North Iceland
Double Snorkeling Combo in North Iceland
Silfra of the North + Bubbling sands
Double snorkeling combo in North Iceland
Snorkel in 100m+ visibility in the Silfra of the North & above bubbling sands
This double snorkeling combo is located on the Diamond Circle in North Iceland. Join us on a snorkeling tour in Nesgjá fissure and a snorkeling tour in Litlaá river. Both snorkeling spots are located approx 15 min from each other making this combo a great addition to a Diamond circle selfdrive. I
Nesgjá fissure diving tour
Nesgjá is a fresh water fissure with the crystal clear water that is so unique to Iceland. It is often called the Silfra of the North as it has such similar qualities as the famous Silfra in the South.
Due to the activity of the tectonic plates, tension builds up in the earth’s crust. Every couple of years this tension is released through earthquakes. These earthquakes create cracks that can be seen from the south west of Iceland all the way to the north east. The Eurasian and North American continental plates meet deep down under the earth’s crust along this line.
Some of these fissures are filled with water, usually glacial water that has been filtering through lava fields for many years, before it flows into rivers, the ocean or these fresh water fissures. After dripping for a such long time through porous lava rock, the water has been filtered perfectly and is literally as clear as it gets.
Nesgjá is quite shallow but amazingly beautiful. The lagoon is huge and as one of our instructors says: “The visibility depends solely on the quality of your dive mask.” You can see further than 100 meters.
Sometimes we get to see arctic charr, a certain type of salmonide in the fissure.
Litlaá river - bubbling sands snorkeling tour
Litlaá, meaning "Little River," is located near the northern coast of Iceland, just south of the Arctic Circle. This is an unusual spot to find warm water, but thanks to a nearby geothermal active area, we get to enjoy snorkeling in water with a temperature of about 20°C, allowing us to explore its different parts in a very relaxed way.
The tour takes place in a lagoon called Brunnar, meaning "Wells." The water in this lagoon comes from two sources: hot water from a geothermal area nearby and freshwater from wells on the bottom of the lagoon. The lake's floor is full of mesmerizing dancing sands; it looks like something from a different planet. Some act like underwater eruptions, while others resemble underwater beaches. The cold water erupting from the bottom causes these beautiful designs described as the "Bubbling Sands" that you must see with your own eyes.
Because of the warm water temperature, we also find fields of strange green algae, plants, multicolored sediments, and a countless number of snails.
In the shallow rocky area at the edges of the lagoon, we find countless numbers of sticklebacks traveling around in large groups. The majestic Brown Trout eats sticklebacks and is sometimes spotted by snorkelers.
Before we end the tour, we will do a short river float before we get out. A bit below our exit point, the water mixes with Litlaá river, coming from Skjálftavatn lake. Where the two rivers meet is a very popular fishing spot with big Brown trouts, Sea trouts, Arctic char, and sometimes Arctic salmon.
Both locations are on the Diamond circle (10-15 min drive apart) about 30 minutes from the whale-watching town of Húsavík and a short distance from Ásbyrgi canyon, making this the perfect Diamond circle selfdrive tour. Other destinations on the Diamond circle include Goðafoss (waterfall of the Gods), the infamous Dettifoss waterfall and the beautiful Lake Mývatn.
Tour Details
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July and August
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Approx. 6 hours. 2.5 hours at each dive site
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Maximum ratio of 4 snorkelers per snorkel guide
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Want to be more private? We can offer this tour as a private tour
Included
- Snorkeling Guide
- 2 guided snorkeling tours
- All necessary snorkeling equipment, including a dry suit
- Hot chocolate and cookies after each tour
Please bring
- Long underwear
- Thick socks
- Suitable clothes for the weather of the day
This is a scheduled tour. If you would prefer to do snorkel in private, we also have a fully private tour.
Safety requirements
All snorkelers must:-
have read, signed, and followed directions on our online Snorkeling Medical Statement PDF
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have our Snorkeling 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 snorkeling 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 12 years of age on the year and at least 45 kg / 99 lbs
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be comfortable in water and be able to swim
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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
- We will meet you at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and drive together to Nesgjá fissure
- When you arrive at Nesgjá fissure, the DIVE.IS guide will give you a detailed briefing of the first snorkeling tour of the day and get you dressed into our top quality snorkeling dry suit and other gear.
- You will enter Nesgjá fissure at the entry point and snorkel down the fissure for about 30-45 minutes.
- Then, you will exit the fissure and walk back to the parking lot.
- After the tour, we will warm you up with hot cocoa and cookies.
- You will then make your way to Litlaá river which is about 10 minutes drive, the guide will lead the way.
- When you arrive at Litlaá river, the guide will give you a detailed briefing of the second snorkeling tour and get you dressed into our top quality snorkeling dry suit and other gear.
- You will enter Litlaá river at the entry point and snorkel down the river and in the lagoon for about 30-45 minutes.
- Then, you will exit the river and walk back to the parking lot.
- After the snorkeling tour, we will warm you up with hot cocoa and cookies before we say our goodbyes.
Experience the tour
Guides on this tour
You might be guided by one of these nice guys
You will snorkel here
Address
Nesgjá fissure
You will meet us at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant. We will then drive together to Nesgjá fissure.
Keldunes
You will then drive to Litlaá river which is located by Keldunes guesthouse. Your guide will lead the way.
