Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá is the star here: a broad freshwater fissure in North Iceland with astonishingly clear water, shallow passages, and views that can stretch more than 100 meters. The second stop, Litlaá river, offers a sharp change of scene, with warm water, bubbling sand, algae, plants, colorful sediments, and snails.

I like the way this tour pairs two very different waters within about 15 minutes of each other. I also like the small maximum group of four and the calm, safety-focused guidance from PADI instructor Arnar, who has helped people feel at ease step by step. The main drawback is the gear: a dry suit can feel tight and restrictive, and you need to be comfortable swimming in open water.

Key points about the two North Iceland snorkels

• Nesgjá’s water can be remarkably clear, with visibility of more than 100 meters in good conditions.
• Litlaá is warm at about 20°C, thanks to warmer water rising from below the riverbed.
• The bubbling sands create strange underwater patterns, while algae, plants, colored sediments, and snails add life.
• Arnar and the PADI-led format provide close guidance, with a maximum of four people.
• The two sites are only about 15 minutes apart, making this a useful add-on to a Diamond Circle self-drive.
• Hot cocoa and cookies follow the snorkeling, a welcome touch after changing out of the dry suit.

Two very different waters in one six-hour outing

This is not a standard cold-water snorkeling trip repeated twice. The appeal is the contrast. At Nesgjá, you get clear freshwater, a broad fissure, and a cool, almost weightless view through Icelandic geology. At Litlaá, the water is much warmer and the scenery is stranger, with sand bubbling from below and small signs of life all around it.

The full activity takes about six hours, including instruction, gearing up, walking, both snorkels, and time between sites. The actual snorkeling at Nesgjá lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. The second session has its own preparation and water time, though the exact duration is not provided.

You meet at 10:00 a.m. at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant in Ásbyrgi. The activity ends back there. Although the tour information lists Reykjavik as the general location, the useful planning detail is the actual meeting point in North Iceland. You should treat this as a regional activity, not something you casually add while staying in central Reykjavik.

The location works especially well for a Diamond Circle self-drive. Since the two snorkeling spots are close together, you do not spend the day sitting in a vehicle between them. You can build the activity into a North Iceland route, but you should still plan your driving carefully around the fixed 10:00 a.m. start.

First stop: the clear water of Nesgjá

At Nesgjá, your guide begins with a full briefing before you enter the water. You are fitted with a warm undersuit, dry suit, mask, and the other required equipment. The suit keeps your body dry, but you still need proper layers underneath to stay comfortable.

The fissure itself is freshwater and comparatively shallow. You enter at the designated point, then snorkel along the fissure and into the lagoon for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The setting is less about speed or athletic challenge and more about looking carefully at the unusual underwater space around you.

Nesgjá is often compared with Silfra in South Iceland because of its clear water and connection to Iceland’s fractured geology. It is not simply a smaller copy, though. The northern site is described as a large lagoon with shallow water, and the visibility may let you see well beyond 100 meters. In clear conditions, the water gives you an unusually long view through a narrow geological world.

That kind of visibility depends on your mask being clean and properly fitted. A small smear or fogged lens can spoil a place that is otherwise made for looking. Listen closely during the equipment briefing, and tell the guide at once if your mask is leaking or fogging.

You might also see arctic charr, a salmon family fish found in the fissure. It is not guaranteed, so do not book this expecting a wildlife encounter. The real attraction is the clarity and shape of the waterway, with the fish as a welcome extra.

The physical part of this section is manageable for someone with moderate fitness, but it is not passive sightseeing. You enter the water, swim or float through the fissure, and later walk back to the parking area. You need to be comfortable in water, able to swim, and in generally good health.

The second stop: Litlaá’s bubbling sands

After Nesgjá, you move on to Litlaá river, about 15 minutes away. The short transfer matters because the second stop feels like a new attraction rather than another version of the first.

Litlaá has water around 20°C, warmed by water rising from the riverbed. That temperature makes this section easier on the body than a typical cold-water snorkel, but you still wear the supplied dry suit and warm undersuit. The suit remains useful because conditions can vary, and the experience still includes time outside the water while you change and move around.

The unusual feature is the bubbling sands. Cold water pushing up through warmer areas creates patterns in the sand below. As you look down, the riverbed can feel more like a small geological experiment than an ordinary stream.

The warmer conditions also support fields of green algae, aquatic plants, multicolored sediments, and many snails. This is where your guide’s help matters. Arnar has been praised for pointing out interesting areas and taking photographs during the session, which means you can spend less time guessing what you are seeing and more time noticing the details.

The Litlaá setting may suit you if you like close observation. It is not just a matter of floating past a scenic view. The point is to watch the sand move, look at the unusual colors, and notice how warmer water changes the small underwater environment.

A short river float may be part of the Litlaá session. It has been described as a satisfying finish to the water time, but you should still expect the main focus to be guided snorkeling rather than a long river journey.

What the guide and small group add

The group is capped at four people, which is one of the strongest practical features of the experience. A small group gives the guide more time to help with masks, dry suits, entry points, and personal comfort. It also makes it easier to hear the briefing and ask questions without competing with a large crowd.

