Freshwater crystals and bubbling sands in one trip. I love how this Double Snorkeling Adventure pairs the crystal-clear Nesgjá fissure with the weird-and-wonderful Litlaá bubbling sands ecosystem, all in one tight day. The main thing to watch is that you’ll wear a drysuit all tour, so if tight gear feels uncomfortable, plan for that upfront.

I also like the small-group feel, since the tour caps at four people, and the guidance comes from DIVE.IS with a PADI instructor like Arnar, who keeps the pace calm and the briefing clear. One possible drawback: the tour needs good weather, so you should expect rescheduling if conditions aren’t right.

Key highlights worth marking

• Two nearby snorkel spots: Nesgjá and Litlaá are about 15 minutes apart, which is perfect for a Diamond Circle self-drive rhythm.
• Ridiculous visibility at Nesgjá: visibility can go past 100 meters, and it depends a lot on your snorkeling mask fit.
• Freshwater + Arctic life potential: Nesgjá is a shallow freshwater fissure where you might spot arctic charr (a type of salmonid).
• The bubbling-sand effect at Litlaá: colder water rising from the bottom creates the patterns people compare to sand geysers.
• Real gear comfort (and real dryness): you get a top-quality dry suit plus a warm undersuit, and hot cocoa with cookies after each stop.

How the day flows: a 6-hour combo that fits North Iceland

This is a guided double-header, about 6 hours total, with both snorkeling experiences stitched together so you don’t lose your day driving long distances. You start at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant in Ásbyrgi at 10:00 am, and you end back there. There’s a mobile ticket, so you don’t need to hunt for paper.

The day is built around two different types of water. First you visit Nesgjá, a freshwater fissure with clear, shallow snorkeling. Then you head to Litlaá, a river where warmer conditions let you linger while the bottom turbulence makes the sand-and-silt patterns.

Why that pairing works: you get contrast. Nesgjá feels like crystal glass in a rift. Litlaá feels like an underwater science lab where temperature mixing shapes what you see.

Before you even get wet: briefing, dry suit, and mask reality

At Nesgjá, your DIVE.IS guide (PADI instructor, and on this route Arnar shows up in multiple experiences) gives you a full briefing and gets you set up with gear right away. The important part isn’t just safety. It’s also learning how to stay comfortable so you can actually enjoy the water.

You’ll dress into a snorkeling dry suit with a warm undersuit underneath. Drysuits go over your own clothing, so you’re not starting from scratch. The operator specifically recommends long thermal underwear and thick wool socks as your base. That matters because dry suit comfort depends on what you wear inside it.

Also: the dry suit can feel tight or constricting. That’s not a dealbreaker for most people, but it’s a real consideration. If you’re the type who gets tense in restrictive gear, take a breath, follow the guide’s adjustments, and give yourself a minute to settle before you think about water time.

Finally, your visibility at Nesgjá depends a lot on your snorkeling mask. In plain terms: a good fit helps you see far; a sloppy or fog-prone mask can wreck the experience even if the water is perfect. So take the time the guide gives you to get the mask seated correctly.

Stop 1: Nesgjá freshwater fissure and the 100+ meter visibility factor

Nesgjá is the reason this tour gets talked about like a North Iceland must-do for snorkelers. It’s a fresh water fissure, and the water clarity is the headline. You enter at the entry point and snorkel down the fissure and out into the lagoon for about 30–45 minutes.

What makes Nesgjá special for you:

• Depth isn’t the point. This is shallow snorkeling, which makes it feel approachable even if you’re not a confident swimmer. (The tour still requires you to be comfortable in the water and able to swim.)
• Distance visibility is the wow. You can see further than 100 meters, but only if your snorkeling mask is working well. This is a rare moment where gear fit changes what you can see, not just how comfortable you feel.
• Possible wildlife moment. Sometimes you may see arctic charr, a type of salmonid, in the fissure.

The practical reality: plan to move slowly. In water that clear, small adjustments matter. If you kick too hard or breathe too fast, you’ll cloud things up and lose that “look forever” feeling.

The tour ends this part cleanly. After you come out, you walk back to the parking lot, and then you warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. That little break is more than a treat—it helps you reset for the next spot, especially if you’re a bit chilled from your first water session.

Stop 2: Litlaá river, 20°C water, and the bubbling sands

After Nesgjá, the group heads to the second snorkel area: Litlaá river, roughly 15–20 minutes of driving from the first site. The vibe changes immediately because the environment changes—and your body notices it too. Litlaá is about 20°C, which is warm enough to make the second snorkel feel more relaxed.

Here’s the signature feature: the cold water erupting from the bottom creates beautiful designs people call the bubbling sands. Think of it as a moving pattern in the sediment, driven by water flow rising from below. When you’re floating above it, you get an “alien world” feeling, because what you’re seeing isn’t a static seabed. It’s a constantly rewritten one.

What you can look for in the river:

• Fields of strange green algae
• Plants and multicolored sediments
• A countless number of snails

There’s a neat logic to why this works. Nesgjá is all about clarity in a fissure. Litlaá is all about temperature mixing and how geology and biology respond. You don’t need to be a scientist. You just need to stay curious and keep your eyes open.

At the end, you have a short opportunity to buy photos from your tour and chat with your guide about the area. That’s a nice closing touch because snorkeling can feel like you spent the time staring at one thing. A good guide helps you connect what you saw to what’s happening in the water.

Guides and pacing: small group, calm instruction, and safe comfort

This tour runs with a live guide who’s a PADI instructor. In practice, that means you get structured explanations at the start of each snorkeling spot, plus help with gear and on-water habits.

One thing I value in this kind of outing is calm leadership. The experiences tied to this tour consistently highlight that Arnar is friendly and helpful, explains things beforehand, and keeps the whole process steady. That matters because snorkeling isn’t just “put on mask, enjoy.” You need to know where to look, how to move, and how to stay comfortable in a dry suit.

The tour maxes at four travelers, which helps the guide manage everyone’s fit and comfort. For your experience, that can mean less waiting, more attention, and a smoother rhythm when you switch between the two sites.

Value check: $274 gets you two guided snorkels and the right gear

At $274 per person, you’re not just paying for time in the water. You’re paying for two guided snorkeling sessions, all necessary equipment (including a dry suit and warm undersuit), plus hot cocoa and cookies after both snorkeling parts.

That’s a strong value equation if you don’t want to shop around for cold-water snorkeling gear. Renting a dry suit on your own can turn into a hassle fast, and you’d still need a guide to get you into the right water spots and handle the safety and instruction side.

What’s not included: souvenir photos from the tour. You can buy them if you want. If you’re someone who likes keeping memories without editing your own shots, that’s an easy add-on. If you’re not, it’s not required.

If you’re planning a Diamond Circle self-drive, this tour fits the day because the two snorkeling locations are close to each other. That’s how you protect your time: fewer long transfers, more actual water time.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This experience is best for you if you:

• Want two very different snorkel environments in one day
• Like guided instruction and small-group pacing
• Don’t mind dressing in a dry suit and staying in it for the snorkeling sessions

It’s not a perfect match if you:

• Get uncomfortable in tight clothing gear. Drysuits can feel constricting, and you should know that upfront.
• Are unsure about being comfortable in water and able to swim. The operator specifies both.

There are also clear eligibility rules:

• Minimum age is 12
• You’ll need to fill out a medical form before participating
• Over 60 years old requires doctor sign-off on the approval form
• There’s a communication requirement: all participants must be able to communicate in English
• Height/weight ranges must be provided so the operator can bring the right fitting dry suit

If you’re within the ranges and comfortable with water basics, this is the kind of outing that can make you feel brave in a good way—because the guide handles the hard part: keeping you safe and helping you see the interesting stuff.

Weather and visibility: what can change your day

This tour requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. In real-world terms, that means you shouldn’t treat it like an “absolutely must happen today” appointment.

But here’s the other weather-related point: visibility at Nesgjá depends heavily on your snorkeling mask quality. That’s why the mask fit part of the briefing isn’t fluff. If you follow the guide’s setup steps carefully, your odds of getting that 100+ meter clarity go way up.

So the best strategy is simple: arrive ready, listen closely, and don’t rush the gear check.

Should you book this Double Snorkeling Adventure?

Book it if you want a rare two-part snorkeling day that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Nesgjá gives you crystal-clear freshwater fissure snorkeling with long-range visibility potential, and Litlaá adds the bubbling-sand contrast plus warmer water at around 20°C. Add in the small group size and PADI instructor guidance, and you’ve got a day that’s built for seeing—not just participating.

Skip or think twice if you’re strongly bothered by dry suits or you’re not confident in water comfort and swimming. This isn’t a “sit on the dock and watch” experience. You’ll be in the suit, in the water, and you’ll need to follow instructions so you can enjoy the sights without stressing your body.

If you’re doing North Iceland and want something different from the usual waterfalls-and-views day, this is one of the few activities where the underwater world feels like the main character.

FAQ

What time does this tour start, and how long is it?

It starts at 10:00 am and runs about 6 hours (approx.). You meet at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Where do I meet for the Double Snorkeling Adventure?

You’ll meet at Skúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant, Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes 2 guided snorkeling tours, all necessary snorkeling equipment (including a dry suit and warm undersuit), hot chocolate and cookies after both snorkeling tours, and a live guide who is a PADI instructor.

How cold is the water at the second snorkeling spot?

Litlaá river snorkeling is in about 20°C water.

Do I need a medical form or doctor approval?

Yes. You must fill out a medical form before participating, and participants over 60 years old need their doctor to sign the approval form.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.