Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

Two nights and two very different Iceland moods. I like how this winter combo pairs Lake Mývatn geology with a real chance to chase the Northern Lights outside Akureyri. In the Lake Mývatn day, you get a guided rhythm of viewpoints and geothermal stops, and in the evening your guide picks the best place to try for clear sky. A small group also helps, so you can actually hear the story behind each stop, not just shuffle along.

One thing to weigh: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and even with smart planning you need to be OK with the idea that the evening might be weathered out. The upside is that if the tour runs and you still do not see lights, you are offered the trip again for free. Also, meals are not included, so plan on buying food on your own.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small group size (max 18) keeps the day from feeling like a bus ride in slow motion
• Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, and pseudo-craters give you volcanic variety in one full circuit
• Nature Baths are optional and cost extra, but the setting is the point
• Northern Lights hunt at 9:30 PM runs outside the city for darker skies
• Guide flexibility means the route for aurora nights can change based on clear-sky odds

Akureyri Base and easyJet Shuttle: getting started without winter friction

Akureyri is a smart base for North Iceland in winter, but only if you can get from the airport to your stay fast. This package helps with that. If you booked the combo and you are arriving on an easyJet flight into Akureyri, you get a complimentary shuttle for the transfer into town. You provide your flight details, plus your accommodation info, so the pickup is set up in advance.

In practical terms, it means less time dragging luggage around in dark, cold air, and more time actually doing the things you came for. The tour also includes a return to Akureyri Airport on your departure day, which matters when winter daylight is short and you do not want to gamble with timing.

Lake Mývatn Morning Tour (9 AM): Eyjafjörður coast to lava fields

This part starts at 9:00 AM, and it is built for people who want Iceland in chapters, not in one long blur. You drive along the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, with multiple stops designed to connect the dots between water, fire, and time.

Goðafoss waterfall, first stop for big payoff

You kick off with a stop at Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most dramatic waterfalls. The view is the headline, but the guide also frames what you are seeing in the bigger volcanic story. If you have been picturing Iceland as all ice and snow, Goðafoss is a quick reminder that water still battles the rock with force.

Tip: this is a “good photos, wet boots possible” stop. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for damp conditions, even when the air feels calm.

Lake Mývatn area origins: why this region looks the way it does

Lake Mývatn exists because of a major basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. That origin matters because the scenery is volcanic and weird in a good way: you see shapes and vents that make you think, how did nature manufacture that?

This is why I like guided structure here. The stops are spaced so you can understand what you are looking at, not just collect snapshots.

Grjótagjá cave and the hot spring area at Námaskarð

Next come two stops that feel like they belong in the same movie as each other. You visit Grjótagjá cave and then you move on to the hot spring area at Hverarönd in Námaskarð.

Grjótagjá is the kind of place that makes you instantly pay attention to details. Even if you only spend a short time, the guide’s explanations help you recognize that this is geothermal Iceland, not just a scenic roadside pull-off. Then at Hverarönd, the hot spring area gives you that classic “steam and mineral energy” feeling. It is often the moment when people start moving from casual wow to serious, I get it now wow.

Nature Baths option: geothermal relaxation with an extra fee

You have the option to relax at the Mývatn Nature Baths during the day tour. Entry is not included, and you bring your own swimwear and towel. If you choose to soak, this is where the pacing shifts from sightseeing mode to recovery mode.

Also note the realism of winter: soak time is valuable, but you do not want to show up underdressed. Bring warm layers for after, not just for getting there.

Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar: lava shapes you can walk past

On the way back you hit Dimmuborgir, a set of dramatic lava formations, and you also stop at Skútustaðagígar, the pseudocraters area. These stops are popular for a reason. The formations are built by volcanic forces acting on specific conditions, and they have a sculpted look that feels both otherworldly and oddly familiar, like the land is wearing a costume made of basalt.

You will usually get enough time to step around and explore. The main drawback is that these areas are still volcanic ground, so traction matters. Keep your shoes grippy and avoid hurrying for photos. In winter, rushing is how you end up slipping.

Eyjafjörður viewpoint near Akureyri: the photo moment that closes the loop

The last stop is along Eyjafjörður where you can look out over the fjord to Akureyri and take a great final picture. This is a nice ending because it connects the day’s geology with your actual base. You go from lava and steam to the wider region and the feeling of being tucked by water and mountains.

