Dive Silfra & Whale Watching - Meet on location
An awe inspiring experience
Explore the world of whales
The combination of diving in Silfra followed by whale watching is a great way to get to know the many forms of one of Iceland’s most prominent elements: water.
The snorkeling tour in Silfra operated by DIVE.IS is the best tour in Iceland and 10th in the world on the 2024 Best of the Best Traveler's choice awards by Tripadvisor. So you know you are in good hands with us.
The day begins on a whale watching boat for an unforgettable trip into the world of whales and sea birds with our trusted whale watching partner, Elding adventure at sea. As this is a self drive tour, you will make your way to Elding's office at the old Reykjavik harbor.
The various types of whales commonly sighted include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and the popular humpback whales. You will be accompanied by sea birds such as gannets, guillemots, cormorants, kittiwakes, arctic terns, and many more. The trip also takes you past several islands inhabited by colonies of puffins, which provides a great photo opportunity!
You will then have time for a quick bite before your drive to the National Park Thingvellir where you will dive once in Silfra. You can meet us directly at the Silfra meeting point in Thingvellir National Park
Please note that in order to dive in Silfra you must have dry suit diving certification OR 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of the Silfra tour date. These 10 dives must be confirmed with written proof signed by a diving instructor.
Silfra is a crack in the earth created by the powerful forces of the movement of tectonic plates. The fissure was created by the North American and Eurasian continental plates ripping apart from one another. Crystal clear glacial water fills this crack in the earth, creating a stunning underwater world. You can read more about the Diving Silfra Day Tour here.
After your tour, we suggest you continue on the Golden circle, a very popular sightseeing route in Iceland. Other sightseeing locations on the Golden circle are Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring and Kerið crater.
If someone in your party doesn't dive but wants to join the whale watching tour, you can book them in from our other tours page.
Our Souvenirs can be purchased in your booking process by selecting them under "Extras". If the Souvenir you are looking for is not listed below please contact us or leave a comment in your booking and we will bring it on tour with us.
Photos from your tour can be purchased directly from your guide at Silfra for 3000 ISK.
Diving Silfra Tour with Hugo
The view in Silfra was amazing. We did the diving tour with Hugo. Hugo did a very good job in preparing us for the cold water, guiding us through Silfra and taking a lot of photos of us. Thank you very much. We will recommend the diving tour with Hugo to our friends. Best, Corina & Dominique
Tour Details
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1 February - 31 October, daily
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Don't see a tour time that works for you? Contact us at dive@dive.is and we will find the best time
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Time: Whale Watching at 09:00 & Diving at 14:00 (March - October) or 14:30 (February)
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7 hours
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Maximum 3 divers per instructor
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More people on the whale watching boat
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Minimum 2 divers. We will refund you in full if the minimum is not met
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Available as a self-drive tour only
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Whale watching tour operated by Elding Adventures at Sea
Included:
Diving tour
- 1 guided dive in Silfra
- Full diving gear
- Hot chocolate and cookies after the dive (vegan options available)
- Entrance fee into Silfra
Whale Watching tour
- 2,5-3,5 hr. whale watching tour
- Use of warm overalls and blankets
- Excellent live guidance in English
- Complimentary WiFi on board
- Access to our Wildlife Exhibition
- Heated indoor saloon
- Large viewing windows
- Whale guarantee (or try again for free)
- Pictures taken by crew (if possible)
Please bring:
- Your SCUBA dive certification card (PADI Open Water or equivalent)
- Proof of dry suit diving certification OR written proof from a diving instructor of 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of tour date
- Long underwear
- Thick socks
- Suitable clothes for the weather of the day
Head over to our Merch page and grab a souvenir to remember your adventure by!
Safety requirements
Participants must:-
be a certified diver at the level of PADI Open Water or equivalent
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have dry suit diving certification and a logged dry suit dive within two years of the tour date OR have at least 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of the tour date and be able to provide written proof from a diving instructor of these dry suit dives. PDF
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have read, signed, and followed directions on our online Diving Silfra Medical Statement PDF
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have our Diving Medical form signed off by a doctor if they are age 60 or older PDF
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sign our liability release form at the start of the diving tour PDF
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be at minimum 150cm / maximum 200cm
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be at minimum 45kg / maximum 120kg
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fit within our dry suit size chart PDF
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be at least 17 years of age (signature of legal guardian required for under 18 year old participants)
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be physically fit
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be ready to wear a sometimes tight & constricting dry suit
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be able to communicate in English
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not be pregnant
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eat well before the tour
Timeline of your tour
TIMELINE OF YOUR WHALE WATCHING TOUR
- Arrival at the meeting point of Elding Adventures at Sea (Reykjavik old harbor)
- Check in, receive borading tickets
- Meeting with the crew at the visitor center
- Wildlife exhibition visit to get to know the animals you might encounter on your tour
- Board the whale watching boat and enjoy about 3 hours out at sea
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Return to the harbor
- Drive to Silfra
TIMELINE OF YOUR DIVING TOUR
- Arrival at the meeting point at Silfra 15 minutes before the tour start time, check-in with guides
- Division into groups of 3 people, one group per guide
- Briefing and gear-up with your guide (∼1 hour total)
- Once you are fully dressed, your guide will take a number from the park ranger and that will be your group’s number to enter the water
- Make your way to the entry platform, short wait (wait time may vary)
- Weight check upon entering the water
- 30-45 minutes spent in the water
- Exit through platform, walk back to the meeting point (∼250 meters)
- Take off equipment, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies to warm up
- At this point, you will have time to chat with your guide, ask any questions you might have and take a look at the pics taken during the tour
Your bookable extras
Experience the tour
Guides on this tour
You might be guided by one of these nice guys
You'll dive here
Address
Silfra
Thingvellir National Park
801 Selfoss
Elding Whale Watching
Ægisgardur 5
101 Reykjavik
