Hot Spring Snorkeling Tour
Snorkel Above Geothermal Bubbles in a Volcanic Lake
Hot Spring Snorkeling
Where few have been before
Snorkeling in bubbling hot springs is usually impossible as the water is far too hot, but the hot springs at the bottom of Lake Kleifarvatn provide us with the opportunity to do just that. Lake Kleifarvatn lies in stunning volcanic landscape just 30 minutes outside of Reykjavík and only 20 minutes from the active volcanic area in Reykjanes peninsula. Talk about a unique tour!
This selfdrive tour starts at Seltún, a nearby high temperature geothermal area on land. In Seltún we will walk along the boiling mud pots and colorful sulfur deposits. Your guide will tell you about the area you are in as well as brief you on the snorkeling tour and Kleifarvatn.
Standing at the lake shore and changing into your dry suit, you will probably catch a whiff of the sulfur emitted from nearby hot springs and the total silence will let you forget that you are anywhere near civilization.
The underwater hot springs in lake Kleifarvatn have only recently been discovered and are about a 150 meter swim from the shore. Upon entering the lake you can see the white and yellow sulfur deposits on the lake floor. When we swim closer, you’ll begin to sense the environent around you changing as you approach the gas emanating from below the lake’s floor.
When you get to the hot spring area you will be able to snorkel directly over bubbling calderas. We’ve heard this sensation described as similar to ‘snorkeling in a glass of Champagne’—the fact that you are snorkeling in a caldera is also impressive enough!
When back on land we will enjoy some bubbling refreshments at the shore.
Glittering pearls in lake Kleifarvatn
We have been travelling to Iceland for several years and were looking for a special experience to get a little closer to the land of fire and ice. The choice fell on the snorkeling tour in lake Kleifarvatn - and we were not disappointed! There is something very special about snorkeling in a lake that lies in a volcanically active zone. Our guide Ramiro was just great - he explained everything to us and gave us a lot of knowledge about the area and the lake. The underwater world of lake Kleifarvatn is simply amazing - hot springs are bubbling at the bottom, and the countless air bubbles give you the feeling of swimming through a curtain of glittering pearls - a really special experience :)
Thanks again to Ramiro - he took a lot of time for our questions and took good care of us. We would book the tour again at any time!
Tour Details
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1 May - 30 September
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Don't see a tour time that works for you? Contact us at [email protected] and we will find the best time
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2 hours
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Maximum of 8 snorkelers per snorkel guide
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Minimum 4 snorkelers. We will refund you in full if the minimum is not met
Included
- Guided snorkeling trip
- All necessary snorkeling equipment
- Bubbling refreshments at the lake's shore
- Stop at geothermal area Seltún
Please bring
- Long underwear
- Thick socks
- Suitable clothes for the weather of the day
- Contact lenses if you wear glasses
Safety requirements
Participants must:-
have read, signed, and followed directions on the online Snorkeling Medical Statement (link provided in confirmation email) 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
Timeline of your tour
- Arrival at the meeting point at Seltún geothermal hot springs area 15 minutes before the tour start time, check-in with guides
- Briefing with your guide about the area, geothermal energy and snorkeling in Kleifarvatn (∼30 min total)
- Drive to snorkeling spot at Lake Kleifarvatn with the guide, approx 10 minutes
- Division into groups of 8 people, one group per guide
- Gear-up with your guide (∼30 min total)
- Make your way to the entry point
- 30-45 minutes spent in the water
- Exit the water and take off equipment
- Enjoy bubbling refreshments as well as hot chocolate and cookies on the shore
- 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
- Drive back to Reykjavik or continue on to the volcanic area near Grindavík or the Blue Lagoon
Experience the tour
