Located in the UNESCO designated Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, and under an hours drive from the capital Reykjavík, the Silfra Fissure is where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet to form part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The park itself is known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries.
On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters.
The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault.
The underwater world here has three main caverns with depths ranging from 10 to 60 meters.
Named Silfra Lagoon, Silfra Cathedral and Silfra Hall the average depth of a dive is between 7 and 12 meters.
Underwater visibility is crystal clear to distances over 100 meters, creating spectacular views of the lava rock formations, luminescent algae and displays of the colour spectrum as sunlight reaching into the depths is reflected, refracted and dispersed into the darkness and distance.
The visual clarity is due to both the constant annual temperature of between 2°C and 4°C and the purity of the water.
The drinkable water takes a century to trickle down from the Langjökull glacier and filter through 50 kilometres of Thingvellir's subterranean lava fields to reach the surreal underworld of Silfra.
Dive Silfra
DIVE.IS the Sport Diving School of Iceland offers a wide variety of snorkelling and diving tours based in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.
With industry-leading standards in safety and equipment, the team of professional, experienced guides share their passion for diving and the aquatic wilderness.
Useful links
www.guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/jorunnsg/ingvellir-national-park