Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá fissure gives you remarkably clear freshwater snorkeling in North Iceland, while nearby Litlaá River offers the complete opposite: warm water, bubbling sand, algae, snails, and strange sediment patterns. Seeing both in one morning makes this more than a standard cold-water swim. Nesgjá can offer visibility of more than 100 meters, and Litlaá feels like a small natural science lesson.

I like the contrast between the two sites and the small group size, which is limited to four people. I also like the practical care built into the outing, including a warm undersuit, dry suit, hot cocoa, cookies, and a guide who is a PADI instructor. The main drawback is the physical side: dry suits can feel tight, and you need to be comfortable swimming in open water for two separate sessions.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different snorkeling sites: Explore the clear freshwater of Nesgjá, then the warm, bubbling waters of Litlaá River.
• Small group of up to four: The group limit allows the guide to give close attention during both water sessions.
• Arnar is one of the guides: He is an experienced PADI instructor who has led trips at Nesgjá and the Bubbling Sands area.
• A useful Diamond Circle add-on: The two sites are about 15 minutes apart, making this practical for a North Iceland self-drive.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive a dry suit, warm undersuit, and all required snorkeling equipment.
• Strict participation rules apply: You must be at least 12 years old, able to swim, comfortable in water, and within the stated height and weight limits.

Two North Iceland waters in one morning

This six-hour experience pairs two sites that could hardly feel more different. At Nesgjá, you enter a freshwater fissure and snorkel through a shallow lagoon with unusually clear water. At Litlaá, you move into a river where warm water rises from below, shaping sand and supporting algae, plants, and snails.

That contrast is the real reason to book. You are not simply repeating the same activity twice. The first session is about clean lines, pale rock, and long views through clear water. The second is about warmth, movement, texture, and small forms of life.

The meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant at Ásbyrgi, with a 10:00 a.m. start. The booking information labels the location as Reykjavik, but the actual meeting point is in North Iceland near Ásbyrgi. Check your route carefully before booking, especially if you are planning this as part of a longer self-drive.

The two snorkeling locations sit about 15 minutes apart. That short transfer keeps the day focused. You will not spend hours sitting in a vehicle between stops, but you should still allow roughly six hours from start to finish.

Getting ready at Nesgjá fissure

At the first site, your DIVE.IS guide explains the route, water conditions, equipment, and basic safety points. You then put on the supplied snorkeling equipment, including a dry suit and warm undersuit.

The dry suit is worn over your own clothes. Long thermal underwear and thick wool socks are recommended underneath. This advice matters. A dry suit keeps water away from your body, but it does not replace proper insulation, and you will be much more comfortable with warm base layers.

You should also expect the suit to feel snug and somewhat restrictive. That is normal for this type of equipment, but it can take a little getting used to when you first walk toward the water. If you dislike tight clothing or feel uneasy in water, this may not be the right excursion for you.

The operator needs your height, weight, and age after booking so the best-fitting suit can be prepared. You also need to complete a medical form before taking part. Participants over 60 must have a doctor sign the approval form.

What makes Nesgjá special

Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure with a shallow entry and a large lagoon. The water is known for exceptional clarity, with possible visibility beyond 100 meters when conditions and equipment allow. That gives you a long view through the water, a rare treat even in a country known for clear rivers and springs.

The site is often compared with Silfra in South Iceland, but the experience here has its own character. Nesgjá is shallower, and the snorkeling setting is built around a broad lagoon rather than a famous national attraction with a busy visitor circuit.

You will enter at the designated point and snorkel along the fissure and into the lagoon for about 30 to 45 minutes. The guide controls the pace and points out features along the way. You might also see Arctic char, a salmon family fish found in the fissure.

The shallow water can make Nesgjá approachable for people who are fit and comfortable swimming but do not want a strenuous underwater outing. Still, clear water does not mean effortless water. You need to manage a mask, snorkel, dry suit, and fins while staying relaxed.

A possible limitation is that the visual quality depends heavily on the condition and fit of your mask. Even a spectacular site will be less enjoyable if your mask fogs or leaks. Listen carefully during the equipment check and tell your guide right away if something is not working properly.

A warm break with cocoa and cookies

After the first session, you leave the water, remove enough gear to warm up, and walk back toward the parking area. Hot cocoa and cookies are provided after both snorkeling sessions.

This is a small detail, but it improves the rhythm of the day. Cold-water activities often sound easier on paper than they feel when you are standing outside changing clothes. A warm drink gives you time to recover before the second stop, and the snack is useful after swimming and walking in a bulky suit.

You should still bring appropriate personal clothing for the day. The supplied information specifically recommends thermal underwear and wool socks under the dry suit, but the tour does not list every item you may want for before and after the activity.

Litlaá River and the Bubbling Sands

The second site, Litlaá River, changes the mood completely. The water is approximately 20 degrees Celsius, much warmer than you might expect from an Icelandic river.

Cold water rising from the riverbed creates patterns known as the Bubbling Sands. You can watch the sand shift and form designs as water pushes upward from below. It is a simple natural process, but it gives the river an unusual appearance and makes the underwater view feel active rather than still.

