Selgil — 'Seal Ravine' — is a geothermal spring in Iceland set in a ravine or gorge associated with seals, reflecting the country's Arctic marine heritage and the proximity of many Icelandic geothermal sites to the coastline where seals haul out on the rocky shores. The warm spring water of Selgil emerges from the volcanic subsoil into a topographically distinctive ravine setting, creating a sheltered and intimate bathing environment warmed by the earth itself. The combination of geothermal warmth, dramatic ravine landscape, and the wild maritime associations of the seal give this spring a particularly evocative Icelandic character.
Insider tip — Selgil is a geothermal spring in the inland reaches of Borgarfjörður, emerging in a narrow ravine where warm water seeps from fractured basalt layers. The Borgarfjörður geothermal corridor is one of Iceland's best-documented low-temperature fields, with dozens of named springs dotting the valley floors between ancient lava flows. This vent sits in pastoral surroundings typical of West Iceland's sheep-farming landscape, with views toward the Eiríksjökull ice cap on clear days. The warmth of the spring contrasts with the cool subalpine climate of the surrounding valley even in midsummer.
