Thingvellir National Park dive sites

Yes, drysuit certification or documented proof of drysuit experience is mandatory for diving Silfra. All dive operators enforce this requirement without exception. The water temperature is a constant 2 to 4 degrees Celsius year-round, making a drysuit essential for safety. If you do not have drysuit experience, several operators offer drysuit courses in Reykjavik that can be completed before your Silfra dive, or you can participate as a snorkeller, which requires no special certification.

Silfra's extraordinary visibility is the result of a natural filtration process that takes 30 to 100 years. Glacial meltwater from Langjökull glacier percolates through porous volcanic lava rock for decades, during which virtually all sediment and particles are removed. By the time the water emerges in the Silfra fissure, it is among the purest on Earth. The constant 2 to 4 degree temperature year-round and minimal organic matter in the water ensure the clarity is maintained permanently.

In the narrowest section of Silfra, known as Silfra Hall, it is physically possible to extend your arms and touch the Eurasian plate on one side and the North American plate on the other. However, touching the rock walls is discouraged and in some areas prohibited, as it can disturb the delicate algae growth and degrade the experience for other divers. Operators emphasise a hands-off approach to preserve the fissure's pristine condition.