Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá’s clear water can let you see more than 100 meters through a freshwater fissure, while Litlaá offers an altogether stranger scene: warm water, green algae, colorful sediments and ripples known as bubbling sands. This North Iceland outing gives you two very different snorkels in one half-day, with sites about 15 minutes apart.

I like the contrast between the two stops, and I like that the small group is capped at four. The guide handles the briefing and equipment, so you can focus on getting comfortable in the water and noticing the details below the surface. Arnar, a PADI instructor, is named as a guide for this trip.

The main consideration is the gear and physical requirements. Dry suits can feel tight and restrictive, you must be comfortable swimming, and the meeting point is in Ásbyrgi, not Reykjavík, despite Reykjavík appearing as the tour’s location in the summary. Confirm the meeting details before setting out.

• Nesgjá’s clear freshwater is shallow and striking, with visibility that can extend beyond 100 meters.
• Litlaá’s bubbling sands form where cold water rises through warmer river water.
• Two guided snorkels each last about 30 to 45 minutes.
• A group of four at most means close guidance and less crowding in the water.
• Dry suits, warm undersuits, hot chocolate and cookies are included; photos are available to buy separately.

Two North Iceland waters, two different moods

This is not simply the same activity repeated at a second location. Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure and lagoon, known for exceptionally clear water. Litlaá is a river around 20°C, where colder water emerging from below creates the bubbling-sand patterns and supports green algae, plants, multicolored sediments and plenty of snails.

That contrast is the point of the outing. You get a quiet look into a clear fissure, then a warmer, more colorful river environment. If you are planning a self-drive around the Diamond Circle, the two sites are close enough to make this a practical addition to a day in the area. They are about 15 minutes apart, though you should confirm how the transfer between them works when you book.

The tour starts at 10:00 am and lasts about six hours. That is a meaningful block of your day, not a quick roadside stop, so plan the rest of your route accordingly. The stated meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant in Ásbyrgi.

First stop: the clear fissure at Nesgjá

At Nesgjá, your guide gives a detailed safety and activity briefing before helping you put on a dry suit and the rest of the equipment. You then enter at the designated point and snorkel along the fissure and into its lagoon for roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

The fissure is described as shallow, but that does not make it visually ordinary. The water is fresh and exceptionally clear, and visibility can extend beyond 100 meters. Your view depends in part on the quality and fit of your mask, so take a moment to get it settled before you begin. If you are used to busy water activities, the chance to look down a clear fissure with a small group may feel especially calm.

Nesgjá is sometimes compared with Silfra in South Iceland because of its clear water and similar qualities. That comparison helps set expectations, but this is its own North Iceland stop, not a copy of the better-known southern site. You may also spot Arctic charr, a salmonid fish found in the fissure, though sightings are not guaranteed.

After the snorkel, you exit the fissure and walk back to the parking area. The walk is a practical detail worth keeping in mind: you will be wearing a dry suit and carrying your gear, so it is sensible to follow the guide’s instructions and take your time. Hot chocolate and cookies are provided after the two snorkels, a welcome warm-up after time in the water.

Second stop: warm-water patterns in Litlaá

The second location changes the feel of the outing. Litlaá is around 20°C, much warmer than you might expect from an Icelandic river. Cold water rising from the bottom creates the patterns called bubbling sands, making this stop less about distant visibility and more about close-up textures and color.

Look for the contrast between the moving sand designs and the green algae, plants and multicolored sediment. Snails are also common in the river. It is an unusual mix of features, and the warmth lets you spend time noticing them without the experience being defined only by cold water.

The guide repeats the briefing and equipment process before you enter. That second round may feel familiar, but it is useful: the water and what you are looking at have changed, and you can ask questions after getting oriented. One version of the outing has ended with a short float along the river, but the listed itinerary does not promise that detail, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a fixed part of the tour.

After the second snorkel, you can talk with your guide about the area and look at photos taken during the outing. Souvenir photos are not included in the price, but they are available to purchase. You then remove the equipment and continue on your way.

A small group and a guide who sets the tone

The group limit is four participants, a useful size for a water activity that requires equipment checks, clear instructions and attention to each person’s comfort. You are not one face in a large line of snorkelers. The guide can help with the dry suit, explain what to look for and keep the pace manageable.

