Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour
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Availability
All year
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DURATION
10 Hours
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Difficulty
Moderate
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Pickup
At additional cost
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Minimum Age
12 Years
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Price
ISK 284.900
Tour Highlights:
- Explore Iceland’s famous Golden Circle on a private tour from Reykjavik
- Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Discover where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet
- Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra fissure
- Experience the incredible underwater visibility of Silfra
- Watch Strokkur geyser erupt at the Geysir Geothermal Area
- See the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall
- Visit the colourful volcanic Kerið Crater Lake
- Travel in comfort with your private guide and vehicle
- Combine iconic Golden Circle sightseeing with one of Iceland’s most unique adventures
Included:
- Private guide and comfortable private vehicle
- Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik
- Private Golden Circle sightseeing tour
- Guided Silfra snorkeling experience with a certified snorkeling guide
- All necessary snorkeling equipment
- Dry suit, mask and fins
- Silfra entrance fee
- Hot chocolate and cookies after snorkeling
Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour
Experience Iceland’s famous Golden Circle and snorkel between two continents on this Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour from Reykjavik. This 10-hour adventure combines iconic sightseeing with one of Iceland’s most unique activities.
Travel in comfort with your private guide and vehicle. You will explore Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall. Because the sightseeing tour is private, you can enjoy a more relaxed pace and a more personal experience.
Explore Iceland’s Famous Golden Circle
At Thingvellir National Park, history and geology come together. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Iceland’s most important landmarks.
Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly move apart. In addition, Thingvellir is the historic site where Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, was founded in 930.
Next, visit the Geysir Geothermal Area. Here, you can see steaming ground, hot springs and the famous Strokkur geyser. Strokkur erupts regularly and sends hot water high into the air.
Afterwards, continue to Gullfoss Waterfall. The Hvítá River drops into a deep canyon in two dramatic stages. As a result, Gullfoss is one of the most powerful and impressive waterfalls on the Golden Circle.
Snorkel Between Two Continents at Silfra
The highlight of the day is snorkeling in Silfra. This crystal-clear fissure lies between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Glacial water flows through underground lava rock before reaching Silfra. Therefore, the water becomes exceptionally clear. Underwater visibility can exceed 100 metres.
You will wear a dry suit and snorkel with a certified guide. As you float through the blue water, you can experience one of the most unusual snorkeling locations in the world.
For travelers who want more than a standard Golden Circle tour, this private experience offers the perfect combination of sightseeing and adventure.
Please note: The Golden Circle sightseeing part of the tour is private. However, the Silfra snorkeling experience takes place in a small group with a certified snorkeling guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Golden Circle sightseeing portion of the tour is private and includes your own guide and vehicle. However, the Silfra snorkeling experience is conducted in a small group with a certified snorkeling guide.
No previous snorkeling experience is required. However, you must know how to swim, feel comfortable in the water and meet all Silfra snorkeling requirements. Your certified guide will provide instructions before entering the water.
Participants must be at least 12 years old. All participants must also meet the height, weight, health and swimming requirements for snorkeling in Silfra.
Silfra stays cold throughout the year, generally around 2–4°C (36–39°F). You will wear a dry suit and appropriate snorkeling equipment to help protect you from the cold water.
Regular glasses cannot be worn underneath the snorkeling mask. Therefore, contact lenses are recommended if you need vision correction during the snorkeling experience.
Not everyone needs a medical certificate. However, every participant must complete the Silfra Snorkeling Medical Statement. Depending on your answers, you may need a physician’s approval before participating.
No. Pregnant travelers cannot participate in Silfra snorkeling due to the safety requirements for the activity.
The tour visits Iceland’s famous Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall. The itinerary also includes Kerið Crater Lake and the Silfra snorkeling experience at Thingvellir.
The tour departs from Reykjavik and includes pickup and drop-off. Please be ready at your confirmed pickup location approximately 10 minutes before departure.
The complete tour lasts approximately 10 hours. The Silfra snorkeling experience takes around 2.5–3 hours, including preparation and changing into snorkeling equipment.
Yes. Icelandic weather and road conditions can change quickly. The operator may adjust the itinerary or snorkeling experience when necessary to ensure passenger safety.
Silfra is a freshwater fissure at Thingvellir National Park between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Its glacial water filters through underground lava rock, creating exceptional clarity. Underwater visibility can exceed 100 metres, making Silfra one of Iceland’s most distinctive snorkeling locations.
