Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri

Godafoss is the quick knockout punch on this day out. Then the scenery turns stranger: steaming ground, bubbling mud, lava towers, a flooded cave, and the broad volcanic basin of Lake Myvatn. You get a strong taste of northern Iceland without renting a car.

I like the small-group van, capped at 18 people, and the way guides such as Armann, Daniel, and Norbert add local stories, geology, and Viking folklore. I also like the range of stops: this is not just a waterfall trip. The extra cost for the Myvatn Nature Baths, plus a long day with plenty of driving, is the main thing to weigh.

Key points to know before booking

• Godafoss comes early: You reach the Waterfall of the Gods on the road from Akureyri to Myvatn, with about 20 minutes for photographs.
• Lake Myvatn packs in several worlds: Expect lava formations, pseudocraters, geothermal vents, mud pools, and a cave with a dramatic rift.
• The Nature Baths are optional and cost extra: Admission is listed at ISK 7,400 per person, with food and drinks also excluded.
• The group stays fairly small: The van carries no more than 18 people, and guides can sometimes adjust the order of stops.
• It is a full eight-hour outing: Pickup and drop-off are included, but the schedule leaves little room for a leisurely lunch and every major stop.
• Cruise passengers need care: One experience ran late enough that passengers barely made it back to their ship, so ship departure times matter.

Why this northern Iceland day makes sense

Lake Myvatn and Godafoss give you two very different sides of Iceland in one day. Godafoss is pure drama: a wide, pale-blue river breaks over a curved wall of rock. Around Myvatn, the mood shifts to raw earth and volcanic oddities.

I like this combination because you do not spend eight hours looking at one type of view. You move from rushing water to steaming soil, then to lava formations and warm pools. The guide fills in the gaps with explanations about Icelandic culture, geology, folklore, and daily life.

The tour begins at 9 a.m. and includes pickup and drop-off in Akureyri. That removes the need to work out a route, find parking, or drive on unfamiliar roads. It also lets you enjoy the scenery instead of watching the road.

Still, this is not a relaxed spa day. The main Lake Myvatn portion is spread over about six hours, and the drive between Akureyri and the sites takes time. You should expect a busy day with repeated walks in open weather.

Godafoss: a strong opening stop

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and the name fits the setting. The falls are broad rather than extremely tall, with several channels pouring over a horseshoe-shaped ledge. You get a clear sense of scale from the viewing areas, and the river makes a fine foreground for photographs.

The scheduled visit lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to see the waterfall and take photos, but not enough for a slow wander along every viewpoint. I would have your jacket, gloves, and camera ready before the van arrives. Icelandic weather can make a short stop feel even shorter.

The waterfall also carries a useful piece of Icelandic history. The name is tied to the country’s conversion to Christianity, when old pagan images were said to have been thrown into the falls. Your guide may connect the story to Icelandic folklore and national history.

Because Godafoss comes on the way to Myvatn, it works well as an early highlight. You get a memorable sight before the longer circuit begins. It also gives you a quick introduction to the scale and force of northern Iceland’s rivers.

Hverir and Namafjall: the earth feels alive

At Namafjall Hverir, the ground looks scraped from another planet. Steam vents rise from bare earth, mud pots bubble, and the air can carry a strong sulfur smell. The colors are subtle but striking: ochre soil, gray mud, and pale steam against a wide open setting.

This stop lasts about 20 minutes. You can see plenty in that time, though the smell may make you ready to return to the van. I like the contrast with Godafoss. The waterfall shows water in motion, while Hverir shows heat and pressure working below your feet.

Stay on the marked paths and listen closely to the guide. Boiling mud and hot steam are not props for a photograph. The site is fascinating, but it is also one of the less comfortable stops for anyone sensitive to odors or uneven ground.

Several guides are praised for explaining the science in plain language, along with local stories and humor. That matters here. Without context, Hverir can look like a collection of muddy holes. With a good explanation, it becomes a clear window into Iceland’s geothermal forces.

Grjotagja Cave and the rift

Grjotagja is a small lava cave with a striking rift and underground water. Its dark opening and rough volcanic walls give you a close look at how the area was formed. The cave is also linked to Game of Thrones, which adds a pop-culture angle for fans of the series.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough to view the cave and hear its story, but do not expect a long underground walk. The attraction is compact, and the main reward is the unusual combination of a cave, a fissure, and clear water below.

The cave has appeared in television, but the geology is the real reason to stop. The rift helps you picture the forces that shaped the wider Myvatn region. Your guide can also place the filming connection in context without letting it take over the visit.

This is one of the stops where sturdy shoes and careful footing help. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and the day includes short walks over natural ground rather than a fully paved route.

Skutustaoagigar and the pseudocraters

At Skutustaoagigar, low rounded forms rise around the edge of Lake Myvatn. These are pseudocraters, created when hot lava met wet ground and caused steam explosions. They look like small volcanic cones, but they were not formed by the same process as a conventional erupting crater.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so treat it as a focused viewpoint rather than a long hike. You get a sense of how the lake’s water, lava, and former eruptions fit together. The wide setting also gives you some of the calmer views of the day.

This is a good example of why a guide adds value. The shapes are easy to admire, but the explanation turns an unusual view into something you can understand. I appreciate stops like this because they are brief, visually clear, and different from the mud pools and lava fields.

