Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. Dive.is provides full instruction and gear. Guides show appropriate snorkeling methods before entering the water.

What whales will I see?

Minke whales are most common, especially in summer. You may also see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises depending on season and water conditions.

How clear is the water at Silfra?

Visibility exceeds 100 metres due to glacial melt filtration. It's among Europe's clearest freshwater snorkeling sites.

Warm, waterproof clothing and layers for the boat; snorkeling gear is supplied. A packed lunch is recommended, as onboard and on-site food options are limited. Bring your own car or arrange rental; no shuttle is provided.

Can I do this in winter?

The activity runs 1 February–31 November, so it's unavailable December–January. Winter conditions (ice, reduced daylight) make operations difficult during those months.

How much time is spent driving between locations?

Approximately 45 minutes each way between Reykjavík harbour and Þingvellir National Park. Plan ~10 hours total for the full itinerary.

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Reykjavík Whales & Snorkeling

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Reykjavík, Iceland

SnorkelingWhale WatchingWater ActivitiesBirdwatchingSightseeing Tours

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About this activity

Combine two of Iceland's most iconic water experiences in one full day: morning whale watching in Faxaflói Bay followed by afternoon snorkeling in the crystalline waters of Silfra at Þingvellir National Park. This paired adventure showcases Iceland's Arctic marine life and geological wonders in a single itinerary.

SELF DRIVE - Morning whale watching with Elding and an afternoon snorkeling with Dive.is

Available: 1 February - 31 November
Duration: Approximately 6-7 hrs. total
Time: Whale Watching at 09:00 & Snorkeling at 13:30

Whale Watching
Meet us at Elding's ticket office at 8:45 where you will exchange your voucher for admission tickets and from there we will show you to the boat. On board you will find several outdoor viewing platforms and a large indoor saloon with an on board café where you can buy light refreshments. We also have basic bathroom facilities and a cloak room where you can borrow one of our blankets or overalls on colder days. You can either stay outside in the fresh air or stay inside the heated lounge and observe the views from within, through our large panoramic windows. In summer we can expect to see minke whales at their most abundant, along with white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and even humpback whales. After exploring the wonders of the whales and seabirds Faxaflói offers you return to the harbour around 12:00.

Snorkeling
Drive to Þingvellir national park and meet the Dive.is team at Silfra parking lot before the tour starts at 13:30. On site you will be geared up by your tour guide and shown the appropriate snorkeling methods. Once you are in the water the make sure to enjoy every moment - Snorkeling in the crystal clear glacial water in Silfra with over 100m view of its stunning surroundings is an amazing experience. Adding to that you are swimming between two continents and get an excellent view of the crack separating the European and American continental shells. The total time of snorkeling is approximately 1 hour. After the snorkeling you will be offered a well deserved and very welcome hot chocolate and cookies before your journey back to Reykjavík.

All snorkeling participants must read and sign the "Snorkeling Silfra Medical Statement" and if necessary, follow the directions regarding a doctor's clearance for the tour.

To snorkel in Silfra all participants must:
• Be no younger or older than 12-65 years old.
• Be between 150cm-200cm and 45kg-120kg.
• Must not be pregnant and be physically fit.
• Be ready to wear something tight and constricting dry suit.
• Be comfortable in water and be able to swim.

Check the size chart carefully to make sure you fit the height and weight requirements for dry suit snorkeling.

Participants need to bring thermal underwear and thick wool socks. Its also recommended to dress according to weather and bring hat, gloves etc. If participants wear glasses we recommend wearing contact lenses as the masks are not suitable for glasses.

Highlights

✓Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises in Faxaflói Bay
✓Snorkeling between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Silfra's glacier-fed waters
✓100m+ visibility in crystal-clear water—among Europe's clearest
✓Heated indoor lounge with panoramic windows and onboard café on whale-watching boat
✓Expert guides for both whale watching and snorkeling instruction

Insider tips

★Dress in warm, waterproof layers for the morning boat—wind chill is significant even in summer; borrow blankets or overalls at the Elding ticket office
★Bring a packed lunch or eat at Reykjavík harbour before 8:45am meet-up, as the onboard café offers only light refreshments
★Summer months (June–August) offer the highest concentration of minke whales; shoulder seasons (May, September) are less crowded but still productive
★If prone to seasickness, take medication 30 minutes before boarding; the heated lounge allows you to rest indoors if needed

Good to know

•Total duration ~10 hours including drives to/from Þingvellir (45min each way); whale-watching portion is ~3 hours, snorkeling ~2 hours
•Whale-watching voucher exchanged for tickets at Elding office at 8:45am; snorkeling begins 13:30 at Silfra parking lot
•All snorkeling gear and instruction provided by Dive.is; previous experience not required
•Available year-round 1 February–31 November; weather can impact whale-watching visibility but rarely cancels tours
•Self-drive component requires valid driver's license and rental car; no shuttle between Reykjavík and Þingvellir provided

Who it's for

Wildlife enthusiasts combining Arctic marine life with geological adventuresFirst-time visitors wanting two bucket-list Iceland experiencesActive travellers comfortable with full-day itineraries and water-based activitiesPhotographers seeking dramatic seascapes and marine megafauna

Best time to visit

June to August maximises minke whale sightings and milder weather, though daylight extends to near 24 hours making logistics easier. Shoulder months (May and September) offer fewer tourists and still-reliable whale activity, with stable snorkeling conditions year-round.