From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

Volcanoes, waterfalls, and sulfur in one day. This six-hour trip from Akureyri packs North Iceland’s strangest sights into a manageable route, from the broad waters of Lake Mývatn to the steaming mud pools at Námaskarð. You travel by coach, with pickup and drop-off at the cruise port, so you can see a great deal without renting a car or trying to read Icelandic road signs.

I like the variety of stops. Goðafoss gives you rushing water and a powerful historical story, while Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð feel like entirely different worlds. I also like the guides’ role in bringing the scenery to life. Guides such as Nico, Ritchie, Kjartan, Alan, and Matthias have been praised for clear commentary, humor, and useful cultural details.

The main drawback is time. You get to see the major sights, but some stops feel brisk, especially when a full bus is waiting for everyone to return. The packed lunch is useful, though the sandwich has received mixed marks. If you want long walks or quiet time at each site, a private trip or a longer stay around Mývatn would suit you better.

Key points at a glance

• Goðafoss comes first: The 30-meter-wide waterfall is a dramatic opening stop, with black volcanic rock framing the foaming water.
• Lake Mývatn’s craters are not true volcanoes: At Skútustaðagígar, steam explosions formed grassy crater-like mounds when hot lava met wet ground.
• Dimmuborgir feels wonderfully odd: Short walking routes lead through twisted lava formations that Icelandic children often imagine as trolls.
• Námaskarð is the sensory high point: Boiling mud pools, geothermal steam, bare earth, and a strong sulfur smell make this stop feel almost extraterrestrial.
• The tour works well for cruise passengers: Port pickup, a six-hour schedule, WiFi, and a return to Akureyri make planning simple.
• Bring patience and practical clothing: The coach covers long distances, and weather, crowds, late arrivals, midges, or a slow start can affect how much time you have at the final stop.

Why this six-hour route works from Akureyri

The tour starts at Gránufélagsgata 50, near the port parking area, and covers the major sights around Mývatn in one loop. The drive to Goðafoss takes about 40 minutes, followed by another 40-minute ride to Skútustaðagígar. From there, the stops are closer together, before the long return drive to Akureyri.

That structure matters. Mývatn is not just a quick outing from town, and the route includes roughly 160 minutes of coach travel. The bus turns those long stretches into useful time for commentary and views rather than navigation. Guides have filled the ride with stories about Icelandic customs, horses, sheep, folklore, history, and daily life.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 793 bookings, and the strongest praise goes to the guides and drivers. Nico was singled out for detailed, entertaining commentary, while Ritchie used WhatsApp to share information and location pins. Alan was praised for keeping up a steady stream of useful information, and several guides were described as friendly, attentive, and funny.

That quality can shape your day. The scenery is impressive on its own, but a good explanation helps you understand why the craters are unusual, why the waterfall matters to Icelandic history, and why the geothermal ground smells like rotten eggs.

Goðafoss: a powerful first stop

After about 40 minutes on the bus, you reach Goðafoss for around 45 minutes. The waterfall spreads across a broad, semicircular opening about 30 meters wide. Water pours over dark volcanic rock, creating one of the cleanest contrasts on the route: white spray, black stone, and open northern sky.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. Its story is tied to Iceland’s conversion from pagan beliefs to Christianity. According to the traditional account, lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made a public decision to adopt Christianity and symbolically threw images of the old gods into the falls.

You do not need a long walk to appreciate Goðafoss, which makes it a good opening stop for a mixed-age group. The 45-minute pause gives you time to see the falls, take photographs, and use nearby visitor facilities if needed. Several people have called the waterfall one of the day’s finest sights.

Weather can change the mood quickly. Mist and cold can soften the views, while clear weather brings out the shape of the falls and surrounding rock. Wear a waterproof outer layer even if Akureyri looks calm when you leave.

Skútustaðagígar and the curious craters of Mývatn

The next major stop is Skútustaðagígar, where you have about 20 minutes to see the pseudo craters beside Lake Mývatn. These low, grassy mounds resemble volcanic cones, but they did not form from lava erupting through the ground.

Instead, lava flowed into wet ground around the lake. The intense heat met water, causing steam explosions that shaped the crater-like forms. That explanation is one of the most useful pieces of geology on the tour because it changes how you look at the site. The rounded shapes are not just pretty hills. They record a violent meeting between molten rock and water.

Twenty minutes is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not for a long walk around the area. If you have mobility limits, ask the guide about the best accessible viewpoint. One guide and driver received special praise for helping a passenger who used a wheelchair, though access can vary from one stop to another.

The Mývatn area is also known for small flying insects called midges. They can be bothersome in summer, and several people specifically wished they had been warned. A head net can be useful, especially around the lake in warmer weather. It may look excessive until the insects arrive.

Dimmuborgir: lava formations with a storybook feel

A short 10-minute drive brings you to Dimmuborgir, the Dark Fortress, for about 55 minutes. This is one of the best stops for walking. Paths lead through a field of twisted lava formations, arches, towers, and rough black rock.

The shapes formed when molten lava cooled around pockets of water and collapsed in unusual ways. Icelandic children often see troll-like figures in these rocks, and it is easy to understand why. The formations look less like ordinary stone and more like the remains of a giant ruined city.

