A few weeks back, I took up the opportunity to go snorkeling in what is rated the top 10 dive sites in the world: Silfra at Þingvellir. I had meant to finish my diving certificate here but realized it would take four days so settled for snorkeling and some other time will return for diving. This is where the N American continental plate is moving apart from the Eurasian plate in a rift valley part of the mid-Atlantic ridge, a diverging plate boundary going from almost Antarctica in the south, up through the centre of the Atlantic, through Iceland and continuing north towards Svalbard. The water in Silfra is mostly glacial, thus we could drink it, very clean and pure right to the bottom.
I went with a group and the owner of Dive.is, and that day was snowy! Once sucked into a dry suit from head to toe, I snorkeled thru the peaceful, pure water looking way, way down to the bottom of the ridge with snow silently falling above. Strange neon-like microbial mats floated, which grow a lot in the summer months. Very magical, I was in awe. It is a geologists dream to witness this natural wonder. The owner told stories like when Tom Cruise was in Iceland last year during the filming of new movie, Oblivion, he took Tom and his son diving at this spot in Silfra. Cool! Iceland and this diving spot have been in many big films, it's just simply a natural wonder of the world. If you ever come here, get in touch w dive.is and go - I don't think you'll
In case you want to learn more of this place, Þingvellir (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈθiŋkˌvɛtlɪr̥] or "thingvellir") is a place in southwestern Iceland near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It is the site of a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is also home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Parliament or Alþingi was established at Þingvellir in 930 and remained there until 1789. It i the oldest extant parliamentary institution in the world.
I went with a group and the owner of Dive.is, and that day was snowy! Once sucked into a dry suit from head to toe, I snorkeled thru the peaceful, pure water looking way, way down to the bottom of the ridge with snow silently falling above. Strange neon-like microbial mats floated, which grow a lot in the summer months. Very magical, I was in awe. It is a geologists dream to witness this natural wonder. The owner told stories like when Tom Cruise was in Iceland last year during the filming of new movie, Oblivion, he took Tom and his son diving at this spot in Silfra. Cool! Iceland and this diving spot have been in many big films, it's just simply a natural wonder of the world. If you ever come here, get in touch w dive.is and go - I don't think you'll
In case you want to learn more of this place, Þingvellir (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈθiŋkˌvɛtlɪr̥] or "thingvellir") is a place in southwestern Iceland near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It is the site of a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is also home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Parliament or Alþingi was established at Þingvellir in 930 and remained there until 1789. It i the oldest extant parliamentary institution in the world.