Diving Silfra Iceland | JONATHAN BIRD'S BLUE WORLD
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- In this exciting Blue World adventure, Jonathan travels up to Iceland in search of a dive site called Silfra which supposedly has the clearest water in the world! But it's cold!
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Temperate water is rarely very clear. We consider ourselves lucky to get 30 feet of visibility in New England. Sometimes it’s not even that good-more like 10 feet. You can barely see anything until you are right on top of it. Plankton makes this water extremely fertile, but you can’t see through it very well.
In the tropics, water has less plankton and it’s often quite a bit clearer. It’s not unusual to have 100 feet, sometimes even 150 feet of visibility in the tropics.
At the massive Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston-a huge indoor swimming pool where astronauts are trained-I have experienced visibility of at least 400 feet. The water is so clear, it’s like it’s not there at all. But this is a pool. The water is filtered and chlorinated. Is there anyplace in the world with naturally-occurring clarity like this?
Iceland is right smack-dab in the middle of the mid-Atlantic ridge, where two large tectonic plates meet. Lava coming out from between these plates at a hot spot created Iceland about 20 million years ago. But since those tectonic plates are still moving, Iceland has cracks down the middle and occasional earthquakes as a result.
Silfra is one of those cracks. It has filled with spring water that percolates up through the ground from distant glaciers. So it’s cold and it’s clear.
Iceland itself is a beautiful and sparsely populated country full of natural wonders.
It has huge glaciers. And those glaciers give birth to icebergs which float away into the North Atlantic ocean.
But even though it’s called Iceland, it’s not all ice by any means. At least in the summer.
There aren’t many trees, but the landscape features rolling green grassy hills. There are grazing sheep. And lots of farms.
Summer meltwater feeds scores of rivers and streams. Some are crystal clear, others are filled with minerals making them milky white.
And there are waterfalls. I mean a lot of awesome waterfalls! This is Gulfoss, one of Iceland’s largest.
Until recently, the only divers who came here were animals.
But Silfra has changed all that. Divers now come from around the world to experience the amazing visibility in this tiny dive site just a few meters wide and a few hundred meters long.
They say this is the clearest water in the world. Let’s go find out!
My adventure begins in downtown Reykjavic, Iceland’s capital city.
Diving here is not without difficulty. I’ll need a dry suit to stay warm in the water which is barely above freezing. Since most people don’t go to Iceland specifically to dive, they often don’t bring any gear. Dive Iceland supplies everything you need, even the dry suit. Our team has decided to try their gear, for the full experience. So we’re all getting into drysuits we’ve never worn before.
After we have our suits on, I have to carry my camera all the way from the parking area to the entry point.
Jose hands me my camera and I sink down into clear, cold water.
Under the surface, there is nothing to see but bare rock-and crystal clear water. My first view under the surface blows my mind-I can see all the way down to the end of the crack where it takes a turn! I have no idea how far that is.
Once everyone is ready, we submerge. Then Jose leads the way downstream. There’s a gentle current in Silfra from the spring opening all the way down to a lake.
The incredible visibility is no exaggeration! This is the clearest water I have ever seen in sunlight. The straight sections of Silfra aren’t even long enough to test the full visibility, but it’s easily many hundreds of feet.
We swim for a few minutes through a narrow crack, which is at least 50 feet deep. There’s nothing to see down there, so we stay pretty shallow where the marginal morning light is a little better.
In this shallow water, strands of green algae thrive on the ample summer sunlight.
After passing through the shallow section, we head into another deep crack. Now that the initial excitement has worn off, I’m noticing the water temperature, which is only 36° Fahrenheit, barely above freezing.
My face is completely numb. This water is nearly as cold as the water in Antarctica! It might look tropical because of that blue color seen in very clear water, but I’m definitely not in the Bahamas.
this man is still replying and hearting comments four years later... legend
😎
I am sure he has a team to help him so I am gonna say... legends.
I don't know why it took me so long to stumble across this channel!
For anyone like myself, who is constantly mesmerised by the marine environment, it does not get much better than this.
Cool
Yep definitely a legend
Awesome video ❤❤❤
After all the years I could definitely say screw going big on TV. What you have done is so much better and you can say you truly did it on your own. So proud of you man, I was just thinking to myself why isn't this man on my TV yet, then I thought to myself it wouldn't be the same.
Its amazing just discovered it!
Can we just talk about how good this man’s camera equipment is
I know
Precisely. The clarity is just insane!
I see I’m 4 yrs late to this video. Stunning! 💞
That is breathtaking. You're a one man Discovery Channel!
+Justin McLeod Technically I have help!! But thanks!! :-)
Yes
Because of you, I've ventured out more than possible in my situation. And I am grateful. Thank you.
It's hard to let people know how clear Silfra is. We had one guy bail out because he couldn't get a point of reference and he wasn't used to cold water diving.
Silfra is a must dive. Anyone thinking of diving it, make sure you can dive in cold water with a drysuit. It would be sad to lose a dive because of that.
Jonathan, I hope you got to dive the geothermal chimneys in Strytan. It has jets of warm water. It's also fun to see fish swimming vertically.
Great jobs on the videos. Lease keep them coming.
I did it in an *open* cell wetsuit! ...I have NEVER been so cold, ever.
wdym he couldnt get a point of reference? isnt that what clear water helps with? i mean i think i could imagine that amount of clarity being vertigo inducing because of the openness to it, but sounds like it was more because he didnt like/wasnt used to the cold water?
Just dove the Silfra last week, on recommendation of Jonathon Bird! Wonderful experience, thank you and keep up the great videos!
Wow. I wish to go thee one day. Need to vet used to cold water diving though
I hope Jonathan and his team know how many people they inspire. Really great stuff.
Thanks!
i remember watching these when i was young and i was in my dads office at school, and i recently came across these again. so much nostalgia.
What are these?
Jonathan, thank for risking everything to get these beautiful videos..I salute you..!!
Thank you for documenting your amazing adventures!
I don't know when I could do it myself
5 years after watching this one of your videos I am watching it again while I'm literally here. I just brought my mask and put my head underwater and it was amazing.
It's nice knowing you can take you reg out and just have a drink whenever you want to!
Jonathan you inspired me to get a scuba cirtifacation
Awesome!
that water is so blue and clear its hypnotic
Storm Gaming I’m about to get mine!
same!! I'm going scuba diving in Bonaire on spring break with my family!!
Same!
It's so beautiful!The the lack of fish really brings a certain feel to it.
Actually there are some trouts there.
I swear you have been nearly everywhere at this point, and I just took my open water diving course from the inspiration of your content! I recently stopped watching as much RUclips but you are possibly my most watched and one of the few in still watching.
Also when I did my course I struggled with just the dive equipment and you have that huge camera, how you manage it I don’t know but I’m glad to see your still uploading.
Cameras have gotten smaller!
Look up Dive Talk also, you'd likely enjoy them also. I'm not a diver and I enjoy it alot
Awesome and Amazing.So crystal clear of Silfra waterways in Iceland. Alhamdulillah.Praise to Allah. Thank you again, Jonathan. You and your team inspired us more than anything to appreciate our nature.Bless you all.
Irmansyah Ihsanul Kamil No, praise be to Jesus.
This is just spectacular! I never knew places like this exist! Thanks for introducing us to a whole new world!
Magnificent! It looks like a very hard place to live at but the paradisiac beauty it holds are worth every effort and penny one spends to either live or visit such place. Thanks for the video, Jonathan and team. I wish you, all your loved ones and all those around you all that you need throughout this new year. Thanks loads, lads, for all you created and shared with us last year on this channel . Looking forwards for all your aqueous shenanigans you have planned for these coming twelve months. :))
+Mark Said "aqueous shenanigans!" can we use that one? Love it! Thanks for the nice comments Mark!
BlueWorldTV, you are welcome. Yes, of course you can use it. :))
this is the best scuba diving video ive ever watched. watched that many times and every times like first time
So how cold is cold. What was the temp of the water? Looks like an amazing adventure though
If I recall correctly the water was around 34° F.
Great video! The best preview I could have for my upcoming dive in Silfra in 2 weeks 😉 Thanks!
Have fun!
That’s awesome regardless of the cold. Thanks for this video folks!
Your videos are .....AMAZING. Every time I see your videos I just get amazed by those animals
Yes, you found a place of water that was very clear and really peacefully serene. Even if there was very little fish or their creatures, it still worth the cold experience.
You have found maybe one of the last clean places of earths clean clear water.
Good thing you have such video evidence before others might ruin what’s left.
Thank god for you! Peace friend.
This video is very pleasant.
I had to watch it again.
What very nice place to go diving.
Very peaceful and serene.
My sister and her family lived on the Air Force base there in Reykjavik. She said a good day was no wind. Lol. This dive you guys did was so awesome!
I love this very much.. so crystal clear.. hv seen many times.. i wish i have a chance dive here ... love love love
Wow... the water is so clear and also 1080p60 video... love it!
I loved my visit to Silfra. I was surprised that the water wasn't as cold as I was expecting.
