Reykjavik Combo: Horse Riding & Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Silfra Fissure gives you the rare chance to float between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, with glacial water so clear you can see far below. Later, at Laxnes Horse Farm, you trade a drysuit for an Icelandic horse and open views outside Reykjavik.

I like the way this 8-hour combo joins two very different activities without making you arrange separate transport. I also like the free underwater photos, since they give you a record of an experience that is hard to capture yourself.

The main caution is the cold. You may wait outdoors in wet gear, and one report describes serious discomfort in subzero weather. Read the medical rules carefully, and ask for help at once if a drysuit or snorkel feels wrong.

Key points at a glance

• Silfra’s plate boundary: Snorkel in the fissure where the Eurasian and North American plates pull apart.
• Remarkably clear water: Meltwater from Langjökull is filtered through lava and can offer visibility of up to 150 meters.
• Patient instruction matters: Pedro and Yannis, also known as Jon, received specific praise for helping first-time snorkelers feel safe.
• A real Icelandic horse ride: Meet purebred Icelandic horses at the family-run Laxnes Horse Farm before heading out.
• Useful extras included: Your guide provides underwater photos, hot cocoa, biscuits, snorkeling gear, and transport from Reykjavik.
• Cold-weather limits: You must swim, be comfortable in water, and meet the listed age, size, and health requirements.

Why this combo works in one long day

This tour solves a common Iceland problem: too many big experiences and not enough time. You get a water adventure at Thingvellir National Park and a countryside ride near Reykjavik, with pickup and drop-off included.

The two activities also balance each other. Silfra is controlled, chilly, and focused on the water. Horse riding is slower and more social, with time around the animals and views across the countryside. If you want a full day with little planning, that variety has real value.

At $322 per person, this is not a cheap outing. Still, the price includes transport, both activities, equipment, professional guides, underwater photos, hot cocoa, and biscuits. Separate bookings could cost more and would leave you responsible for connecting the two stops. I see the best value here if you want both experiences and would otherwise need to hire a car, arrange transfers, or book two tours.

You should not choose this simply because it combines two popular Iceland activities. The day can feel long, especially after snorkeling in cold water. If you prefer a relaxed schedule, one activity on its own may suit you better.

Morning pickup and the trip to Thingvellir

The day begins with pickup in Reykjavik and a drive toward Thingvellir National Park. The tour information does not give a fixed start time, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Thingvellir is an important setting for Silfra. Here, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are moving apart, and the fissure has opened a narrow route through the rock. You are not simply snorkeling in a generic lake. The geology is the reason this place feels so unusual.

The water comes from Langjökull, Iceland’s Long Glacier. It travels through porous lava fields before reaching the fissure, which naturally filters the water. The result is exceptionally clear, cold water, with visibility described as reaching up to 150 meters under good conditions.

That clarity is the star of the snorkeling. The water has striking blue tones, and you can look through cracks and channels in the rock as you move along the route. The appeal is less about speed or athletic challenge and more about being able to see an underwater world with unusual sharpness.

Your guide gives safety instructions and supplies the required snorkeling equipment. You must read the Snorkeling Handbook before the tour. It covers what to bring, medical conditions, and safety requirements, so do not treat it as optional background reading.

What Silfra snorkeling is really like

You need to be comfortable in water and able to swim. This is not a sit-back sightseeing cruise. You wear snorkeling equipment and enter cold glacial water, so the activity requires a moderate level of fitness and a calm response if water reaches your mask or snorkel.

The guide’s role matters a great deal. One first-time snorkeler found Pedro patient and clear, taking time to help with safety and basic technique while more experienced members of the group continued. Yannis, also called Jon, was also praised for trying to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

That said, the quality of the session depends on getting a proper fit and quick help when something goes wrong. One serious complaint described an overly tight XS drysuit, leaking equipment, and concerns that were not handled well. This is a useful warning, not a reason to dismiss the whole activity. Tell the guide immediately if the suit pinches, restricts breathing, or leaks badly. Do not accept just endure it as a solution.

