From Akureyri: Mývatn Lake & Goðafoss Waterfall Tour

Northern Iceland packs a lot into one day, and this tour gets straight to the best of it: volcanic craters, twisted lava, steaming sulfur pits, and Goðafoss Waterfall. You spend about six hours on the road from Akureyri, with several short stops that keep the day moving.

I like the well-chosen route, especially the mix of natural wonders and the historic Goðafoss. I also like the small 22-seat bus used on some departures, which feels more personal than a large coach. The tradeoff is comfort: taller passengers may find the seats cramped, and some vehicles have had weak air-conditioning or a hard-to-hear sound system.

Key points to know before you go

• Five very different sights: See pseudo-craters, a lava maze, boiling mudpits, Lake Mývatn, and a broad waterfall in one outing.
• Goðafoss gets 45 minutes: That is enough time for photos, viewpoints, and a coffee stop at the nearby shop.
• Guides make the difference: Jakob and Theodora have been especially well received for clear explanations, local stories, and a relaxed style.
• The walking is manageable but not always short: Some paths at the natural sites can feel long if you have limited mobility.
• The meeting point matters: Find the Soleil de Minuit bus at Akureyri harbor, with pickup scheduled one hour after your ship arrives.
• At $136, the value is strong for cruise visitors: You get transport, guiding, and several major sights without paying the higher cost often attached to ship-run excursions.

Why this route works so well from Akureyri

Akureyri is a handy base for seeing northern Iceland, but Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss are spread well beyond town. Driving yourself is possible, yet a guided bus tour removes the need to watch the road, check directions, and calculate ship departure time.

The route takes you east from Akureyri through open country toward the Mývatn region. The first long drive lasts about 75 minutes, then the stops become closer together. That rhythm is one of the tour’s strengths: you get a substantial stretch of scenery from the bus, followed by short walks and photo breaks.

You should expect a full six-hour outing, including the return drive. It is not a slow, private sightseeing day. Instead, it is a practical sampler of northeastern Iceland, built for people who want to see several headline sights in one shore excursion.

The English-speaking guides add useful context along the way. Jakob has been praised for his clear explanations, while Theodora brings an informative and humorous style. The guide may also be your driver, so the amount of commentary can vary. That is not necessarily a problem. The best departures give you useful information without filling every quiet stretch of road with talk.

Skútustaðir and the strange craters of Lake Mývatn

The first main stop is the Lake Mývatn area, reached after the longer drive from Akureyri. You get about 20 minutes at Skútustaðir, a site known for its symmetrical pseudo-craters.

These are not ordinary volcanic craters formed by eruptions from a central vent. They formed when hot lava met wet ground and trapped steam burst through the surface. The result is a cluster of rounded formations beside the lake, with mountains and water creating a wide northern Iceland view.

The stop is short, so you will want to get your bearings quickly. Use the time for the main viewpoint, a few photographs, and a short look at the formations rather than trying to walk far. The light can change quickly in Iceland, and even a gray day gives the craters a stark, sculpted appearance.

This is also your first reminder that Mývatn is more than a lake. The region was shaped by fire, steam, and moving lava, and nearly every stop reveals a different part of that process.

Dimmuborgir, where lava formed a maze

After a short 10-minute drive, the bus reaches Dimmuborgir. You have about 30 minutes here to walk among the lava formations and take in the views.

Dimmuborgir means dark fortresses, an apt name for this field of jagged lava pillars, arches, and hollow shapes. The formations were created when molten lava cooled around pockets of water. As the water drained away, it left behind a rough maze of rock.

This is one of the most atmospheric stops on the route. You are not simply looking at a distant volcano or a broad valley. You are walking among the remains of an eruption, with dark rock rising around the path in unusual shapes.

Thirty minutes gives you a useful introduction, but it does not allow for a long hike through every trail. Stay aware of the time and turn back before you get too far from the bus. The paths can also feel uneven, and the walking distance may be more demanding than the short stop suggests.

If you have limited mobility, Dimmuborgir deserves some planning. One visitor with a restricted walking range found that the paths at two sites were too long to reach the far ends. The tour is described as suitable for all fitness levels, but that does not mean every viewpoint is close to the bus.

Hverir and the smell of a living earth

The next 10-minute drive brings you to Hverir, the geothermal area at Námaskarð. You get about 30 minutes here, which is enough time to see the main mudpits and steaming ground.

Hverir looks and smells different from every other stop. The ground is marked with pale mineral colors, orange and rust tones, and gray patches around the solfataras. These are sulfurous vents and mudpits heated by activity below the surface.

The boiling mud is the main attraction. Instead of clear blue pools, you see thick gray-brown mud bubbling and popping. Steam rises from vents across the open ground, while the sulfur smell can be strong. If you are sensitive to odors, keep that in mind. The smell is part of the experience, but it can be intense.

Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. This is active geothermal ground, not a place for wandering off to find a better photograph. The colors show why the Mývatn region is so prized: it offers geology you can see, hear, and smell within a few steps.

The three Mývatn-area stops work well together. Skútustaðir shows the effects of steam and water, Dimmuborgir shows cooled lava, and Hverir shows heat still moving beneath the surface.

A short break at Reykjahlíð

After Hverir, the bus makes a short stop in Reykjahlíð for about 20 minutes. This is the practical pause in the middle of the day.

