Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall from Akureyri Port

Volcanic wonders make a fine day out. This six-hour coach tour links Goðafoss Waterfall with Lake Mývatn’s lava formations, pseudo-craters, and steaming mud pools, giving you a broad look at North Iceland without arranging several separate rides. I especially like the easy port pickup and the mix of geology, folklore, and wide-open scenery. The main drawback is pace: with four stops, a full bus, and long drives, some visitors may find certain stops brief.

The price is $171.80 per person, which is reasonable for a cruise-port excursion covering this much ground, especially with transport, WiFi, entrance costs, and a drink and Icelandic pastry included. You should also prepare for changeable weather, uneven paths, midges around Lake Mývatn, and a guide whose English may be harder to follow on some departures.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss is the visual high point: The broad waterfall drops about 12 meters in the glacial Skjálfandafljót River and is easy to reach on foot.
• Four very different stops fill six hours: You see a waterfall, pseudo-craters, lava formations, and an active geothermal field.
• Mývatn means midges are part of the deal: Bring a fine mesh head covering if insects bother you, especially in warm, still weather.
• The coach saves time but may feel busy: Capacity is up to 50 people, and full departures can mean slower boarding and tighter seats.
• The guide can make the bus rides worthwhile: Guides such as Runar, Lukas, Dodi, Michael, Michiel, and Reynor have been praised for stories, geology, humor, and clear organization.
• Pack lunch, water, and layers: Lunch is not included, and Iceland can serve sun, rain, wind, and cold within one outing.

Leaving Akureyri for North Iceland

The tour begins at Gránufélagsgata 51 in Akureyri and ends back at the same meeting point. Cruise passengers should look for the nearby Saga Travel booth after leaving the ship. The company uses red-jacketed staff, and an orange-colored booth has been easy to spot at the port.

The first part of the outing is not a sightseeing stop so much as a useful transfer period. About 15 minutes is allowed at the Akureyri start, followed by driving through the countryside. Since travel time counts toward the six-hour total, you should think of this as a compact regional tour, not a relaxed day with long walks at every site.

The coach includes WiFi, which is a pleasant extra during the longer stretches. The bus has been described as clean and comfortable, though full departures can feel crowded. One departure had only 10 people on a 50-seat coach, while other groups found the bus packed. That difference can change the feel of the day considerably.

The guide provides commentary between stops, covering Icelandic geology, local stories, volcanoes, and folklore. The strongest guides have been praised for keeping the group on schedule while still answering questions. Runar, Lukas, Dodi, Michael, Michiel, and Reynor are among the guides specifically remembered for humor and useful explanations. One important caution: a few passengers found a guide’s accent and the coach audio difficult to understand. If the commentary matters greatly to you, sit nearer the front and tell the guide promptly if you cannot hear.

Goðafoss: the easiest dramatic stop

Goðafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods, drops roughly 12 meters into a gorge below. It sits on the Skjálfandafljót River, which carries water from Iceland’s glacier country toward the sea.

This is a strong opening or closing stop because the waterfall is both powerful and easy to see. The walk to the falls is not described as difficult, and you can get close enough for excellent photographs. The river, dark rock, and white water make this one of the day’s most rewarding places even if your time is limited.

Allow yourself a few minutes to take in the full width of the falls rather than aiming every photo at the main drop. Wind and spray can make the viewing area feel colder than expected, so keep your rain shell handy even on a clear morning.

A cup of coffee or tea and an Icelandic pastry are included at Hotel Goðafoss. This small refreshment is more useful than it sounds, especially because lunch is not part of the tour. Some departures have described the treat as a coffee and doughnut, while the tour information calls it an Icelandic treat.

Restrooms are available at the hotel. The timing of this stop can vary, since the company may change the order to suit the day. One small group went to the farthest point first and gained extra time at each stop, while other departures followed the advertised sequence.

