Kleifarvatn lake is among the most popular dive sites in Iceland. You can dive in a geothermal spring at Lake Kleifarvatn, 30 minutes south of Reykjavik. The drive to the lake is spectacular, past black, volcanic rocks that make you think you’re on the moon. Diving is no different. As you enter the water, you follow a line on the lake bed to a crater area no deeper than 33 feet (10 m). You will see continuous streams of bubbles all around you and smell a mixture of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gases. The lake bed here has a very clay-like texture. It looks burnt as if the gases released were much hotter before.
There are some deep craters with overhanging walls and bubbles emerging from the darkness. All over the lake bed you will also likely see many dead trout, making for a very eerie experience. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any weirder, the movement of gas bubbles coming up through the lakebed causes the surrounding rocks to vibrate, which you’ll be able to feel. Tip: bring an egg to hard-boil under water. In summer the lake can be as warm as 14 C, but you should still dive in a dry suit. It is a very simple dive so open water certification is sufficient. The lake freezes over in the winter, so unless you’re an ice diver, visit from May to October.
Place: Reykjanes, Iceland
