Key takeaways
- The dry suit works by sealing air inside, creating a barrier between you and the glacial water. You stay dry underneath.
- Neck and wrist seals are fitted closely to prevent water entry. They feel tight at first but allow normal breathing and movement.
- A small amount of water may seep past the seals. This is expected and manageable in the cold Silfra water.
- Plan for around twenty minutes to be fully sealed into the suit with all gear secured before entering the water.
- The trapped air creates buoyancy that naturally positions you face down in the water, ideal for snorkeling between the tectonic plates.
What a Dry Suit Actually Does
A dry suit is engineered to keep you completely dry while snorkeling in Iceland's glacial waters. Unlike a wetsuit, which allows water inside and relies on a thin layer to insulate you, a dry suit creates an airtight barrier between your body and the water. Two critical seals make this work: a neck seal and wrist seals that form watertight closures around your neck and hands. When these seals are properly fitted and secured, water cannot penetrate the suit's interior, no matter how long you remain submerged. This design is essential for cold-water snorkeling, where staying genuinely dry protects you from rapid heat loss.
The suit itself is made from thick, durable material that resists tears and punctures. Your guide will help you understand how to use a dry suit before you enter the water, showing you exactly how the seals work and checking them for a proper fit. The seals feel snug against your skin, and you may notice a mild pressure around your neck and wrists, but this tightness is what prevents water from seeping in. Many first-time dry suit users worry about discomfort, but the seals loosen slightly once you're relaxed in the water, and the sensation becomes unnoticeable within minutes.
The Thermal Undersuit and Air Layer
Beneath the dry suit, you'll wear a thermal undersuit, which serves as both an insulation layer and a comfort barrier. This undergarment is typically made from fleece or similar material that traps warm air close to your body. The dry suit itself contains an air layer between the outer shell and your thermal undersuit, and this trapped air becomes your primary defense against the cold. In Silfra's glacial water, which hovers just above freezing, this air cushion is what keeps your core temperature stable during the 5-hour 30-minute tour.
The air layer also affects how you float and move in the water. As you descend slightly below the surface, the pressure increases and compresses this air, which changes your buoyancy. Your guide will teach you how to manage this by using small amounts of air trapped in the suit to help you stay neutrally buoyant, neither sinking nor rising unexpectedly. This is a learned skill, but guides walk you through it before you drift between the tectonic plates, ensuring you remain comfortable and safe throughout the snorkeling experience.
Why You Float Face-Down in a Dry Suit
One of the most surprising aspects of dry suit snorkeling is the natural face-down floating position. This happens because the air inside the suit concentrates in your upper back and shoulders, creating buoyancy that tips you forward. Your legs and lower body become slightly heavier by comparison, which results in the characteristic horizontal, face-down posture you'll adopt in the water. This position is not uncomfortable; it actually aligns your body perfectly for snorkeling, allowing you to look down at the underwater landscape of Thingvellir National Park while remaining fully supported.
Your snorkel stays above water in this position, making it easy to breathe continuously as you drift. The face-down float is also highly efficient, requiring minimal energy to maintain, which is why it's the standard position for dry suit snorkeling worldwide. Once you understand why it happens, the sensation feels natural rather than awkward. Your guide will demonstrate the position during your briefing and will be in the water with you throughout, ensuring you're comfortable and confident.
Mobility and Kicking in the Suit
Despite the thick material and snug fit, a dry suit allows surprising freedom of movement. Your arms move through their full range, letting you adjust your position, signal your guide, or brace yourself against gentle currents between the continental plates. The suit's design incorporates flexible panels at the shoulders and under the arms, which means you can raise your arms overhead, reach forward, or pull yourself along rocks if needed. Many snorkelers expect the suit to be restrictive and are pleasantly surprised by how naturally they move once in the water.
Kicking is equally unrestricted. Your fins work with the same efficiency as they would in any other snorkeling situation, and the suit's legs don't bind or resist your leg movements. The thermal undersuit and outer shell are stretchy enough to flex as you kick, propelling you smoothly through the crystal-clear water of Silfra Fissure. The combination of full mobility and thermal protection means you can focus entirely on the remarkable geology around you, rather than fighting against your equipment.
Hood, Gloves and Boots as Part of the System
The dry suit snorkeling package includes a hood, gloves, and boots, and these pieces are essential to the system. The hood covers your entire head except for your face, sealing at the neck to integrate with the suit's neck seal. This prevents water from entering around your head and provides crucial insulation for your scalp and ears, which lose heat rapidly in cold water. The hood can feel snug when first fitted, and your guide will show you how to smooth it out for comfort and a proper seal.
Your gloves are thick and insulated, protecting your hands from the cold while maintaining enough dexterity to manage your snorkel and adjust your position. The boots are built-in or attached to the suit, providing insulation for your feet and a secure, non-slip surface inside your fins. Together, the hood, gloves, and boots ensure that every part of your body stays warm and protected during your time drifting between the tectonic plates. Many visitors find these additions make the entire experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
Getting Sealed In: What to Expect
The process of getting into a dry suit takes time, typically around twenty minutes from start to finish. Your guide will help you step into the suit, pull it up over your body, and work your arms into the sleeves. Once the suit is on, the guide will attach the hood and carefully secure the neck seal and wrist seals, checking each one to ensure it's watertight. This hands-on assistance is standard and necessary; trying to seal a dry suit without help often results in improper seals that compromise your warmth and safety.
The sealing process might feel fussy, but each step serves a purpose. The guide will test the seals by gently pulling on them and watching for any gaps. You'll wear the suit for the entire 5-hour 30-minute duration, so getting the fit right at the beginning makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Once sealed, you won't think about the suit again; instead, you'll focus on the underwater landscape, the glacial clarity, and the remarkable sensation of floating between two continents.
Practical Tips Before You Suit Up
Before your guide seals you into the dry suit, take a moment to use the restroom. Once the suit is sealed, particularly around the neck and wrists, it becomes a complete system, and removing it to use the toilet is cumbersome and time-consuming. Most snorkelers complete the entire tour without needing to exit the water for this reason, but you'll feel more relaxed if you prepare beforehand. Your guide will give you a final briefing about bathroom logistics before the sealing process begins, so you have the opportunity to ask questions.
Wear minimal clothing under the dry suit, just what the guide recommends. Too many layers compromise mobility and can affect the seals. Trust your guide's experience; they've equipped hundreds of snorkelers and know exactly what works for comfort and safety. Before you enter the water, your guide will review how to use a dry suit, including basic buoyancy control and emergency procedures. Listen carefully during this briefing, ask any questions, and then step into Silfra Fissure ready to experience one of the world's most unique snorkeling destinations.
All Gear and Thermals Included in Reykjavik
Book NowThermal Base Layer
Start with warmth underneath
Put on the thermal undersuit first. This layer traps body heat and keeps you warm in the glacial water.
Step into the protective shell
Carefully step into the dry suit legs first, then pull it up and position your arms through the sleeves.
Lock the wrist seals tight
The wrist seals create an airtight barrier. Your guide will help ensure they're snug but not painfully restrictive.
Close the back zip and collar
Your guide zips the back closure and positions the neck seal. This final seal keeps water out while you're submerged.
Add head and hand protection
The hood slides over your head and connects to the suit. Waterproof gloves go on last to keep your hands insulated.
Final gear inspection before water
Your guide fits your mask and ensures it seals. Fins go on at the water's edge so you're ready to enter.
