GODAFOSS - Silfra & Thingvellir

We'll be straight with you: diving Iceland is not about the corals or the critters. It’s about the raw, visceral experience of being somewhere truly unique, and Godafoss delivers on that promise. This isn't a tropical reef, it's a piece of history, frozen in time and cold water. Dropping down onto the Godafoss, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale. At 70 metres long, this old steamship is substantial, a proper wreck sitting upright on the seabed. She went down fast after a U-boat torpedo hit in 1944, and you can still sense that sudden, tragic end. We love exploring the bow, which is still largely intact, and peering into the holds. The stern is a bit more broken up, but there's a certain beauty in the twisted metal. Visibility here can be incredible, sometimes 30 metres plus, especially on a calm day, which makes the whole wreck visible as you descend. It feels like flying over a sunken ghost ship. The water is cold, around 4°C, so a drysuit is non-negotiable, and thick gloves are a blessing. While there aren't specific "species" to tick off, the way the ambient light filters through the water and plays on the steel is its own kind of magic. This dive is for the wreck enthusiasts, the history buffs, and anyone who appreciates the stark beauty of a truly wild dive location. It’s not a dive you forget easily.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
64.135000, -22.646667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Marine Protected Area: Hlið

Best Time to Dive in Silfra & Thingvellir

The warmest water temperatures in Silfra & Thingvellir occur in August, averaging 12.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 3.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 3.9°C
  • February: 3.7°C
  • March: 4.4°C
  • April: 5.9°C
  • May: 7.8°C
  • June: 10.1°C
  • July: 11.8°C
  • August: 12.2°C
  • September: 10.5°C
  • October: 8.0°C
  • November: 6.0°C
  • December: 4.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Silfra & Thingvellir

Nearest Dive Centres to GODAFOSS

Marine Life in Silfra & Thingvellir

Home to 30 recorded species including 8 seagrass & algae, 6 whales & dolphins, 6 reef fish, 3 clams & mussels, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for GODAFOSS

Based on average water temperature of 7.4°C, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Drysuit - water at 7°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories