Reykjavik Combo: Horse Riding & Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Silfra Fissure gives you a rare kind of Icelandic thrill: you float between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in water filtered through lava. Then you trade a drysuit for a saddle and meet the sure-footed Icelandic horse at Laxnes Farm. I like the way this tour pairs two very different Iceland experiences in one day, and I like that pickup, equipment, underwater photos, and a warm drink are built into the price.

The main caution is the cold. In winter, you may wait outside in wet gear or handle damp gloves, and one rider reported painfully cold fingers after a poorly timed snorkeling session. The combination works best if you are a confident swimmer, reasonably fit, and ready for a long day with wet clothes, changing gear, and some time outdoors.

Key points to know before booking

• Float between two tectonic plates: Silfra sits in Thingvellir National Park, where the American and Eurasian plates pull apart.
• Expect exceptionally clear water: Glacial water travels through lava fields, with visibility reported at up to 150 meters.
• Ride purebred Icelandic horses: Laxnes Farm offers a gentle trek for beginners and more experienced riders.
• Plan for serious cold: Bring extra socks, warm clothes, a towel, and a complete change of clothes.
• Underwater photos are included: Your guide takes photos during the snorkeling portion at no extra charge.
• The full day lasts about eight hours: Reykjavik pickup and drop-off make the schedule easier, but you will want food with you.

What this Reykjavik combination tour really offers

At $322 per person, this is not a cheap outing. It is also more than two basic activities tied together. You get transportation from Reykjavik, a professional English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, horse riding, underwater photos, and hot cocoa with biscuits after the water portion.

I see the value in the time saved. Silfra and Laxnes Farm are separate experiences, and arranging both on your own would take extra planning and transport. This tour lets you handle them in one day without renting a car or working out the route yourself.

The tradeoff is that you lose some freedom. The day follows the operator’s schedule, and the transfer between activities may leave you waiting. At the horse farm, one group was dropped off before the staff were ready, creating an awkward stretch with little information. That does not ruin the outing, but it matters if you expect polished communication at every step.

You should also budget for lunch or snacks. Food and drinks are not included, apart from the hot cocoa and biscuits served after snorkeling.

Starting at Silfra, where the plates pull apart

The day begins with pickup in Reykjavik and a drive to Thingvellir National Park. Silfra is famous because the fissure lies where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate. You are not simply looking at a geological feature from a path. You enter the cold water and float through the gap itself.

The water comes from Langjökull, also called Long Glacier. It filters through underground lava before reaching the fissure, which helps explain its remarkable clarity. The water is described as having visibility of up to 150 meters, and the blue tones can look striking even through a snorkel mask.

The geological story gives the activity more weight. You are seeing a visible result of the Earth’s slow movement, then experiencing it at water level. Silfra is not a tropical snorkel outing with warm water and bright fish. Its appeal is geological, cold, clear, and distinctly Icelandic.

Before entering the water, you must read the snorkeling handbook. It covers what to bring, medical conditions, and safety rules. Take this seriously. You must be comfortable in water and able to swim, and the activity requires a moderate level of fitness.

The cold reality of a Silfra drysuit

Silfra’s water temperature is cold, and the surrounding air can make the preparation harder. In winter, you may be changing outdoors or standing around while wearing equipment. One January participant described waiting 20 to 30 minutes in freezing conditions with wet gloves, resulting in lingering numbness in the fingers.

That warning is useful, not dramatic. Bring more warmth than you think you need. Wear the required socks, plus warm layers that can go under the provided equipment if allowed by the operator. Bring a towel and a full change of clothes. Extra socks are especially sensible, since one person specifically recommended them after finding the snorkeling very cold.

The quality of the instruction can shape the whole experience. Pedro earned praise for taking time with a first-time snorkeler and helping that person feel safe beside more experienced members of the group. Yannis, also referred to as Jon, was described as calm and helpful during a difficult winter session.

There is also a less comfortable side. A separate participant reported an overly tight drysuit, leaking equipment, and insufficient help from the guide. That account suggests you should speak up clearly if your suit hurts or your equipment is not working. Do not treat discomfort as something you must simply tolerate. Snorkeling gear needs to fit properly, and safety concerns deserve immediate attention.

Underwater photos and the short warm-up afterward

Underwater photos are included, which is a welcome extra at Silfra. The setting is not easy to capture with your own phone, and most people would not want to risk a personal camera in cold water and bulky gear. The quality may vary, so think of the photos as a pleasant record rather than the main reason to book.

After snorkeling, you receive hot cocoa and biscuits. This is a small detail, but in Icelandic weather it matters. A warm drink gives you a chance to settle down before the next part of the day.

The timing between activities is worth considering. You may finish snorkeling with damp hair or wet clothing and then continue to the horse farm. A good change of clothes helps, especially in colder months. The pairing is unusual, but the order is not perfect for everyone. If you dislike getting dressed and undressed outdoors, the water portion will be the harder half.

Meeting the Icelandic horses at Laxnes Farm

The second half takes you to Laxnes Horse Farm, where you meet purebred Icelandic horses. These horses are known for their sturdy build, alert nature, and sure footing. The ride takes place through open Icelandic scenery, giving you a slower way to see the area after the brisk excitement of Silfra.