Tour Details
- Duration: Approximately 10 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tour type: Private Golden Circle tour with small-group Silfra snorkeling
- Departure: Reykjavik
- Pickup: From your hotel or designated pickup location
- Please be ready 10 minutes before departure
- The Silfra snorkeling experience takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, including preparation and changing into snorkeling equipment
Silfra Snorkeling Requirements
To participate in the Silfra snorkeling tour, you must:
- Be at least 12 years old
- Be between 150–200 cm tall
- Weigh between 45–120 kg
- Be able to swim and feel comfortable in the water
- Be physically fit enough to participate
- Be able to wear a tight and sometimes restrictive dry suit
- Fit within the required dry suit size range
- Be able to communicate in English or have a translator available
- Not be pregnant
- Eat well before the snorkeling experience
All participants must read and sign the required Silfra Snorkeling Medical Statement before taking part. Depending on your answers, you may also need approval from a physician.
You must also sign a liability release form before the snorkeling experience.
What to Bring
- Long thermal underwear
- Thick, warm socks
- Warm outdoor clothing
- Waterproof jacket or outer layer
- Contact lenses if you normally wear glasses
- Snacks and water
Not Included
- Meals and additional refreshments
- Entrance fees for optional stops
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
Good to Know
The Golden Circle sightseeing portion is private, giving you a more personal and flexible experience. However, the Silfra snorkeling portion takes place in a small group with a certified snorkeling guide.
Weather and conditions can affect the itinerary. Therefore, the operator may adjust the tour or snorkeling experience when necessary for safety.
Cancellation Policy
A 100% cancellation fee applies if you cancel one day or less before departure.
Pickup from Reykjavik
Your Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour begins with pickup from your hotel or designated meeting point in Reykjavik. Meet your private guide and settle into a comfortable vehicle for the journey ahead.
From Reykjavik, you’ll leave the city behind and travel towards the famous Golden Circle. During the day, you’ll experience Icelandic history, geothermal wonders, powerful waterfalls and an unforgettable snorkeling adventure.
Thingvellir National Park
Your first major stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Iceland’s most important historic landmarks.
Thingvellir sits within the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly move apart. As a result, the landscape features dramatic cliffs, fissures and lava formations.
The park also holds an important place in Icelandic history. Alþingi, Iceland’s historic parliament, was founded here in 930.
Take time to explore the remarkable landscape with your guide before continuing deeper into the Golden Circle.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Next, visit Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most spectacular natural attractions.
The Hvítá River rushes towards the waterfall before plunging over two dramatic tiers into a rugged canyon. Together, the drops measure approximately 32 metres.
Walk to the viewing areas and experience the power of Gullfoss up close. On sunny days, the spray from the waterfall can also create beautiful rainbows above the canyon.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Continue to the Geysir Geothermal Area in Haukadalur Valley. Here, the ground steams and bubbles with geothermal activity.
The star attraction is Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser. It typically erupts every 5–10 minutes and can send boiling water high into the air.
You can also explore the surrounding geothermal landscape, where hot springs, steam vents and colourful mineral deposits reveal the powerful forces beneath Iceland.
Kerið Crater Lake
The journey continues to Kerið Crater Lake, a colourful volcanic crater formed thousands of years ago.
Red volcanic rock surrounds the crater and contrasts beautifully with the blue-green lake below. Kerið is around 55 metres deep, creating an impressive natural amphitheatre in the Icelandic landscape.
Take in the views from the crater rim before continuing towards the adventure highlight of the day.
Snorkeling Between Continents at Silfra
Now it’s time for an experience unlike almost anything else in Iceland: snorkeling in Silfra.
Silfra is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Glacial water travels underground through porous lava rock before reaching the fissure. This natural filtration creates exceptionally clear water, with visibility that can exceed 100 metres.
Before entering the water, your certified snorkeling guide will provide the necessary equipment and help you prepare. You’ll wear a dry suit to stay protected from the cold water.
Then, float through Silfra’s brilliant blue water and explore its unique underwater landscape. The snorkeling experience takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, including preparation.
Please note: The Golden Circle sightseeing journey is private. However, the Silfra snorkeling portion takes place as part of a small group.
Return to Reykjavik
After your Silfra snorkeling adventure, relax on the journey back to Reykjavik.
Your guide will return you to your hotel or designated drop-off point, bringing your Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour to an end after approximately 10 hours.
