Double Snorkeling Adventure near Húsavík in North Iceland

Nesgjá and Litlaá offer two very different ways to see North Iceland from the water. At Nesgjá, you float through a shallow freshwater fissure with visibility that can reach more than 100 meters. About 15 minutes away, warm water at Litlaá creates bubbling sand patterns, green algae, colored sediments, and plenty of snails. The contrast is the real attraction.

I like the small group, capped at four people, and the personal guidance from a PADI instructor such as Arnar, who is described as calm, funny, and helpful. I also like the simple comforts: a warm undersuit, dry suit, hot cocoa, and cookies after the snorkeling. The main consideration is fit and effort. A dry suit can feel tight, you must be comfortable in water, and the meeting point is near Ásbyrgi, not central Reykjavik.

Key points at a glance

• Two sites, two water worlds: Explore clear freshwater at Nesgjá, then warm water and bubbling sands at Litlaá.
• Visibility can exceed 100 meters: The Nesgjá water is exceptionally clear, with a chance of seeing arctic charr.
• Small groups matter: A maximum of four people allows close attention from the PADI instructor.
• Warm gear is supplied: Your dry suit, warm undersuit, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• North Iceland location: The tour begins and ends at Skúlagarður Country Hotel near Ásbyrgi.
• Plan for a physical activity: You need to swim, handle a snug dry suit, and meet the age, height, weight, and health requirements.

Two North Iceland snorkels with completely different personalities

The best reason to choose this outing is that it does not repeat the same view twice. Nesgjá is all about clarity and open freshwater. Litlaá is about warmth, texture, and odd little natural details beneath the surface.

The two locations sit roughly 15 minutes apart, so you are not spending the day in a vehicle. That makes this a useful addition to a North Iceland road trip, particularly if your route includes the Diamond Circle and Ásbyrgi. The supplied meeting information gives Reykjavik as the general location, but the actual start point is Skúlagarður Country Hotel and Restaurant in Ásbyrgi, postal code 671. You should plan around the northern meeting point rather than assuming transport from Reykjavik is provided.

The tour begins at 10:00 am and lasts about six hours. That includes gearing up, safety instructions, two water sessions, walking between the entry and parking areas, a short warm-up break, and time to change afterward. It is not a quick roadside stop. You are committing a good part of your day to it.

Entering the clear water at Nesgjá

At the first site, your PADI instructor gives a detailed briefing before you put on the equipment. The dry suit goes over your own clothes, so arrive ready with long thermal underwear and thick wool socks. This base layer matters. The suit keeps water out, but it is not magic winter clothing by itself.

Nesgjá is a freshwater fissure with a large lagoon. It is often compared with Silfra in southern Iceland because of its clarity, but the setting and feel are different. Nesgjá is quite shallow, and the activity here is snorkeling rather than a demanding underwater expedition. You enter at the designated point, then move through the fissure and lagoon for about 30 to 45 minutes.

The water’s clarity is the star. Your view depends heavily on the quality and fit of your mask, so take the guide’s fitting instructions seriously. In good conditions, you can see more than 100 meters through the water. That kind of distance changes your sense of scale. Even a shallow fissure can feel surprisingly spacious when the far end remains visible.

There is also a chance of seeing arctic charr, a salmon family fish found in the fissure. It is not guaranteed, and you should not book this as a wildlife trip. Still, looking for a fish in such clear water adds a quiet sense of purpose to the float.

The walk back to the parking area follows the first session. You then warm up with hot cocoa and cookies before moving on. This pause is more useful than it sounds. Snorkeling in a dry suit is active work, and the change from water to air can leave you chilled even when the suit performed well.

The bubbling sands of Litlaá River

The second stop is Litlaá, where the water is around 20 degrees Celsius. That is a major change from the cold freshwater feel of Nesgjá. The warmer water allows you to spend time noticing small details instead of simply adjusting to the cold.

The strange feature here is the bubbling sand. Cold water rises from below and creates shifting patterns in the riverbed. These formations give the site its name and make the bottom look almost animated. The effect is not a grand waterfall or dramatic cliff. It is a close-up natural scene, best appreciated while moving slowly and looking carefully.

Litlaá also supports fields of green algae, plants, multicolored sediments, and many snails. The color and texture are quite different from Nesgjá’s clean, open clarity. One moment asks you to look far ahead. The next asks you to watch the sand move just below your hands.

Feedback about this part of the outing includes a short river float at the end. That detail makes Litlaá feel less like a single viewing area and more like a small route through the water. The exact conditions can vary, but you should expect the guide to point out notable features and help you notice what is easy to miss.

The warm water is a benefit, but it does not remove every challenge. You still wear the dry suit and full equipment, and you still need to be comfortable in water. A warm river does not turn the activity into a casual swim.

Why the small group and guide make a difference

The maximum group size is four people. That is one of the strongest practical features of the tour. Snorkeling in clear water is easy to enjoy when you can hear the guide, ask questions, and receive help with your mask or suit without being lost in a large crowd.

Arnar is the guide named in the available tour material. He is a PADI instructor and has been described as calm, funny, and steady throughout the process. Those qualities matter more here than a long speech about the geology. You need clear instructions before entering the water, reassurance if the suit feels restrictive, and someone who can point out the unusual parts of Litlaá.

