Reykjavik Combo: Horse Riding & Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Silfra Fissure gives you one of Iceland’s most unusual outings: you float through clear glacial water between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Later, at Laxnes Horse Farm, you trade the drysuit for a saddle and ride a sturdy Icelandic horse through open countryside.

I like the easy Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, which lets you combine two major activities without arranging separate transport. I also like the underwater photos and hot cocoa, small touches that make a cold, gear-heavy morning feel more worthwhile.

The main catch is the cold. In winter, getting into a wet snorkel setup and waiting outside can be rough, especially if your hands or feet chill easily. The horse riding also follows the snorkeling, so bring a full change of clothes and do not expect a lazy morning.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkel between tectonic plates: Silfra sits in Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American plates pull apart.
• Expect very cold water: The gear protects your body, but your hands, face, hair, and feet may still feel the cold.
• Ride at a family-run farm: Laxnes Horse Farm uses friendly Icelandic horses and welcomes both beginners and experienced riders.
• Plan for a full day: The combo lasts about eight hours and includes transport between Reykjavik, Silfra, and the farm.
• Check the physical rules carefully: You must swim, feel comfortable in water, and meet the age, height, weight, and health requirements.
• Guides can shape the day: Pedro and Yannis, also called Jon in one account, earned praise for patient snorkeling instruction, though communication quality may vary.

Silfra’s clear water between two continents

The snorkeling section takes place in Silfra Fissure inside Thingvellir National Park. This is the spot where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are moving apart, creating a narrow water-filled fissure with a setting unlike a normal swimming area.

The water comes from Langjökull, or Long Glacier. It travels through porous lava for years before reaching Silfra, which naturally filters it. The result is exceptionally clear water, with visibility listed at up to 150 meters. That figure matters because Silfra is less about colorful marine life and more about seeing the rock formations, blue water, and unusual geology with remarkable clarity.

You will wear the required snorkeling equipment, including a drysuit, and follow your guide into the fissure. This is not a casual beach snorkel. The drysuit can feel tight and awkward, and you need enough mobility to manage the equipment while floating in cold water.

The most important requirement is simple: you must be able to swim and feel comfortable in water. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and basic physical confidence matters more here than previous snorkeling experience.

First-time snorkelers can still enjoy it. Pedro received specific praise for patiently helping a beginner feel safe, while Yannis, also identified as Jon, worked hard to make the experience comfortable. Clear instruction makes a big difference when you are trying to control a snorkel, adjust your breathing, and keep calm in unfamiliar gear.

Still, do not assume every guide will provide the same level of personal attention. One account describes problems with a tight drysuit, leaking equipment, and concerns that were not handled well. That is a serious point, not a minor complaint. If your suit hurts, leaks badly, or feels unsafe, speak up clearly and ask for an adjustment before entering the water.

Why the underwater photos matter

The guide takes underwater photos during the snorkeling portion and provides them afterward. This is one of the better extras on the tour because handling a camera in a drysuit is inconvenient, and cold fingers make it even harder.

The photos also give you a record of the unusual setting. Silfra is visually striking because of its clear blue water and dark volcanic rock, not because you will see tropical fish or coral. If you expect a warm-water snorkeling scene, reset your expectations. The reward is geology and clarity.

Photo quality can vary. One customer found the photos disappointing, so treat them as a useful bonus rather than the main reason to book. Your own experience of floating through the fissure should carry the day.

Cold-weather preparation at Silfra

This is the part to take seriously, especially from late autumn through winter. One January account describes changing outside in temperatures around minus 15 degrees Celsius, then waiting outdoors with wet gloves. That person reported lingering numbness in the fingers afterward.

You cannot control the weather, but you can make the experience easier:

• Bring warm clothing for before and after snorkeling.
• Pack a complete change of clothes.
• Bring a towel and extra socks.
• Wear more than one pair of warm socks if your footwear allows it.
• Keep dry layers easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of a bag.
• Read the required Snorkeling Handbook before the tour.

The hot cocoa and biscuits served after snorkeling are welcome, but they are not a substitute for proper cold-weather clothing. Expect the warm drink to help you recover, not to fix inadequate preparation.

Your hair may still be wet after snorkeling, which matters because the horse ride comes later. Bring a hat and a warm outer layer that can cover your head. The schedule puts two outdoor activities together, so comfort depends partly on how quickly you can get dry and warm.

Riding the Icelandic horse at Laxnes

The second half takes you to Laxnes Horse Farm for a guided ride on an Icelandic horse. These horses are known for their sturdy build, sure footing, and friendly nature. The farm welcomes beginners as well as experienced riders, making this a sensible choice if your group has mixed ability.

The ride is not presented as a fast or technical equestrian session. You spend time with the horses before setting off, then follow a route through the surrounding countryside. The pace is designed to let you enjoy the views rather than test your riding skills.

That makes Laxnes a good counterpoint to Silfra. The snorkeling is equipment-heavy and physically unfamiliar. Horse riding is quieter and more open, with time to settle into the saddle and notice the scenery around you.

The horses are described as well cared for, and the farm owner is welcoming. Those details matter. A good first riding experience depends on calm animals, clear basic instructions, and staff who match the horse to the rider. The local feel of a family-run farm also gives this portion more character than a quick staged photo stop.

You may spend some time waiting while horses are prepared. That is not necessarily a problem, but communication matters. If the schedule pauses, you should be told what is happening and how long it may take. One account describes being dropped at the ranch with little explanation and waiting before staff appeared. The farm itself received warm praise, but the handoff from transport to riding was less clear.

