KLEIFARVATN
Iceland
Kleifarvatn is a special dive site in Iceland. With its 8 square meters in size and a maximum depth of 95 meters, it's the largest and one of the deepest lakes in Iceland. Kleifarvatn or Lake Kleifarvatn is located on the most volcanically active part of the Middle Atlantic Ridge which leads to some unusual features. For example, the lake contains rare volcanic craters that send up volcanic gas bubbles. This happens with so much pressure that the surrounding rocks slightly vibrate. You can feel these vibrations during your dive. Lake Kleifarvatn is also called the disappearing lake. A major earthquake in the year 2000 caused it to run dry after which it has risen back to its original level. Add to that the surrounding, volcanic landscape, full of steep hills and strange lava formations, and you can rightly speak of a unique dive site.
Particulars
Kleifarvatn is located in the Suðurnes region 30 kilometers from Reykjavík. Park your car right up to the water's edge in this unique, almost surreal place. Lake Kleifarvatn was used for the opening scene of Ridley Scott's epic alien film Prometheus. Take a good look around before entering the water via the black sandy beach.
Warnings
Kleifarvatn is not an easy dive site due to sometimes poor visibility and strong currents. Cold water between 2 and 6 degrees. Kleifarvatn is a popular dive site and can be crowded at times.
KLEIFARVATN Features
- Nicknames
- Lake Kleifarvatn
- Address
- Krysuvik, Suðurnes
- Parking
- Sufficient parking
- Distance
- 20 m.
- Suitable for
- Experienced divers, technical diving
- Permit
- N.v.t / NA
- Access
- Free access
- Facilities
- None
- Water
- Fresh
- Kind of dive
- Shore dive
- Current
- Sometimes strong
- Visibility
- 2 - 15 m.
- Average visibility
- 5 m.
- Depth
- 95 m.
- Bottom
- rotsen
- Life
- Trout
- Other recreation
- Rambling