SURPRISE - Silfra & Thingvellir

Diving Silfra usually means the crack, but Iceland has other tricks up its sleeve. The *Surprise* wreck, a steamship that ran aground near the Vestmann Islands in '68, offers a different kind of immersion. At 27 metres, you can explore a good portion of her 54-metre hull, now well-colonised by cold-water anemones and the odd curious lumpfish. It's a deep dive, often with strong currents, so we'd suggest this for divers comfortable with those conditions. It’s an interesting counterpoint to Silfra's geological wonder, showcasing Iceland's maritime history.

Location
Silfra & Thingvellir, Iceland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
63.550000, -20.333334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Marine Protected Area: Surtsey

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 SURPRISE

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 SURPRISE

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