Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Cold water, warm river, strange beauty. This six-hour North Iceland outing pairs the crystal-clear Nesgjá fissure with the warm Litlaá river, giving you two very different snorkeling experiences in one morning. I especially like the small maximum group of four and the chance to see Nesgjá almost entirely on your own. I also like that a PADI instructor leads both sessions and provides hot chocolate and cookies afterward. The main drawback is the demanding fit of a dry suit, plus the need to be comfortable swimming in open water.

This is not a casual splash-around excursion. You need moderate fitness, good health, and the ability to communicate in English. The tour also has firm height, weight, and age limits, so check those before paying the $274 price.

Five things to know before you book

• Nesgjá offers remarkable visibility: In clear conditions, you may see more than 100 meters through the freshwater fissure.
• Litlaá feels like another planet: Warm water, cold-water currents, green algae, colorful sediments, and snails create an unusual underwater setting.
• The two sites are close together: Only about 15 minutes separate them, making this a useful add-on to a Diamond Circle self-drive.
• Arnar has earned strong praise: He is calm, friendly, funny, and careful about explaining each stage of the experience.
• The tour is small but physically serious: Only four people can join, yet every participant must swim, handle a constricting dry suit, and meet strict size requirements.

Two very different waters in one morning

The appeal of this experience is its contrast. At Nesgjá, you enter a freshwater fissure with unusually clear water. At Litlaá, you snorkel in water around 20°C and watch warm and cold currents shape the riverbed.

The two locations are only about 15 minutes apart, so you do not lose much of the day to road time. That matters in North Iceland, where a self-drive itinerary can cover a lot of ground but still leave you watching the clock. This outing fits naturally into a Diamond Circle plan, especially if you are already visiting the Ásbyrgi area.

The listed meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant at Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi. The tour begins at 10:00 am and returns to the same point. Although the experience may appear under a Reykjavik location label in some booking systems, the practical meeting point is in North Iceland, near Ásbyrgi. Plan your day around that address rather than Reykjavik.

Getting ready at Nesgjá

At the first stop, your guide gives a full safety and equipment briefing. You then put on a snorkeling dry suit, a warm undersuit, and the rest of the required gear.

A dry suit keeps the water out, but it is not the same as wearing a loose swimsuit and mask. It can feel tight around your body and restrictive when you move. Wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks beneath it. Those layers are not optional fashion choices in Iceland. They help with warmth and comfort, especially while you are getting dressed and walking to the water.

The operator asks for your height, weight, and age after booking so the correct suit can be prepared. Give accurate information. A poor fit can make the experience awkward, and the tour has a minimum height of 150 centimeters and minimum weight of 45 kilograms. The maximum limits are 200 centimeters and 120 kilograms.

Before participating, you must complete a medical form. It can be filled out online. If you are over 60, a doctor must sign an approval form. These rules may feel formal, but they are sensible for a water activity involving a sealed suit and cold conditions.

Entering the clear water of Nesgjá

Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure, often compared with Silfra in South Iceland. The comparison makes sense because both places are known for clear water and unusual geology, but Nesgjá has its own character.

The fissure is quite shallow, with a large lagoon area. Your actual snorkeling time here lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. You enter at the designated point, then move along the fissure and into the lagoon under your guide’s direction.

The most striking feature is the visibility. In good conditions, you can see farther than 100 meters. That gives the water a glasslike quality, with the bottom and rock formations appearing much closer than they are. Your mask matters here. A foggy or poorly fitted mask would spoil one of the main reasons to come.

You might also see Arctic charr, a salmon relative found in the fissure. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the possibility adds interest to an already unusual setting. Even without fish, the clarity and open feel of the lagoon provide plenty to watch.

Nesgjá is beautiful without needing a packed list of attractions. The quiet matters. With a maximum of four participants, the group stays manageable, and the experience can feel calm rather than crowded. One especially appealing detail is the possibility of having the fissure almost entirely to your group.

After leaving the water, you walk back to the parking area. This is where the hot cocoa and cookies do useful work. They are a small touch, but after a cold-water session and the effort of removing equipment, a warm drink feels well timed.

Litlaá and the Bubbling Sands

The second stop changes the mood completely. Litlaá has water around 20°C, far warmer than you might expect in Iceland. The warmth comes from water rising through the riverbed, while colder water also moves through the area.

This mixing creates the formations known as the Bubbling Sands. From above, the sand appears to shift and bubble as water pushes up from below. Underwater, the effect gives the riverbed an almost otherworldly appearance.

The colors and textures here are different from Nesgjá. You may see green algae, plants, multicolored sediments, and many small snails. The warm water supports an ecosystem that feels surprising in a country better known for cold rivers, glaciers, and rough seas.