The guide also takes photos during the outing. After the second session, you have a chance to look at and purchase souvenir photos. They are not included in the price, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the package. If you want a record of the clear Nesgjá water or the bubbling sands, ask about the photo option at the end.

All participants must be able to communicate in English. That is important for safety instructions and for understanding how to enter, move through, and leave each site.

Getting comfortable in a snorkeling dry suit

A dry suit keeps water away from your body, but it can feel tight and constricting. You wear it over your own clothing, along with a warm undersuit supplied by the operator. Long thermal underwear and thick wool socks are recommended beneath it.

Your height, weight, and age are collected so the operator can bring a better-fitting suit. Give accurate information when contacted after booking. A poor fit can make movement harder and may distract you from the scenery.

You must be at least 12 years old, at least 150 centimeters tall, and at least 45 kilograms. The stated upper limits are 200 centimeters and 120 kilograms. You also need to be physically fit, healthy, able to swim, and comfortable in water.

The age rule deserves special attention. Anyone over 60 must have a doctor sign an approval form. Every participant must complete a medical form, which can be filled out online before the tour. These requirements are not minor paperwork. They help the operator decide if the activity is suitable and prepare the right equipment.

I would not choose this outing if you dislike snug clothing, have difficulty swimming, or want a relaxed sightseeing stop with no physical demands. The water sessions are not long, but the full process of gearing up, moving around, snorkeling, and changing takes time and energy.

What the $274 price includes

At $274 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on whether you want a guided water activity rather than a standard North Iceland sightseeing day.

The price includes two guided snorkeling sessions, all necessary snorkeling equipment, a dry suit, and a warm undersuit. It also includes a live PADI instructor and hot chocolate with cookies after both sessions. In a small group of no more than four, you are paying not only for access to two unusual sites but also for equipment, instruction, supervision, and a more personal pace.

The price does not include souvenir photos. You can buy them after the second session if you want them. There is no indication that transportation from Reykjavik is included, so you should arrange your own way to the stated meeting point near Ásbyrgi.

For someone already driving the Diamond Circle and nearby North Iceland routes, the cost can make sense as a special half-day activity. You are visiting two places that are difficult to experience in the same way without specialist equipment and guidance. For a visitor based in Reykjavik who would need a separate long transfer, the value is less clear because the listed start point is far from the capital.

Fitting this into a North Iceland road trip

The tour is particularly useful for a self-drive itinerary. The two water sites are close together, and the meeting point at Skúlagarður places you near Ásbyrgi. You should still allow the full six hours, plus time before and after for changing and getting to your next stop.

Do not schedule a tight afternoon appointment. Weather can affect the activity, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum group size is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The standard cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 am start. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The meeting point information says the activity ends back where it starts. That is helpful for a self-drive day because you return to your vehicle rather than needing to arrange a different pickup.

What I like most, and what gives me pause

I like the pairing of sites. Many outdoor activities offer one striking feature and then repeat it for the rest of the session. Here, Nesgjá rewards long views through remarkably clear freshwater, while Litlaá rewards close attention to moving sand, algae, plants, sediments, and snails.

I also like the human scale. A four-person limit and a PADI instructor can make the difference between feeling rushed and having time to adjust your mask, ask questions, and notice the small things. Arnar’s calm and humorous style, as described in the tour material, sounds well suited to an activity where new participants may need a little reassurance.

The drawbacks are just as clear. The tour costs $274, photos cost extra, and you must get yourself to Ásbyrgi. The dry suit can feel restrictive, and the activity is unsuitable for anyone who cannot swim or comfortably manage the physical requirements.

The weather policy helps, but it does not guarantee that your schedule will stay intact. If this is one of several tightly timed activities on your road trip, leave room for a change of date or a canceled outing.

Who should book the Nesgjá and Litlaá combination

I would recommend this for an active adult or family with children aged 12 and over who can swim and want something beyond the usual waterfalls, viewpoints, and roadside stops. It is especially suited to people who enjoy unusual natural details and do not mind wearing technical gear.

It also suits photographers and curious observers, though underwater photos are not guaranteed to be included. The option to buy photos afterward can be worthwhile if you want a visual record without handling a camera in the water.

I would be cautious about booking it for anyone with limited mobility, poor swimming confidence, or a medical concern that has not been cleared. The operator asks for moderate physical fitness and imposes clear size and age limits. Those rules should guide your decision, not be treated as formalities.

Should you book this North Iceland snorkeling tour?

Book it if you are already touring North Iceland, can reach Skúlagarður near Ásbyrgi, and want two genuinely different water experiences in one day. The strongest reasons are the tiny group, specialist gear, PADI instruction, and the sharp contrast between Nesgjá’s clear freshwater and Litlaá’s warm bubbling sands.

Skip it if you are looking for a cheap activity, need transport from Reykjavik, dislike tight dry suits, or want a simple sightseeing stop with little physical effort. For the right person, this is a memorable use of half a day. For the wrong person, the price, logistics, and equipment requirements will outweigh the novelty.

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 activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is four participants.

What equipment is included?

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

Do I need to bring special clothing?

You should wear long thermal underwear and thick wool socks under the dry suit. The dry suit is worn over your own clothing.

How old must participants be?

All participants must be at least 12 years old. Anyone over 60 must have a doctor sign the approval form.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. Participants must be comfortable in water, able to swim, physically fit, and healthy.

Are photos included in the price?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase after the snorkeling sessions.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.