Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is one of raw natural beauty. One of its most remarkable features is its water. It’s some of the purest, cleanest water on the planet, sourced from ancient glaciers. Every drop is a luxury.
Imagine filling up your water at a gas station sink, and it tastes better than any fancy bottled water you’ve ever had.
Take a shower, and your skin feels nourished and baby smooth, as if you’ve just bathed in the purest of skincare treatments.
Soaking in a sulfur-smelling hot pot may be a bit stinky, but the mineral-rich water works wonders, soothing sore muscles and reviving your senses.
So when it came to the chance to snorkel between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasian – how could I say no?
On a grey day in late April, equipped in thermals and my trusty Smart Wool socks, I met my guides and sorted through gear next to their van. I held my breath as I cinched and squeezed into my dry suit like a plump, little sausage adorned with footies, mittens, and snug cap.
The group waddled our way to the edge and plop, plop, plop right into the water.
“HOLY SHIT, THAT IS FRESH!!”
I should have expected glacial water to feel exactly like you’d expect – frosty!
I felt needles cold cut through me. Within 10 minutes, my fingers, toes, and face were numb. The shock of the cold was part of the thrill, and the clarity and awe surrounding me made it all worthwhile.
The water is astonishingly clear. The tiniest particles and filaments are suspended around you, shimmering in the pristine waters. But what’s equally striking is what you don’t see – no fish, no sea creatures, no vibrant coral reefs. Just a raw, gaping rift in the earth beneath you, a silent and powerful reminder of the massive forces that have shaped this landscape. We were told the phrase “as far as the eye can see” originated from this very spot, where visibility stretches an astonishing 150 meters below.
And then, in the midst of this surreal underwater world, I brought my tingly fingers to my snorkle, clumsily slid it to the side, and took a big ice-cold gulp. One with nature’s most miraculous gift.
If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. -Loren Eiseley
For more Iceland inspiration, check out Icelandic Road Trip: A Photo Journal of a Beautiful Island Country
