year a major earthquake opened Silfra, forming a rift in the tectonic plates you can now explore through snorkeling and diving.
100+ meters (328 ft)
Underwater visibility often exceeds 100 meters (328 ft) because the water is filtered through lave rocks for decades.
2 cm/year (0.78 in)
The rate at which the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates continue to drift apart at Silfra.
30–100 years
The length of time glacial meltwater from the Langjökul glacier travels underground through porous lava rock before emerging at Silfra.
63 meters (206 ft)
The maximum depth reached within Silfra Fissure.
45 m (147 ft)
The depth accessible to recreational divers at Silfra Fissure.
What is Siflra Fissure?
Silfra Fissure is a water-filled rift in Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull away from each other. The divide grows by only a couple of centimeters each year, but over centuries that slow drift has carved a dramatic chasm, widened further by the earthquakes that shook the valley in 1789.
Its name, “Silfra,” meaning “silvery” in Icelandic, reflects the luminous quality of the water that fills it. Fed by meltwater from Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Silfra’s aquifer flows underground for decades before surfacing in the fissure. Along the way, the water is filtered through layers of volcanic stone, emerging as some of the clearest on Earth. Visibility can exceed 100 meters, turning every dive or snorkel into the sensation of floating through pure air.
Nowhere else on the planet can people descend directly into the space between continents. At Silfra, divers and snorkelers slip into icy blue corridors carved by geology and time, experiencing the rare privilege of swimming in the very seam of the Earth.
Silfra Fissure Snorkeling and Diving
Local scientists and divers began exploring the Silfra Fissure in the 1960s and 70s, drawn by its unique geology and astonishing clarity. By the late 20th century, Silfra had become a training ground for Icelandic divers, and word began to spread internationally. What started as a niche site for adventurous Icelandic divers is now consistently ranked among the top cold-water dive and snorkel locations in the world.
Today thousands of visitors each year come to snorkel and dive in Silfra, making it a highlight of the Golden Circle.
Snorkeling and diving at Silfra Fissure are organized exclusively through licensed tour companies operating within Thingvellir National Park. These providers supply all necessary equipment, including drysuits, fins, masks, neoprene hoods, and gloves, ensuring comfort in the cold glacial water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking at Silfra is paid, as it falls within Þingvellir National Park. A day parking fee covers all five car parks in the park, including P5, which is the designated lot for divers and snorkelers and located about a five-minute walk from the Silfra meeting point. Payment can be made online through CheckIt by entering your license plate number, with cameras monitoring vehicles entering and leaving. If online payment isn’t possible, you can pay at the Visitor Center. Card-operated pay machines are also being installed at the lots.
There is a 1500 ISK entrance fee for snorkeling and diving tour participants. The 1500 ISK Silfra fee is included in the tour prices. What is not included, however, is parking. Drivers must pay a parking fee set by the national park, which can be handled through the CheckIt system by registering your license plate. There is no entrance fee into the National Park itself.
Yes! There are 2 toilets at Silfra but no dedicated changing facilities. Many snorkel and diving tour participants will use the toilets to change which causes long waits.
Silfra is situated in the northernmost region of the Þingvellir lake, within the Þingvellir National Park. Approximately 50 minutes away from Reykjavik by car.
No! There is no food sold directly at Silfra. The nearest restaurant is at the Thingvellir Information Centre which is located just 3,5km (2 miles) away from Silfra.
Yes! The water in Silfra is drinkable. The water originates from the glacier Langjökull and undergoes filtration through porous underground lava rocks for a duration of 20-30 years before reaching the spring that supplies the fissure.
The water temperature in Silfra is 2-4° C (35-39 F) all year around.
Yes, but sightings are limited. Most of Silfra’s life is plant-based or microscopic, though it is home to a unique amphipod species found only in Thingvellir. As for fish, Arctic Char occasionally enter the fissure during their mating season in August and September. Year-round, the Dwarf Char, a small subspecies of Arctic Char measuring just a few centimeters up to about 10 cm, lives in the darker rocky areas. However, these fish are rarely seen by snorkelers or divers, making fish encounters in Silfra uncommon.
Silfra lies within Thingvellir National Park, a highlight of Iceland’s Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park offers scenic walking trails, dramatic rift valleys, and crystal-clear lakes surrounded by lava fields. Visitors can also explore interpretive signs and viewpoints that share the rich geological and historical significance of Thingvellir, including its role as the site of Iceland’s first parliament. With its combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage, the area around Silfra provides much more than just a snorkeling or diving experience.
Silfra’s weather, and Iceland’s weather in general is unpredictable, often shifting quickly from sunshine to rain or wind. In summer (June–August), conditions range from mild and bright to cool and damp, with daytime temperatures hovering around 10–15°C (50-59F) and dropping lower at night. Visitors are advised to pack for all possibilities—sunscreen and lighter clothing for sunny spells, along with waterproof layers, a warm fleece, or traditional Icelandic wool for colder evenings. Even during the warmest months, a hat and gloves can make outdoor adventures more comfortable.
Pick-Up and Transportation Information
Getting to Silfra Fissure is straightforward, whether you choose to drive yourself to Thingvellir National Park or arrange a pick-up in Reykjavík. To help you plan, here is everything you need to know about transportation options.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Tour companies provide pick-up and drop-off services only within Reykjavík’s central area. If you are traveling to or from the Blue Lagoon or Keflavík International Airport, the closest option is the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík, where you can meet your transfer.
Hotel Pick-Ups
Guests staying in downtown Reykjavík can be picked up directly at their hotel. If you are staying on streets such as Hverfisgata or Laugavegur, designated pick-up points are used instead. Travelers staying outside the capital will need to arrange their own transport into Reykjavík, preferably to the BSÍ Bus Terminal.
One-Way Transfers and Costs
Transportation costs 7,990 ISK per person, regardless of whether you use the service one way or round trip. Space in the vehicles is limited, so a return ticket ensures your spot is reserved.
Visiting Silfra Fissure by Car
Silfra is about a 45–60 minute drive from Reykjavík and fits perfectly into a Golden Circle itinerary.
Drivers should park at the P5 Valhöll lot, the closest public parking to Silfra and Þingvellir Church. From there it’s a 400-meter walk (430 yards) to the tour vans.
All snorkeling must be done with a licensed tour operator, even if you arrive by car. Booking a meet-on-location tour lets you skip hotel pickup and drive directly yourself.
Parking cost
Parking is paid. It costs about 1,000 ISK per day (about 7 EUR or 8 USD) for passenger cars, payable online at Checkit.is, at the Visitor Centre, or at on-site machines.
Visiting Silfra by Camper or RV (Motorhome)
For many travelers, exploring Iceland by campervan or motorhome is the ultimate way to experience the island’s raw beauty. With freedom to stop at waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes on your own schedule, it’s no surprise that RV travel is booming in Iceland.
If your journey includes a stop at Silfra Fissure, the world-famous snorkeling site in Thingvellir National Park, you may be wondering: Can I visit Silfra with my camper or RV? The answer is yes—here’s everything you need to know.