Iceland

Iceland’s dive sites give you two quite different trips to plan. Þingvellir fits a day out from Reykjavík, with time for a walk through the rift after your dive. A northern coast itinerary needs its own base, transport and weather margin.

In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to Iceland:

Where to stay?

Central Reykjavík puts cafés, the waterfront and city services within walking distance. For a Silfra day trip, check that your accommodation is near an operator pickup point, or book parking for your hire car. Akureyri is a separate base for diving in Eyjafjörður. On the east coast, Seyðisfjörður offers a different trip again, with a harbour, colourful houses and mountain scenery.

Activities and excursions in Iceland

While most people consider Iceland a cold place, it is really not in the coastal areas. The country has many activities mostly outdoor that attract people here. Here are a few things to do:

• • Northern lights: Iceland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights also called the aurora borealis. Your best chance to see them is in the winter months closest to the new moon. A short drive away from the locations you are staying to get away from light pollution will reward you with a great show. Tours often take you to a national park, There are even tours by boat that take you away for the lights of man to see the lights of nature.
  • The Golden Circle tour: A tour of the southern region that includes so of the regions natural attractions: Geysir geothermal area, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the UNESCO site Þingvellir National Park
  • Whale Watching: tour boats will take you out looking for whales!

• Scuba diving:  Indeed, there’s is great and unique cold water diving in Iceland.
• Museums: Reykjavík and most of the towns have a few museums. The culture is a bit different in each region. There are also art museums.
• Hot Springs: No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to one of the hot springs
• Ice Caves: The winter is perfect to visit some of the ice cave.
• Trekking: during the summer, trekking is very popular.

Best time to visit Iceland

Long summer days make it easier to combine a morning dive with a walk at Þingvellir. Winter light is brief, and snow, ice or wind can slow the drive even when an activity is scheduled. Darkness gives you an opportunity to look for northern lights when the sky is clear.

Health and Safety

Road and weather conditions can change the time needed to reach Þingvellir. Confirm your departure with the operator and keep its meeting instructions handy. Check your eligibility for public healthcare and your cover for diving and repatriation. European Health Insurance Card guidance

If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Iceland, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Where is Iceland located in the world?

Iceland lies in the North Atlantic. Reykjavík and Keflavík are in the southwest, within reach of Þingvellir. The fjords around Akureyri are in the north. Choose between these areas before deciding how many days to allow for driving.

How to get to Iceland?

Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík are separate stops on this trip. Arrange the airport-to-city transfer first, then decide whether to book a Reykjavík pickup for Þingvellir or collect a car. Check winter road conditions before committing to a same-day drive to the park.

Do I need a visa for Iceland?

For visitors covered by the Schengen short-stay rule, time spent in other Schengen countries counts towards the same limit of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport and circumstances. Check the official guidance for your nationality before travelling. European Commission visa guidance

Getting Around

For buses in the capital area and on regional routes, check the timetable and service notices for your date. Strætó journey planner. For Silfra, compare an operator pickup with a self-drive booking. A bus to Reykjavík alone does not take you to the fissure.

Iceland is different. Most people have a presumption of what to expect, and they are often surprised and find they underrated the destination. Iceland is a wonder that needs to be explored.

Iceland Photos

Scuba diving

You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Iceland Diving