HRAFN SVEINBJARNARSON III - Silfra & Thingvellir

Forget the dramatic landscapes above the surface for a moment. HRAFN SVEINBJARNARSON III gives you a proper taste of Iceland's diving history, a sharp contrast to Silfra’s glacial cold. This isn't a deep dive, sitting at a comfortable 10 meters, making it accessible for most open water divers who are comfortable with the chill. The wreck itself is a fishing vessel, the HRAFN SVEINBJARNARSON III, which ran aground back in '88. We love how much of the vessel is still there to explore; you can really get a sense of its original form, the deckhouse, the holds. It’s a proper wreck, not just a few scattered plates. We usually find it’s the smaller stuff that truly brings it to life. Anemones coat the metal, nudibranchs graze on the growth, and we've spotted sculpins tucked into crevices. The visibility can vary, but even on a slightly murkier day, the outline of the wreck emerging from the gloom is genuinely atmospheric. Our tip: go slow, poke into every nook, and imagine the old trawler working the fishing grounds.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
63.825000, -22.450000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Eldey

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 HRAFN SVEINBJARNARSON III

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 HRAFN SVEINBJARNARSON III

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