Hot and Cold Diving and Spa tour
Dive the cold Silfra fissure and warm up at Laugarvatn Fontana spa – a Golden Circle self-drive combo.
5 hours•Languages: English
A Golden Circle self-drive combo of opposites: scuba dive the cold, crystal-clear Silfra fissure between the tectonic plates, then warm up in the geothermal pools and steam baths of Laugarvatn Fontana.
This self-drive combo pairs Iceland's two natural extremes in one day on the Golden Circle: a cold-water scuba dive in Silfra, followed by a warm soak at Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal spa. You drive yourself to each stop, so the day runs at your own pace.
Your adventure begins with a guided dive in Silfra, the fissure between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, where glacial water gives an underwater experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. At the Þingvellir meeting point your guide introduces the geology and history of the site, gives a detailed briefing, then helps you into your dry suit and dive gear.
You explore Silfra's four main sections – the Big Crack, Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral and Silfra Lagoon – on a 30–40 minute dive, then warm up afterwards with hot chocolate and biscuits. Afterwards you are free to explore the Þingvellir area before moving on.
From there you make your own way to Laugarvatn Fontana, about a 30-minute drive. Laugarvatn has been a bathing place since Viking times, and Fontana built its steam rooms directly over the bubbling hot spring. Relax in the natural pools, hot tubs and steam baths, dipping into the cool lake in between.
Both Silfra and Laugarvatn sit on the Golden Circle, so you can easily continue to the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall before heading back. Have a great trip!
TourID: DSHC
Activity provider: Dive.is by Icelandia
Silfra Meeting Point
Need to know
Participants must:
- be a certified diver at the level of PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent
- have dry suit diving certification and a logged dry suit dive within two years of the Silfra tour date OR have at least 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of the Silfra tour date and be able to provide written proof from a diving instructor of these dry suit dives
- have read, signed,
Requirements
- your SCUBA dive certification card (PADI Open Water or equivalent)
- proof of dry suit certification or 10 logged dry suit dives within two years of tour date
- long underwear
- thick socks
- suitable clothes for the weather of the day
- If you wear glasses, please bring contact lenses or your own prescription mask if you have one
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- Flexible Cancellation
- No Booking Fees
Tour itinerary
What’s included and what to bring on this tour
It’s important to always be prepared for your next adventure in Iceland. See our list of what’s included, and what you should bring or add to your trip
Not included
Clothing to be worn under the dry suit and undergarment is not provided. Please bring:
- Long thermal underwear
- Warm wool socks
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Bathing suit and towel for your visit to Laugarvatn Fontana
Are you wondering about something?
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, it's important to be prepared with the right information. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you plan your trip
This is a self-drive tour and pick-up is not available. You drive yourself to the Silfra meeting point in Þingvellir National Park (about an hour from Reykjavík), and then on to Laugarvatn Fontana, roughly a 30-minute drive from Silfra.
You must be certified at PADI Open Water Diver level (or equivalent) and hold a dry suit certification, or have at least 10 logged dry suit dives within the past two years with written proof from an instructor. You also need to complete the Diving Silfra Medical Statement, be at least 17 (a guardian's signature is required under 18), be 150–200 cm tall and 45–120 kg, be physically fit and not pregnant. Divers aged 60 or older need a doctor's sign-off on the medical form.
Allow roughly 2.5 hours at Silfra for the briefing, gear-up and 30–40 minute dive, plus about a 30-minute drive to Laugarvatn Fontana. Your spa entry time is flexible – the voucher is valid all day – so you can relax for as long as you like.
The tour includes your guided Silfra dive, all diving equipment, hot chocolate and cookies after the dive, the entrance fee into Silfra, and entry to the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths. Transport is not included (it's self-drive), and meals are extra – Laugarvatn Fontana has a buffet and a geothermal bakery on site.
Yes. Companions who don't dive can book the Laugarvatn Fontana spa visit separately and meet you there. Non-divers who still want to see Silfra can also choose to snorkel it instead of scuba diving.