Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá is the star of this North Iceland outing: a broad freshwater fissure so clear that you may see more than 100 meters ahead. Then the scenery changes completely at Litlaá, where warm water, bubbling sand, algae, plants, sediments, and snails create an underwater world unlike the usual Iceland sights.

I like the rare two-site format, since you get cold, clear freshwater and warm river water in one half-day. I also like the small group limit of four and the calm, personal guidance from PADI instructor Arnar, whose steady manner and humor helped people feel safe.

The main drawback is the meeting point. The tour is listed with Reykjavik as its location, but you actually meet at Skúlagarður Country Hotel near Ásbyrgi, far in North Iceland. This is best added to a Diamond Circle or northeast road trip, not treated as a quick Reykjavik excursion.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different snorkels: See clear freshwater at Nesgjá, then warm water and bubbling sands at Litlaá.
• Exceptional visibility: Nesgjá can offer views extending more than 100 meters through the fissure.
• Warm-water oddities: Litlaá may reveal green algae, plants, colorful sediment, and many small snails.
• Small group setting: The maximum is four people, which gives you more room for individual help.
• Full cold-water equipment: A dry suit, warm undersuit, and other necessary snorkeling gear are included.
• A serious fitness requirement: You must be comfortable in water, able to swim, and physically fit enough for the outing.

Two waters, two very different North Iceland worlds

This tour works because the two stops do not feel like variations of the same activity. Nesgjá gives you clean, cold freshwater and wide views through a natural fissure. Litlaá feels warmer, stranger, and more alive, with sand bubbling from below and plant life gathered around the warm water.

The sites are about 15 minutes apart, so you spend little time moving between them. That makes the outing a useful addition to a self-drive route through the northeast, especially if you are already planning to visit the Ásbyrgi area and other Diamond Circle sights.

You should allow about six hours from the 10:00 a.m. start to the end back at the meeting point. The exact time in the water is shorter than the full tour because you need briefings, clothing changes, walking, and the move between sites.

Meeting at Ásbyrgi, not Reykjavik

The practical detail most likely to cause confusion is the location. The tour information names Reykjavik, but the actual start is Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

That is a North Iceland meeting point. You should plan to reach it independently and build the activity into a northeast road itinerary. If your base is Reykjavik, this is not a sensible day trip by itself. The distance and the six-hour tour make that plan unnecessarily difficult.

The setting near Ásbyrgi also makes the outing fit naturally into a broader self-drive day. You can organize your route around the northern part of the Diamond Circle rather than trying to squeeze this into a city stay.

The maximum group size is four. I consider that a real advantage for an activity involving dry suits and open water. You can expect more direct instruction, and the guide has a better chance of noticing if you need help with your mask, suit, or position in the water.

Getting ready in a dry suit

At Nesgjá, the guide begins with a detailed safety and snorkeling briefing. You then put on the supplied dry suit, warm undersuit, and the rest of the necessary equipment.

The dry suit goes over your own clothes. Bring long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as your base layers. This is not a place for ordinary thin socks and casual clothing. The suit is designed to keep water out, but it can feel tight and restrictive, especially when you first put it on.

That snug feeling is worth considering before you book. You need to be comfortable moving in the suit and in the water. You also need to follow instructions in English, since all participants must be able to communicate in English.

The equipment is included in the price, which keeps the preparation simple. You do not need to arrange a separate wetsuit or mask rental. The operator also asks for your height, weight, and age after booking so the crew can bring a better-fitting dry suit.

Snorkeling through Nesgjá fissure

Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure with unusually clear water. It is sometimes compared with Silfra in southern Iceland, but this northern site has its own character. The fissure is quite shallow, and the lagoon is broad, so the feeling is less about plunging into depth and more about looking across an astonishingly clear stretch of water.

You enter at the designated point and snorkel down the fissure and into the lagoon for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Your mask does much of the work here. The water can be so clear that the visible distance depends heavily on the quality and fit of the mask.

The possible visibility is the big attraction. You may see more than 100 meters ahead, which gives the water a glass-like appearance. Even though the fissure is shallow, that long view makes it feel larger than expected.

There is also a chance of seeing Arctic char, a type of salmonid found in the fissure. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the possibility adds a natural touch to what could otherwise be a purely geological stop.

After leaving the water, you walk back toward the parking area. Hot cocoa and cookies are provided after the snorkeling, a small but useful comfort in Iceland’s cool conditions. The break also gives you a chance to warm your hands and settle before the second site.

Litlaá and the bubbling sands

The second stop, Litlaá river, changes the mood completely. The water is around 20 degrees Celsius, much warmer than the freshwater at Nesgjá. That temperature makes the second snorkel easier to enjoy if you find cold water tiring.

The strange feature here is the bubbling sand. Cold water rises from the bottom and creates patterns in the sand, producing movement beneath the surface. The mix of warmer and colder water also supports an unusual collection of plants and small creatures.

