From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

The most striking part of this six-hour North Iceland tour is the sharp change in scenery. You go from the foaming black-rock bowl of Goðafoss to grassy pseudo craters, then into Dimmuborgir’s twisted lava formations and the sulfur-stained ground of Námaskarð. It is a lot of Iceland in one day.

I like the excellent mix of sights and the way the guides add history, folklore, and local stories between stops. Guides including Nico, Richie, Alan, and Kjartan have been singled out for lively, detailed commentary. I also like the value for cruise passengers: at $187 per person, this covers four major sights, port pickup, WiFi, and lunch.

The tradeoff is time. You see a remarkable amount, but some stops can feel brisk, especially if the bus leaves late or passengers are slow to return. The packed lunch is useful, though opinions on the sandwich are mixed, so bring extra snacks and your own water.

Quick takeaways from the Akureyri to Mývatn day trip

• Goðafoss gives you the grand opening: A 30-meter-wide semicircle of water crashes over dark volcanic rock.
• Lake Mývatn’s craters are not true craters: Steam explosions formed these grassy shapes when hot lava met wet ground.
• Dimmuborgir feels like a natural sculpture garden: Short walking trails pass strange lava towers, arches, and troll-like forms.
• Námaskarð is the sensory high point: Boiling mud, steaming ground, and a strong sulfur smell make this feel almost otherworldly.
• The tour is built for cruise schedules: Pickup is arranged near Akureyri’s cruise piers, with return to the same area.
• Guiding is a major strength: English and German commentary includes geology, Icelandic customs, folklore, horses, sheep, and local history.

Why this route works so well from Akureyri

Akureyri is a fine base for North Iceland, but the region’s most unusual sights are spread across a wide area. Renting a car gives you freedom, yet a six-hour excursion removes the work of navigation, parking, and timing. That matters when your day in port has a firm cutoff.

The road time is part of the experience. The initial drive takes about 40 minutes to Goðafoss, followed by another 40 minutes toward the Lake Mývatn area. Later, the bus links the stops with short rides, then makes the long 80-minute return to Akureyri after Námaskarð.

You get a live guide in English or German, and commentary continues on the road as well as at the sights. Several guides have been praised for adding humor and cultural detail, while Richie has used a WhatsApp group to share information and dropped pins. That sort of extra help can be handy when you want to remember a place or find more information later.

The bus also has WiFi, but do not count on a USB charger. One useful practical improvement would be to start with a fully charged phone, especially if you plan to take photos throughout the day.

Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods

Goðafoss is the first major stop, with about 45 minutes to walk, take photographs, and view the falls from the surrounding paths. Water pours over a broad, curved rim in a roughly 30-meter-wide semicircle. The dark volcanic rock gives the white water a strong contrast, especially in overcast weather.

The name means waterfall of the gods. It is tied to Iceland’s shift from the old Norse religion to Christianity, giving the stop more meaning than a quick photograph beside a roadside waterfall.

I like beginning here because the falls are easy to appreciate right away. You do not need a long hike to get a good view, and the stop helps set up the rest of the day: water, rock, and volcanic forces will keep returning in different forms.

Wear shoes with a steady sole. You are not taking a major trek, but wet ground and uneven paths are possible. In poor weather, gloves and a waterproof outer layer will make the viewing time much more pleasant.

Skútustaðagígar and the mystery of the pseudo craters

After another 40-minute drive, the bus reaches Skútustaðagígar, the area of pseudo craters along Lake Mývatn. You have about 20 minutes here, so this is a short stop rather than a full walk around the lake.

These rounded grassy mounds look like ordinary volcanic craters, but they formed in a different way. Lava flowed into wet ground near the lake, and the meeting of intense heat and water caused steam explosions. The explosions shaped the crater-like hollows without lava erupting from each one.

That distinction is worth hearing on site because it changes how you look at the view. You are not simply seeing a field of small volcanoes. You are seeing the result of hot lava, wetlands, and trapped steam working together.

The stop is scenic but brief. If you want a quiet, extended walk around Mývatn, this tour will not provide enough time for that. Its purpose is to show you the area’s signature formations before moving on to the denser lava shapes at Dimmuborgir.

Bring a hat or face covering in warmer months. The Mývatn area is known for small flies and midges, and several people have wished they had received clearer warning before arriving. They can be bothersome around the lake, even when the view is excellent.

Dimmuborgir, where lava becomes folklore

A short 10-minute bus ride leads to Dimmuborgir, with about 55 minutes for sightseeing and walking. This is one of the strongest stops on the route.

Dimmuborgir means dark cities, an apt name for a field of black lava formations. The rock has cooled into walls, arches, towers, and irregular shapes. Icelandic children commonly spot troll-like figures in formations like these, and it is easy to see why local folklore fits the setting.

The walk is more active than at Goðafoss or Skútustaðagígar, but it is still manageable for anyone comfortable on uneven paths. You can spend your time photographing the larger formations or simply wandering through the dark rock corridors.

This is the stop where the tour feels least like a checklist. The shapes are not uniform, and the light changes their appearance from one turn to the next. A gray day can make the place seem especially moody, while sunshine brings out the contrast between moss, grass, and black stone.

Fifty-five minutes is enough for a good introduction, though not for every trail. Stay aware of the meeting time. The tour has a lot still to cover, and a late return here can shorten the final stop.

Námaskarð and the smell of the earth

The final major stop is Námaskarð, about 15 minutes from Dimmuborgir. You have approximately 40 minutes to walk among steaming ground, boiling mud pools, and mineral-stained earth.

