Nikulásargjá | A Quiet Þingvellir Fissure

Site Overview

Nikulásargjá is another of the smaller fissures in the Þingvellir area, offering similar gin-clear glacial water and lava walls to Silfra but on a quieter, more local scale. The crack is modest in depth, around 12 metres average, and its clean lava walls and green algae make for a serene drift through the rift. Local guides use Nikulásargjá for relaxed dives away from the busy Silfra queues and as a gentle venue for drysuit skills. Visibility is usually 30 to 70 metres and the water holds a constant 2 to 4°C. As with the other fissures, marine life is minimal, but the clarity, silence and dramatic geology are the attraction. For divers who have already done Silfra and want to explore more of the park’s underwater rift system without the crowds, Nikulásargjá is a satisfying, low-key addition. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment. The site is a rewarding but demanding cold-water dive that rewards preparation, good buoyancy and respect for the Icelandic environment.