You might see fields of green algae, plants, multicolored sediment, and many snails. This is not the clear, open view of Nesgjá. Instead, Litlaá rewards close attention. You look down at the bottom, watch the sand shift, and notice the small details gathered around the warm water.

The underwater scene has an almost alien quality, but you do not need to be an expert in freshwater life to appreciate it. Your guide points out features and helps you understand what you are looking at. A short river float at the end may be part of the second outing, adding a relaxed finish after the more focused snorkeling.

The contrast between the two sites is the reason I would choose this combo instead of a single snorkeling stop. Nesgjá gives you distance and clarity. Litlaá gives you texture, warmth, movement, and small life.

Guidance from a PADI instructor

The activity is led by a live guide who is also a PADI instructor. Arnar is specifically associated with several departures and is described as calm, helpful, funny, and experienced. Those qualities matter here more than a long lecture about geology.

A good guide helps with the parts that can make dry-suit snorkeling awkward: entering the water, keeping the mask comfortable, adjusting your position, and moving through the site without disturbing what is around you. Arnar also points out interesting places and can take photos during the outing.

The group limit of four supports that personal approach. You can ask questions about the fissure and river, and you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd. You should still remember that this is an active water excursion, not a passive sightseeing cruise. You need to listen carefully and manage your own comfort in the suit.

All participants must complete a medical form before taking part. It can be filled out online. Anyone over 60 needs a doctor’s signed approval form. The minimum age is 12, and the minimum height and weight are 150 centimeters and 45 kilograms. The maximum listed measurements are 200 centimeters and 120 kilograms.

Is $274 a fair price?

At $274 per person, this is an expensive half-day activity. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: two guided water sessions, a dry suit, warm undersuit, snorkeling equipment, a PADI instructor, a small group, hot chocolate, and cookies.

You are also paying for access to two unusual natural sites that are not interchangeable. A single clear-water snorkel might feel costly if you are already watching your budget. The second site adds value because it provides a genuinely different environment rather than simply repeating the first stop.

The strongest value comes when you are already driving in North Iceland. If you would need to make a major detour just for the tour, the time and fuel costs change the calculation. If Ásbyrgi and the Diamond Circle are already part of your route, the activity becomes much easier to justify.

Photos are not included, but you may buy souvenir photos after the second snorkel. That keeps the basic price from including something you may not want, though you should budget extra if you want a photographic record.

Physical demands and what to wear

You need a moderate level of fitness for this outing. You must be comfortable in water, able to swim, and physically fit and healthy enough to handle the gear, walking, and time in the water.

The dry suit can feel constricting. It is not a reason to avoid the tour automatically, but it is a reason to think honestly about your comfort level. If you dislike tight clothing, struggle with swimming, or feel anxious in open water, this may not be the right activity.

Wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks under the suit. The operator provides the suit and warm undersuit, but you still need a sensible clothing base. The water temperatures differ sharply between the sites, so proper layers help you stay comfortable before and after each session.

Because the activity depends on good weather, conditions can affect the schedule. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who should book this North Iceland outing?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers who want something more unusual than a standard sightseeing stop. It is especially suitable for people who enjoy natural details: rock formations, clear water, moving sand, algae, sediment, and small freshwater creatures.

It also suits couples or small groups building a Diamond Circle self-drive. The four-person maximum gives the activity a personal feel, while the short transfer between sites keeps the day efficient.

I would be cautious about booking it for anyone who is uncomfortable in a dry suit or wants a completely relaxed, no-effort excursion. The tour requires preparation, walking, swimming, and attention to safety instructions.

Families should also check the age and size rules carefully. Everyone must be at least 12, and the height and weight limits are firm. Anyone over 60 needs medical approval before participating.

Should you book the Double Snorkeling Adventure?

Book it if you are already in North Iceland, can swim comfortably, and want two distinct water environments in one outing. Nesgjá is the reason to come, with its shallow, remarkably clear freshwater and possible long-distance views. Litlaá justifies the combination, offering warm water, bubbling sands, plants, algae, sediment, and snails.

Skip it if you are staying in Reykjavik and do not have a northeast driving plan. The location is too far away to treat as a simple city activity. At $274, it is also best for people who value unusual nature experiences and a small, guided group more than a low-cost attraction.

For the right itinerary and the right comfort level, this is one of the more distinctive ways to spend half a day in North Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and finishes back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is four participants.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a dry suit, warm undersuit, and all necessary snorkeling equipment.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. All participants must be comfortable in water, able to swim, and physically fit and healthy.

What are the age and size requirements?

Participants must be at least 12 years old. The minimum height is 150 centimeters and minimum weight is 45 kilograms. The maximum height is 200 centimeters and maximum weight is 120 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.