This is the most intense stop for the senses. Sulfur hangs in the air, producing the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs. The odor is strong, but it is part of what makes Námaskarð so memorable. The ground bubbles, vents, and changes color in ways that make the area look unlike the rest of North Iceland.

Stay strictly on the marked paths. This is not a place for wandering across open ground or stepping close to a mud pool for a better photograph. The geothermal activity is real and unpredictable, and the paths exist for a reason.

The 40-minute visit gives you time to see the main features without rushing as much as at the crater stop. You might want to take a few photographs quickly, then put the camera away and watch the mud and steam. This is a place where the sound, smell, and heat matter as much as the view.

There are visitor facilities at some stops, including opportunities for comfort breaks and snacks. Still, do not assume you will have a long restaurant stop. The packed lunch is designed to keep the day moving.

What the packed lunch is really like

The included lunch is modest but practical. The stated contents include a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The tour information also refers to a water bottle, so check what is handed to you at departure and carry your own refillable bottle if possible.

The sandwich has received mixed reactions. Some people have found it tasty and satisfying, while others wanted less mayonnaise and more chicken. That is fair criticism for a full sightseeing day, especially if you prefer a substantial lunch.

I see the lunch as a convenience rather than a reason to book. It saves you from finding food in a remote area and lets the bus keep to its schedule. If you have dietary needs, choose the vegan option when booking or confirm the arrangement beforehand. Bringing a snack is sensible, particularly for children or anyone who prefers a larger meal.

You may eat on the go or during a short break, depending on the guide and the day’s timing. Do not assume every outdoor table will be available for group lunches.

Guides, drivers, and the pace of the day

The strongest part of this experience is often the human side. Guides such as Nico, Richie, Alan, Kjartan, Ana, Matthias, and others have been praised for being entertaining, organized, and generous with information. Their commentary can cover volcanic activity, Icelandic history, customs, horses, sheep, elves, and winter life.

That variety helps during the longer bus rides. Alan, for example, was praised for near-constant commentary, while Richie has shared links and updates through WhatsApp. Ana has also helped explain accessible options for a passenger using a wheelchair. Guide quality can vary from one departure to another, but the overall standard appears strong.

The driver matters too. A careful driver makes the roads feel easy, particularly when the bus is maneuvering near crowded stops or tight spaces. Several guide and driver pairings, including Nico and Gregory, Ritchie Rich and Kelly, and Kjartan and Soren, have been praised for keeping the day friendly and on schedule.

The main weakness is organization when people do not return to the bus promptly. Some departures have lost time locating passengers or sorting out people who boarded the wrong vehicle. A late start can also make the final stop shorter, and one group returned to port about 45 minutes late.

For that reason, keep your phone on, listen closely to the meeting instructions, and return to the bus a few minutes early. If your ship has a strict departure time, ask the guide about the planned return as soon as you board.

Port pickup and cruise-day planning

The meeting arrangements depend on where your ship docks. At Tangarbryggja Pier, meet the guide in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. At Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

The buses are located at the large parking lot on Gránufélagsgata 50, and staff wear orange jackets or vests with the BusTravel Iceland logo. Read the pier instructions carefully. A few people have had trouble when the meeting directions or link did not match their actual docking point.

The tour begins and ends at Gránufélagsgata 50. Pickup and drop-off at the port are included, which is a major benefit for cruise passengers. Still, allow time to walk from the ship if needed, and do not leave the meeting point until you have clearly found the orange-jacketed guide.

At six hours, this is a full half-day excursion with a long final drive. It is not designed for a relaxed café lunch or an unhurried walk around Mývatn. It is designed to show you the area’s major sights in one well-packed outing.

Is $187 a fair price?

At $187 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride, but the price can be good value for a cruise day. You get transport over a wide route, a guide, port pickup and drop-off, WiFi, and a packed lunch. Independent cruise excursions covering the same ground can cost much more, and the tour has been described as roughly half the price of comparable ship excursions.

The value is strongest if you want to see all four major stops without renting a car. A rental would give you more control, but you would handle driving, parking, directions, and the risk of returning late. A private tour would provide more time at each location but would cost more.

The price is less attractive if you dislike group schedules or want long walks. The itinerary is fixed, and the short visit to Skútustaðagígar leaves little room for lingering. You are paying for breadth, not depth.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if I were visiting Akureyri from a cruise ship and wanted the best range of North Iceland sights in one day. It suits first-time visitors, families, and anyone who prefers an informed guide to self-driving.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy strong contrasts: waterfalls, grass-covered volcanic forms, black lava, and steaming sulfur fields all appear in a single route. The folklore and cultural commentary make it more than a sequence of photo stops.

You may want another option if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, although one guide and driver were praised for helping with accessibility and identifying suitable locations. Ask about your specific needs before booking because the route includes uneven walking surfaces.

I would also think twice if you need a slow pace, a large lunch, or guaranteed punctuality down to the minute. The schedule works best when everyone returns on time, and the group format leaves little room for delays.

Should you book the Mývatn tour from Akureyri?

Yes, if you have one day in port and want a broad introduction to North Iceland. Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð are a strong trio, while the pseudo craters add a useful lesson in how volcanic forces shape the region.

Book it with realistic expectations. You will see a lot, but you will not explore every trail or spend an hour at each sight. Bring warm waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, your own water, a snack, and protection from midges. Return to the bus early, and you will give yourself the best chance of enjoying the full route without the usual group-tour stress.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Akureyri to Mývatn last?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation between Akureyri and the sightseeing stops.

What sights are included?

The route includes Goðafoss waterfall, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters beside Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir lava fields, and the Námaskarð geothermal area.

Where does pickup take place?

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If it docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The packed lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The tour information also refers to a water bottle, but bringing your own water is sensible.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and German.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.