Arnar is named as a guide for this experience. He is described as calm, helpful and easy to talk with, with a light sense of humor. Those qualities matter here. A dry suit can feel tight and constricting, especially before you enter the water, so a patient guide can help you settle into the gear and feel secure before the snorkel begins.

The included guide is a PADI instructor, and both snorkels are guided. This is a structured outing, not a rental-and-go arrangement. You should be comfortable in water, able to swim and in good health, and you must be able to communicate in English.

Getting comfortable in a dry suit

A dry suit is worn over your own clothes, so your base layer matters. The operator recommends long thermal underwear and thick wool socks. These are not included, so bring them with you rather than assuming the supplied suit will be enough on its own.

Dry suits can feel snug and restrictive. If you have never worn one, expect a different sensation from ordinary swimwear, and follow the guide’s help when getting dressed. The operator asks for your height, weight and age after booking so the right suit can be prepared. Give accurate details, since fit affects comfort and the ability to move.

There are firm participation limits: you must be at least 12 years old, at least 150 cm tall and at least 45 kg. The maximum stated size is 200 cm and 120 kg. Anyone over 60 must have a doctor sign the approval form. All participants must complete a medical form before the activity, which can be filled out online.

These conditions make the tour a poor fit for someone who is uneasy in water, cannot swim, or dislikes close-fitting equipment. They are also worth checking before you book for a family or group, especially if anyone falls near the stated age or size limits.

Is $274 good value for two snorkels?

At $274 per person, this is not a casual, low-cost stop. The price includes two guided snorkeling sessions, all necessary equipment including a dry suit and warm undersuit, and hot chocolate and cookies after the snorkels. The group is capped at four, and a PADI instructor leads the activity.

The strongest value is the combination. You are not paying for one brief look at a single site: you get two locations with noticeably different water conditions and scenery, plus equipment and guidance. For someone already traveling through North Iceland, that can make the price easier to justify than making a separate trip solely for one snorkel.

Still, the cost does not include souvenir photos, and the tour takes about six hours. If your schedule is tight or you are mainly interested in one of the two locations, consider whether you want to commit a substantial part of your day to both. There is also a practical question to settle in advance: the two sites are close together, but the supplied details do not clearly say whether transport between them is included.

Meeting point and planning your day

The meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, and the activity ends back there. The tour summary lists Reykjavík as the location, which does not match the stated meeting point. Do not plan around the Reykjavík label; confirm the Ásbyrgi start location and travel arrangements with DIVE.IS before booking.

The activity begins at 10:00 am. Since it lasts about six hours, it will take up most of the middle of your day. It can fit well into a Diamond Circle self-drive, but leave room for the tour and avoid packing your schedule with distant stops immediately afterward.

Confirmation is received at booking. The operator may contact you for your height, weight and age to prepare the best-fitting suit. The experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather or minimum numbers force cancellation, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this North Iceland snorkel?

This is a good choice if you are already exploring the Ásbyrgi area, enjoy being in the water, and want more than a single-site snorkel. The contrast between the clear fissure and warm river gives the outing its character, while the small group and guide-led format make it more personal than a large-group activity.

It is less suitable if you cannot swim, are uncomfortable in close-fitting dry suits, or would rather keep your day flexible. It is also not an activity to book without checking the medical, age and size requirements. If those conditions work for you, and the Ásbyrgi meeting point fits your route, the two-water format gives you a distinctive reason to pause your drive and spend time looking beneath the surface.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland. The tour ends back there. The summary also lists Reykjavík as the location, so confirm the correct start point with the operator before you travel.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts about six hours. Each snorkel lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

How many people can join?

The tour has a maximum of four participants.

What equipment is included?

All necessary snorkeling equipment is included, along with a dry suit and warm undersuit.

What should I wear under the dry suit?

The dry suit is worn over your own clothing. Long thermal underwear and thick wool socks are recommended.

What are the age and swimming requirements?

Participants must be at least 12 years old, comfortable in water, able to swim, physically fit and healthy. Participants must also be able to communicate in English.

Are photos included in the price?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase after the second snorkel.

What happens if I cancel or the tour is called off?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. If poor weather or the minimum number of participants causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.