Two Iceland waters, one day, all clarity. You’ll snorkel Nesgjá fissure and then head to the Litlaá river for a second stop that looks like another planet underwater.

I love the two-site contrast: Nesgjá’s crystal-clear fresh-water lagoon with visibility that can reach 100 meters, and a real shot at seeing arctic charr in the fissure. I also love how the Litlaá stop feels playful and visual, with about 20°C water and that iconic bubbling-sands effect plus green algae fields, multicolored sediments, and lots of snails.

One consideration: you’ll wear a dry suit, and for some people it can feel tight at first. You also need to be comfortable in water, able to swim, and communicate in English; plus there are medical-form rules (and extra doctor approval if you’re over 60).

Key highlights before you go

• Two very different snorkels in one trip: Nesgjá’s clear fissure lagoon, then Litlaá’s warm-cold mixing zone
• Visibility that’s hard to beat at Nesgjá, often extending 100 meters with the right mask fit
• Bubbling Sands in Litlaá: patterns caused by cold water erupting from the bottom
• Small-group feel (max 4 people), which makes the pace calmer and the guide’s attention more personal
• PADI instructor guidance with top gear: dry suit plus warm undersuit for real comfort in cold water

Snorkeling Two Worlds: Nesgjá Fissure Meets Litlaá River

This double snorkel day is built around a simple idea: go where the water surprises you.

At Nesgjá fissure, you get a fresh-water setting with that famous, silvery clarity Iceland is known for. It’s often compared to Silfra in the South because of the way light carries through the water. In the water, the fissure shape does the work—walls close in, then open into a huge lagoon you can glide over.

Then you switch to Litlaá river, where the physics are wilder. Warm water and cold water erupting from below mix together, and that interaction creates the famous bubbling-sands patterns. The result is a strange, colorful mix you don’t see in typical snorkeling spots: green algae fields, multicolored sediment textures, and plenty of snails.

You’ll notice both sides of Iceland here: the clean and clear, then the quirky and living.

Meeting at Skúlagarður in Ásbyrgi and Starting at 10:00

The tour starts at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, at Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi. The start time is 10:00am, and the day runs about 6 hours total, ending back at the same meeting point.

This matters because you’re planning a full block of time in North Iceland, not a quick add-on. The good news is the format is straightforward: gear up, snorkel, warm up, snorkel again, then get back to the car without a lot of wandering around.

You’ll use a mobile ticket. After booking, you’ll also get confirmation details, and the operator will contact you for sizing info so the dry suit fits right.

Getting Your Gear Right: Dry Suits, Warm Layers, and Fit

Both snorkeling stops rely on the same core piece of comfort gear: a dry suit plus a warm undersuit. You’ll put the suit over your own clothing, so you’re not starting from scratch at the meeting point.

Here’s what you should plan for:

• Wear long thermal underwear as a base layer.
• Add thick wool socks under the suit.
• Expect the suit to feel tight at first. That’s normal for dry suits, but you should be mentally ready for it.

The operator will match you with the best fitting suit, but you must provide your height, weight, and age after booking. That’s a small step that makes a big difference once you’re in the water.

Also plan your paperwork. Everyone needs to fill out a medical form before participating (online). If you’re over 60, your doctor must sign the approval form.

Finally, check the basics: you need moderate physical fitness, you should be comfortable in water, and you must be able to swim. You also need to be able to communicate in English. And yes, there’s a minimum height and weight rule, plus a max height/weight limit to keep everyone in safe, proper fitting gear.

Nesgjá Fissure: Iceland’s Northern Silfra-Vibe with Over-100-Meter Clarity

Your Nesgjá time starts after you arrive and the guide walks you through the snorkeling process. Then you’ll get dressed into the suit and gear, and you’ll enter at the designated entry point.

From there, your goal is simple: snorkel down the fissure and into the lagoon for about 30–45 minutes. This is plenty of time to explore the walls and the open water without rushing.

What makes Nesgjá special is the combination of:

• Fresh-water conditions in a volcanic fissure
• Crystal-clear visibility, sometimes beyond 100 meters
• A sense of scale that’s unusual for such a short swim

That visibility note is practical, not poetic: your view depends a lot on how well your mask works for you. When the mask seals well and you can breathe calmly, you’ll see more detail. When it doesn’t, your world turns blurry fast. So take a few extra seconds at the start to get the mask comfortable and secure.

Wildlife can show up too. You might spot arctic charr, a salmon-type fish that can be present in the fissure.

And pace matters here. The guide keeps you moving at a snorkeling-safe speed, while also pointing out what’s worth watching—so you don’t just drift and wonder what you’re looking at.

The Warm-Up Break: Hot Cocoa and Cookies Before Litlaá

After Nesgjá, you’ll exit and walk back to the parking lot. This break is more than a timing reset.

You’ll get hot cocoa and cookies to warm up before the second snorkel. This is a smart part of the day because you’re going from clear-fresh-water conditions to river snorkeling, and your body will feel the temperature swing.

You’ll also get a second chance to adjust anything that felt off earlier: strap tension, comfort with movement, and how your suit sits once you’ve been out and warm again.

