Questions/Recommendations for First Time in Iceland

I am doing the Silfra snorkeling this week and will let you know what I think. Have you seen the medical form? They list many conditions that make you ineligible for that, and if you are 60-69, a doctor must sign your form. Over 69, you are not allowed. We are doing it as part of a Golden Circle tour with Troll. We are not renting a car since it's January. Thought it best to leave the driving to the experienced.

Tigerfan--Good call on not driving:). We have driven there in the winter and it is hit or miss as to whether you should be on the roads. Tours make that so much easier in the winter!

Adriana--We have not done Silfra, but yes look at the fine print for it. A friend and her son did it last summer and had the time of their life. The Golden Circle is easily done in a day, and go on your own. Definitely go to the glacier lagoon if you have time. There is only one company that runs the boat tours, and that is www.icelagoon.is . We have done the zodiac boat tour here a few times, including last September. It is a lost of fun! Westmann Islands are wonderful. I would not try to do it in a day though, and I would take the vehicle over vs on foot. The reason is that the puffins are on land at their nests in the early morning and late evenings, otherwise they are flying around fishing. So to see them up close, you need to go during these times. That said, the puffins tend to leave in late August, but early September still has some hanging around, but of course no guarantees. The rib boat safari ride here is a lot of fun! We did the 2 hour ride and it just so happened that a pod of orcas came right up to us. The captain shut the motor off a good distance away, and the orcas came to us, so we just sat there in silence watching. Amazing! Eldfell Crater is a nice walk up to the top, and Eldheimar Museum at the base is an absolute must. There is also the whale sanctuary.

I snorkeled at Silfra with Adventure Vikings. We met them in the parking lot. I have a lot of mixed feelings, so difficult to know whether or not to recommend it. I am a certified dry suit scuba diver (only because the certification doesn't expire even when you get old). I grew up with a severe fear of water and getting certified in my 30s was a way of facing this fear and a means to get me comfortable being with my young children in water. Because of my fear, I skipped/avoided activities in the past that I have some regret about.

When I saw this activity it seemed very cool! Snorkeling in glacial waters between two tectonic plates. I had experience being in a dry suit but it was 20 years ago. Signing up was really a chance for me to face some old fears again.

Now, about the experience. We met our dive guides at a van in the parking lot. They pick out your equipment for you. Dry suits are advisable, but they also offered thick wetsuits. I have never met a bad dive guide in my life. They are generally fun-loving on the surface, deeply responsible and serious on the inside, extremely patient and completely calm. You don your apparel at the van and take a short walk to the entry site. The entry site is some metal stairs that you go down and it is easy entry into the water. While on the stairs there is a safety and instructional talk (this is where the guides are very serious). This is the most difficult part of the adventure because being in a dry suit on dry land is quite difficult. If feels that you are being squeezed to death at your neck and wrists. We had one woman that almost passed out and she quit before we got in the water. My son and I both admitted later that we were close to doing the same. OK, now into the water. The water is very cold. If you choose a dry suit, your body is comfortable and very glad to be in the water due to the dry suit. Your face, however, is not happy. It is best to leave your face in the water so you don't experience the shock over and over again. It is very cool to be in glacial waters and to swim through the gap between the lava rocks. But, there isn't much to look at. Near the end is a bigger pool that you can explore if you aren't too cold. I frankly don't know how the people in the wetsuits could stand it. Then out and the walk back to the van for warm drinks and cookies.

Worth it? Yes. BUT, more so because I can say I chose to do an activity that was physically challenging for my arthritis riddled body and completed it. I wouldn't go a second time, I will stick with snorkeling in warm waters with more lifeforms to look at.

I hope this helps.

1. My daughter and I snorkeled at Silfra. the whole process takes about 2 1/2 hours so keep that in mind. We found the dry suits very uncomfortable and you're putting them on and in them for a very long time while the guides get everyone in their suit. It is absolutely magical when you put your face in the water. It is unbelievably clear, and a real thrill being between the tectonic plates. The dry suits are so buoyant, it's hilarious to try to move around. Not only does your face get cold, but your hands get very cold as well. We are glad we did it, but would not do it a second time.
2. I think the Golden Circle is very doable in one day, especially if you don't snorkel.
   
3. Snaefellsnes - you can certainly do this on your own, however, the distance is very far. We spent more than 9 hours going around and by the north half we didn't stop anymore. It's very beautiful and I definitely recommend.
4. The Glacier Lagoon is spectacular, highly recommend taking the boat ride and going to Diamond Beach which is right there too. Have fun!

A trip to the Westman Islands is very doable in a day via car, especially if you're staying somewhere on the south coast. We lucked out with good weather (no guarantee of that of course) and the Westman Islands day out was our favorite day of our entire trip.

If you're based in Reykjavík, then the Westman Islands becomes a longer day (still doable) and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon would be a very long haul and probably not worth it - though it would certainly would be worth it from Selfoss or Vik for example.

I thought the Golden Circle was ok, but you are certainly in the middle of the tour bus crush at times. Everyone does it so it can be packed (e.g., Gulfoss is amazing but has a very busy tourist center with lots of buses, a huge cafeteria, and lots of commercialism). I'd suggest doing just a part of the Golden Circle and then staying further out along the south coast like Vik, Hvolsvöllur or Selfoss. You'll find lots of places that are not as heavily promoted and avoid the daytrippers from Reykjavík.

The good news is that Iceland is amazing, you'll have a great trip no matter how you choose to fill your days! You can't lose.

I'm back. We did the January snorkeling at Silfra. I would say the descriptions you have received in my absence are quite accurate.

We were pleased that Troll had a heated truck parked for us to do our initial change into what they called a pajama. It's basically a big onesie that zips up the front over your long underwear. Then we walked out to get into our drysuits - no option for a wetsuit in January and it would have been a bad idea anyway. The guides were great. Strapped our wrists right away but did the necks just before the hoods. They were very conscientious about getting everything on correctly and giving us lots of advice about what to expect and what to do. I initially thought the neck strap too tight but then realized that I can breathe just fine and it was just a mind over matter thing. I didn't really even find walking to and from the water in the suit that bad. However, in the water you will float like a cork and that's how they want it. I felt like the stay puff'd marshmallow man and was about that mobile in the water. We got into the water right around sunup and we could see rocks and clear water. One of the big downsides is really all the pictures they take. It makes me think that people mostly do this to get the pictures. We had them before we got in, after we got out, and then we were also photographed in the water. So, I would say no need to be apprehensive - we were colder watching the Northern Lights, but also no need to do this if you have other things you'd rather do. It took all of our time at Thingvellir, so we missed everything except Silfra, IMO.

One day on the Golden Circle was enough in January. I suspect there is more to do in September.