Kleifarvatn

Located close to Grindavik and about 30 km from the capital city, Kleifarvatn or  Kleifarvatn Lake (as it is known in English) is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southern region of Iceland.

Located close to Grindavik and about 30 km from the capital city, Kleifarvatn or  Kleifarvatn Lake (as it is known in English) is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southern region of Iceland.

Interestingly, even though the lake is among the deepest in the country at about 97 meters, it is almost a crystal-clear lake. In fact, the waters are so clear that it enables visibility up to 100 meters below its waters. An added wonder is that the lake does not seem to have any visible inlet or outlet and most of its water comes into the lake and leaves underground. And despite this fact, the lake has a large variety of fish and is also very popular among avid anglers. 

Icelanders noticed that about twenty years ago the lake gradually began diminishing and up to 20 percent of its volume was lost due to the multiple earthquakes that occurred around the region during that period. But surprisingly the constant seismic activity proved to be a boon for the lake admirers, as one end of the lake now has hot springs. With a thick layer of lava and serene surroundings, the region has become a popular tourist attraction, with scuba diving becoming a popular sport here. 

Locals and folk tales also talk about a large whale-like creature that lurks in these waters. Of course, with such clear waters it won’t be difficult to catch a glimpse of this creature if it really exists. Do keep a watch out the next time you visit Kleifarvatn.

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