Strandarkirkja | Reykjanes Kelp Forest & Macro

Site Overview

Strandarkirkja, near the tiny Selvogur church on the Reykjanes Peninsula, is a shallow kelp forest and rocky reef that is one of the area’s most beginner-friendly ocean dives. The sheltered bay holds dense kelp, rocky outcrops and a healthy population of cod, pollock, lumpfish and a variety of macro life, with occasional seals cruising past. It is a favourite for training in real marine conditions and for macro photography, offering cold-water life without the depth or currents of the drift sites. Water temperatures run 4 to 11°C, so a drysuit is mandatory, but the shallow profile makes it forgiving for newer drysuit divers. The dramatic black coastline and the famous "lucky" church above make it a pleasant, accessible site close to Reykjavik and Keflavik. For divers wanting a gentle introduction to Icelandic ocean diving with good critters, Strandarkirkja is an excellent choice. 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.