Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

North Iceland gives you two very different treats in one short package: a daytime tour through volcanic country around Lake Mývatn, followed by a night hunt for the Northern Lights away from Akureyri’s lights. Goðafoss, lava formations, hot springs, and a geothermal soak all fit into the plan.

I like the small-group format, limited to 18 people, and the fact that guide Sigi can lead both outings, keeping the experience personal and easy to follow. I also like the practical airport shuttle for EasyJet passengers. The main catch is the price: at $350 per person, it is good value only if you want both the Mývatn day and the Northern Lights outing, and the baths cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Two distinct tours in two days: A 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt pairs with a 9 AM Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss day trip.
• Sigi may guide both outings: His clear updates, humor, and relaxed driving style received especially strong praise.
• Lake Mývatn packs in variety: Expect waterfalls, lava pillars, hot springs, pseudocraters, and unusual lava formations.
• The Nature Baths are optional: Admission, swimsuit, and towel are not included in the $350 price.
• Northern Lights sightings are never promised: If the evening tour runs but you see no lights, the operator offers the trip again free.
• EasyJet passengers get airport transfers: Pickup and departure transport depend on giving the company your flight and accommodation details.

Why this two-day North Iceland plan works

Akureyri is a useful base for seeing northeastern Iceland, but you need transport to reach the best sights around Lake Mývatn. This package handles that problem with a guided vehicle, two scheduled excursions, and airport transfers for passengers arriving on EasyJet.

The timing is simple. The Northern Lights tour leaves at 9:30 PM, while the Lake Mývatn outing starts at 9 AM. That gives you a full day of sightseeing and a separate evening for the aurora hunt, rather than trying to cram both into one rushed trip.

I like that these tours show two sides of Iceland. The day trip is about geology and scenery you can count on seeing, while the night outing depends entirely on clouds, darkness, and solar activity. You get a sensible mix of certainty and chance.

The package lasts two days, but it is not a two-day trek or a continuous guided stay. You should think of it as two guided outings arranged around your time in Akureyri. That distinction matters if you are planning extra activities, meals, or hotel nights.

Airport pickup makes arrival easier

EasyJet passengers can use the complimentary shuttle from Akureyri Airport to their accommodation. You need to provide your flight information in advance so the company knows when to meet you.

That transfer is a useful perk, especially if you arrive without a car. Akureyri is much smaller than Reykjavík, but winter weather and limited daylight can still make arrival logistics awkward. Having a planned pickup lets you start without arranging a separate taxi or rental car.

The same practical approach applies at departure. On your departure day, the company takes you back to Akureyri Airport. Be sure to provide your accommodation details for the two tour pickups as well as your flight details.

This service is specifically described for EasyJet passengers. If you are arriving by another airline, confirm the pickup arrangement before booking rather than assuming the same benefit applies.

Goðafoss begins the Mývatn day

The 9 AM outing heads along Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords, toward Goðafoss. The waterfall is a fitting first major stop because it delivers a powerful view without requiring a long walk or strenuous activity.

Goðafoss means Waterfall of the Gods. You can expect time to look at the falling water, take photos, and hear the guide explain the setting before continuing toward Lake Mývatn.

The stop also breaks up the drive from Akureyri. That matters on a sightseeing day with several later stops. You are not simply sitting in a vehicle until the lake appears.

Winter conditions can affect the road and the exact amount of time available at each stop. Wear sturdy shoes and warm layers, since even a short walk near a waterfall can feel cold in Icelandic weather.

Lake Mývatn shows Iceland’s volcanic side

Lake Mývatn formed after a major basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. The area around it is filled with volcanic features, making this more than a scenic lake stop.

You will see lava pillars and rootless vents, formations that help explain how the region was shaped by fire and cooling rock. A guide adds real value here because the shapes can look strange without some geological context.

The Mývatn area is especially good for people who want variety. Within the same day, you move from open water and lava formations to hot ground, caves, pseudocraters, and dark rock formations.

Do not expect every stop to feel like a long, independent hike. This is a guided sightseeing route with several short visits. You get a broad look at the area, but the schedule is designed to cover many features rather than give you hours at one location.

Grjótagjá and Hverarönd add heat and mystery

The route includes Grjótagjá cave, a lava cave known for its geothermal water. The cave gives you another look at how volcanic activity continues to shape the region beneath the surface.

The tour also stops at Hverarönd in Námaskarð, a hot spring area with steaming ground and geothermal activity. This is one of the most striking changes in scenery during the day. After the cool openness of the lake, you encounter a place where heat rises from the earth.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely around geothermal areas. Hot ground and unstable surfaces are not places for casual wandering. Comfortable shoes are not just a packing suggestion here.

The order and time at each stop can change with weather and road conditions. That is normal for winter touring in Iceland, so keep your schedule after the tour flexible.

The Nature Baths are a worthwhile extra, not part of the base price

The Mývatn Nature Baths offer a warm soak in geothermal water surrounded by Icelandic volcanic scenery. For many people, this will be the most relaxing part of the day, especially after a cold morning outdoors.

Admission is not included in the $350 price. You also need to bring your own swimsuit and towel. If you forget them, do not count on this part of the plan being convenient.

The bath stop is an option, so you can choose it based on your interests and budget. If you already have another geothermal bathing experience planned, skipping the baths may make sense. One recent trip had the baths closed for refurbishment, and the group was offered an alternative location. In that case, some people chose to explore a nearby town instead.

That detail is worth keeping in mind: the bath portion may be affected by maintenance or other changes. Check the current operating status before you go, and treat the soak as an add-on rather than the core reason to book the tour.

Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar finish the circuit

On the return route, the vehicle stops at Dimmuborgir, one of the best-known attractions around Lake Mývatn. The name means Dark Fortress, and the area is filled with unusual lava formations created when molten rock cooled in distinctive shapes.

Dimmuborgir gives you a chance to walk among the formations and see why the area has such a strong place in Icelandic folklore. The rocks are not simply piles of black stone. Their arches, pillars, and rough walls create a setting that feels quite different from the open lake.

The route also includes Skútustaðagígar, an area of pseudocraters. These formations look like volcanic craters but did not form from a traditional eruption vent. They developed when lava flowed over wet ground and steam explosions shaped the surface.

This is a good stop for anyone interested in how Iceland works geologically. You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy it, but the explanations help you notice why these low, rounded formations are unusual.

The final view is back in Eyjafjörður, where you can look across the fjord toward Akureyri. It is a strong place for a last photograph and a useful visual reminder of where the day began.

The Northern Lights hunt depends on the sky

The evening tour leaves Akureyri at 9:30 PM and heads outside the city to escape light pollution. The company chooses the direction each night based on cloud cover and the best expected viewing conditions.

That flexible route is important. The Northern Lights are not a fixed attraction with a guaranteed showtime. Clear skies matter, and a strong aurora forecast is no help if clouds cover the sky.

The northern location gives you a good setting for an aurora hunt, but nobody can promise a sighting. The tour may operate and still produce no lights. You should book this outing for the chance to see the aurora, not as a guaranteed event.

There is a helpful safety net. If the evening trip runs and you do not see the Northern Lights, the company offers the trip again for free. If the tour is canceled because of weather or sky conditions, you can also need to rearrange the outing.

For that reason, I would schedule the Northern Lights trip on your first night in Akureyri whenever possible. That leaves room to move it to another evening if conditions are poor or the lights fail to appear.

Bring serious winter clothing. You will spend time outside at night, and standing still while waiting for the sky to change can feel colder than walking. Wear layers, sturdy shoes, and gloves or a hat you can keep on for the full outing.

Sigi’s role adds continuity

Guide Sigi led both the Northern Lights evening and the Mývatn day trip for one recent booking. That continuity can make a two-day package feel more connected, since you do not have to explain your plans or preferences to a new guide each time.

His approach also sounds well suited to long winter drives. He kept the group informed, added entertainment during the journey, and allowed time to explore without making the day feel rushed.

The small-group limit is 18 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach. You should have a better chance to hear the guide and get clear instructions at each stop.

The exact guide is not guaranteed for every departure, so treat Sigi as a possible guide rather than a promised feature. Still, if he is assigned to your outings, having the same person for both is a real advantage.

What $350 gets you

At $350 per person, the package is not the cheapest way to see one Icelandic attraction. It becomes more reasonable when you use the airport shuttle, take both guided excursions, and would otherwise need to arrange transport to Lake Mývatn and a separate Northern Lights trip.

The value is strongest for visitors without a rental car. You avoid winter driving, route planning, and the stress of deciding where to go when clouds move across the region. You also get an English-speaking guide who can explain the geological sights as you go.

The price does not include meals, drinks, personal expenses, or Nature Baths admission. Those extras can add up, so budget for food during the day and the optional soak if you want it.

If you only want a Northern Lights hunt, this package is more than you need. If you already have transport to Mývatn, the same is true. The best fit is someone who wants both outings and values having the transportation arranged.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now, pay-later terms add some flexibility. Still, you should check the exact starting times and pickup instructions before finalizing your plans.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this for a first visit to North Iceland, especially if you are staying in Akureyri for at least two nights and do not want to rent a car in winter. You get a solid introduction to the region’s waterfalls, volcanic features, geothermal areas, and night sky.

It also suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer a guided day with several stops rather than a single attraction. The route is varied enough to keep the day interesting, and the evening hunt gives you a completely different kind of outing.

Families should consider the late Northern Lights departure and cold outdoor waiting time. The data provided does not give a minimum age or specific child policy, so confirm those details before booking with young children.

This is less suitable if you want long hikes, private transportation, or a slow schedule focused on one location. The strength of the tour is its range: you see many places in a compact period.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn winter special?

Book it if you want a convenient two-day introduction to northeastern Iceland and plan to take both the Mývatn and Northern Lights trips. The combination of Goðafoss, lava formations, geothermal ground, Dimmuborgir, and a night outside Akureyri gives you a lot of variety.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the organized transport, small group, airport service for EasyJet passengers, and the option to repeat the Northern Lights hunt if conditions fail. Guide Sigi’s reported combination of information and humor is another welcome bonus when available.

Think twice if the $350 price stretches your budget or if you already have your own vehicle and Northern Lights plans. Also remember that the Nature Baths are extra and that the aurora remains uncertain.

For the right visitor, this is a practical way to see the best-known sights around Lake Mývatn without taking on winter driving. Just plan the Northern Lights outing early in your stay, pack warm clothes, and leave room in your budget for the optional bath and meals.

FAQ

How long does the Lake Mývatn and Northern Lights experience last?

The experience lasts two days. The Northern Lights tour starts at 9:30 PM, and the Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths tour starts at 9 AM.

Is airport pickup included?

A complimentary airport shuttle is included for EasyJet passengers who purchase a combo tour. You need to provide your flight information, and accommodation details are needed for the tour pickups.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and sky conditions. If the tour operates but you do not see the lights, the company offers the trip again for free.

Is entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission to the Nature Baths is not included. You must also bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the baths.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, layers, comfortable shoes, and sturdy footwear. Pack a swimsuit and towel if you plan to visit the Nature Baths.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live tour guide. The group is limited to 18 participants.