Summary
I look down into Iceland’s Silfra crevasse and I can feel the chill of the pristine glacial water drifting up toward my face. The water is crystal clear, allowing me to see the jet black lava stone bottom 70 or 80 feet beneath the surface. A bucket list moment had finally arrived; I was diving in Iceland. It was time to plunge into some of the coldest and clearest water in the world.
Diving into the Silfra Fissure Iceland
When regular individuals dream of vacations, they envision sunny beaches, warm weather, and relaxation. However, scuba divers have a different perspective. As a licensed scuba diver for the majority of my life, I have experienced various cold-water dives, yet nothing has come close to the frigid waters of the Silfra.
For as long as I can remember, traveling and scuba diving the Silfra has been an Iceland bucket list experience for me. Located just 40 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, most people would consider it crazy to suggest a dive there.
Well, I guess crazy is just my middle name. Consequently, 48 hours after landing on the island of fire and ice, I suited up, eager to find out what it is like to scuba dive into one of the coldest and clearest places on the planet.
The Silfra: A Place Unlike Any Other
There is a reason why Iceland is referred to as the land of fire and ice. Relatively speaking, it is the youngest landmass on Earth, formed 25 million years ago through volcanic activity. This activity occurs because Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic ridge, where the ocean crust spreads apart to create new crust.
On one side of this crust is the Eurasian plate, while on the other is the North American plate. This spreading zone is continuously moving, drifting apart at a rate of approximately two centimeters each year.
The Silfra fissure is essentially an opening in this crust filled with ice-cold glacial water. Notably, it is the only location in the world where the ridge rises above sea level. Consequently, the Silfra has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, nestled in the heart of Þingvellir National Park.
Travelers from all corners of the globe flock to this landmark for a glimpse into a unique geological phenomenon. For those like me who crave more, braving the elements to plunge into the Silfra’s waters offers an unparalleled experience unlike any other.
A Chilly Scuba Dive
I will never forget my initial steps into the Silfra waters. Even while wearing a drysuit, the water felt mind-numbing.
Hovering around 3°C, the Silfra fissure is fed by glacial water from Langjökul, Iceland’s second-largest glacier.
The glacier water melts and filters underground through porous lava rocks, journeying through the highlands all the way to Þingvallavatn Lake via the Silfra.
Like a submarine, I slowly submerged beneath the waterline. Thanks to the incredible visibility, I quickly understood why the Silfra is renowned among scuba divers. At the surface, the water was so transparent that I could see volcanic rock formations 70 or 80 feet below. Once submerged, my range of vision expanded even further.
I navigated through the large and small cracks of the Silfra Hall, admiring the dramatic rock formations from the surface plunging into the depths of the fissure.
Lime green algae, affectionately termed “troll hair,” danced in the water as I finned by. Like countless scuba divers before me, I positioned myself between the tectonic plates with one hand on the Eurasian plate and one on the North American plate, capturing a classic photograph.
Silfra Cathedral
Next, we transitioned to the Silfra Cathedral, the deepest and widest section of the dive. With nearly perfect visibility extending over 100 feet, the sweeping sandy view of the Cathedral was breathtaking.
The visibility, along with the light penetration through the water, was so excellent that I had to keep a close watch on my depth gauge to avoid losing track of how deep I was. The Cathedral’s lava stone walls contrasted sharply with the white sandy bottom, creating a divine sensation.
My description certainly does not do it justice.
Silfra Lagoon
From the Silfra Cathedral, we veered sharply left into the shallow Silfra Lagoon. As a calmer section of the dive, the lagoon boasted a brilliant colorscape visible through the water. Browns, blacks, greens, and blues formed an underwater kaleidoscope. Although it is difficult to smile with a regulator in my mouth, I somehow managed it—resulting in the crinkling of my eyes and an influx of water into my mask.
Diving in the Silfra’s Extreme Cold is Worth the Pain
As I moved toward the exit platform, I could feel my body beginning to shake. By this point, I had been in the extremely cold water for around 30 minutes, and the cold was taking its toll.
My fingers had lost considerable dexterity due to the cold, making it difficult to grip the railing and pull myself out of the lagoon. Thankfully, some hot chocolate and warm mittens quickly rectified the situation.
To dive the Silfra is to take one significant step out of your comfort zone and redefine cold-water diving.
Whether the goal is to immerse oneself in the unique geology, touch the tectonic plates, or brave the brain freeze, adventurers courageous enough to weather the glacial waters will be rewarded with world-class diving and incredible visibility.
Do you dare to take the plunge in Iceland?