You can use the time for refreshments and a restroom break before the route continues. Food is not clearly built into the standard description, so do not assume a full restaurant lunch. Some departures have included a simple sandwich and chocolate bar, but the safest plan is to bring something small or be ready for a light break rather than a sit-down meal.

One useful detail is that restroom use may involve a fee. Carry a little local currency or be prepared for a small charge if needed. The break is short, so keep an eye on the bus and return promptly.

This pause matters more than it sounds. The tour involves several short walks, cold or windy conditions, and a long return ride. A quick chance to sit, eat, and use the facilities helps keep the rest of the day comfortable.

Goðafoss, the waterfall with a story

The route then turns toward Goðafoss, with about 45 minutes on the bus before the final major stop. You get 45 minutes at the waterfall, the most generous single visit of the day.

Goðafoss is about 12 meters high and 30 meters wide. Its water drops in a broad horseshoe shape, creating several channels, spray, and a strong sense of movement. It is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, but its width and shape make it one of the country’s most photogenic.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. It also carries a place in Icelandic history and saga tradition, which gives the stop more depth than a quick photo break. Your guide can connect the waterfall’s name with the historical events associated with the area.

Forty-five minutes lets you take your time. You can walk to viewpoints, photograph the falls from different angles, and stop at the Goðafoss Coffee Shop if you want a hot drink. The paths and viewing areas can still require walking, so allow extra time if you move slowly.

This is likely to be the visual high point of the day. The waterfall has enough space and scale to feel dramatic even after the unusual geology around Mývatn. If the weather turns wintry, the scene can become even more striking, though you will want warm layers and footwear with a firm grip.

The bus ride, group size, and comfort

Transportation is included from Akureyri cruise harbor, and the bus is marked Soleil de Minuit. Some departures use a 22-seat minibus rather than a large touring coach. I like that size for this route because it makes the outing feel less impersonal and usually allows quicker movement at stops.

The downside is legroom. One tall passenger found the bus cramped, and another vehicle was described as old with around 400,000 kilometers on it. Weak air-conditioning has also been reported, while a noisy engine and a less effective sound system made it difficult for one passenger to hear the guide.

These are not guaranteed problems on every departure, but they are worth considering. If you are tall, sensitive to heat, or rely heavily on spoken commentary, ask about the vehicle when possible. The guides themselves have been a major strength, so being able to hear them matters.

The schedule also depends on everyone returning to the bus on time. Delays have occurred when people took longer at stops, and talking during commentary can make it harder to catch details. You will get the most from the day by staying near the meeting point and listening when the guide is speaking.

Is $136 a fair price?

At $136 per person, this is a reasonable price for a six-hour shore excursion covering several major sights. You are paying for transportation from the harbor, a driver and guide, and a route that would be difficult to organize comfortably during a short port call.

The value is particularly good if you are comparing it with a cruise-ship excursion. A similar ship-organized tour can cost more, while this outing still returns you to Akureyri after the full circuit. The smaller vehicle also gives you a less formal feel than a large coach.

The price does not appear to include a full meal, and refreshments may be extra. Factor in a snack and possible restroom charges. You should also remember that this is a highlights tour, not a private visit with long, flexible stops.

The free cancellation window up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. For a cruise schedule, check the exact pickup time carefully rather than relying only on the general six-hour duration.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you are visiting Akureyri for one day and want a broad sample of northern Iceland. It works well for couples, families, and older adults who can manage short walks and uneven outdoor paths.

It is especially good for people who want variety. You will see water, lava, craters, geothermal activity, and a waterfall rather than repeating one type of scenery. The guides also add local stories and explanations that help turn a scenic drive into a more meaningful visit.

You may want another option if you use a wheelchair, need fully accessible paths, or have difficulty walking beyond a short distance. Wheelchair users are specifically not accommodated, and some viewpoints require more walking than the brief stop times suggest.

This also may not suit you if you dislike fixed schedules. The route is carefully timed, with 20 to 45 minutes at each stop. You get a lot, but you do not have the freedom to linger until the weather or light is perfect.

Should you book the Mývatn and Goðafoss tour?

I would book this tour if your priority is seeing the best-known natural sights around Akureyri in one efficient day. The combination of Dimmuborgir, Hverir, Skútustaðir, and Goðafoss is strong, and the guides can add real value when they explain the geology and local stories.

Before booking, confirm the pickup time, bring food or money for a snack, wear sturdy shoes, and prepare for a possibly snug bus. If you can handle those practical points, $136 buys a well-paced introduction to one of Iceland’s most unusual regions.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

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

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off take place at the Akureyri harbor, where the cruise ship docks. Look for the bus marked Soleil de Minuit.

When does pickup happen after a cruise ship arrives?

Pickup is scheduled one hour after the ship arrives, with departure 30 minutes later. Check the exact time and meeting instructions when booking.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Lake Mývatn and Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir lava fields, Hverir geothermal area at Námaskarð, Reykjahlíð for a short break, and Goðafoss Waterfall.

Is food included?

A full meal is not included in the stated tour details. Some departures have provided a simple sandwich and chocolate bar, but you should plan to bring or purchase your own refreshments.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English. Guides on different departures may include Jakob or Theodora.