Óttarsstaðir & Garður – Reykjanes coastal diving
Two Atlantic dives on the Reykjanes coast: a kelp forest by the lava fields and an old pier at Garður.
Most visitors to Iceland only dive the fissures, but the sea around the Reykjanes Peninsula is where you see Icelandic marine life. This day has two Atlantic dives: Óttarsstaðir, where you walk in over lava rock into a kelp forest just outside Hafnarfjörður, and Garður, a shallow site by an old pier near the tip of the peninsula.
Expect crabs, sea urchins and starfish on both dives, and depending on the season wolffish, monkfish, flounders and cod at Garður. Neither site goes deeper than about 18 metres, and Garður has plenty of natural light for photographers.
85,000 ISK per person · 2 guided dives · Full day, up to 8 hours · Pickup in the capital area
All dive equipment, including the dry suit, is included.
Dive 1 – Óttarsstaðir: beneath the lava coast
Our first dive is at Óttarsstaðir, where the lava fields meet the Atlantic just outside Hafnarfjörður. You walk into the sea from the shore over lava rock, and the kelp forest begins almost immediately. Below the surface the rocky coastline continues into lava formations and boulders, sloping gently down to around 18 metres, with crabs, sea urchins, starfish and small fish living among the rocks and seaweed.
It is an excellent introduction to Iceland’s coastal diving. Read more about the Óttarsstaðir dive site.
Dive 2 – Garður: life beneath the Atlantic
Our second dive is at Garður, near the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula: a shallow dive by an old pier, with a maximum depth of 16 metres. Nutrient-rich Atlantic water supports a diverse ecosystem, and depending on the season you may meet wolffish, monkfish, flounders and cod, as well as crabs, starfish and sea urchins.
Plenty of natural light makes Garður one of the most rewarding sites we dive for photographers. Read more about the Garður dive site.
How the day works
Tours usually start in the morning, and we agree the pickup time with you when you book. We pick you up at your hotel anywhere in the capital area and drive you to the Reykjanes Peninsula. You dive Óttarsstaðir first and then Garður, and we take you back to your hotel at the end of the day. The tour is a full day of up to 8 hours.
Pickup outside the capital area can be arranged by agreement, depending on the distance.
The Reykjanes coast in one day
- Two different Atlantic coastal dive sites in one day
- Lava formations and kelp forests
- Icelandic marine life up close
- Excellent underwater photography
- Experienced local dive guides
What is included
- Two guided dives, at Óttarsstaðir and Garður
- All dive equipment, including a dry suit, BCD, regulator, weights, hood, gloves, mask and fins
- Cylinders and air fills
- A dive briefing and help preparing your equipment
- An experienced local dive guide
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in the capital area
- Transportation between the dive sites
Price
85,000 ISK per person. A minimum of two divers is required per departure, and solo divers can join an existing departure. Discounts for bringing your own dry suit or driving to the dive site yourself, and private tours, are listed under prices and discounts.
Who can join
- Open Water certification or equivalent
- A dry suit certification, or at least 10 logged dry suit dives confirmed by an instructor
- Minimum age 17
- Good health and fitness for cold-water diving: you carry heavy dive equipment a short distance
- A medical form, which you sign on site before diving
Not dry suit certified yet? See our diving courses.
What to bring
We provide all scuba equipment. Bring long thermal underwear (wool or synthetic, not cotton), thick wool socks, a towel, your certification card and warm clothes for before and after the dive. See the full what to bring list.
Weather and conditions
Diving is always subject to conditions. Dive sites and entry points depend on sea conditions, weather and visibility, and we may choose an alternative site when necessary. If we have to cancel a dive because of the weather, we rebook you when that is possible, and otherwise refund you.
More ways to dive Reykjanes
Prefer a lake for your second dive? Óttarsstaðir & Kleifarvatn pairs the kelp forest with the geothermal springs of a volcanic lake, also for 85,000 ISK per person. For a wilder second dive, Óttarsstaðir & Flekkuvík goes to a remote ocean site reached by 4×4, at the same price. For more ocean diving, our 2-day Ocean Tour around the Reykjanes Peninsula includes four dives for 165,000 ISK per person. See all our dive tours in Iceland.
What divers say
“We did the classic Silfra and Davíðsgjá fissure dives in one day. The operation is run by very skilled and local sdi/tdi instructors from Iceland.”
David S. · Google, July 2026
“Both dives were excellent, and completely different from any other dive site I've seen! Highly recommend the private tour or smaller groups, beats being in a big group and eating someone else's fins all day!”
Clint S. · Google, 2023
“Amazing Tour. Very relaxed. Siggi does an amazing job to get you to dive site, equip you with proper gear … and also makes amazing pictures on the dive. Totally pro!”
Stefan G. · Google, 2023
Book Óttarsstaðir & Garður
Book online with the button below: choose your date and the number of divers, and we will confirm your booking. Questions? Write to us at icedive@icedive.is.