Iceland
TOP DIVE SITES – ICELAND
Bjarnagja – this dive spot is recommended for advanced divers. The maximum depth is 18 m. The main attraction is a deep lava ravine between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates. Water is crystal clear and the visibility is excellent.Location: Reykjanes PeninsulaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterDavidsgjá – one of several spots in Thingvellir Lake. This is a lava ravine and amazing rock formations make this site worth visiting.Location: Thingvellir LakeType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterEl Grillo – the wreck of a huge British oil tanker lies at a depth of 45 m. The ship was attacked by German planes and sank in 1944. The dive spot is well-marked with a red buoy. The wreck is covered with marine life. Diving this wreck requires permission which is usually arranged by diving centres.Location: Seydisfjordur, east of IcelandType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterGardur – a great spot for beginners as well as for the first steps in dry suit. Besides beautiful rock formations, this place can boasts a number of marine species such as wolfish, monkfish, starfish, orcas and white-beaked dolphins. The maximum depth is 18 m. Despite good accessibility and relatively shallow depth divers should beware of strong currents.Location: Gardur, south of IcelandType of dive: shore diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterHeimaey – this tiny uninhabited island is a great spot for underwater photography. The main attractions include beautiful rock formations (large boulders) and rich marine life (such as wolffish).Location: Heimaey Island, off the southwest coast of IcelandType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterÓttastadir – a great dive site to admire amazing underwater fauna and flora. The maximum depth is 20 m. This is a weather-dependent dive. Sometimes divers may see orcas in this area, as well as many small fish species.Location: Straumsvik (Reykjavik)Type of dive: shore diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSilfra – this is an unique dive spot on an international scale. It is ranked as one of top ten diving locations in the world. This is a ravine between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates. The crack becomes 2 cm wider every year. This spot is has a lot to offer for novices, advanced divers and technical divers. Experienced divers may explore caves and caverns of this zone. The maximum depth is 40 m. The water is crystal clear and the visibility can reach 100 m or more. This site is exposed to strong currents. One dive is not enough to discover this magnificent location as the zone comprises several spots such as the Cathedral, Silfra Halls and the Lagoon. This dive spot is located in the Thingvellir National Park (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO).Location: Thingvellir LakeType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterSkútan – the wreck of a wooden ship lies at a depth of 27 m. The ship was 60 m long and 11 m wide. She sank in 1917. The wreck is in very good condition. Diving this spot requires a permission from the authorities of Akureyri. This is a great spot for night dives.Location: Eyjafjordur (Akueyri)Type of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterStrýtan – one of the too most extraordinary dive sites in Iceland. This is a natural underwater geothermal chimney, the only such dive spot in the world. The pinnacle is 55 m high. The hot spring is located at a depth of 70 m. The hot fresh water mixes with the cold sea water. Divers can actually see and feel hot water spouting out from the chimney. This zone is famous for rich marine life such as corals, cods, anemones, mussels and many other species. This spot is a part of a Natural Reserve. Strýtan area is exposed to strong currents.Location: Eyjafjordur (Akueyri)Type of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water