Litlaá River: Bubbling Sands, Green Algae, Multicolored Sediments

Then it’s off to the second site, which is about 15 minutes away from the first. That short transfer is one of the quietly great logistics choices of this tour. You’re not burning half your time in the car.

In Litlaá river, the water is around 20°C—not warm by beach standards, but noticeably warmer than many people expect for Iceland. That helps you feel more relaxed for the second session.

The star here is the pattern called bubbling sands. It comes from cold water erupting from the bottom, mixing with the river’s warmer water. Under the surface, you get those swirling textures and motion that makes the river look alive.

You’ll also see a different type of underwater world:

• Fields of strange green algae
• Multicolored sediments
• A lot of snails

This is where first-time snorkelers often feel the most wonder, because the environment gives you constant small changes to track. The guide helps you spot interesting spots without making you feel rushed.

And if you’re the type who likes photos, this stop is especially good for visual shots. The combination of color and bubbling effects creates natural “wow” moments.

After the second snorkel, there’s time to buy photos from the tour and chat with the guide about what you saw before you take off the gear and head back.

The Role of Arnar and Why the Guide Quality Matters

One name that comes up again and again in this experience is Arnar. He’s described as calm and very helpful, and he explains things clearly before you get in.

That’s not a small detail. In cold-water snorkeling, confidence matters as much as equipment. When the briefing is solid, you spend your time noticing fish, textures, and light—rather than worrying about breathing, movement, or fit.

In a small group, you also get better feedback. The guide can watch your body position, help you adjust where needed, and keep the day safe while still letting you look around.

Time on the Water: What 6 Hours Feels Like in Practice

This is not a marathon day with constant motion. It’s built as:

• Gear up and brief
• Nesgjá snorkel (30–45 minutes)
• Exit, walk back, warm up with cocoa and cookies
• Short transfer to Litlaá (about 15 minutes between sites)
• Second snorkel in Litlaá
• Gear off, photo opportunity, guide chat, back to the meeting point

Because the group size is capped at 4 travelers, you aren’t stuck waiting for a big crowd. That can make the experience feel smoother, especially if you’re new to snorkeling or dry-suit comfort.

You should still plan this as a full morning/early afternoon commitment. Your brain will be switching between two different underwater environments, and that takes a bit of energy—even if you’re not moving fast.

Price and Value: $274 for Two Guided Snorkels with Gear

At $274 per person, you might pause and ask if this is worth it.

Here’s why it often feels fair:

• You get two guided snorkeling tours in one day
• Your snorkeling gear is included, including a dry suit and warm undersuit
• You get hot cocoa and cookies
• The guide is a PADI instructor
• The day uses a small group size (max 4), which boosts attention and comfort

If you compare that to doing any similar cold-water snorkeling on your own, the dry suit alone usually changes the math. This package handles fit, safety basics, and the two very different sites. You’re paying for time on the water plus the gear and instruction that help you see more and feel calmer.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Skip It)

I think this is a great fit if you:

• Want to snorkel in two distinct Iceland water worlds in one outing
• Prefer guided instruction and calm, attentive pacing
• Are excited by clear-water fissures and the unusual river patterns of bubbling sands
• Can handle dry-suit comfort and basic swimming

You might consider skipping it if:

• You’re not comfortable swimming or in the water for sustained periods
• You don’t want to deal with a dry suit that can feel tight
• You can’t meet the communication requirement in English
• You fall outside the minimum height/weight or max height/weight limits

Should You Book This Double Snorkeling Day?

Yes, if you want an efficient, guided way to snorkel North Iceland’s underwater characters—Nesgjá’s clarity and Litlaá’s bubbling sands ecosystem—without turning it into a complicated logistics project.

I’d book it especially if you like the idea of a small group and you care about seeing what’s actually happening underwater, not just floating around. The guide quality (including Arnar), the included dry-suit comfort, and the fact you snorkel two sites back-to-back make this a strong value for the time you have.

If cold water and dry suits sound like a mismatch, then you might want a different kind of snorkeling day. But if you’re open to the dry-suit tradeoff, this is the kind of outing that gives you real variety in one sitting.

FAQ

How long is the double snorkeling adventure?

It runs about 6 hours total.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant in Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the snorkeling start?

The start time is 10:00am.

What’s included in the price?

You get 2 guided snorkeling tours, all necessary snorkeling equipment (including a dry suit and warm undersuit), hot chocolate and cookies, and a live guide who is a PADI instructor.

What water temperature should I expect at Litlaá?

Litlaá is described as about 20°C water. The temperature for Nesgjá is not specified.

Do I need prior snorkeling experience?

The tour includes briefing and guided snorkeling, and it requires you to be comfortable in water and able to swim, but the information provided doesn’t limit it to experienced snorkelers only.

Do I have to fill out a medical form?

Yes. All participants must fill out a medical form before participating, and it can be filled out online.

Are there age, height, or weight requirements?

Yes. Participants must be at least 12 years old. There is a minimum height of 150cm and a minimum weight of 45kg, with maximum height and weight limits of 200cm and 120kg.

Is the cancellation policy flexible?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.