It's so crystal clear. Those rocks and the clarity looks amazing underwater. I don't know swimming in this life but I surely want to be Jonathan Bird in my next life and I'm not exaggerating
Wow. This is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for replying!
Wow this should be on my bucket list . سبحان الخالق ❤️
This is my new dream dive site😂. All of that aside, great video. Can’t wait for more!
Espectacular amazing dive,I'm diver also and two days a go I reach to see some of your videos and there are awesome and very impressive congratulations for the inspiration...💯👍
I've watched this video a few times because I just think it is so awesome that you can actually see those two tectonic plates.
So many people who do these videos like to focus on one fish eating another. This channel focuses rather on the beauty of nature. Thank you
I have no words. You sir, are a massive legend in my books. Oh and Happy New Year to the whole team at BlueWorldTV!
+Sergio Hernandez Thanks Sergio! You too!
yes thank you very much for posting often this shows me an idea of what to look for while diving and getting ready for whats coming ahead when I take my marine biology class. this actually has helped me a lot with learning the basics of the ocean. looking forward for the next couple of videos! :)
Beautiful...thank you for sharing...amazing!
What a beauty of a place! Great video as always. Keep the good work.
I guess you are talking to kids? Great family video!
I've been at the end of March. Daytime temps about 50ish, but still snow on the ground. It's amazing coming up from a dive, surrounded by mountains covered in snow. Oh... and you forgot to say.... you can drink the water too. End the dive, take a gulp!
Wow, Iceland sure is a breathtaking place!
+Xxxsorrow Yes, very beautiful place to visit. Stunning.
That was unreal. So beautiful!
HONESTLY, SOMETIMES IT MAKES ME THINK THAT THE WATER IS DRINKABLE..
It is
Hush, boomer.
@@nuclearjanitors excuse me?
@@jasonpelareja8475 shut up, boomer.
@@nuclearjanitors wow oh my gosh that was so funny what an original joke that was totally applicable to this conversation /s
Great video!but I have questions -1)Why there is no organism found except algae in water since it is very old?2)there is no evolution of life form occuring there?
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing your experience. We'll be there to dive & snorkel next month. Yikes!
How was it Sherri?
What
Get a ffm and your face will never be cold again I recommend the ocean reef extender idm as well as the g diver comms and the quick disconnect braided hose
You are right but money is no comparison to ease of use and more enjoyment
Jonathan thank you very much for this wonderful video because I love your enthusiasm also intense emotionalism in this video due to the fact to come to life and you make things fun to learn. We love watching you!
Thanks!!!
@@BlueWorldTV Anytime my friend and I do me anytime
I live in orange county and my last few dives have had 5-6 feet visibility
I was just in Orange County for a meeting. I saw some divers going shore diving and the surf made it look like the viz would be bad.
I shore dive in Puget Sound (Seattle area), and it's often like that here, too. When we get 10 - 15 feet we feel like it's really special.
Awesome
@@BlueWorldTV What did you use to film this video with?
Really nice job for to see uor world beauty clear Cristal water amazing adventures
It's like diving with Randy of TPB love it excellent show
ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!!💖😀💖😀 BEAUTIFUL VIDEO!!💖😀💖
Beautiful beautiful pls paradise out of the world 💕💕💕
beautiful video
Mr. bird, you never sees to amaze me. If it weren’t for you and your crew, I’d still be scared of the water.
Wow so clear! Awesome 😱👏👏👏 huge thanks Sir Jonathan!
So nice i hope one day im able to see all the wonders God made on this earth.
101% so clear! But cold i love watching your vedio's....
I also enjoyed this adventure. Thank you Jonathan.
Hey, Brave Wilderness went there! I'm really excited for your crossover!
how didn’t I see this 5 years sooner!
I hope you make it to the African Great Lakes soon too, Jonathan.
Watching from Philippines
June 18,2020
I really like your cave diving videos. Thank you!
Silfra diving .. omg .. it is on my bucket list of to do and see things
..
The water is just breathtaking I cannot wait to try and get a dive cetificate and go there!
A bird who can dive amazing
Glad I found this channel. Highly interesting.
Glad to hear it!
Another brilliant video. This is one I really want to do after I complete my Padi open water course
one of the most amazing diving video.
Truly beautiful wonders....
super beautiful, glad it pop up to my recommendations ❤
What an awesome life you gifted with! Wow I am speechless man ❤️ I am in total love with your videos
Thanks!
You really inspired me to start scuba diving thanks man and keep up the good work Jonathan.
Congratulations! That's awesome!
