Exploring the Realm of Fire and Frost: A Deep-Sea Journey in Iceland
Brace yourself, mate! We're embarking on an icy adventure, heading to the land of Erik the Red and the infamous Silfra Fissure.
Let's face it, Iceland in winter is a wind-whipped, snowstorm of a place! But that didn't faze us as we journeyed towards Nesgjá, a brand-new crack in the Earth's crust, filled with crystal-clear water and some of the most stunning geological formations a diver could ever lay eyes on. After a chilly drive from Hjalteyri, just 22 km north of Akureyri, we suited up on a snowy hilltop and waded through the icy waters.
Geologically speaking, Iceland is a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - volcanically active but scarred from lava flows, contorted by the Earth's spreading, and home to the mid-Atlantic ridge. Diving along its coasts reveals myriad opportunities for exploring underwater wonders. Strytan, a unique hydrothermal vent site, is particularly noted, providing access to a rare collection of geothermal vents in shallow, diveable depths.
Our dives at Nesgjá took us through an eerie, winding corridor of boulders, carved by the Earth's slow but violent breaking apart. The water here is incredibly pure and clear, despite the lack of marine life. We wound our way through the length of the crack, emerging into a lagoon of equally transparent depths. limited by our air supply and tolerance for the cold.
A nearby site, Litla Á, offers a warmer alternative. Here, we dived in water barely reaching 5 or 6 feet in depth, hardly chilly at 63°F. The clear water, hot water geysers, and large trout made this worth the trip.
In 1997, Erlendur Bogason discovered a hydrothermal vent in the dark waters of the Eyla Fjord, near Akureyri. Named Strytan, it's the shallowest known hydrothermal vent in the world. Divers can explore towering, clay-covered chimneys and marvel at the vibrant marine life that abounds. Colorful nudibranchs, crustaceans, sponges, starfish, anemones, schools of cod, Pollack, Lumpsucker fish, and even the formidable Wolf Fish call these waters home.
Our final stop was Thingvallavatn Lake, home to a landscape torn apart by geological forces. The clear, filtered glacial melt water that fills the fissures here is incredibly pure, with one of the most iconic sites being Silfra. Here, divers descend a set of stairs and enter a labyrinth of rock walls, boulder piles, cavities, and crevices all filled with the world's purest water. Divers can even touch both the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates as they dive.
Iceland's diving opportunities extend to shipwrecks, cod spawning activities, and diving with seabirds along the northern coast. Topside, Iceland offers an intriguing contrast between civilization, history, and wilderness. With just 320,000 people, much of the country remains natural and undisturbed. Visitors can explore black, barren fields of pumice and lava stone, breathtaking waterfalls, lovely seaside communities, and dramatic mountains.
After our underwater adventures, we landed back in Reykjavik, feeling exhilarated and humbled by the immense power of nature. Iceland left an indelible mark on us, creating a sense of wonder about the world and making us feel a part of the Earth's rebirth. So get ready to dive into the continent crack in the heart of the Land of Fire and Ice - just a 5-hour flight from New York!
[1] Michael Salvarezza and Christopher Weaver (2017). Silfra Fissure Diving in Iceland: A Perfect Underwater Journey. Dive in Iceland.
[2] M. Payne (2021). Diving Iceland's Silfra Fissure: An Unforgettable Adventure. Dive.IS.
[3] Dive.IS (n.d.). Silfra Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Tour 35 Minutes Drive from Reykjavik. Book Your Tour.
[4] M. McGuane (2022). Exploring Geothermal Dive Sites in Iceland. Saltwater World.
- Despite the chilly Icelandic winter, we braved the icy waters at Nesgjá, a new underwater destination filled with astonishing geological formations.
- The water at Nesgjá is remarkably clear, though limited marine life exists, providing a unique diving experience.
- For a warmer alternative, we ventured to Litla Á, where clear waters, hot water geysers, and large trout made for a pleasant dive.
- Strytan, located in the Eyla Fjord, is a rarity - a shallow hydrothermal vent site teeming with vibrant marine life and towering clay-covered chimneys.
- Our journey led us to Thingvallavatn Lake, where the purest water in the world flows and divers can touch two continental plates.
- Iceland's diverse underwater landscape offers opportunities to explore shipwrecks, cod spawning activities, and diving with seabirds along the northern coast.
- On land, Iceland showcases black, barren fields of pumice and lava stone, breathtaking waterfalls, charming seaside communities, and towering mountains.
- Iceland's underwater photography opportunities, combined with its unique lifestyle, make it an unforgettable trip for any diver seeking adventurous travel and sports experiences.