The cold is the practical issue you need to plan for. A drysuit helps keep your body protected, but your hands, face, and other exposed areas can still feel chilled. One account describes waiting outside in minus 15 degree weather with wet gloves. The result was lingering numbness in the fingers.

Bring extra socks, warm layers, and a full change of clothes. You also need a towel. The supplied advice specifically calls for socks, and the cold-weather experience makes that recommendation easy to understand. If your hair gets wet, the transition to the horse farm may feel uncomfortable, so pack a warm hat or other dry layer if you have room.

After snorkeling, hot cocoa and biscuits offer a welcome warm-up. They are modest extras, but after cold water they matter.

Underwater photos and the value of a free record

Underwater photos are included, and this is one of the strongest extras in the package. You cannot easily take your own photographs while managing a mask, snorkel, cold water, and instructions. Having the guide handle the images means you can focus on the fissure.

The photo quality may vary. One complaint found the final photos disappointing, while other comments treated them as a pleasant bonus. I would book this for the experience itself, not for a guaranteed gallery of perfect images.

The photos are still useful because Silfra is difficult to explain after the fact. A picture of you floating in clear water beside the fissure gives friends and family a better sense of what you did than a standard selfie at a viewpoint.

From glacial water to Laxnes Horse Farm

The second part of the day takes you to Laxnes Horse Farm, where you meet purebred Icelandic horses and ride through the surrounding countryside. The change in mood is dramatic. You go from a technical water activity to an outdoor ride built around animals, open views, and a slower pace.

The Icelandic horse is small, sturdy, sure-footed, and well suited to the country’s rough ground. The description of the activity presents the horses as friendly and willing, and the farm is run by a welcoming local family. You spend some time with the horses before the trek, which gives you a chance to settle in rather than being placed in the saddle and sent off at once.

That time matters for first-time riders. You can get used to the horse’s size, behavior, and basic instructions before leaving the farm. It also makes the experience feel more connected to the animals instead of treating them as scenery.

The ride is described as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. It is not presented as a fast or technical horseback excursion. You should expect a guided outing through scenic surroundings, with the views doing much of the work.

Several details point to a relaxed pace. The trek is not rushed, and there is enough time to enjoy being around the horses. One assessment specifically praised the length of the horse portion, saying it allowed proper time with the animals. That makes this more appealing if you want a pleasant introduction to Icelandic riding rather than a demanding equestrian lesson.

The horse ride: best for beginners and casual riders

If you have never ridden before, this is likely the more approachable half of the day. The horses are described as calm and well behaved, and the staff provide instruction before the ride.

Experienced riders should keep expectations realistic. The information does not promise advanced riding, long-distance riding, or fast sections. You may enjoy the horse’s unique movement and the scenery, but this is a group trek rather than a private riding lesson.

Communication at the farm can be uneven. One account describes being dropped off with little explanation and then waiting while the horses were prepared. The waiting itself was not the problem. The frustration came from not knowing how long it would last or what was happening.

That is worth keeping in mind if you like tightly managed tours. A brief wait may be part of the farm routine, and the day does not appear to run like a machine at every moment. I would bring patience and use the downtime to look around, but staff should still explain delays clearly.

The farm’s warm welcome and well-cared-for horses are important positives. You are not just ticking off a riding activity. You get contact with a traditional Icelandic breed in a working farm setting, which gives the outing a more local feel than a basic city attraction.

Timing, transport, and the long-day tradeoff

Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included, which is a major practical advantage. You do not need to rent a car, navigate Thingvellir, or work out how to reach a rural horse farm afterward.

The transport also makes the combination possible in one day. Reports describe the transfers between stops as easy, with the overall organization working well. One group even reached the horse farm earlier than expected.

