The Silfra SnorkelingReykjavík: Silfra Fissure Snorkeling review
What the tour is like
You drive to the P5 car park at Þingvellir, walk to the meeting point, and meet the guide. Brief, suiting up in the drysuit and undersuit, a walk down to the fissure, then you float through Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and out via Silfra Lagoon. Amber’s guide Mikki walked the group through everything. Miriam said it was even better than expected; her husband called it his favourite activity of the trip. Naila felt it was safe. The honest part: one traveller had to wait 2 hours on the coach during a busy day. Suiting up takes patience.
This is where thousands of people book their first Silfra. The review base is massive and the price is right.
What works
- Cheapest Silfra snorkel at $127
- Largest review base: 2,094 reviews, 4.7 rating
- Small groups (max 6 per guide)
- Genuine guides praised by name (Mikki, Iliana, Aleks)
- You control the parking fee; it’s ~1,000 ISK at P5
Worth knowing
- Busiest slot — expect crowds on peak days
- You drive yourself (need a rental car)
- 2-hour coach delays noted in reviews on busy days
- Drysuit is tight on land; uncomfortable until you’re in the water
- Face and hands still get cold (2–4°C water)
Arrive early at P5. Parking can fill up in peak season and the walk to the meeting point is about 5 minutes. Bring thermal base layer and thick wool socks. Glasses off, contacts are fine. Take a sip of the water mid-snorkel — it’s clean enough to drink.
Who it’s for
Budget-conscious snorkelers. People with their own rental car or comfortable driving in Iceland. Swimmers comfortable in cold water and tight gear. First-timers who want to save money. If you want to avoid the crowds or prefer hotel pickup, see the Reykjavík pickup tour ($213). If ratings matter most, the photos tour ($143) rates 4.9.
Other tours to consider
Best ratedSilfra: Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos
Reykjavik pickupFrom Reykjavik: Silfra Snorkeling with Free Photos
Lava tunnel comboReykjavik: Silfra Snorkeling & Lava Tunnel Adventure Combo
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a rental car?
Yes. Silfra is about 60 km from Reykjavík, roughly under 1 hour’s drive. You drive to the P5 car park and walk ~5 minutes to the meeting point. If you don’t want to drive, see the Reykjavík pickup tour.
What if there’s a 2-hour wait like in the reviews?
It happens on very busy days. One traveller noted a coach delay. If you’re booking peak season, ask the operator about group sizes and wait times when confirming.
Is the drysuit uncomfortable?
Yes, on land. Paige said the suits are “pretty uncomfortable while on land but felt much better once you got into the water.” Toni noted “takes some time to get into your suit so patience is needed.” It’s a price of admission.