Beautiful! I would love to free drive there if it weren’t so cold. A wet suit is not warm enough for me to brave that cold, and a dry suit would just keep you floating. I’m sure there are people willing to brave that but not me lol
this is beautiful! i love underwater stuff...
My scuba instructor is your evil twin 😂
you should try Hinatuan Enchanted River as well in the Philippines, very clear water and amazing underwater views with many fish
Pinoy pride❤️
Mean while in Chicago in Lake Michigan you get like 2 feet of visibility and 10 on a really good day
Thanks for another great video. I hope some day i can go on my first dive in a place like that
What a fun. Very nice video.... Amazing
Iceland is so beautiful, it's once of my favorite places.
It's good to know that it is a clean and healthy environment, which means that you wouldn't know what you'd find=)
+1 to the Bucket list.
5:33 LOL, that SCUBA diver crossing is most unexpected for a road sign!
This is so great. 😍😍😍 thank you so much ❤
Glad you like it!
@@BlueWorldTV 7 years later, Still you’re replying to comments🥺 Such a pure heart😇😇 Stay blessed ✨
Your narration is wonderful
I absolutely LOVE these videos❤️❤️
So.. I knew this existed, I just never found it. Beautiful water and video.
Neat and awesome. Also gave it the 1,000 like !
you are great :-) its the first channel that i ve actually loved to subscribe :-) love from Pakistan. Stay blessed.
The sensation of diving in those truly pristine water must be incredible! This is definitely a wish list item for sure!!!
I have been snorkling at Silfra few years ago and it was amazing experience
Were you able to touch both tectonic plates at any point? Also saw a GoPro. How did it do? Thanks for this video. It's on our bucket list, hopefully in 2017.
+Mark Burch I am not a fan of GoPros underwater. The flat port makes the edges of the video soft, and they never have very good color at all. That being said, sometimes I put a GoPro on top of my big camera as a "facecam" for some quick cutaways. We use GoPros mostly for weird angles, mounting on cars, pole-cams, cameras that can be splashed on a boat, etc. And for that they are very good.
+BlueWorldTV Thank you for the reply. This is high on our list. Were there other dives in Iceland you did while there? Also, what time of year did you go? Thank you.
Masha Allah it is the most beautiful place... 😍😍
Tell ya what, I am a recent subscriber and I am glad that this channel has found its way into my life right now! Keep up the good work, Jonathan! I really hope to one day see the blue world myself as you already have. :) I am studying engineering in college right now, but I have always loved marine biology as a kid, and now I am starting to reconsider my choice in majors as my interest in sea creatures is rekindled in part because of the videos in this channel.
+Jose Suarez Awesome! So glad to hear it Jose....but let me tell you something....scuba diving can mess up your career path. :-) I graduated with an electrical engineering degree, worked in the field for 4 years and gave it up to go become an underwater photographer because the sea was calling.
BlueWorldTV Whoa... I happen to be studying electrical engineering! :O And while I love technology, there has always been something about water that I like. I was born in Puerto Rico and developed a love for marine life as a little child, and my dad even took me to the Sea World in Florida one time because I did well in school. Later, we moved over to Alaska (big change), but my interest in whales faded because I didn't see any, but I understand now that it's just difficult to find marine life in those cold, deep and murky waters anyway, especially on a boat. Nevertheless, I dazzled people with my knowledge of marine life and they always told me, even in Puerto Rico, that I should be a marine biologist. Now I live in Ohio, and my first sports experience has been a high school swim team, and though I was a good competitive endurance swimmer, my favorite way to swim was to simply do deep underwater dives. Scuba diving is definitely on my bucket list. And now, like i said before, your videos are starting to make me reconsider what my calling might be. Who knows? I might just take your job one day. XD lol
This video is insane, I just watch till the end!🥶❤️
Move parking lot a little closer, or get a smaller lighter camera! Great Job! Been there, carrying dive gear! Now a-days I just use my anti-gravity belts with thruster pods attachments to get my gear to dive site!
wow that was so amazingly beautiful. .😲😲😲😲
I remember this creek in vancouver canada called Lynn creek. the creek has a big park called Lynn canyon and its a preserve of the big canyon the creek has carved, with spectacular waterfalls. anyways, there is a large pool at one part called the 90 foot pool, and it is amazingly clear. the water is extremely still too, so you can see into it easily. the depth of the pool is easily over 50 feet, but the clarity of the water is incredible. you can see from above the water the tiniest pebbles way down at the bottom with seemingly nothing in front of you, except that the water is green hued.
I remember lynn's creek.