Dimmuborgir, the Dark Castle

Dimmuborgir is a field of twisted lava formations, arches, pillars, and rough black walls. The name translates as Dark Castle, and the formations do have a fortress-like quality. Icelandic folklore gives the area an extra layer, with stories of trolls and other creatures tied to the strange shapes.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a short walk and photographs, but it may feel tight if you want to explore every path. I would not treat this as a full hiking visit. Instead, use the time to see the most accessible formations and listen to the guide’s explanation.

One useful tip is to wear shoes with a firm sole. The ground can be uneven, and winter conditions may add icy patches. A guide has supplied microspikes on at least one winter outing, but you should not assume that equipment will always be available.

Dimmuborgir is one of the most memorable parts of the route, yet it is also where the schedule may frustrate you. If this volcanic area is your main reason for booking, ask how much walking time the group expects to have.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the optional warm finish

The Myvatn Nature Baths offer the chance to soak in warm geothermal water during the Lake Myvatn circuit. The setting gives you a gentler break after several outdoor stops, and many people consider the baths a key part of the day.

The planned stop lasts about one hour, including time at the baths and cafe. Admission is not included. The listed entrance fee is ISK 7,400 per person, and food and drinks also cost extra.

That added fee changes the value calculation. At $205.15 per person, the tour already costs more than a simple transport service, but it includes the guide, vehicle, pickup, and return. Add the bath admission and perhaps lunch, and the total rises. I think the price makes the most sense if you want a guided day and would otherwise need to arrange a car or several separate visits.

You should also know that the baths have not always been available. A closure or construction issue has caused the bathing portion to be replaced or skipped on some departures. When that happens, the extra time may go to the other sights, but the experience is not the same. If soaking is your main goal, confirm the facility status before you commit.

Food is another practical issue. The timetable may force you to choose between eating a proper lunch and spending time at the baths, especially if the group schedule changes. Bring something small if you need regular food, though the tour does not include meals.

The guide can shape the whole day

The strongest part of this outing is the human side. Armann has been praised for bringing each stop to life with facts and Viking folklore. Daniel is described as witty and warm, with useful stories about Icelandic life and the places along the route. Norbert has been praised for winter driving, local explanations, and helping people across icy patches.

Those names do not guarantee who will lead your departure, but they show the sort of guide you may receive. The best guides on this route do more than announce the next stop. They explain why the mud bubbles, how lava formed the caves and towers, and what it is like to grow up in northern Iceland.

The small group helps. A maximum of 18 people is not a private tour, but it is far more manageable than a full coach. Guides have adjusted the order of visits to avoid larger crowds and have sometimes adapted the timing to suit the group.

That flexibility has limits. You still have a fixed eight-hour day and several scheduled stops. If every person wants extra time at a different place, the guide cannot give everyone a private itinerary.

Transport, timing, and cruise ship concerns

Pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That is useful if you are staying in Akureyri and want a simple start. You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is offered in English.

The route involves plenty of driving. I see that as a fair trade for reaching Godafoss and the Myvatn area in one day, but you should not book this expecting continuous walking. Most stops are short, with the main Myvatn visit taking up the middle of the day.

Cruise passengers need to be especially careful. The tour is not automatically a safe choice for every ship schedule. One departure returned so late that passengers barely made their ship, and the order of drop-offs caused added worry because another ship left later.

If you are coming from a cruise, give the operator your exact departure time and ask how the return will be handled. Leave a generous margin. A beautiful day is not worth risking your sailing.

Price, value, and who should book

The price is $205.15 per person. That is a serious spend, but it covers a full day, transport, pickup and drop-off, and a guide. For someone without a rental car, it can be a practical way to reach several far-flung sights in one outing.

The price feels strongest when you value explanation and convenience. You are paying to connect Godafoss, Hverir, Grjotagja, Skutustaoagigar, Dimmuborgir, and the Nature Baths without planning the route yourself. You are not paying for meals or the bath entrance, so budget for the extra ISK 7,400 if you want to soak.

This tour suits you if you want:

• A broad introduction to northern Iceland from Akureyri
• A guide who can explain geology, folklore, and local life
• A small group rather than a large coach
• A mix of waterfalls, lava, geothermal sites, and bathing
• An active day with short walks and frequent photo stops

I would think twice if you want a slow spa visit, a long hike at Dimmuborgir, or complete control over the schedule. I would also be cautious if your ship leaves soon after the stated return time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. The company may cancel for poor weather or too few bookings, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Myvatn tour?

I would book it for a first visit to northern Iceland, especially if I were based in Akureyri without a car. The mix is excellent: Godafoss gives you a major waterfall, Hverir and Grjotagja reveal the volcanic ground, Dimmuborgir adds folklore and striking rock shapes, and the baths offer a warm pause.

Go in with the right expectations. This is a busy sightseeing day, not a slow retreat. Confirm that the Nature Baths are open, allow extra time if you are sailing from a cruise ship, and bring warm clothing and shoes suited to uneven ground.

If those conditions work for you, the tour gives you a practical and memorable look at one of Iceland’s most unusual regions.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission is not included. The listed entrance fee is ISK 7,400 per person.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The Nature Baths stop includes access to its cafe, but purchases there cost extra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.