Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá is the star here: a broad freshwater fissure in North Iceland where visibility can reach more than 100 meters. You float above clear water, peer into the crack below, and may spot arctic charr. Then Litlaá changes the mood completely, with warm water, bubbling sand, green algae, colored sediment, and snails.

I like the two very different snorkeling sites and the small group limit of four. I also like the thoughtful comfort touches, especially the warm undersuit, dry suit, hot cocoa, and cookies between the water sessions. Guide Arnar has been especially helpful and calm, which matters when you are trying a cold-water activity.

The main consideration is the gear and the physical demands. A dry suit can feel tight and restrictive, and you must be comfortable in water, able to swim, and in moderate physical shape. The meeting point is near Ásbyrgi, not Reykjavík, despite Reykjavík appearing in some booking details, so check your route carefully.

Key points to know before you book

• Nesgjá reaches remarkable clarity: You may see more than 100 meters through the freshwater fissure when conditions are right.
• Litlaá feels like another planet: Warm water, bubbling sands, algae, sediment, and snails give the second snorkel a completely different character.
• Arnar is a strong guide choice: He is a PADI instructor, calm with equipment, helpful in the water, and known for pointing out interesting details and taking photos.
• The group is limited to four people: That gives the guide more time to help with dry suits and keep an eye on everyone.
• You get two separate water sessions: Each snorkel lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, with a gear change and short transfer between sites.
• The tour fits a North Iceland road trip: The sites are about 15 minutes apart and can work well with a Diamond Circle self-drive.

Why two snorkels make this North Iceland outing special

Many Iceland water activities focus on one famous location. This one earns its price by giving you two very different settings in one half-day outing. Nesgjá is about clarity and open freshwater. Litlaá is about warmth, movement, and small details in the riverbed.

That contrast is the real appeal. You do not simply repeat the same experience in a second location. The water, colors, temperature, and things to look for all change. I find that kind of pairing more satisfying than spending the full session at one site, especially if you have made the trip to this less-visited part of North Iceland.

The tour costs $274 per person and lasts about six hours, including preparation, walking, the two snorkels, and the short transfer. That is not a casual add-on, but you are paying for two guided activities, a PADI instructor, a full set of specialist equipment, warm clothing under the dry suit, and a very small group.

It also saves you from arranging two separate outings. If you already plan to drive around the Diamond Circle and Ásbyrgi area, the time and location make the price easier to justify. If you are staying far away and would need a long detour just for this activity, the value is less obvious.

Finding the meeting point near Ásbyrgi

The stated meeting point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant at Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi. The tour starts at 10:00 am and ends back at this same meeting point.

This is important: the experience is in North Iceland near Ásbyrgi, not in central Reykjavík. Some booking information lists Reykjavík as the location, but the practical start point is Skúlagarður. I would build the outing into a North Iceland driving route rather than treat it as a Reykjavík day trip.

The two sites are about 15 minutes apart. That short transfer keeps the day focused. You are not spending large chunks of time in a van between activities, and you can compare the sites while the differences are still fresh in your mind.

The group maximum is four people. I consider this one of the best features of the arrangement. Small groups make the clothing process less chaotic, and the guide can pay closer attention to how each person is managing the water and equipment.

Getting ready in a dry suit

At Nesgjá, your guide gives you a detailed safety and activity briefing before you enter the water. You then put on a snorkeling dry suit, warm undersuit, and the rest of the necessary equipment.

The dry suit goes over your own clothing. You should arrive with long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as a base layer. Those layers matter because the suit protects you from the water, but your comfort still depends on what you wear underneath.

You need to provide your height, weight, and age after booking so the operator can bring a suitable suit. The required height range is 150 to 200 centimeters, and the weight range is 45 to 120 kilograms. You must also be at least 12 years old.

Be realistic about the fit. Dry suits can feel tight and restrictive, especially when you are moving around on land or getting used to the material. That is normal for this type of equipment, but it can bother anyone who dislikes enclosed clothing.

Everyone fills out a medical form before participating. You must be comfortable in water, able to swim, physically fit, and healthy enough for the activity. If you are over 60, a doctor must sign the approval form. All participants also need to communicate in English.

Entering the clear water at Nesgjá

Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure with unusually clear water. It is sometimes compared with Silfra in South Iceland, but the setting here is shallower and the experience has its own character.

You enter at the designated point and snorkel down the fissure and into the lagoon for about 30 to 45 minutes. The water is shallow, but that does not make it dull. The visibility is the main event. On a good day, you may see more than 100 meters through the water.

That clarity changes how you look. Instead of searching for large sights, you notice the shape of the fissure, the pale rock, and the way the water opens out below you. A good mask is important because your view depends heavily on keeping the lens clear and properly fitted.

You might also see arctic charr, a salmon family fish that lives in the fissure. It is not guaranteed, so I would treat it as a pleasant possibility rather than the purpose of the stop. The clear water and unusual geology remain the main reasons to come.

The entry and exit require some walking, and the guide leads you through the process. After the session, you leave the fissure and walk back to the parking area. This is where the dry suit and base layers help, since you are not immediately climbing into a heated building.

Warming up before the second site

Hot cocoa and cookies are served after the snorkeling sessions. The timing is a small but welcome touch, particularly in a dry suit after a freshwater session.

The pause also gives you time to reset before the second location. You are not rushed directly from one water activity into another. Since the day includes dressing, undressing, walking, and two separate briefings, the break helps the outing feel manageable.

The tour then moves to Litlaá river, about 15 minutes away. The short transfer is enough to change the scenery without interrupting the day.