The visual contrast is one of the best reasons to choose the combination rather than only one site. Nesgjá gives you clarity and open freshwater views. Litlaá gives you movement, plant life, sediment colors, and warmer water. If one site does not suit your personal taste, the other may still make the trip worthwhile.

The tour repeats the equipment process at Litlaá. Your guide explains the conditions and leads you into the river. One version of the experience can include a short float down the river at the end, which provides a gentle finish to the second session. The supplied details do not promise this on every departure, so treat it as a possible part of the outing rather than a guaranteed feature.

Why the guide matters

A good guide makes a major difference when you are wearing an unfamiliar dry suit and entering water that looks strange from the surface. Arnar is the guide most closely associated with this experience, and his role goes beyond simply leading the route.

He explains what is happening before you enter the water, points out interesting areas during the session, and helps participants feel safe at each stage. His manner has been described as calm, friendly, funny, and reassuring. Those qualities matter more here than a polished speech or a fast pace.

The guide is also a PADI instructor. That does not turn the trip into a technical course, but it does provide useful professional supervision for an activity that requires swimming ability and basic physical confidence.

The small group is another advantage. With a maximum of four people, the guide can pay closer attention to each participant’s comfort, equipment, and position in the water. You should still speak up if your mask leaks, your suit feels wrong, or you become uncomfortable. A small group helps, but it does not remove the need to communicate clearly.

What the $274 price really includes

At $274 per person, this is an expensive morning by ordinary sightseeing standards. You are paying for two guided water sessions, specialist equipment, a warm undersuit, a dry suit, a professional guide, and the logistics of moving between two sites.

The value is strongest if you already plan to drive through North Iceland and want an unusual activity rather than another viewpoint. The short distance between the sites makes the two-part format efficient. You get two distinct settings without booking separate excursions or spending much of the day changing locations.

The price is less attractive if you are unsure about swimming, dislike tight clothing, or mainly want a relaxed sightseeing stop. The actual water time at Nesgjá is around 30 to 45 minutes, followed by the second session, so the six-hour duration includes changing, briefings, walking, warming up, and moving between sites.

Photos are not included, but you can buy souvenir photos after the second session. That gives you a choice. If you want a record of the colored riverbed or clear fissure, budget extra. If you would rather keep costs down, you can skip them.

Fitness, clothing, and comfort

You must be comfortable in water and able to swim. You also need to be physically fit and healthy enough to put on the equipment, walk to the water, enter and leave the sites, and remain active during both sessions.

The dry suit can feel tight and constricting. That is the most important comfort warning in the practical information. Wear thermal underwear and thick wool socks, and expect the changing process to take some effort.

The minimum age is 12. Everyone must be able to communicate in English, which is important for safety instructions and for reporting discomfort. The medical form is required for all participants, and people over 60 need a doctor’s approval.

Because the group is limited to four, this is a good choice for couples, friends, or a small family group that meets the requirements. It is not suitable for anyone looking for a passive boat ride or an activity where swimming ability is optional.

Timing and cancellation terms

The tour starts at 10:00 am and ends back at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant. Allow about six hours for the full experience rather than counting only the time spent in the water.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. The activity depends on suitable weather, and poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

A minimum number of participants is also required. If that minimum is not met, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. These terms make it wise to avoid scheduling the tour on the only possible day of a tightly packed North Iceland trip.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy unusual natural settings, can swim confidently, and are happy to trade comfort for a memorable view beneath the water. It is especially useful for a Diamond Circle self-drive because the two sites are close together and the meeting point is near Ásbyrgi.

You should also book it if you appreciate small groups and direct guidance. Arnar’s calm approach, careful explanations, and attention to safety are valuable when the dry suit feels unfamiliar.

I would think twice if you dislike restrictive clothing, have limited mobility, are uneasy in water, or want a simple, low-effort morning. The experience has a moderate physical requirement, and the strict size and medical rules are not minor details.

Should you book the Nesgjá and Litlaá combination?

Book it if you want North Iceland to surprise you. Nesgjá gives you extraordinary clarity and the chance to spot Arctic charr. Litlaá offers warm water, bubbling sand, algae, plants, sediments, and snails. Together, they provide a stronger experience than either site alone.

Skip it if the $274 price feels high for several hours of changing, walking, and water time, or if you are not fully comfortable swimming. For the right person, though, the small group, professional supervision, and sharp contrast between the two sites make this one of the more unusual additions to a North Iceland road trip.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour meet?

The meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland. The tour also ends back at this location.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately six hours.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

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

Do I need to bring special clothing?

You should wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks beneath the dry suit.

How old must participants be?

All participants must be at least 12 years old. Anyone over 60 must have a doctor sign an approval form.

Do I need to be able to swim?

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

Are photos included in the price?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase after the second snorkeling session.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.