The sprawling waters of Iceland’s  beautiful Thingvallavatn lie at the southern edge of first national park Thingvellir (Þingvellir). Located in the Mid Atlantic Ridge rift valley, Thingvallavatn is a popular first stop on a Golden Circle journey. This really is an amazing place for many reasons, however geologically, it is among the only areas on Earth where you can see the Eurasian and North American plate rift above the water. Because of this relationship between the plates, Thingvellir and Iceland are growing inch by inch over time as they pull apart.

Thingvallavatn is partially located in Iceland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site, Thingvellir. Named for the gathering of people in the field north of the lake, (literally assembly/parliament field), the park and the water itself serve as a reminder of Iceland’s early quests for independence. 

Thingvellir hosted Iceland’s recurring sessions of old parliament governance until 1798, when this same evolved parliament, or Alþiing, was eventually moved to Reykjavik. One of the oldest still functioning parliaments in the world,  Thingvallavatn has stood witness to the unfolding of history here for over a thousand years.

Due to the slow separation of the tectonic plates, the land has grown a bit since the founding of the Alþiing; but it is not far removed from its original state. You can still visit the very same sites of social importance, like the Lögberg (Law Rock) where the justice of the day was meted out, or the  nearby Drekkingarhylur (Drowning cove) and Brennugjá, (Burning gorge), places that served as public execution spots in the Middle Ages. Society has grown a great deal since those days, but the long process of much of it took place on the very shores of Thingvallavatn.

History, culture, nature and story are great reasons on their own to visit Lake Thingvallavatn- but for those that fish, this is truly a destination. Lake Thingvallavatn reaches a depth of 114m (374ft), and is one of the largest bodies of water in Iceland at a surface area of 84km2. In order to enter the lake, water must journey through vast porous lava fields on the way. Melt water from the glacier Langjökull travels for 20-30 years before it meets the shores of Thingvallavatn, and rain in the catchment area is said to take a comparatively short 2-4 months. 

This process gives us the crystal clear and colorful waters of Thingvallavatn, which despite its cold temperature, houses some of the biggest and most varied Arctic Char and Brown Trout in the area. Due to their unique isolation, this is in fact one of the only places in the world that one can fish from not just one, but four varieties of Arctic Char. 

Known far and wide for high quality wild fishing due to strict environmental protection, wading into the clear waters of Thingvallavatn like the settlers of old is an experience for the ages. Fishing in Iceland is a popular pastime, so purchasing a fishing card for this activity is a fairly streamlined and simple process, and it can grant access to 34 lakes across the country.

The clean, cool waters of Thingvallavatn aren’t just for the fish! Thingvallavatn is home to some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, including the Silfra and Davíðsgjá fissures in between the tectonic plates. A gentle current keeps the filtered glacial waters of the lake from freezing over, so taking a guided dip is frequently possible here. 

Visibility is truly unparalleled, and the colors below are strong neon tints of green “troll hair” algae, warm iron-rich basalt rock, and the otherworldly sapphire of the water. In photographs of the activity, there is hardly any visible trace of sediment- only the signature cerulean glow of the ancient water. 

Popular for diving enthusiasts and students of all levels of experience, it is possible to both learn and practice in the waters of the lake, with a certified guide. In 2010, an open water “Midnight Swim” event even took place in the lake, and swimmers from all over the world came to join the open 5k. The water in Thingvallavatn comes close to 11°C (51.8°), so this kind of swimming is best left to experienced experts. (You can catch us on the other hand, wearing dry suits and staying warm, or watching for giant trout from the bridge!)