Iceland · Atlantic
Best time to dive Silfra
A freshwater fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates: 2–4 °C year-round with visibility over 100 m. Underwater conditions are constant; winter road and weather conditions limit trips. Drysuit experience is required.
Peak season: year-round
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov high · Dec high · Jan high · Feb high · Mar high · Apr high · May high · Jun high · Jul high · Aug high · Sep high · Oct medium · Nov medium · Dec medium
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Macro life | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Coral & reef health | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Visibility | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Water temperature | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Weather & sea state | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Operations & access | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| December 2026 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| January 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| February 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| March 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| April 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| May 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| June 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| July 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| August 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| September 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| October 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| November 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
| December 2027 | 3.0 °C (37 °F) | 80–100 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic char | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Current strength
- 1 / 5
- Luxury level
- 3 / 5
- Typical depth
- 2–18 m
- Max depth of interest
- 18 m
- Dive styles
- Shore
- Suggested certification
- Open Water + drysuit certification or 10 logged drysuit dives
- Nearest airport
- KEF
- Snorkelling
- Good
- Known for
- Arctic char, glacial meltwater
Famous sites: Silfra Big Crack · Silfra Cathedral · Silfra Lagoon
Season notes & sources
- A freshwater fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates: 2–4 °C year-round with visibility over 100 m. Underwater conditions are constant; winter road and weather conditions limit trips. Drysuit experience is required.