Skútustaðir and the crater row at Lake Mývatn

Skútustaðir gives you a broad view over Lake Mývatn and its unusual pseudo-craters. These formations were not created by a normal volcanic eruption. They formed when hot lava met wet ground and trapped water exploded as steam, leaving crater-like shapes behind.

This is a useful stop for understanding why the Mývatn area is so unusual. You are not simply looking at a pretty lake. The shore and surrounding formations show how water and volcanic heat have worked together over time.

There is an information center for the Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve, and free toilets are available here. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so you will have time to look around, take photos, and get a quick sense of the area, but not enough for a long walk.

The main nuisance is the midges. Lake Mývatn’s name is tied to these small flies, and they can gather around the lake in warm, calm conditions. They do not generally bite, but they can fly around your face and become very irritating. A fine mesh hood or head net is a practical item to bring. Mesh hoods can also be bought locally, according to the information provided.

This is one place where your expectations matter. If you love unusual volcanic forms and bird-rich wetland scenery, the stop is worthwhile. If you dislike insects or prefer large, dramatic sights, you may find it less memorable than Goðafoss or Dimmuborgir.

Dimmuborgir and Iceland’s troll-shaped lava

Dimmuborgir is the tour’s best stop for strange rock shapes and local folklore. The lava fields formed in a magma lagoon about 2,300 years ago. As the lava cooled, it left behind arches, pillars, caves, and rough walls that can look like frozen creatures.

I like this stop because it joins natural science with Icelandic storytelling. The formations are easy to view at close range, and guides often explain how the shapes formed while pointing out the figures that have inspired tales of trolls and hidden people.

The scheduled time is about 50 minutes, making it the longest stop. That gives you enough time for a walk through the formations, though you should not wander too far from the guide or bus. One family became separated after following yellow trail markers too far and ended up about an hour away from the coach. The guide was able to help coordinate a pickup, but the lesson is simple: follow the route the guide recommends and turn back well before your departure time.

The walking surface includes paved and uneven ground, with some gentle slopes. The tour suits most people who can manage a moderate stroll, but it is not a fully accessible coach-side sightseeing stop. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and keep your phone with you in case you need to contact the group.

Toilets at Dimmuborgir require a small payment of 3 Icelandic krona, according to the practical information provided. That is a tiny cost, but it is worth carrying a little cash or checking before you go.

Namafjall Hverir: steam, sulfur, and bubbling mud

At Namafjall Hverir, the ground is busy with geothermal activity. You will see steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and bare, colorful earth. The area can look almost unreal, with vapor rising from cracks and pools that churn without visible water flow.

This is the most striking stop for some people and the least pleasant for others. Sulfur creates the familiar rotten-egg smell, and there are no facilities at the site. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, which is enough to walk around the main area and take photos without making the smell overwhelming for too long.

Stay on marked paths and do not approach the mud pools closely. The ground around geothermal features can be dangerously hot, even when the surface appears solid. The attraction is the sight of an active geothermal field, not a place for a long walk.

I would not judge this stop by ordinary scenic standards. Hverir is not soft, green, or postcard-pretty. It shows Iceland’s raw volcanic side, and the sulfur smell is part of the experience. If you want polished viewpoints and cafés, you may find it harsh. If you enjoy geology, the bubbling ground and fumaroles are exactly the reason to come.

How the timing works on a six-hour tour

The advertised schedule allows about 15 minutes at Akureyri, 40 minutes at Goðafoss, 20 minutes at Skútustaðir, 50 minutes at Dimmuborgir, and 20 minutes at Namafjall Hverir. The return drive from the Mývatn area to Akureyri takes about one hour.

That leaves a large portion of the day for driving, which is unavoidable when visiting these sites from the port. The coach route covers a wide area, and the scenery between stops changes from fields to volcanic ground and open views.

Some people find the pace just right. You get a clear taste of four major sights without spending the day on one long hike. Others feel the stops are rushed, especially if they want time for a longer walk or a quiet meal.

