Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Dettifoss Waterfalls Tour in Iceland

North Iceland packs an astonishing amount into one day. This nine-hour tour from Akureyri links Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, steaming Hverir, mighty Dettifoss, and several unusual volcanic sites without making you handle the driving. I especially like the mix of waterfalls and geothermal scenery, plus the chance to see both Goðafoss and Dettifoss in the same outing.

I also like the hotel pickup and small-group format, with no more than 19 people in the minibus. The main tradeoff is time: this is a full day with plenty of road travel, and some stops last only 20 to 40 minutes. At $268.56 per person, the value is strongest if you want broad coverage in one day rather than a slow visit to one area.

Key points at a glance

• Two major waterfalls in one day: Compare historic Goðafoss with the huge force of Dettifoss.
• A strong Lake Mývatn circuit: See pseudo craters, lava formations, geothermal vents, and Grjótagjá.
• Guide-led photo stops: Your guide can help with viewpoints and timing, including rainbow chances at the falls.
• Small group, not a private tour: The minibus holds up to 19 people, giving the day a more personal feel than a large coach.
• Plan for a long outing: The scheduled stops add up to several hours, with the remaining time spent traveling between sites.
• Bring your own meal: Dinner and all food and drinks are excluded from the price.

Why this North Iceland day trip works

The appeal here is simple: you see a wide slice of North Iceland in one organized day. From Akureyri, the route follows Eyjafjörður toward Goðafoss, then continues around the Lake Mývatn area before reaching Dettifoss and returning through other volcanic sights.

I like this structure because the scenery keeps changing. You move from a broad fjord to a famous waterfall, then to low volcanic craters, dark lava formations, smoking ground, and a powerful river gorge. It is not one of those tours that spends most of the day at a single viewpoint.

The tour costs $268.56 per person and lasts about nine hours. That is a serious price, but you are paying for a full day of transport, a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, WiFi on board, and access to sites spread across a large part of North Iceland. If you rented a car, you would still need to manage the roads, weather, navigation, and parking yourself.

The value depends on your style. I would consider it good value if you have only one day in Akureyri and want to reach Dettifoss without driving. It is less appealing if you prefer long walks, quiet time at each stop, or complete control over the schedule.

The tour is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging 82 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Akureyri dates are fixed.

Goðafoss: a graceful first stop

Goðafoss is the opening sight, reached after traveling along Eyjafjörður. The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the waterfall has an important place in Icelandic history. You receive about 35 minutes here, enough to see the falls and take photographs without turning the stop into a long hike.

This is a good first stop because Goðafoss is visually easy to appreciate. The water drops across a broad, curved rock shelf, giving you several ways to frame it. If the sun and spray cooperate, a rainbow may appear. The guide can point out useful places for photographs and help you make the most of the short visit.

Thirty-five minutes goes quickly. You should arrive ready to walk directly to the viewing area rather than spend time organizing bags or changing clothes. The exact conditions can change with weather, so keep your camera protected and wear a jacket that can handle wind and spray.

Goðafoss is not the biggest waterfall on the route, but it may be the most elegant. It also gives the day a sense of place before the tour turns toward the volcanic features around Mývatn.

Skútustaðagígar and the unusual shape of Lake Mývatn

The Lake Mývatn area is known for varied volcanic scenery, and Skútustaðagígar provides a fine introduction. These are pseudo craters, formations created by steam explosions rather than by ordinary volcanic vents.

You have around 30 minutes here. That is enough to look across the formations and understand their rounded, repeated shapes, though it is not a long walking session. The site is especially useful for anyone interested in how volcanic activity can shape the ground in less obvious ways.

The unusual part is how rare this type of formation is. Similar pseudo craters are found in only a few places around the world, including Hawaii, the Azores, and Mars. That fact gives the stop extra interest, but you do not need to be a geology enthusiast to enjoy the view.

I would treat this as a scenic orientation stop rather than the main event. The tour moves on quickly, and the best reason to come is the contrast between the low, patterned craters and the more dramatic falls and geothermal areas later in the day.

Dimmuborgir: dark lava and local legends

Dimmuborgir means Dark Fortresses, a fitting name for the tangled lava formations here. The rocks form unusual towers, arches, and walls, giving the area a rough, storybook quality.

You get about 40 minutes to explore. That makes this one of the more generous stops, although the schedule still favors a look around rather than a long trail walk. Use the time to pay attention to the shapes instead of simply taking a quick photograph and returning to the bus.

Dimmuborgir is also popular because of its connection with Game of Thrones. The stronger reason to visit, in my view, is the way the lava has weathered into forms that invite a little imagination. You may find yourself looking for trolls, doorways, and creatures in the rock.

The practical point is footwear. The tour information does not specify trail conditions, so sturdy outdoor shoes are a sensible choice. Weather can also change how comfortable it is to linger among the formations. A warm layer and rain protection will make this stop easier to enjoy.

Hverir: smoking ground at Námafjall

At Hverir, the scenery changes sharply. Instead of green or dark rock, you see a geothermal area marked by smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to take in the colors, watch the steam rise, and photograph the mud pools. The air can carry a strong sulfur smell, which is part of the experience. If you are sensitive to odors, this may be the least comfortable stop, but it is also one of the most distinctive.

Hverir shows Iceland’s heat close to the surface. The ground looks active and unsettled, with steam escaping from vents and mud bubbling in pools. Stay with the group and follow the guide’s directions around the geothermal features. The short visit is sensible here, since you can see the main sights without needing a long stay.

I like the way Hverir breaks up the waterfall stops. It also prepares you for the longer drive to Dettifoss, shifting the focus from water to the forces below the earth.

Dettifoss and Selfoss: the day’s great payoff

Dettifoss is the major event of the route. It is described as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, and the appeal is its force rather than delicate beauty. Water surges over the edge with a scale that is hard to grasp from photographs.

The tour allows about one hour and 20 minutes for Dettifoss, with Selfoss also visible. This is the longest scheduled stop, and that is exactly right. You need time to walk to the viewing area, take in the falls, and allow for weather, crowds, and photography.

On a sunny day, spray can produce a rainbow over the waterfall. It is worth keeping your camera ready, but do not let the search for a perfect image replace the view itself. Dettifoss is a place where sound matters. The roar of the water gives you a better sense of its power than a picture can.

The route requires roughly 40 minutes of travel from Hverir to Dettifoss. That road time is part of the cost of reaching such a remote sight. You should expect a substantial amount of the day to be spent in the minibus, especially since all six stops are spread across the region.

Selfoss adds a useful contrast. While Dettifoss is forceful and dramatic, Selfoss gives you another look at the river system. The two waterfalls make this portion of the day more rewarding than a single quick photo stop.

Grjótagjá and the continental rift

Grjótagjá is a small cave with a hot blue river inside. After the open views at the waterfalls and volcanic fields, this stop offers something more enclosed and unusual.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a look at the cave and photographs, but do not expect an extended visit. The tour also presents the chance to stand on the continental rift between Europe and America for a photograph.

This is one of the more distinctive stops because it combines geology with a memorable visual detail: blue water inside a cave. Conditions and access can affect exactly what you see, so it is best to think of this as a brief final highlight rather than a major walking site.

The stop works well near the end of the day. After broad waterfalls and open volcanic ground, Grjótagjá gives you a smaller, more intimate scene before the return journey.

The minibus, guide, and pace

Transport is by comfortable minibus, with WiFi on board and pickup and drop-off offered at your hotel. The maximum group size is 19 people. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a large coach, but it is not the same as a private outing.

The guide has several jobs beyond driving. You need someone to keep the day moving, explain what you are seeing, and help you use limited photo time well. The company’s guide Mati received particular praise for being engaging and thoughtful, including attention to passenger comfort. You cannot assume he will lead every departure, but his presence gives you a useful idea of the personal service the operator aims for.

The schedule is tight. Goðafoss gets 35 minutes, Skútustaðagígar 30, Dimmuborgir 40, Hverir 30, Dettifoss and Selfoss 80, and Grjótagjá 20. The remaining hours are travel time.

That pace suits you if you want variety and a clear plan. It will frustrate you if you want to sit quietly at each site, take long walks, or wait for changing light. I would bring only what you need for the day so each stop begins quickly.

What to bring and what the price leaves out

Meals and drinks are not included, including dinner. Since this is a nine-hour excursion, bring food and water with you or plan around the available timing. The provided details do not promise a meal stop, so do not count on buying lunch during the route.

Dress for outdoor stops in changeable Icelandic weather. Warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, and sturdy shoes are sensible choices. You will be moving between open viewpoints, lava formations, geothermal ground, and waterfalls, so comfort matters more than looking smart.

Pickup is offered, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not promise step-free access or describe the walking surfaces in detail. If you have specific mobility needs, ask the operator before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Bad weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can cancel the tour, in which case you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are based in Akureyri, have one free day, and want to see the headline sights of North Iceland without renting a car. It is also a good match if you enjoy switching between waterfalls, volcanic formations, geothermal areas, and short scenic walks.

The tour is less suited to you if Dettifoss is your only priority. In that case, a more focused outing might give you longer at the falls. It is also not ideal if you dislike long drives or need flexible meal and rest breaks.

The small group, hotel pickup, onboard WiFi, and full guiding help justify the cost. The guide’s photo advice and care with passenger comfort, as shown by Mati’s praised approach, are meaningful benefits on a long day. Still, the schedule is fixed, and the price does not include food.

Book this tour if you value breadth, convenience, and a guided day. Skip it if you want a slow, independent visit with plenty of time at each site. For most first-time visitors using Akureyri as a base, it offers a practical way to see an impressive range of North Iceland in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Dettifoss tour begin?

The tour is based in Akureyri, Iceland, and hotel pickup and drop-off are offered.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including the time spent traveling between stops.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Goðafoss and Dettifoss, and you can also see Selfoss near Dettifoss.

Is food included?

No. Dinner, meals, and beverages are not included in the tour price.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. Transport is provided in a comfortable minibus, and WiFi is available on board.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.