The guide is a live PADI instructor. Arnar is specifically named as a guide for this experience, and the available feedback highlights his calm, friendly manner, clear explanations, humor, and steady help throughout the activity. Those qualities matter more here than a polished speech. Snorkeling in an unfamiliar fissure or river is easier when the person beside you gives simple instructions and does not rush you.

Before entering each site, you repeat the preparation process. This may feel like a delay if you want to get straight into the water, but it is useful. The environments are different, and the second briefing gives you a chance to understand what to look for at Litlaá.

The tour is conducted in English, and all participants must be able to communicate in English. That is important for safety instructions and for discussing any problem with the mask, suit, or water conditions.

Dry-suit comfort and what to wear

Your dry suit is worn over your own clothing. Bring or wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as a base layer. This is not the place for thin casual clothes and ordinary cotton socks. The suit protects you from the water, but your clothing underneath still affects warmth and comfort.

Dry suits can feel tight and constricting. The fit must be close enough to keep water out, and some people find the movement unfamiliar. You should be comfortable with that sensation before booking. If you dislike restrictive clothing or feel anxious in fitted gear, this may not be the best choice.

The operator asks for your height, weight, and age after booking so the best-fitting suit can be prepared. The stated limits are a minimum height of 150 centimeters and minimum weight of 45 kilograms. The maximum height is 200 centimeters and maximum weight is 120 kilograms.

All participants must be at least 12 years old. Anyone over 60 needs a doctor to sign the required approval form. Everyone must also complete a medical form before taking part, and it can be filled out online.

These rules are not minor paperwork. Snorkeling in a dry suit requires enough mobility and water confidence to respond calmly if you feel uncomfortable. Be honest on the medical form, and ask the operator about any condition that may affect your ability to swim or manage the equipment.

The comfort break that makes a difference

After both snorkeling sessions, hot chocolate and cookies are provided. This sounds simple, but it is exactly the right touch after spending time in water and changing in outdoor conditions.

The warm drink also gives you time to talk with the guide about the fissure, river, and surrounding area. After the second session, you can look at the tour photographs and purchase souvenir images if you want them. Photos are not included in the price, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the package.

The photos may be useful because wearing a mask makes it difficult to capture your own experience. Still, you should not feel obliged to buy them. The tour itself includes the guided snorkeling and equipment, not a photo package.

Is the $274 price good value?

At $274 per person, this is a costly half-day activity. The value depends on what you want from North Iceland. You are paying for two guided water experiences, a dry suit and warm undersuit, all necessary snorkeling equipment, a PADI instructor, a very small group, and the convenience of two nearby sites.

The price makes more sense if you already plan to drive through the Ásbyrgi and Diamond Circle area. You are not paying for a full-day bus excursion from Reykjavik, and transport from Reykjavik is not listed as part of the activity. You need to reach the meeting point yourself.

The two different sites also improve the value. A single short freshwater snorkel might feel expensive to some people, but this pairing gives you clear geological water at Nesgjá and warm, active river conditions at Litlaá. The experiences are distinct enough that the second stop does not feel like a repeat.

The price is less attractive if you are unsure about swimming, dislike dry suits, or mainly want to see the water from the bank. This tour requires active participation, a moderate fitness level, and comfort in the water. You should not book it simply because the scenery sounds unusual.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers who enjoy unusual natural settings and want something more hands-on than a roadside viewpoint. It suits couples, friends, and small groups building a North Iceland self-drive around Ásbyrgi or the Diamond Circle.

It is also a good choice if you value close instruction. The maximum of four people means the experience is more personal than a large group activity, and Arnar’s calm approach should help if you are new to snorkeling in Iceland.

You should think twice if you are uncomfortable in cold or enclosed-feeling gear, cannot swim, or have limited physical fitness. The warm Litlaá water does not remove the need to manage a dry suit and move through the water. The activity also requires English communication and medical clearance where applicable.

The weather can affect the schedule. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. For your own plans, leave some flexibility around the booking if this snorkel is a central part of your itinerary.

Should you book the Nesgjá and Litlaá combination?

Book it if you are already exploring North Iceland, can reach Ásbyrgi by 10:00 a.m., and want two sharply different water environments in one small-group outing. Nesgjá offers the clear, open freshwater experience, while Litlaá supplies warmer water, bubbling sand, algae, snails, and unusual riverbed patterns.

Skip it if the price feels high for a six-hour activity, if you are not a confident swimmer, or if a tight dry suit sounds more stressful than fun. For the right person, the combination is memorable because it shows two very different sides of Icelandic water in a single day, with practical guidance and a welcome cup of cocoa at the end.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts approximately six hours. The first Nesgjá snorkeling session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, with additional time for instruction, changing, travel between sites, and the second session.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a dry suit, warm undersuit, and all necessary snorkeling equipment. You wear the dry suit over your own clothing.

What should I wear under the dry suit?

Long thermal underwear and thick wool socks are recommended as base layers. Dry suits can feel tight and restrictive, so suitable layers help with comfort.

What are the age and size limits?

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. Participants over 60 need a doctor-signed approval form.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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 accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient participation causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.