Black & Blue - Lava Tunnel + Silfra Snorkeling

by Arctic Adventures · Lava caves · Silfra snorkelling & diving · Volcanoes & lava · Golden Circle

4.70· 183 TripAdvisor reviews of this tour 4.60· 5,195 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Works in the rain
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €165 per person

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €165 Other dates

Black & Blue - Lava Tunnel + Silfra Snorkeling — Arctic Adventures

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21 photos from Arctic Adventures. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
5 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
The Lava Tunnel - Raufarhólshellir
Route 39, Hveragerdi
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:30
Minimum age
12
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

Our take on this one

Two of Arctic Adventures’ best-known trips joined into one day, and the name gives away the order of things: black rock first, blue water second. You start at 09:30 inside Raufarhólshellir, a lava tube left by an eruption more than 5,000 years ago, with a helmet, headlamp and a caving guide. Then you drive yourself to Þingvellir National Park to snorkel the Silfra fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates, in a dry suit, in glacial water filtered through lava. The park fee, all gear, hot chocolate and the guide’s underwater photos are included. There is no pickup: you need a car to get between the two. Minimum age 12, and you must be able to swim.

Book it if: Anyone with a rental car who wants Silfra and a lava cave on the same day without booking them separately.
Skip it if: No car means no tour — there is no transport between the two sites — and the dry suit has firm weight and height limits, so check them before you pay.

Written by us, from the operator's own details and what we know of the route. We don't take a fee for a good word.

About this experience

Explore the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel & snorkel the Silfra Fissure on this uniquely Icelandic geological odyssey | Free Underwater Photos & Hot Coco.

Tour Highlights:

Explore the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel & witness the inner workings of an eruption that occurred over 5000 years ago
Marvel at the colours & intricate formations within the lava tube and learn about the geological processes that created this underground wonder.
Snorkel between the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates - a geological marvel only found in Silfra
The Silfra Fissure is located in the stunning Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site only 45 minutes from Reykjavík
Experience the clearest waters in the world. The glacial water originates from Langjökull (Long Glacier) and is naturally filtered through lava fields, resulting in some of the purest water on Earth,with an incredible visibility of up to 150 meters.

Meet on Location - Self-Drive Combo Tour

This is a self-drive combo tour. You’ll meet us directly at each activity location:

First Stop: Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Tour Time: 9:30 AM. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in.
Second Stop: Silfra Snorkeling in Þingvellir National Park
Meeting Point: Silfra car park
Tour Start Time (varies by season)
→ WINTER (September 1 - May 31) 1:30pm
→ SUMMER (June 1 - August 31): 2:00 pm
Please arrive in the Silfra Car Park at least 15 minutes before the start time.

All guests must carefully review our Snorkeling in Silfra Handbook before the tour

Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure

Included

English speaking tour guides
- Certified divemaster
- Expert caving guide
All necessary snorkeling gear and safety equipment
All necessary specialized caving gear including helmet and headlight.
Thingvellir National Park admission fee
Hot chocolate & cookies to warm up after snorkeling
Free underwater snorkeling photos taken by your guide

Not included

Pickup and dropoff - you must meet us on location with your own transportation

Good to know

Outdoor clothing suitable for the current weather conditions
Good hiking shoes are recommended
Voucher
Lunch / Snacks

Snorkeling:

Thermal base layers in wool, fleece, or synthetic materials
Warm socks in wool, fleece, or neoprene
A spare set of clothes and socks for after the activity
A towel (your face, hair, and hands will get wet)
If required, a doctor’s letter (please review the Medical Statement page to check whether this applies to you)
Contact lenses, if needed (glasses cannot be worn under the snorkeling mask)

Sturdy hiking shoes, waterproof jacket and pants can be rented beforehand

This is a combo of two tours: Snorkeling in Silfra and the Lava Tunnel .
Guests must carefully review our Snorkeling in Silfra Handbook before the tour. If you have a listed medical condition, approval from a doctor is required
Participants need to be comfortable in the water and able to swim
It is crucial that guests can both understand and communicate in English to participate in the tour
This tour is not suitable for pregnant people due to the small risk of cold water entering the suit
Dry suit sizes: Our gear is limited to standard sizes available on the market, and it’s crucial that guests fall within the specified size parameters. This ensures the safety equipment fits properly, keeping you warm and protected in the glacial waters. For your safety and comfort, please confirm that you meet the required sizing guidelines:
- Weight: 99-265 lbs (45-120 kg)
- Height: 4'11" - 6'7" (150-200 cm)
Snorkeling masks cannot accommodate glasses. If you do not have a prescription mask of your own, please arrange to use contact lenses

Participants are responsible for reviewing our Snorkeling Handbook before the tour. The handbook contains important medical and safety information. If guests do not meet the requirements for safe participation, we are unable to accommodate them on the tour.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is rarely: Silfra is spring-fed and sheltered, but access can close in a storm. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

Not for families with children under 12 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Arctic Adventures is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Arctic Adventures

Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Kai Gilchrist
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
Tatjana Kultaniemi
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
Chloe Lamm
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
Nicole Y.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Best Silfra Snorkelling Tour (2026): 5 Picks ComparedWhich Silfra snorkelling tour to book at Þingvellir: drysuit or wetsuit, pickup or self-drive, with real adult prices and who each one suits.
Black & Blue tour: combo or book separately?The Black & Blue combo pairs Silfra snorkelling with the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel. It saves €21 to €59 on booking the two apart, if you want both on one day.
Silfra: snorkelling or diving?Snorkelling vs diving in the Silfra fissure at Þingvellir — certification, the 2°C water, the drysuit, and what you actually see in each.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Lava caves — questions people ask

Which lava cave near Reykjavík is the easiest to visit?

Raufarhólshellir, sold as The Lava Tunnel, thirty minutes east of the city. It has a lit walkway and a one-hour guided walk (/experience/32545/ meet on location, or /experience/222055/ with pickup), so no crawling and no head torches. It runs all year. Viðgelmir in West Iceland is longer and quieter, an hour and a half away, and Leiðarendi is a proper caving trip with helmets and scrambling.

What is the difference between a lava cave and an ice cave?

A lava cave is a tunnel left when a lava flow drained out thousands of years ago; it is rock, permanent and open all year. An ice cave is a meltwater tunnel in a glacier, usually only safe November to March, and rebuilt by nature every year. Lava caves show colours in the rock, ice stalactites in winter and total darkness. Ice caves show blue light. If you are here in summer and someone offers a natural ice cave, ask which one.

Is lava caving suitable for children and older people?

The Lava Tunnel, yes. The main walk is on a flat walkway with lights and handrails, and children of most ages manage it. Viðgelmir has a good path too. Leiðarendi and the caving combos (/experience/268/) involve crouching, uneven floors and some scrambling, so the operator sets a minimum age; check the tour page. Anyone with a bad back or knees should stick to the walkway caves.

What do I wear in a lava cave?

It is around zero to four degrees inside, whatever the weather outside, and floors drip. Wear a warm jacket, closed shoes with grip and long trousers. The operator provides a helmet with a head torch where needed. For caving trips, wear clothes you do not mind scraping on rock; gloves help. The Lava Tunnel is easier on clothing, but it is still a cold, wet cave, not a museum.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Selfoss, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Golden Circle →

One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it

from

€165 per person

Arctic Adventures's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs09:30

Selfoss: light 08:32–17:45, 9 h 13 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Arctic Adventures cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Arctic Adventures's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €12 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.