MARIANE DANIELSEN - Silfra & Thingvellir

Let’s be honest, Silfra often gets all the glory in Iceland, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more… structure, the *Marianne Danielsen* is our pick. This isn’t a deep dive, sitting at a maximum of 3 meters, which means plenty of bottom time and ambient light to really take in the scale of it all. We love the eerie silhouette she casts against the often-grey Icelandic sky, a stark reminder of the ocean's power. The *Marianne Danielsen* ran aground in 1989 just south of Grindavik, and she's been slowly broken apart by the relentless North Atlantic ever since. What's left is a truly fascinating wreck, stretching 79 meters. You can spend a good hour just finning around the superstructure, picking out bits of machinery, and imagining her final moments. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the water has that crisp, clean North Atlantic clarity that makes the wreck stand out sharply. It’s a completely different vibe than the glacial melt of Silfra; here, you’re diving history, feeling the cold water against your face, and watching the sea slowly reclaim what’s hers. This site really suits divers who appreciate a good story and don't mind a bit of a rugged feel to their dive. You won’t find colourful corals, but the sheer size of the wreck and the raw, untamed environment make for a memorable experience.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
63.825000, -22.483334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

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 MARIANE DANIELSEN

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 MARIANE DANIELSEN

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