Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

Night skies, hot water, volcanic drama. This two-day outing from Akureyri packs North Iceland’s best natural sights into one well-planned package. I like the mix of daytime scenery and evening aurora hunting, and I like the small group size, limited to 18 people. The main catch is that Northern Lights sightings depend on weather and darkness, so nature gets the final say.

I also like the practical airport service for passengers arriving on easyJet flights, plus the chance to book the Northern Lights outing early in your stay. If the lights do not appear, the operator offers another trip free of charge, subject to availability. The Mývatn Nature Baths cost extra, and recent refurbishment issues show why you should keep your plans flexible.

Key points to know

• Two different tours over two days: See Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss by day, then leave Akureyri after dark to search for the aurora.
• A strong volcanic itinerary: Grjótagjá, Hverarönd, Dimmuborgir, and Skútustaðagígar each show a different side of the Mývatn area.
• Small group travel: The group is limited to 18 people, making stops easier to manage than on a large coach tour.
• Nature Baths are optional and extra: Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to soak, and confirm the baths are operating before you go.
• Good timing matters: Schedule the Northern Lights tour for your first night in Akureyri so you have a chance to repeat it.
• Airport help for easyJet passengers: A complimentary shuttle can take you from Akureyri Airport to your accommodation and back on departure day.

What the two-day plan actually includes

This is best understood as two separate outings sold together. The daytime tour begins at 9 AM and focuses on Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and the volcanic sights around the lake. The Northern Lights tour begins at 9:30 PM and usually lasts into the night, depending on the search area and conditions.

The package costs $350 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see North Iceland, but the price includes both guided outings, the Northern Lights hunt, and airport transfers for eligible easyJet passengers. You are paying for transport, a guide, planning, and the chance to cover sights that are spread across the region without arranging a rental car.

Meals, drinks, personal expenses, and entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths are not included. Those extra costs are easy to understand, but they matter when you compare this with a self-drive day.

The package works best if you have two days in Akureyri and want someone else to handle the driving. It is also useful if you are arriving by easyJet and would rather not sort out an airport transfer after landing.

Starting beside Eyjafjörður at 9 AM

The daytime route begins along the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The drive gives you a sense of the setting around Akureyri before the route turns toward the Mývatn area.

On the return, the tour makes another stop in Eyjafjörður, where you can look across the fjord toward Akureyri and take a wide scenic photo. This final viewpoint is a nice touch because it lets you see the town from outside rather than simply arriving back at your accommodation.

You should expect a full day of stops rather than a single attraction with a quick photo break. The timing is designed to let you get out, look around, and take pictures without feeling hurried. One of the strongest parts of the trip is the balance between driving and short walks.

Goðafoss gives the day an excellent start

The first major stop is Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the broad, curving drop gives you a powerful first look at the region’s natural force.

This is a good stop early in the day because it is easy to appreciate even if you are not a serious hiker. You can focus on the falling water, the surrounding rock, and the changing view from different points near the falls.

Bring sturdy shoes. Even a simple waterfall stop can be slippery in winter, and the tour specifically recommends comfortable footwear and warm clothing. A waterproof outer layer is also sensible, although the supplied information does not specify what facilities are available at the stop.

Lake Mývatn explains North Iceland’s volcanic character

Lake Mývatn was formed by a major basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. That single fact helps explain why the area feels so different from an ordinary lakeside stop.

The lake is surrounded by volcanic features, including lava pillars, rootless vents, and unusual rock shapes. Instead of seeing one dramatic sight and moving on, you get a series of geological scenes that show how fire and water shaped the area.

The guide-led format is useful here. A good explanation can turn strange-looking rock into a readable story about eruptions and cooling lava. Sigi, also called Ziggie in one account of the trip, guided the full itinerary for several visitors and kept the drive both informative and entertaining.

The lake itself is only part of the appeal. The surrounding area gives you a clear picture of how volcanic activity can create craters, caves, pillars, and lava fields within a relatively compact route.

Grjótagjá brings a cave into the itinerary

Grjótagjá is a cave associated with geothermal water and volcanic rock. It adds variety to the day because you are no longer looking across open scenery. Instead, you get a closer look at the underground side of Iceland’s volcanic activity.

The stop is interesting even if you do not spend long inside the cave. It helps connect the visible lava features around Mývatn with the heat beneath the ground.

Do not expect every stop to function like a formal attraction with a large visitor center. Much of the appeal comes from seeing raw natural features with a guide who explains what you are looking at. That also means conditions underfoot and access may vary with the weather.

Hverarönd shows the earth still working

At Hverarönd in Námaskarð, you see a hot spring area with geothermal activity close to the surface. This is one of the more striking stops on the route because the ground itself becomes the subject.

The colors, steam, and bubbling earth give you a strong sense that Iceland is still geologically active. Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. Hot ground is not a place for casual wandering, even when the scenery makes you want to get closer.

For me, this stop adds needed contrast to the waterfall and lake. Goðafoss shows moving water, Mývatn shows volcanic formation, and Hverarönd shows heat rising from below.

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the comfort stop

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the relaxing part of the day. If you choose this option, you can soak in geothermal water while taking in the volcanic surroundings.

Entry is not included in the $350 price, and you must bring your own swimsuit and towel. That makes the bath a choice rather than a surprise expense, but you should budget for it before departure.

The baths can be a wonderful counterpoint to a cold winter day. After hours outside, warm geothermal water gives you time to rest rather than collect another sight. Still, check operating conditions before you set your expectations.

During a recent winter departure, the Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment. The operator offered an alternative that required a 45-minute drive, and one person chose instead to explore a local town while the rest of the group visited the replacement baths. That is a useful warning: the bathing portion can change, and you should be comfortable with skipping it if the alternative does not appeal to you.

