KING SOL - Silfra & Thingvellir

Forget everything you think you know about wrecks, King Sol isn’t your typical rust bucket dive. This is Silfra, so we’re talking about an old trawler, the Sol XII, sunk deliberately in 1955, lying in two metres of water, in water so clear it’s almost disorienting. It's not about the depth here, obviously. It's about that incredible visibility, that constant 2-4°C chill, and the almost alien feeling of exploring something so substantial in such an ethereal environment. We love that you can see the entire wreck from the surface, the outline so stark against the pale, almost luminous sediment. As you descend, or really, just float down, the details become impossibly sharp. You can trace the deck, the mast, even the outline of the pilothouse. It's less a penetration dive and more an exploration of history suspended in liquid glass. King Sol is our pick for a dive that truly highlights Silfra’s unique conditions, a perfect blend of natural wonder and human history. Go early to avoid the worst of the crowds, and remember, that drysuit isn't just for warmth, it's for buoyancy control in this delicate environment.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
63.550000, -17.933332
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Skaftardjup, coral reef 1

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 KING SOL

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 KING SOL

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