With seventy percent of the planet underwater, you’ve got to dive in to truly see what the world has to offer. Since getting scuba certified, I’ve been obsessed with traveling to the best dive sites around the world.
I was so impressed with snorkeling the Silfra Fissure on my first trip to Iceland back in 2014 that I knew I had to get a bit deeper, especially after finishing my
The Silfra Fissure is the space between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. This is actually the only place in the world where you can swim between two continental plates. It is incredible geographically, and its water is crystal clear. In fact, it’s some of the clearest water anywhere. The underwater visibility in the Silfra Fissure is well over 100 meters.
The water is so clear here because it’s filtered through underground lava for up to 100 years before it fills up the fissure. This stuff is seriously better than bottled water.
Silfra Fissure isn’t for solo divers. You’ll need to book through one of the many companies that do diving excursions, and a guide will take you out. I did my dive with Arctic Adventures and loved it. These guys specialize in ecotourism and environmentally friendly trips all over Iceland.
The diving trips to Silfra Fissure last about 4-5 hours, including the pickup time. You can also meet the guides on location for a two-hour dive.
When you book a Silfra Fissure dive with Arctic Adventures, and most companies for that matter, a certified PADI diveguide or divemaster will guide you around the Silfra Fissure and show you the most beautiful spots.
The company provides all of the essential diving gear, including a special dry suit that is made for icy cold glacial water.
Before you go to Silfra Fissure, it’s essential to be certified in diving. If you recently got certified, or just aren’t feeling confident in the water yet, this can be a tough dive. Your first time in a dry suit is a little intimidating.
These suits make everything feel different. The buoyancy when you are swimming in a dry suit in the Silfra Fissure is different from what you experience in the ocean in a wet suit.
You don’t need special dry suit certification for this dive, but be prepared to feel a little awkward on your first dive. Even advanced divers might find it difficult to find their buoyancy.
The good news is that this isn’t a deep dive, so a safety stop is not required. If you find yourself floating to the top, fear not! You can enjoy the view at any depth.
It’s nearly freezing (2 degrees Celsius / 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 4 degrees Celsius / 39 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of year). While the dry suits help, it’s honestly pretty uncomfortable.
Diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland is a post from: The Blonde Abroad