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.
Tour Details
-
1 May - 30 September
-
Don't see a tour time that works for you? Contact us at [email protected] and we will find the best time
-
2 hours
-
Maximum of 8 snorkelers per snorkel guide
-
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
-
have our Snorkeling Medical form signed off by a doctor if they are age 60 or older PDF
-
sign our liability release form at the start of the snorkeling tour PDF
-
be at minimum 150cm / maximum 200cm
-
be at minimum 45kg / maximum 120kg
-
fit within our dry suit size chart PDF
-
be at least 12 years of age on the year and at least 45 kg / 99 lbs
-
be comfortable in water and be able to swim
-
be physically fit
-
be ready to wear a sometimes tight & constricting dry suit
-
be able to communicate in English
-
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
Guides on this tour
You might be guided by one of these nice guys
You'll snorkel here
Frequently asked questions about our Geothermal Snorkel Tour
-
Are photos always taken on the Diving Day Tours?
-
Our dive guides always bring along an underwater camera on the dives at the breathtaking Silfra and other marvelous dive sites. During these dives, our dive guides strive to capture as many splendid underwater photographs as possible. However, the safety of our divers is our utmost priority, and there may be occasions when the dive guide chooses to focus solely on dive safety during challenging conditions or with less confident divers. In such cases, it is possible that only a few or no photos are taken. We sincerely appreciate your understanding should this be the situation.
Typically, the photos from the dives are available for purchase after your incredible dive tour. For more information, please visit our our Souvenir page.
-
-
Do I need a towel? Do you provide them?
-
Unfortunately, we do not offer towels on our tour. You will only get wet on your head and hands, so a towel is not really needed. You are however more than welcome to bring your own, and if you have long hair you might want to bring a towel to dry it after the tour.
-
-
Is food included on the day tours?
-
We offer hot chocolate, tea and cookies after the dives and snorkels, but do not provide any other form of food. There is also drinking water on site. We kindly ask that you have eaten breakfast/lunch before your tour, as you will need the energy it provides.
-
View all FAQs
