Diving Iceland’s Freshwater Lakes & Glacial Outflows

About Freshwater Lakes & Glacial Outflows (Inland)

Iceland’s inland freshwater offers a gentler, surreal side of diving away from the cold ocean. Þingvallavatn, the wide lake above Silfra, holds submerged lava caves, fissures and Arctic char with excellent though less perfect visibility. Laugarvatn is a warm geothermal lake with convection cells, freshwater sponges and thermophilic algae—a surreal hot-bath dive. The Hvítá river’s summer plunge pools allow shallow scuba training in glacial water with strong currents, mainly snorkel territory. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is iconic for snorkelling among icebergs; scuba is possible but extreme at 0–2°C and needs drysuit and glacier permits. These sites are training-friendly, photogenic and uniquely Icelandic.

Highlights

• ✓Þingvallavatn: submerged lava caves and char in the national park lake
• ✓Laugarvatn: a warm geothermal lake with sponges and algae
• ✓Hvítá river pools: shallow glacial scuba training in summer
• ✓Jökulsárlón: iceberg snorkelling and extreme cold scuba
• ✓Freshwater training venues away from ocean swell

Getting There

Þingvallavatn and Laugarvatn are 45–90 minutes from Reykjavik along the Golden Circle. Hvítá pools are near the Gullfoss area, and Jökulsárlón is a 4–5 hour drive east. Most freshwater sites are shore-access with local guides.