Strýtan – Dive Into Iceland’s Geothermal Chimney
Strýtan is a geothermal chimney in Eyjafjörður in North Iceland, built up over centuries by mineral-rich hot water. It is one of the world’s only diveable geothermal chimneys, and it rises from the seafloor into shallow water, so recreational divers can dive it too. Also in Eyjafjörður stand the Strýtur, rare underwater chimneys at around 65 metres, and deeper technical dives there are possible on request.
It is a rare dive where science and nature meet: a geological feature that is still growing, surrounded by rich marine life. Strýtan is offered on request, so contact us and we will plan the trip together.
The dive
Strýtan rises from the seafloor into shallow water, so the dive is made around the chimney itself. You circle it and follow it up and down, look closely at the structure that mineral-rich hot water has built up over centuries, and watch for the life that gathers around it. The process is not finished: mineral deposition is still going on, and you are diving in the middle of it.
There is no distance to cover: you take your time and look at the chimney from every side.
What you will see
The chimney itself is the main sight: a tower of minerals rising from the seafloor, built by hot water and still being built today. Around it there is rich marine life, and the meeting of the geology and the life that settles on and around the structure is what makes Strýtan unlike any other dive in Iceland. It is a dive you will not forget.
Technical diving at Strýtan
For technical divers, Eyjafjörður holds more than the shallow chimney. The Strýtur are rare underwater chimneys that rise like giant towers from another world. According to our technical tours page, they stand at around 65 metres, and in clear visibility it is an unforgettable sight to watch these unique formations reach up through the water towards the surface. Our standard dive at Strýtan stays within Advanced Open Water limits. Technical divers who want to go deeper can plan a tailored trip with us.
Whether you dive on CCR, sidemount or with a twinset, every technical trip is tailored: contact us for a package built around your certification, equipment and goals. See our technical dive tours, our technical diving courses if you want to work towards dives like this, and the full list of technical dive sites in Iceland.
Who is it for
Strýtan suits divers with an Advanced Open Water certification and a dry suit certification who want a dive unlike anything else.
Not dry suit certified yet? Have a look at our diving courses. The dry suit course can be combined with a dive tour.
Good to know
- Location: Eyjafjörður in North Iceland, the fjord that leads in to Akureyri
- Type: ocean dive at a geothermal chimney that rises from the seafloor into shallow water. The deeper Strýtur are a technical dive
- Maximum depth: the Strýtur stand at around 65 metres (technical diving). Strýtan itself reaches up into shallow water
- Water: the chimney was built, and is still being built, by mineral-rich hot water. The sea around it is cold, so every dive is made in a dry suit
- Access: offered on request. Contact us and we will plan the trip with you
- Requirements: Advanced Open Water certification and a dry suit certification
Tours and pricing
Strýtan is not on our standard price list: trips are arranged and priced on request, so please contact us for pricing. Technical dives at the Strýtur are tailored packages and are also priced on request.
Our tours include all necessary dive equipment, hotel pickup and drop-off, and transportation to and from the dive site. A minimum of two divers is required per tour. Private tours get a separate quote on request. See all our dive tours in Iceland and all our dive sites in Iceland.
Strýtan is also part of Diving Across Iceland, our 10-day tour, with two dedicated diving days in Eyjafjörður.
Book a dive at Strýtan
If you are interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at icedive@icedive.is. We’d love to dive with you!