Indholdsfortegnelse
Silfra is a lava crack filled with crystal clear melt water from the glacier Langjökull 50 km away. The melt water seeps through the underground for almost 30 years, and the porous lava stone helps filter the water so it is so clear and clean that you can drink it. There is a visibility of up to 100 meters.
Immediately it sounds strange, but with a constant temperature of 2 degrees, it is possible to snorkel in the crystal clear glacier water all year round.
The underwater cave between the continents
As if it is not crazy enough to snorkel in crystal clear glacier water, this is also where the North American and Eurasian record meets each other. It is the only place in the world where you can swim, where two continent records meet.
The Silfra The Gorge is in the middle of the famous Thingvellir National Park in southern Iceland. Silfra is created through millions of years because the two plates slowly move apart.
Snorkeling in the middle of no man’s country
Snorkling in the Silfrom Gorge is a year -round activity we are a very good example of. We arrived in Iceland in December 2019, the day after one of the worst snow hurricanes for decades had hit the whole country, and buried most of the volcanic island in large snow masses.
Fortunately, the roads were open again and we headed towards Thingvellir National Park and Silfra. Although the thermometer “only” showed minus 8 degrees, it felt as minus 15 due to the wind.
It is only possible to snorkel or dive in the silk if you use one of the authorized companies. We had booked the trip from home and were first picked up at our hotel in Reykjavik and driven to the gathering place from where all trips to Silfra depart. It takes approx. 1 hour from Reykjavik.
There are 7 km between the North American and Eurasian plate. The area between is called No Man’s Land, and that’s where Sil from is located. Because the tectonic plates every year move 2 cm away from each other, the area is gradually expanded and the open landscape – no man’s land has thus emerged.
In the gathering place there are only two small toilets and it is not allowed to change clothes in there, so all the change of clothes takes place in the turf buses. The more prepared from home the better. Then you get a warm thermal suit, which is most reminiscent of a flight suit. Then the guides help you get the tongue and stiff dry suits.
After that, the group is gathered and the guide reviews the route and the security instruction. Eventually you get a tight hood over your head and mitts on your hands. To ensure that the suit sits tightly and reduces the risk of water coming in, you stay around the neck and your hands laced in with elastic bands. It may seem a bit claustrophobic, but unfortunately is a necessity unless you do not mind getting wet.
In a whole bunch you go down to the bridge from which you slowly slide into Silfras’s cold thrill. The tour takes place in small groups of max 8 people, and you are constantly with an experienced guide. I felt very safe in all the time we were in the water.
The cold shudder
The first time the head comes down under the water, a gasp goes through my body. The water paralyzes the areas of the face that are not covered.
Slowly I let myself flow in the weak stream through the narrow crevice. Below me, one is drawn by the incredibly rock formations that testify to the forces of nature that prevail on the volcanic island in the northern Atlantic.
I’ve gotten pretty crazy about snorkeling, and on other snorkeling trips, my eyes have fluttered around to see the brightly colored fish and corals. But under the surface of the silk from, it is not the colors of the fish that attract them, there are not really any of them, but the beautiful blue and green shades of color that the sun’s rays reflect in the incredible rock formations.
At one point it becomes so shallow that you can almost touch the rock floor.
The tour ends in the large Silfra Lagoon, from where you swim towards land.
After 25 minutes in the water, you reach a gangway where the guide helps one up. The cold weather means that you are quickly clicked out of the swim feet and lighten the suit. Otherwise, you risk freezing.
Back in the gathering place, getting out of the wet dry suit and into the hot car, and down into one’s warm clothes and boots.
Eventually, the experience ends with a much needed cup of hot cocoa.
Snorkeling in Silfra is simply an unforgettable experience that we must definitely try again.
Good advice before exploring Silfra
Snorkling in Silfra is an activity that does not require you to have past experience snorkeling. The most important thing is that you can swim, since the last part of the trip must swim ashore yourself.
You must not attend if you are pregnant.
It is not possible to wear glasses, have either contact lenses on or bring your own diving glasses with strength
If possible then buy photo. Then the guide will take some pictures of you and surroundings during the snorkeling. You only have to buy one piece as a photo is taken during the trip, which you will then have access to online afterwards.
The following clothes you need to bring (also if you do it in the summer months)
- Ski underwear – preferably in wool
- Heat thermal socks
- Change clothing (the accident can be out)
- Towel
You get all the snorkeling equipment and therefore it is not necessary to bring yourself.
Important if you snorkel in winter
Of bitter experience, so remember to get all the hair under the cap. Most of my long hair hung outside, which meant it froze to ice when we got out of the water. The guide looked at me with big eyes as he discovered the clump of ice. I should therefore be extremely careful that my hair did not break off. It took quite a few hours before my hair was thawed.
Unfortunately, I had to cut some of my hair a few weeks later when it had been completely filtered together.
]]>