Dimmuborgir is the day’s most unusual rock stop

Dimmuborgir means Dark Fortress, a fitting name for an area filled with strange lava formations. The rocks look less like ordinary cooled lava and more like the remains of broken walls and towers.

This is one of the most memorable stops around Lake Mývatn because the shapes invite close inspection. You can walk among the formations and see how uneven cooling and collapse created such unusual forms.

The route is not just a list of famous names. Dimmuborgir gives you a chance to move around at a human pace after several roadside viewpoints. Wear shoes with good grip, especially in winter.

Skútustaðagígar adds another volcanic puzzle

The final major Mývatn stop is Skútustaðagígar, an area known for pseudocraters. These formations look like volcanic craters, but they did not form from direct eruptions. They developed when lava flowed over wet ground and trapped steam below the surface.

That distinction makes the stop especially worthwhile if you enjoy learning how landforms form. The shapes are not simply scenic decoration. They reveal how lava, water, and steam interacted during the area’s volcanic past.

Taken together, Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar make the day feel varied. One focuses on dramatic lava shapes, while the other explains a less obvious type of volcanic formation.

The Northern Lights hunt begins at 9:30 PM

The evening outing leaves Akureyri at 9:30 PM and heads away from city lights. The exact direction changes each night, based on cloud cover and the best chance of finding clearer skies.

That flexible route is important. You are not going to one fixed viewing platform and hoping for the best. The guide can adjust the search area according to conditions, which gives the outing a practical purpose.

Still, no company can promise the aurora. The lights are a natural event, and the tour may operate without producing a sighting. Cloud, solar activity, and timing all matter.

The operator offers a repeat trip free of charge if the tour goes ahead but the Northern Lights do not appear. This is why I would book the evening outing for your first night in Akureyri. If conditions fail, you may have another evening available for a second attempt. If you schedule it for your last night, that safety net has little value.

Dress for standing outside, not just riding in a vehicle. Warm layers, sturdy shoes, and patience matter more than a stylish coat. You may spend time waiting for the sky to clear, so comfort is part of the viewing strategy.

Why the small group size matters

The group is limited to 18 people. That is still large enough for a social outing, but it should feel easier to manage than a full-size coach tour.

Small groups are especially useful on a day with many stops. You spend less time waiting for people to return to the vehicle, and the guide has a better chance to answer questions during the drive.

The strongest personal praise has focused on Sigi, also known as Ziggie, who guided both the daytime and evening outings for several bookings. His role went beyond driving. He kept people informed, added humor, and helped the day feel organized without making it feel rushed.

That personal continuity is valuable. You do not have to explain your plans to a new guide every few hours, and the same person can help you understand how the two outings fit together.

Airport transfers make this package more useful

Passengers arriving on easyJet flights can receive a complimentary shuttle from Akureyri Airport to their accommodation. On departure day, the operator also provides transport back to the airport.

You need to provide your easyJet flight details in advance so the pickup can be arranged. You also need to provide accommodation information for the tour pickups.

This is not a minor detail if you are traveling without a car. Airport transport can be awkward in a smaller Icelandic town, and having it built into the package removes one task from your arrival and departure days.

If you are not arriving on an easyJet flight, confirm exactly what pickup arrangements apply before paying. The included airport service is specifically described for easyJet passengers.

Who should book this two-day tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want Lake Mývatn’s main sights without driving in winter. It suits people who value a planned route, a small group, and a guide who can explain the geology along the way.

It is also a good fit if the Northern Lights are a major reason for visiting North Iceland. The free repeat option gives you some protection against a cloudy night, but only if you leave room in your schedule.

The tour may be less suitable if you want long hikes, private transport, or complete control over every stop. You also need to accept that the Nature Baths cost extra and may be closed or replaced.

Families and older visitors should consider the cold, uneven ground, and long day. The tour recommends warm clothing and sturdy shoes, and that advice should be taken seriously.

What to bring and how to plan the days

Pack warm layers, comfortable shoes, and a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the baths. Keep your camera and phone protected from moisture around waterfalls and geothermal areas.

Plan your meals and drinks because none are included. The itinerary covers many sights, but the supplied details do not promise meals along the way.

Leave flexibility around the evening outing. Weather can affect both tours, and the Northern Lights hunt may be canceled or moved. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still changing.

My verdict: a strong North Iceland package with one clear caveat

At $350, this is good value if you use the airport transfers, join both outings, and want a guide handling the route. The best parts are the varied Mývatn itinerary, the small group, and the practical second chance if the aurora does not appear.

I would book it if you have two days in Akureyri, are visiting in winter, and do not want to drive. Book early in your stay, bring serious cold-weather clothing, and treat the Nature Baths as an optional extra rather than a guaranteed centerpiece.

Skip it if you need guaranteed Northern Lights, included meals, or a private itinerary. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see Goðafoss, volcanic Mývatn, geothermal features, and the northern sky in a short stay.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The package lasts two days. It includes a daytime Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour starting at 9 AM, plus a Northern Lights tour starting at 9:30 PM.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide operates in English.

Is the group small?

Yes. The group is limited to 18 participants.

Is airport pickup included?

A complimentary airport shuttle is included for passengers arriving on easyJet flights. You must provide your flight information and accommodation details so pickup can be arranged.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings depend on weather and sky conditions.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

If the evening tour operates but the lights are not seen, the operator offers the trip again free of charge. Booking it for your first night gives you the best chance to use this option.

Is entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entry to the Nature Baths is an extra cost.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. If you plan to use the Nature Baths, bring a swimsuit and towel.