Explore Iceland’s Hidden Gem: Kerið Crater on the Golden Circle

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Known for its volcanoes, geysers, and glaciers, Iceland has now added freediving to its list of attractions. Adventurous travelers seeking something unique, freediving in Iceland is a welcomed challenge and an opportunity to dive into one of the clearest and deepest waters in the world, with records of visibility exceeding 100 meters. With its additional untouched ecosystems, Iceland offers a new way to experience the serene and breathtaking nature that the country has to offer.

Undeniably, Iceland’s lakes, rivers, and fissures are awe-inspiring geologically, and are also some of the purest bodies of water one can find. One of the most popular spots for freediving is Silfra, a fissure of freshwater located in Thingvellir National park, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Silfra is between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and is famous for its transparent waters that reveal the underwater marvel. Silfra is one of the few places in the world that permits one to dive and swim between two continents. The water is so perfectly clear that it feels like swimming in the air.

The Experience of Freediving in Iceland

Diving in Iceland isn’t merely the act of sinking underwater; it embodies the notion of plunging into beauty in silence and depth. Underwater, the only ambient noise pervading the underworld is the tranquil sound of one’s breathing. The body of water is startlingly cold, and ranges from a freezing 2-3°C. During a free dive, a person must focus only on their breathing and let themselves calm down. The beauty and silence of the waters act like an oxygen mask, filtering out all the cacophony of the worldly chaos.

The Iceland sea is one of a kind and is like no other. As a free diver, one is able to sail through narrow water tunnels streaking with shades of blue and green. The ethereal effects are created by the constant, shifting light refracting under the surface. The rest of the surroundings calm down in water and are a slight byproduct of volcanic stress, which can be seen in rock formations underneath the surface. That startling rage created underwater is inched to the sound and sight of the diving, making it one of the best nature-designed places to free dive in.

Among the various places to freedive in Iceland, Silfra is the most popular; however, there are numerous locations around the country which are worth exploring, such as Lake Thingvallavatn which is also in Thingvellir National Park that has crystal clear water and is situated within the beauty of the national park. The area around Lake Myvatn in Northern Iceland which is famed for geothermal activity also has clear water which makes it great for freediving in more secluded areas.

Natural Wonders and Freediving Tourism in Iceland

As Iceland’s tourism industry continues to grow and evolve, freediving has been developed as a new and exciting activity for people who are less interested in the customary activities of sightseeing and hiking. Highly unique, the lakes, rivers and fissures around Iceland are magnets for thrill-seekers who want to engage in freediving in one of the most beautiful places anywhere in the world.

As Iceland is filled with various natural wonders, activities such as freediving are also available for people to enjoy. The famous ‘Golden Circle’ tour in Iceland has Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss which is an excellent route for people who are interested in the history, geology, and nature of Iceland. Unlike most activities, freediving allows for a unique and personal experience, letting adventurers appreciate Iceland’s natural beauty in a way that is impossible to replicate.

With its stunning waterfalls, hot springs, geothermal spas, and volcanic terrains, Iceland is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the moment. Iceland has seen a surge in eco-tourism and advebture travel due to the newfound interest in freediving, which is a minimalistic and eco-friendly aporach toward exploration. Freediving doesn’t use heavy equipment and doesn’t need a lot of infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for minimalistic travelers aspiring to eco-conservation.

Planning a Freediving Trip to Iceland

Those wishing to freedive in Iceland must research the area extensively to tailor their trip to their desires and level of experience. Many companies in Iceland provide instruction for novices and experienced divers while offering freediving tours to Silfra and other dive locations. Tours of this nature are run by qualified experts to ensure that divers are well-equipped and warmed up to the frigid temperatures and internal hurdles of freediving.

Training is not usually a prerequisite for undertaking freediving, however, even for successful freediving, it is essential that the traveller has a rudimentary knowledge of some freediving techniques. Due in part to the cold temperatures of any of Iceland’s waters, the appropriate gear must be worn – this includes a wetsuit or drysuit. Almost all tour operators have these available for rent. Freedivers also need to be aware of the scant amount of time available for dives, for it is the cold waters that primarily dictate the time that can be spent submerged.

Sustainable Travel and Eco-tourism in Iceland

Preservation of natural features has always been the guiding principle of Iceland for ecotourism and has contributed to the global pattern of sustainable travel in Iceland. Freediving is an Iceland eco friendly activity and an alternative to some of the more intrusive methods of travel in the country. Freedivers need to be aware of the more eco sensitive areas and not intrusive to the diver fundamentals. Most tour operators stress responsible diving in these sensitive areas.

A New Way to Experience Iceland

Iceland’s natural wonders can be experienced by travelers practicing freediving. Freediving in Silfra’s transparent waters or remaining lakes enables one to experience iceland’s rich landscape. Freediving iceland is one of the rapidly growing tourist attractions. It is a unique experience to be able to emerge to the surface and discover the hidden wonders of the world underneath.