The 55-minute visit gives you enough time for a worthwhile walk, though you still need to watch the clock. Stay aware of the meeting time and the route back to the bus. The group cannot leave until everyone is accounted for, and late returns have caused delays on some days.

Dimmuborgir is also the place where the packed lunch may come into play. The meal includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice, with a bottle of water listed as part of the lunch details. The sandwich is convenient, but opinions have ranged from tasty and satisfying to bland, with too much mayonnaise and not enough chicken.

Do not assume you can eat wherever you like. One person found that lunch could not be eaten at certain tables near the lava formations. If you prefer a more substantial meal, you may want to buy extra food at a visitor center when time allows.

Námaskarð: the stop you smell before you see

After about 15 minutes on the road, you reach Námaskarð for approximately 40 minutes. This geothermal area is the tour’s most unusual stop. The ground is bare and heavily marked by boiling water, steam vents, and bubbling mud pools.

The sulfur smell is strong. Some people find it fascinating, while others find it hard to ignore. The air can smell like rotten eggs, and the scent may cling to the memory of the place more firmly than the photographs do.

Stay on the marked paths. The ground around the mud pools is hot and unstable, and the colorful crusts are not safe to wander across. This is not a site for making your own route. Your guide should explain where you can walk, but keep watching the signs and barriers.

The colors and textures are the reward. Brown, orange, gray, and yellow mineral deposits spread across the ground, while mud bubbles and steam rises nearby. Several guides described Námaskarð as the day’s most otherworldly stop. The combination of heat, smell, and empty ground makes it feel unlike the waterfall and lake visits earlier in the day.

The final 80-minute drive returns you to Akureyri. That is a long ride, but it gives you a chance to rest after walking through the geothermal area.

What the bus ride and timing mean for you

The coach is fitted with WiFi, which is helpful for checking messages or sharing photos, though one person wished for USB charging. The buses are positioned near Gránufélagsgata 50, and guides wear orange jackets or vests marked with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

If your ship uses Tangarbryggja Pier, meet the guide in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the Visitor Center by the cruise port. Check your pier carefully, since a wrong meeting link caused confusion for one booking party.

The schedule generally runs smoothly, but this is a group tour. A late departure, a person getting on the wrong bus, or a slow return from a stop can cut into your time. One person reported getting back to the port 45 minutes late, while another noted that a late start left less time at Námaskarð.

That does not make the tour a poor choice, but it matters if you have a strict ship departure. Confirm the return plan before booking and avoid assuming that every stop will run exactly to the printed minutes. The operator has a strong record of returning cruise passengers, but no road schedule in Iceland is immune to weather, traffic, or group delays.

Price, lunch, and overall value

At $187 per person, this is not a cheap day out. The price includes port pickup and drop-off, a guide in English or German, WiFi, transport, and a packed lunch. You also avoid car rental, fuel, navigation, and the work of organizing several distant sights yourself.

The value looks better when compared with cruise excursions. A booking party of four paid about half the price of a similar cruise ship outing and covered the same general route. That is the strongest reason to consider this option if you are comfortable managing your own meeting time rather than booking through the ship.

The lunch is adequate rather than a major feature. A chicken or vegan sandwich, chocolate bar, and juice will keep you going, but you should not expect a full café meal. Bring extra snacks if you eat a lot, and check whether you want to carry additional water. The supplied information lists water with the packed lunch, while the general inclusions also say bottled water is not included, so it is sensible to bring your own bottle.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want to see several famous North Iceland sights in one day and prefer not to drive. It suits cruise passengers, first-time visitors, families, and anyone who values a guide’s stories as much as the views.

It also works well for people who enjoy variety. You move from a waterfall to pseudo craters, then to lava formations and geothermal mud pools. No single stop dominates the day, so the route stays interesting even during the longer bus stretches.

You may want another option if you prefer slow travel. The 20-minute crater stop is short, and some people felt rushed at several locations. A private trip would give you more control, while spending more than one day around Mývatn would allow longer walks and more relaxed meals.

Accessibility depends on the exact route and conditions at each stop. A guide and driver were praised for helping a wheelchair user, but you should discuss your needs before booking rather than assume every path is fully accessible.

Should you book the Mývatn tour from Akureyri?

Book it if your priority is maximum variety in one organized day. Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð show four very different sides of North Iceland, and the guides often add thoughtful stories about culture and local life.

Skip it if you need long, unhurried visits or a guaranteed exact return time. For most cruise passengers and first-time visitors, though, the route offers strong value at $187, especially compared with a ship excursion. Bring layers, sturdy shoes, a snack, your own water, and perhaps a midge net. Then let the guide handle the road while you watch the volcanic country roll past the window.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts about six hours, including transport and sightseeing stops.

Where does the tour start?

The main starting location is Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri.

Where should I meet the guide if my ship uses Tangarbryggja Pier?

Meet the guide in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. Guides wear an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

Where should I meet the guide if my ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier?

Meet the guide at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered with live guides speaking English or German.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The packed lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The tour information also lists a bottle of water with the lunch.

What sights are included?

The route includes Goðafoss Waterfall, Skútustaðagígar by Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the Námaskarð geothermal area.

Is WiFi available on the bus?

Yes. WiFi on board is included.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.

Is it possible to reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking terms allow you to reserve your place and pay later.