A long day with two very different moods

The eight-hour duration is both a strength and a warning. You get two major Icelandic activities in one day, but the schedule leaves little room for a slow start or a long meal.

The transport begins with pickup in Reykjavik. From there, you head to Thingvellir National Park for Silfra, then continue to Laxnes Horse Farm. At the end, transport returns you to Reykjavik.

Combining the activities is convenient and can save money compared with booking two separate outings. At $322 per person, the price is not low, but it includes pickup, drop-off, snorkeling gear, a guide, horseback riding, photos, hot cocoa, and biscuits. If you want both experiences and would otherwise need separate transfers, the package has a reasonable practical value.

The value is weaker if you want to spend a full day on only one activity. Silfra deserves attention, and horse riding can be enjoyable at an unhurried pace. A combo means you accept a structured day and some travel time in exchange for variety.

Food is not included beyond the cocoa and biscuits. Bring a packed lunch or other food, since the supplied information does not promise a full meal. You should also check the starting time when booking because the schedule can vary.

What the guides and staff add

The strongest experiences depend heavily on the people leading them. Pedro is specifically praised for patient instruction with a first-time snorkeler, taking time to build confidence while other members of the group already had experience.

Yannis, also referred to as Jon, is described as a very good snorkeling guide who tried to improve the experience in difficult cold conditions. Those names may help you recognize the guides on the day, but they do not guarantee who will lead your group.

The horse farm also receives warm personal attention. The owner is described as friendly, and the horses as well cared for and well behaved. You are not simply placed on a horse and rushed around a track. You get time with the animals before the ride, which helps beginners settle in.

Communication is the weak spot to watch. A bus driver was described as giving little information, and one rider felt abandoned at the farm until someone arrived. Other accounts describe smooth movement from pickup to snorkeling to the farm. The lesson is practical: ask where to wait, what happens next, and how long the transfer or preparation will take.

Who can take this tour

The minimum age is 12. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back, heart, respiratory, or blood pressure problems. It is also not suitable for people with epilepsy.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Height and weight limits are strict: the listed requirements exclude people under 150 centimeters or over 200 centimeters, under 45 kilograms, or over 120 kilograms. Horse riding has a separate stated weight limit of 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds, so use the lower figure as your practical guide and confirm it before paying.

These rules are not paperwork for its own sake. A drysuit must fit properly, and horse equipment also needs to be safe and comfortable. If you have a medical condition or uncertainty about the limits, read the handbook and contact Arctic Adventures before booking.

The tour suits active teenagers and adults who want two different Iceland experiences in one day. It is especially useful for first-time riders and first-time snorkelers who want instruction included. It is less suitable if you dislike cold water, have trouble swimming, need a relaxed meal break, or want full control over the timing.

Practical packing and comfort advice

Pack as if you will be outside for a long time, because you will be. Warm clothing, a towel, socks, and a change of clothes are required items, not optional extras.

I would bring:

• A warm hat for after snorkeling
• Extra socks beyond the required pair
• Dry base layers
• Food and drinks for the day
• A waterproof bag for damp clothing
• Gloves that can be put on quickly after changing

Food deserves special attention. The cocoa and biscuits are a nice recovery stop, but they will not replace lunch after a cold-water activity and a horse ride. Carry food that is easy to eat during a short break.

Read the Snorkeling Handbook before departure. It explains what to bring, medical conditions, and safety requirements. Doing this ahead of time saves confusion and lets you decide honestly if the water portion is right for you.

Is $322 a fair price?

For $322, this is a convenience purchase as much as an activity purchase. You get transport from Reykjavik, two guided outings, snorkeling equipment, underwater photos, and a warm drink with biscuits. If you were already planning both Silfra and horseback riding, combining them in one booking can make the day easier.

The price feels less attractive if you are mainly interested in snorkeling. In that case, a dedicated Silfra trip may give you more room to focus on the fissure and recover afterward. The same is true if horse riding is your main goal and you want a longer farm visit.

The tour earns its value through variety. In one day, you move from tectonic geology and glacial water to Icelandic horses and open countryside. That contrast is the real appeal.

Should you book the Silfra and horse riding combo?

Book it if you want two iconic Iceland activities, can swim, handle cold conditions, and prefer having transport arranged for you. The strongest reasons are the rare setting at Silfra, the friendly Icelandic horses, the patient help available from good snorkeling guides, and the time saved by combining both outings.

Think twice if you are sensitive to cold, need a perfectly polished handoff between activities, or have any medical or equipment concern. Winter conditions can be severe, and communication at the farm may not always be as clear as you would like.

For an active visitor with limited time in Reykjavik, I consider this a good-value day, provided you prepare properly and accept the structured schedule. Bring extra socks, bring food, read the safety handbook, and speak up at once if your gear does not fit. Those simple steps can make the difference between a memorable Iceland day and a very chilly one.

FAQ

How long does the combo tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are provided in Reykjavik.

What activities are included?

The tour includes snorkeling in Silfra Fissure and horseback riding at Laxnes Horse Farm.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. All necessary snorkeling equipment is included, along with a professional guide.

Can beginners join the snorkeling activity?

Yes, beginners can join if they are comfortable in water and able to swim. The tour includes instruction from a live English-speaking guide.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a change of clothes, a towel, and socks. Extra socks are useful in cold weather.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

Is food included?

Food is not included, but hot cocoa and biscuits are provided after snorkeling. Bring any additional food and drinks you need for the day.