You do not need advanced riding skills. The outing is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced riders, and the horses are described as friendly and willing. You get time with the animals before the trek, which helps first-time riders settle in and gives more experienced riders a chance to understand their mount.

The farm is run by a local family, and the welcome can feel personal rather than factory-like. One especially positive account described the horses as well cared for and the trek as unhurried. That is important. A horse ride feels far better when you have time to adjust, rather than being pushed straight into a fast-moving line.

The ride is also a nice contrast to Silfra. In the water, your focus is on breathing, equipment, cold, and the fissure below you. On horseback, you can look around, notice the changing scenery, and enjoy the horse’s movement. The day has variety instead of asking you to repeat one type of activity.

What the horse ride is like for different riders

This is a good choice for a first riding experience if you are comfortable following instructions and handling a moderate physical activity. The horses are presented as suitable for both novices and experienced riders, but that does not mean the outing is effortless. You still need enough balance and mobility to mount, sit securely, and remain comfortable during the trek.

The operator lists a 110-kilogram, or 242-pound, weight limit for horse riding. The general restrictions also say the activity is not suitable for people over 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds. Because the horse-specific limit is lower, use 110 kilograms as the practical maximum and confirm your eligibility before booking if you are near either figure.

Height restrictions are also listed. Participants must be at least 150 centimeters, or 4 feet 9 inches, and no taller than 200 centimeters, or 6 feet 6 inches. The minimum age is 12.

The horses are a major part of the appeal, so animal care matters. The available information describes them as well cared for, with time to meet them before riding. That makes the farm portion more than a quick photo stop.

The schedule, transfers, and communication

An eight-hour day is long enough to include both activities without making either one feel like a tiny add-on. Reykjavik pickup and drop-off remove the need to drive, navigate, or coordinate separate arrival times.

The transfer system generally works well. Several people found it easy to move from Reykjavik to Silfra and then onward to the farm, with one group arriving at the farm earlier than expected. Still, the day may not feel perfectly coordinated at every handoff.

At least one group waited at the ranch without knowing how long it would take before the horses were ready. The issue was not the wait itself, but the lack of an explanation. Bring patience, and ask the driver or farm staff for a rough estimate if you are waiting.

Communication at the farm can also vary. Some instructors may talk more than others. If you want help with your horse, riding position, or the route, ask directly rather than assuming someone will check in often.

The English-speaking guides are an important part of the package. Pedro was particularly patient with a first-time snorkeler, and Yannis, or Jon, was praised for trying to improve a difficult session. At the same time, one poor experience involved a guide who was seen as dismissive about equipment and discomfort. That contrast means guide performance can affect the water portion more than the scenery can.

Who should book this $322 experience

I would recommend this combo to someone who wants two classic Iceland activities in one organized day and does not want to rent a car. It suits active adults and families with children aged 12 or older who can swim, manage cold conditions, and handle a moderate level of exertion.

It is especially useful for a short Reykjavik stay. You get a geological sight, a water activity, an Icelandic farm visit, and a horse trek without giving up several separate days.

You should think twice if you are a non-swimmer, dislike cold water, or have a medical condition listed in the restrictions. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back, heart, respiratory, or blood-pressure problems, epilepsy, or other conditions that make cold-water activity risky.

The operator also excludes people with certain size and height ranges, including those under 45 kilograms, or 99 pounds. Check the full snorkeling handbook before paying, since it contains the medical and safety information that the short tour description cannot cover.

Practical packing advice for a less uncomfortable day

Bring warm clothing, socks, a towel, and a complete change of clothes. I would also carry a small snack or packed lunch because regular food and drinks are not included.

Extra socks deserve special attention. They take up little room and are easy to replace if the first pair becomes wet. Warm layers matter most before and after snorkeling, when you are no longer moving much and the Icelandic air can feel sharp.

Make sure you can change efficiently. The day includes snorkeling gear, wet clothing, horse-riding clothes, and transport between sites. A simple bag with separate dry and wet sections will make the transitions easier.

Read the snorkeling handbook before you go, not minutes before the group enters the water. It covers the equipment, physical requirements, and safety rules. You will have a better idea of whether the activity suits you, and you can raise concerns before the session begins.

Is this Reykjavik combo worth booking?

Book it if you want a full, active Iceland day with minimal planning. The best parts are genuinely distinctive: floating through Silfra’s clear water between two tectonic plates, then riding an Icelandic horse through open scenery. The included photos and hot cocoa add useful value, and the Reykjavik transport keeps the day simple.

Do not book it just because the price appears cheaper than buying two separate outings. The value depends on using both halves. If you mainly want a relaxed day, or if cold water and outdoor changing conditions sound miserable, choose another excursion.

For the right person, this is a memorable pairing. Just pack seriously for the cold, confirm the health and size restrictions, and expect an occasional wait or a patchy handoff between teams.

FAQ

How long does the combo tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik and both activities.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates diverge.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be comfortable in water and able to swim to take part.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, socks, a towel, and a change of clothes. Extra socks are also a practical choice because the snorkeling can be very cold.

Are snorkeling equipment and photos included?

Yes. Necessary snorkeling equipment and underwater photos taken by the guide are included.

Is food included?

Regular food and drinks are not included. Hot cocoa and biscuits are provided after snorkeling.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.