Still, the handoff between activities may not always feel perfectly polished. One account describes limited communication from the driver and a long wait at the ranch. You may appreciate more information about where to go, how long the horses will take to saddle, and when the next activity begins.

The order described here places snorkeling first and horse riding afterward. That works well in one way: you finish the water portion before the farm visit. It can also create a comfort problem if you are still damp or cold. Pack a genuine change of clothes, not just a spare shirt.

At eight hours, this is a full day rather than a quick add-on. You should expect time in a vehicle, preparation for snorkeling, the water session, travel to the farm, preparation for riding, and the trek itself. The length is worthwhile if both activities are high on your Iceland list. It is less appealing if you want a free afternoon in Reykjavik.

Who can take part, and who should skip it

The minimum age is 12. Children under 12 cannot participate, even if they have riding experience or swim well.

The snorkeling portion requires you to swim and feel comfortable in water. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with respiratory issues, epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart problems, or certain other medical concerns. Pregnant people and those with back problems are also excluded.

There are size and height limits. The stated restrictions exclude people under 45 kilograms, under 150 centimeters, over 200 centimeters, or over 120 kilograms. Horse riding also gives a 110 kilogram, or 242 pound, limit. Because the published limits do not match exactly, anyone near either weight threshold should confirm eligibility before paying.

You should also have moderate physical fitness. The key challenge is not a long hike, but handling cold water, equipment, changing clothes, waiting outdoors, and spending a full day moving between activities.

What to pack for comfort

The supplied essentials are warm clothing, a change of clothes, a towel, and socks. I would take those instructions seriously.

Pack extra socks if you have them. Add dry base layers and a warm outer layer for the time after snorkeling. A towel is required, and a second small towel may be useful if your first one becomes damp.

Do not rely on the hot cocoa and biscuits as lunch. Food and drinks beyond those items are not included, so bring whatever food you need for the day. The tour description does not specify a meal stop.

Before booking, read the Snorkeling Handbook and check the medical requirements. A drysuit cannot remove the need for swimming ability, suitable health, and comfort in cold conditions.

Is $322 a fair price?

The price makes sense for a traveler who values convenience and wants both activities. Transport from Reykjavik, professional guides, all snorkeling gear, horseback riding, underwater photos, hot cocoa, and biscuits are bundled together.

The strongest value comes from the logistics. Without this package, you would need to coordinate a national park activity and a horse farm visit, likely with separate transport. The combo turns two bookings into one day.

The price is harder to justify if you only care about one activity. You may find a standalone Silfra or riding tour better suited to your budget and energy. Also remember that meals are not included, and a full day can involve extra clothing, food, and incidental costs.

I would call it fair rather than cheap. The combination saves planning time and gives you two distinctive Iceland experiences, but the cold-weather handling and uneven communication mean you are paying for convenience, not flawless service at every stage.

Should you book the Silfra and Laxnes combo?

I would book this if you want a packed day, can swim, and like the idea of pairing Iceland’s geology with its horses. The strongest parts are the clear water at Silfra, the patient instruction available from guides such as Pedro and Yannis, the free photos, and the unhurried time at Laxnes Horse Farm.

I would skip it if you dislike cold water, need a very gentle schedule, or fall near the health, height, or weight restrictions. I would also avoid booking without a proper change of clothes and extra socks.

Before committing, confirm the exact pickup time, the current size limits, and how the tour handles equipment fitting in cold weather. Canceling up to 24 hours before departure is allowed for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still moving.

FAQ

How long does the combo tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours, including transport, snorkeling at Silfra, and horseback riding at Laxnes Horse Farm.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be comfortable in water and able to swim to take part in the snorkeling activity.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children under 12 cannot participate.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a change of clothes, a towel, and socks. Extra socks are especially useful in cold conditions.

Is food included?

Hot cocoa and biscuits are included after snorkeling. Other food and drinks are not included.

Are underwater photos included?

Yes. Your guide provides underwater photos as part of the activity.