MaxE
Contributor
I just got back from Iceland and wanted to add some thoughts on my experience. When reading up before my trip I did not find a ton of info here so want to add a bit.
Searching for operators there seemed to be a few to choose from. My impression was there are 2-3 big time operations that take van(s) full of divers and snorkelers to the Silfra fissure daily and year round. Non of them said they would do ocean diving in the winter. My read was they don’t have enough interest. I did find one smaller operator who would Dry Suit Diving Adventures in Silfra, Iceland
My next decision was what if any gear I wanted to bring. I’m a bring all my own gear on dive trips person but that has yet to include a drysuit. My cold water single wing needs an STA, it would be my heavy fins. All of the operators said gear rental was included in the price and they don’t offer discounts if you bring your own. Diving Island have crushed neoprene suits with dry gloves, Poseidon regs and BC’s. The BC is basically a steel plate and horseshoe wing. It seemed like a lot of gear to bring and an extra bag fee for one dive and the hope of an ocean dive or two. I opted to bring masks, computers, and undergarments. They have 4th element Arctic’s which I have and dive in water to the low 60’s in a trilam suit. I had no idea how much warmth the 2mm of crushed neoprene would add. I also packed my halo 3d. Maybe bring my own arctic was unnecessary.
Diving the Silfra fissure is the main attraction. If a cold freshwater dive,
water temp year round is 38. You need a drysuit certification or proof of 10(?) Drysuit dives in the last 2 years. I have the cert so don’t know how they would verify the dives. The water is crystal clear and the site is very interesting, however shallow. Like way more so than I was expecting. There are a few spots that may get 40-50ft but you also have sections where you need to be at like 5ft. There was another diver so we were a group of two clients and the owner/guide Hedinn. It was a relatively short dive and I did not get cold. Hedinn took like of pictures and had us pose touching both sides of the fissure (North America and Europe?) he sent a link to all the pictures later that evening. I can’t recommend Dry Suit Diving Adventures in Silfra, Iceland enough. Small operation with personal service, exactly what I seek out.
I was also able to book an ocean dive day, it was one dive. These dives were in the coldest water I have ever done. I enjoyed this dive very much and was really glad I did it. This dive was longer 55 minutes and by the end I was chilly. Water temp end of March was 43, maybe I should have worn the thicker undergarments here.
Reading up there seems to be some interesting and unique dive sites around the country and if time allowed I would love to have had the chance explore more of them but don’t imagine Iceland will become a divers destination anytime soon.
This was my 1st trip to a Nordic country, it was very efficient, orderly and everything I expected. Tourism has become the leading industry and there has been an influx of workers from throughout the EU to meet the need for workers, everyone speaks English, everyone. At times the conversations behind the counters between workers was in English if multiple nationalities were working. While part of the Schengen Zone, Iceland is not a full EU member and has not adopted the common currency. Diving prices were a bit shocking but as I would learn everything in Iceland was expensive.
Will I go back? I would love to. Diving was not the reason for the trip and other than diving I was in the city. I would love the time to explore all the natural wonders the country has to offer and if I could add a day or two of diving to see and do more of the diving that maybe is only possible there.
Searching for operators there seemed to be a few to choose from. My impression was there are 2-3 big time operations that take van(s) full of divers and snorkelers to the Silfra fissure daily and year round. Non of them said they would do ocean diving in the winter. My read was they don’t have enough interest. I did find one smaller operator who would Dry Suit Diving Adventures in Silfra, Iceland
My next decision was what if any gear I wanted to bring. I’m a bring all my own gear on dive trips person but that has yet to include a drysuit. My cold water single wing needs an STA, it would be my heavy fins. All of the operators said gear rental was included in the price and they don’t offer discounts if you bring your own. Diving Island have crushed neoprene suits with dry gloves, Poseidon regs and BC’s. The BC is basically a steel plate and horseshoe wing. It seemed like a lot of gear to bring and an extra bag fee for one dive and the hope of an ocean dive or two. I opted to bring masks, computers, and undergarments. They have 4th element Arctic’s which I have and dive in water to the low 60’s in a trilam suit. I had no idea how much warmth the 2mm of crushed neoprene would add. I also packed my halo 3d. Maybe bring my own arctic was unnecessary.
Diving the Silfra fissure is the main attraction. If a cold freshwater dive,
water temp year round is 38. You need a drysuit certification or proof of 10(?) Drysuit dives in the last 2 years. I have the cert so don’t know how they would verify the dives. The water is crystal clear and the site is very interesting, however shallow. Like way more so than I was expecting. There are a few spots that may get 40-50ft but you also have sections where you need to be at like 5ft. There was another diver so we were a group of two clients and the owner/guide Hedinn. It was a relatively short dive and I did not get cold. Hedinn took like of pictures and had us pose touching both sides of the fissure (North America and Europe?) he sent a link to all the pictures later that evening. I can’t recommend Dry Suit Diving Adventures in Silfra, Iceland enough. Small operation with personal service, exactly what I seek out.
I was also able to book an ocean dive day, it was one dive. These dives were in the coldest water I have ever done. I enjoyed this dive very much and was really glad I did it. This dive was longer 55 minutes and by the end I was chilly. Water temp end of March was 43, maybe I should have worn the thicker undergarments here.
Reading up there seems to be some interesting and unique dive sites around the country and if time allowed I would love to have had the chance explore more of them but don’t imagine Iceland will become a divers destination anytime soon.
This was my 1st trip to a Nordic country, it was very efficient, orderly and everything I expected. Tourism has become the leading industry and there has been an influx of workers from throughout the EU to meet the need for workers, everyone speaks English, everyone. At times the conversations behind the counters between workers was in English if multiple nationalities were working. While part of the Schengen Zone, Iceland is not a full EU member and has not adopted the common currency. Diving prices were a bit shocking but as I would learn everything in Iceland was expensive.
Will I go back? I would love to. Diving was not the reason for the trip and other than diving I was in the city. I would love the time to explore all the natural wonders the country has to offer and if I could add a day or two of diving to see and do more of the diving that maybe is only possible there.
