Iceland’s Silfra Snorkeling & Sky Lagoon: A Top Review

Alright, you are looking at a combo experience that should blow your mind – Iceland’s Silfra fissure snorkeling plus the Sky Lagoon spa. It’s almost two things that really define Iceland: super unique natural stuff and seriously great relaxation. I mean, is that not what holidays are for? You may wonder whether both are as amazing as everyone says. Let’s get to the nitty gritty.

Snorkeling in Silfra: A Crack Between Continents

So, Silfra… it’s basically this split, this rift, a crack if you will, between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You know, it widens about 2 cm each year, that’s not a huge amount, but still! As you float through it, the water has that impossible visibility that’s kind of hard to process. It feels like you are just suspended in air.

As I was saying, the water’s from a glacier, after it has trickled a bit through underground lava fields. They filter it for, like, decades. Apparently, you end up with absolutely pure, crystal water that you actually can drink while you’re swimming around. I didn’t try that, still that is a very cool thing to know. I guess the downside could be that it is properly chilly, we are talking 2°C – 4°C (35°F – 39°F). But is that a big deal?

What to Expect During Your Silfra Snorkeling Tour

Well, first of all, is that you are going to want to get picked up in Reykjavik, most of the time. So, you can do that or make your way to Thingvellir National Park, and stuff, where Silfra is, right? Expect that the experience could take a few hours. And the guides give you the rundown and help get you geared up, first. After all, it’s dry suits which you don that keep you fairly warm. That said, your face and hands will certainly feel the chill.

• Gear Up: They give you the full dry suit and snorkeling gear. That means you might feel like a kind of puffy astronaut. Just in case that makes you giggle a bit.
• The Briefing: The guides chat a bit to help and tell you what you have to do and, also what you do not. Make sure to pay a bit of attention here, is that going to help later when you are in the water.
• Into the Water: You stroll down steps to the entry. When you are in there is a feeling like a slow float via super blue water. Basically, you follow the current.
• Visibility: So, visibility is the big selling point, that should be obvious! Seeing 100 meters (328 feet) is usual, I think, making it unlike any other snorkeling experience I have ever heard of.
• Photos: Loads of tours include someone there snapping images while you’re moving through the water. That can be kind of essential. You will want proof that you actually did it, after all.

Is Silfra Snorkeling For You?

Usually, to do the Silfra thing, the guidelines involve the person, maybe you, being okay in chilly water while being pretty fit and, that, capable enough to deal with that dry suit situation. People who have something against closed-in spaces might find it sort of a little weird, at first. It gets very restrictive because of that dry suit thing. If you just are not a swimmer, that should be apparent and you should maybe skip this bit. Yet, should you love nature and have some love for seeing seriously incredible scenery? Then that should really be very very worth it. Don’t miss it!

Sky Lagoon: Icelandic Relaxation, the best way

Alright, so now you’ve spent some amount of time floating in freezing glacial water. That’s pretty cool! It’s almost time to dial things up a notch with the Sky Lagoon. Think steamy, otherworldly pools that look out at the North Atlantic. You will see that. The Sky Lagoon took that tradition seriously and really made it something truly special. I mean, wow.

What to Expect at the Sky Lagoon

You should prepare to stay there for a bit, seriously! Many go for two to four hours so they are completely chill and enjoy every corner. Some are, like, changing and showering, right? Then there’s all the real bits: relaxing in the lagoon, perhaps that spa ritual stuff, maybe a snack, that should happen.

• The Lagoon Itself: They keep the water about 38-40°C (100-104°F), which is more or less bath-like. The views are all that makes it! Check to look over the ocean and all the lava rock encircling everything. I think the sunset visit should be a big yes.
• The Ritual: So the 7-step ritual has something that goes like this: dip in the lagoon, cold plunge, sauna time, mist thing, scrub thing, steam space and shower again. Basically you get to enjoy all those things in order. It definitely wakes you right up and feels incredibly spoiling to get your body humming again.
• Eating and Drinking: There should be an in-water bar to visit. Have a beer and have some great times, that’s my suggestion, but that’s just me. There is more normal-type eating stuff at that cafe there, too. That helps.

Is the Sky Lagoon Right for You?

Well, should you love pampering, so I feel that will really sell it for you, seriously! The atmosphere makes that perfect blend that provides that local cultural spin and a very upscale spa thing happening at once. It’s really just something special. That said, there is that one thing, perhaps? That budget consideration thing comes into it because the Sky Lagoon will probably be considered more luxurious as compared with, well, your typical community pools found out and about Iceland.

Combo Time: Making the Most of Your Day

If I had my druthers, is that I would say get booked on that morning snorkel excursion and afterward take the afternoon relaxing at Sky Lagoon. That way, should the plan happen as hoped for, then you get like some energy, and that rush through this Silfra swim followed by ultimate calmness.

Anyway, logistically? Is that Silfra will have Thingvellir that takes around about an hour to get to driving starting from Reykjavik. So you should plan some trip, you will. Sky Lagoon exists closer by the city; expect for it to be around maybe fifteen-minute commute there and back from that spot if needed too.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Right then, prior to doing all that crazy jumping to see stuff in person, you are probably wanting a better insight? Make yourself aware before things go forward?

• Booking: Tours and slots to see Sky Lagoon? So they may be something worth locking off earlier, if one can. As usual? You may find better deals happen the instant that you make the advance orders well previously.
• What to Bring: Regarding Silfra: layer, maybe with such thermal stuff under all your clothes and it will greatly improve being chilled. Bring such swimsuits in preparation if Sky Lagoon enters into play to take to their spot, as it will come to have use then instead with these areas instead that are offered over this setting too here.
• Health and Safety: Listen to tour guides during that pre-adventure talk through bits when planning travels or during adventures outside! People working on location learn stuff and will say good ways regarding planning as events carry all about with adventures going somewhere off path or that are happening afar. Be well but too mindful throughout those travels!
• Photography: Should a person use devices or cameras; assure a level during the protections set over various underwater landscapes given situations in nature plus surroundings. With such that could ensure safety.

Other Things to do Nearby

Now, you’re going to the Silfra/Sky Lagoon double-header, the chance is definitely around for more fun trips nearby to tack directly at the back or somewhere along this route!

• Thingvellir National Park: Make sure to stretch legs all over parts near Thingvellir as things unfold from an incredibly historic setting where continents stretch aside slowly from ground layers there as they slide forward along the tectonic zones through it!
• Golden Circle: Do one circuit, like how often we drive nearby and that’ll find the stunning falls that could explode outwards while hot waters fly throughout up until heights there. All of this occurs as part of those popular travel routes inside to have for these areas, just nearly away on nearby.
• Reykjavik City: So from this region to elsewhere or through, go to what could remain in capital location; here, one encounters some artistic expressions with cultural values appearing by buildings set outwards beyond where it’ll often feel amazing and calm even upon arriving nearby the center, along pathways of downtowns at all!