Silfra: World Renowned Diving in Iceland

A traveler that states his vacation went down the toilet is thought to have had a bad trip, but perhaps he is simply remarking on one of the unique dive spots in Iceland. Silfra is a remarkable spot located in the National Park Thingvellir in Iceland where divers can actually travel between the tectonic plate crack that separates North America and Europe, literally touching both sides at the same time. Many renowned dive publications have named this as one of the five top dive destinations in the world.

Silfra, a spring coming up beneath a lava field, has many parts to its underwater beauty. There is a pool that has two different options, available to only the most experienced divers. On one side, the pool leads into the Silfra cave which is very deep. Depending on the source, depths are estimated anywhere from 58 meters to 63 meters, or over 206 feet. Due to incredible skill and risk of diving in such a deep area that is filled with narrow passageways and contains rocks that can easily come loose, most dive tours do not offer this as an option to tourists.

Other experienced, but not as daring, divers move from the pool to the toilet. This is not an official name but it certainly has stuck. The toilet is technically a tunnel which divers most enter into head first for a vertical trip down. As a result of the strong current, divers are forced down the tunnel, or flushed down. Upon exiting the toilet, divers are now in the area where the majority of guided dives start and many divers begin their Silfra experience.

Divers are drawn to this area not only for the distinctive underwater sights; the water itself is shockingly clear and bright. Composed of glacier water and rain water it is so pure that divers are invited to sip up as it is a freshwater area. The brilliant clarity makes for great visibility beneath the water as well, which can be a comfort to first time divers. Dive companies that are geared to tourists assure those who may be uncertain about diving in water that ranges from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (about 35 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit) that there are dives where depths do not exceed 15 meters and popping back up to surface at any time is easily done.

From the starting point divers can next head over to Silfra Hall. This is quite a formal sounding name for what is actually an entrance into a cave system. This is where divers get the chance to swim through the crack underneath boulders. Not only is this an incredible experience, it makes for a great vacation photo due to the crystal clear water. Swimming onto the Silfra Cathedral, divers will put their swimming skills to test as they must swim over and under rocks along the way. One of the local sites describes the Silfra Cathedral as “divine,” and perhaps that is the inspiration behind the impressive name. Lava rock walls and a sand slope offer inspiring underwater views that are hard to beat, and divers can see straight across the 100 meter length of the Silfra Cathedral.

From the Cathedral divers can go into the lake or the Silfra Lagoon. Although the visibility is shockingly clear throughout, it is in the lagoon where it is highest. However, the lake holds more fish life for those looking for fellow swimmers. Dives typically end in the Silfra Lagoon and from there it is a hike back to the parking lot.

Diving in Silfra offers a once in a lifetime chance to experience geology at work, dive in stunningly clear freshwater, and see one of the hidden gems of Iceland. Divers at any level are sure to find a tour that accommodates them by searching with the many dive companies in the area.

Magnus Hirst is a tour guide and Social Media Coordinator at Icelandic Travel Market, a leading Iceland tours company specializing in bus tours, Iceland day tours, jeep tours, Iceland group travel, glacier walks, whale watching tours and more.