Litlaá also supports fields of green algae, aquatic plants, multicolored sediments, and many snails. Instead of looking across a clear fissure, you are looking closely at a living river environment with different textures and colors.

The warm water makes this session more comfortable, especially after Nesgjá. It does not remove the need for fitness or water confidence, though. You still need to enter the river, swim or float under instruction, and manage your equipment.

The outing can include a short river float at the end. The available details do not promise this as a separate guaranteed feature for every departure, so treat it as a possible part of the Litlaá experience rather than the main reason to book.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is four people. That is a strong feature for an activity involving equipment, water entry, and two different sites.

With only a few participants, the guide can spend more time checking suit fit, helping with mask problems, and keeping the group together. You also have a better chance of hearing the explanations and stopping to look at small details in the water.

The guide is a live PADI instructor. Arnar has led trips at Nesgjá and the nearby Bubbling Sands area, and his role includes explaining the process, helping participants feel safe, and pointing out interesting features. He has also taken photos during some outings, giving you the chance to buy souvenir images afterward.

Do not confuse a small group with a private tour. The experience is capped at four people, but other participants may join you. Everyone must be able to communicate in English, which helps with safety instructions and coordination.

Price and value at $274

At $274 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on how much you want the guided water experience and how difficult it would be for you to reach these sites independently.

The price covers two guided snorkeling sessions, all necessary snorkeling equipment, a dry suit, a warm undersuit, a PADI instructor, and hot cocoa with cookies. You are paying for specialized equipment and instruction as well as access to two unusual places.

The small group improves the value. A four-person maximum is more personal than a large bus-based excursion, particularly when you are dealing with dry suits and water conditions. The 15-minute transfer between sites also means the paid time is focused on the actual activity rather than long road travel.

Photos cost extra. If you want a record of the outing, plan for that additional purchase rather than assuming it is included.

For a visitor already driving the Diamond Circle or exploring the Ásbyrgi area, the tour makes more financial sense. You can fold it into a wider North Iceland route instead of arranging a separate journey just for snorkeling. It is less convenient if you are based in Reykjavik and have not planned time in the north, since the meeting point is in Ásbyrgi.

Fitness, age, and equipment limits

You need moderate physical fitness, swimming ability, and comfort in water. The activity has a minimum age of 12.

The published size limits are specific:

• Minimum height: 150 centimeters
• Minimum weight: 45 kilograms
• Maximum height: 200 centimeters
• Maximum weight: 120 kilograms

The operator requests height, weight, and age so the dry suit can be selected in advance. Give accurate information when contacted. A poor fit can make walking, floating, and adjusting your mask harder than necessary.

You also need to be healthy enough for two water sessions. The medical form is required for everyone, and participants over 60 need a doctor’s approval. These rules are not minor paperwork. They help the operator judge if the equipment and activity are suitable for you.

I would not choose this trip if you are a weak swimmer, uncomfortable putting your face in the water, or concerned about wearing restrictive gear. If you swim confidently and want an active way to see a less familiar side of North Iceland, the requirements are manageable.

Timing the tour with your North Iceland route

The 10:00 a.m. start gives you a clear morning appointment, but you should avoid building a complicated same-day schedule around it. Two water sessions, changing clothes, the short transfer, and the walk at Nesgjá all take time.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. From there, you can continue your route, but the exact amount of daylight and driving time will depend on your wider plans. Since the activity is near Ásbyrgi and the Diamond Circle, it works best as part of a self-drive itinerary rather than as a quick side trip from the capital.

Weather can affect the departure. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to fit visitors who want something more unusual than a standard sightseeing stop. It suits people who enjoy seeing how water shapes rock, sand, and plant life, and who do not mind changing into technical equipment.

It is especially useful for:

• Couples or friends on a North Iceland self-drive
• Confident swimmers who want a guided freshwater activity
• Small groups that prefer close instruction
• Visitors comparing North Iceland with the more famous Silfra area
• Anyone interested in natural details such as algae, snails, sediments, and Arctic char

I would be cautious if you have limited time in the north, dislike cold-weather gear, or want a relaxed sightseeing morning with no physical effort. The warm Litlaá water helps, but the day still involves swimming, walking, changing, and wearing a snug suit.

Should you book the Nesgjá and Litlaá combo?

Book it if you are already planning the Diamond Circle or Ásbyrgi area and want two very different water experiences in one outing. The crystal-clear Nesgjá fissure and warm Bubbling Sands of Litlaá complement each other well, and the four-person limit gives the guide room to provide careful help.

Skip it if the meeting point does not fit your route, if $274 feels too high for a half-day activity, or if you are not fully comfortable swimming in a dry suit. For the right participant, this is a focused, well-supported way to see North Iceland from below the surface, with Arnar and the DIVE.IS team providing the instruction and equipment that make the unusual setting accessible.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The tour begins at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the activity last?

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

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of four participants.

What equipment is included?

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

What should I wear under the dry suit?

Long thermal underwear and thick wool socks are recommended as a base layer under the dry suit.

Is swimming ability required?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

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 time are not accepted for a refund.