I would treat this as a highlights tour. You are collecting a strong first look at North Iceland rather than exploring Lake Mývatn in depth. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend every minute taking pictures. At several stops, the best reward is simply looking around and listening to the guide.

Food, weather, walking, and what to pack

Lunch is not included, and the tour takes only a short lunch break. Bring a packed meal, snack, and water so you do not lose sightseeing time searching for food. The coffee or tea and pastry at Hotel Goðafoss are welcome, but they are not a substitute for lunch.

Dress in layers. The weather can shift from sunshine to rain and sharp wind within the same day. A waterproof outer layer, warm mid-layer, hat, and sturdy walking shoes will serve you better than a single heavy coat.

The walking is generally moderate, but you should expect uneven ground at Dimmuborgir and geothermal paths at Hverir. The full day can add up to several miles of walking, depending on how much you explore. If gentle slopes are difficult for you, stay close to the guide and ask for the easiest route.

For Lake Mývatn, add a fine mesh head net if you have one. Midges can be the difference between an enjoyable stop and an irritating one. You may also want sunglasses, since they help with wind and insects.

Is $171.80 good value?

At $171.80, this is not a bargain coach ride, but it covers a lot. You receive port transfers, transport, WiFi, fees and taxes, the guide, and four major stops. The tour also removes the need to arrange a rental car, navigate unfamiliar roads, or monitor the ship’s return schedule yourself.

For cruise passengers, the value is especially clear. You can see the Mývatn area and return to Akureyri within the six-hour window, with the tour ending back at the meeting point. One direct comparison described the cost as about half that of a similar ship excursion, though prices can vary by cruise line and date.

The trade-off is group size and limited flexibility. A maximum of 50 people means you may wait while others board, and a full coach can feel tight. You also cannot replace a stop you dislike with extra time at Goðafoss.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Akureyri excursion?

I would book this tour if you are visiting Akureyri by cruise ship and want a wide sample of North Iceland in one day. It is particularly good for first-time visitors who want waterfalls, lava, geothermal activity, local stories, and volcanic scenery without hiring a car.

It suits families, older adults who can manage gentle walking, photographers, geology fans, and anyone who prefers a guide to explain what they are seeing. The coach rides are long enough that a good guide matters, and the best departures turn the driving into part of the experience with stories about Icelandic culture and volcanoes.

I would think twice if you want a slow, quiet day, dislike buses, need a full meal break, or are very bothered by midges and sulfur smells. You should also be comfortable with a full schedule and the possibility that the guide’s accent or coach audio may not be perfect.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours, including driving time. The return drive from the Lake Mývatn area to Akureyri takes about one hour.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Gránufélagsgata 51, 600 Akureyri, Iceland. Cruise passengers should look for Saga Travel staff near the port after leaving the ship.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Akureyri. Some departures may also let you off in town at the end.

What sights are included?

The tour visits Goðafoss Waterfall, the crater row at Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir Lava Formations, and Namafjall Hverir geothermal fields.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the tour includes a short lunch break. Coffee or tea and an Icelandic treat are provided at Hotel Goðafoss.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Port transfers and coach transportation are included. The coach also offers WiFi.

How large is the group?

The tour can have a maximum of 50 participants. Some departures may be much smaller, but a full coach is possible.

Do I need special clothing?

You should bring layers and rain gear because the weather can change quickly. Comfortable shoes are useful for paved and uneven paths.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want the most varied snapshot of North Iceland you can reasonably fit into six hours from Akureyri. Goðafoss and Dimmuborgir are the safest highlights, while Skútustaðir and Hverir add the less polished but more unusual sides of the Mývatn region.

Bring lunch, layers, sturdy shoes, and insect protection. Sit near the front for clearer commentary, stay near the group at Dimmuborgir, and accept that the coach may be full. With those expectations, $171.80 buys a well-organized day across some of Iceland’s strangest and most memorable volcanic country.