Silfra Crack, Iceland

By Stuart Westmorland (Adapted from "passport to diving the world")

Well Known For :

A unique dive in some of the purest, clearest water in the planet.

A unique dive in some of the purest, clearest water in the planet, this is actually a dive in a crack between the American and Eurasian continents. Nothing good in life is easy, and this dive is no exception. It's a two-hour hour drive from Reykjavik and 1.5 km hike to the entry point. The extreme water clarity (100m+) is due to the low temperature (2-5°C) year round, and because it comes from melted glaciers about 50 km away, flowing through lava fields before merging at the north end of Thingvellir Lake through underrgound wells. This water movement keeps the lack from freezing, and allows divers to enjoy the gin-clear visibility and amazing rock formations unlike any other. Occasional Arctic char can be seen along with unique green algae.

(Ok enough with the stories, I'm itchin' for a dive)