Seeing the bubbling sands of Litlaá

Litlaá is the great contrast to Nesgjá. The river water is about 20 degrees Celsius, much warmer than the first site, and the riverbed has features that can look almost unfamiliar.

Cold water erupts from the bottom and creates patterns known as bubbling sands. As you move over the river, watch for the way the sand shifts and forms designs. The activity here is less about seeing a great distance and more about noticing movement and texture close to you.

The warm water also supports fields of green algae, plants, multicolored sediment, and many snails. These details give Litlaá a distinctive ecosystem. I like that the guide can point out things you might otherwise glide past without recognizing.

One particularly enjoyable part may be the short river float at the end. It gives the second session a gentle finish, rather than ending the moment you have seen the bubbling sand. The exact feel of the float can depend on conditions, but it is included in the account of the experience and has been a memorable part of the outing.

The water is warmer here, but do not mistake that for a completely effortless session. You still wear the dry suit, and you still need to be comfortable in water and able to swim. The suit can feel restrictive in any temperature.

Why the guide matters in such a small group

The guide is a PADI instructor, and that qualification is useful here for more than basic facts. You are handling specialist clothing, entering natural water, and adjusting to a mask and snorkel. Clear instructions make the whole activity calmer.

Arnar has led this experience and is described as friendly, funny, calm, and extremely helpful. Those qualities matter more than a long speech about geology. You want someone who explains the steps before you enter, watches how you are doing, and helps when the gear feels awkward.

Arnar also points out interesting places in the water and can take photos during the experience. Photos are not included in the price, but you have the chance to buy them afterward. If having a record of the outing matters to you, ask about the photo option before you leave.

The small group limit of four is another advantage. You can ask questions without holding up a large party, and the guide has a better chance of noticing if someone needs help. This is especially useful for first-time snorkelers.

Timing, fitness, and what to wear

The tour is listed at about six hours, though the actual time in the water is shorter. Each snorkeling session lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The rest includes the briefing, changing into and out of equipment, walking to and from Nesgjá, cocoa and cookies, and the short transfer to Litlaá.

I would keep the rest of your day flexible. A six-hour estimate leaves room for changing and group needs, and natural water activities depend on weather and local conditions.

Wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks beneath the dry suit. You supply those layers yourself. The operator supplies the dry suit, warm undersuit, and all other necessary snorkeling equipment.

You do not need an advanced snorkeling background, but you do need basic water confidence. The tour is not suitable if you cannot swim or feel uneasy in open water. Moderate physical fitness is required, and the walk at Nesgjá adds a small land component.

The age and size rules are firm. Participants must be at least 12 years old, at least 150 centimeters tall, and at least 45 kilograms. The upper limits are 200 centimeters and 120 kilograms. Give accurate measurements when contacted after booking so the operator can bring the best-fitting suit.

Is $274 a fair price?

At $274, this is a premium half-day activity. I would not call it cheap, but the cost covers two guided snorkels rather than one, all required equipment, a warm undersuit, and hot chocolate with cookies. The four-person maximum also gives the experience a more personal feel than a large-group water excursion.

The value is strongest if you are already exploring North Iceland by car. Nesgjá and Litlaá are close together, and the outing adds two unusual stops to a route near Ásbyrgi and the Diamond Circle. You get variety without paying for separate transport to two distant places.

The value is weaker if you are looking only for a quick, simple swim or if you dislike changing into technical equipment. Much of the day involves preparation, and the dry suit will not suit everyone. You are paying for access, guidance, safety, and a carefully arranged pair of natural water experiences.

Photos cost extra. Keep that in mind if you want pictures, since they are not part of the quoted price.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The activity requires suitable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted, so watch the local cut-off time.

I would book only after checking your North Iceland route, your medical eligibility, and the likely weather window. Since the meeting point is fixed and the activity lasts about six hours, it works best when you are already planning to be in the Ásbyrgi area.

Who should book the two-site snorkel

I would recommend this for an active adult or teenager who can swim, enjoys unusual natural settings, and wants more than a standard sightseeing stop. It is also a strong fit for anyone building a Diamond Circle self-drive and looking for an activity that feels specific to North Iceland.

First-time snorkelers can manage it if they are comfortable in water and willing to work with a dry suit. Arnar’s calm, helpful approach is a plus, and the small group makes learning the routine easier.

I would think twice if you dislike restrictive clothing, cannot swim, have health concerns that make water activity difficult, or are hoping for a relaxed walk-up attraction. The experience requires preparation and some physical effort.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want two genuinely different water environments in one outing. Nesgjá gives you astonishing freshwater clarity, while Litlaá offers bubbling sand, warm water, algae, plants, colored sediment, and snails. The combination is more interesting than either stop alone.

I would also book it if Arnar is guiding your date and you value patient instruction, small groups, and photos. Skip it if the Ásbyrgi meeting point does not fit your route or if a six-hour commitment feels too long for roughly an hour of total snorkeling time. For the right itinerary and the right swimmer, this is one of North Iceland’s most unusual active experiences.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start?

It starts at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately six hours. Each snorkeling session takes about 30 to 45 minutes, with preparation, walking, refreshments, and the short transfer between locations.

What are the two snorkeling locations?

The first location is Nesgjá freshwater fissure. The second is Litlaá river, known for warm water and bubbling sands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes the necessary snorkeling equipment, a dry suit, and a warm undersuit.

What should I wear under the dry suit?

Wear your own long thermal underwear and thick wool socks under the dry suit.

What are the age and size requirements?

Participants must be at least 12 years old, at least 150 centimeters tall, and at least 45 kilograms. The maximum height is 200 centimeters and the maximum weight is 120 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.