Nature Baths: the soak that turns a long day into a good memory

The Nature Baths stop is the “exhale” part of the morning tour. If you have never soaked in Iceland’s geothermal waters, it is a great introduction because you can feel the warmth right away, and the mineral vibe is a contrast to cold air outside.

What you need to know before you go:

• Entry fee is not included in the tour price, so factor it into your budget
• Bring swimwear and a towel, because those are not supplied
• Dress in layers for the ride, and plan something warm for after your soak

There is also a practical heads-up. On at least one recent run, the Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment. The guide handled it by driving to an alternative about 45 minutes away, and some people chose not to do the replacement. In that case, the guide dropped them in a local town to explore. That is not a guaranteed promise, but it does show how the day can flex when Iceland logistics change. If you care about the soak experience, pack for the possibility that plans may shift.

Northern Lights tour at 9:30 PM: how this hunt really works

The evening tour starts at 9:30 PM, and it is designed around one idea: get you away from light pollution and into better odds for clear sky. Your guide takes you outside Akureyri and then decides where to go each night based on what seems most likely for the best conditions.

This matters because the aurora is not a thing you switch on. It depends on solar activity, cloud cover, and the general mood of the weather. The tour is upfront that sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The upside is that you get support. If the evening tour runs and you still do not see the lights, you are offered the trip again for free. That is why I tell you to schedule your northern lights session early in your Akureyri stay. If conditions are bad one night, you want a second try without losing your vacation to date changes.

Practical tip for aurora hunting: layers beat one thick coat. You want warm clothing plus something windproof. Also, bring patience. Even when aurora chances look good, you are waiting in the dark, and you will enjoy the experience more if you have realistic expectations.

The guide and small-group setup that keeps things friendly in winter

This is a small group tour, capped at 18 participants. That size is a big deal in winter. It helps the guide keep track of people who are standing at different distances for photos. It also means you are more likely to get explanations at each stop, instead of hearing only the basics over the sound of a crowd.

Two guide names show up in people’s accounts: Sigi and Ziggie. Either way, the point is the same. The best part is not just that the driving and timing are handled. The guides also keep you informed and entertained, and they do it in a way that makes the day feel organized, not rushed.

One practical sign you are in good hands: the stop pacing includes time to actually look and explore. That can be hard with tours that feel like checklist tourism, but here the schedule is built so you can breathe, walk a bit, and enjoy the geothermal and lava sights without feeling chased out the door.

Included value: what $350 covers, and what you still pay yourself

At $350 per person for a 2-day winter package, you are paying for three major pieces:

1. The guided Lake Mývatn circuit
2. The Northern Lights hunt
3. The Akureyri airport shuttle support for easyJet arrivals

That is meaningful value because transportation, timing, and guiding effort are expensive in Iceland, especially in winter when schedules and conditions are tighter. Also, you are not just getting one experience. You are getting a geothermal day and an evening aurora search within the same package, which reduces the hassle of coordinating separate bookings.

What is not included is also clear, and it is important for your budget planning:

• Meals and drinks
• Mývatn Nature Baths entry fee
• Swimwear and towel for the baths
• Personal expenses

My advice: treat the tour price as the foundation, then budget extra for food and the bath entrance if you choose to soak. If you do soak, you will feel like you got your money’s worth because the warmth is such a contrast to cold air.

Should you book? Who this Northern Lights and Mývatn combo fits best

This package fits best if you want:

• A guided, efficient way to see Lake Mývatn’s geothermal and lava highlights
• A structured Northern Lights hunt with a second chance if the lights do not show that night
• A small-group feel, with a guide who explains what you are seeing

It is also a good match for first-timers in North Iceland who want to tick off major sites without spending time planning routes in winter. And if you are flying in on easyJet, the shuttle support is a real convenience.

You might want to think twice if you are the kind of traveler who expects guaranteed aurora sightings. No tour can promise that. You need to be comfortable with weather uncertainty and with the simple truth that the lights are a bonus, not a scheduled event.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of this Akureyri, Lake Mývatn, and Northern Lights winter package?

It runs for 2 days.

What time does the Northern Lights tour start?

The Northern Lights tour starts at 9:30 PM.

What time does the Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths tour start?

That daytime tour starts at 9 AM.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes, there is a complimentary shuttle for easyJet passengers arriving in Akureyri, as part of the combo tour purchase. Pickup details depend on the flight and accommodation information you provide.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes the airport shuttle (for eligible easyJet passengers), a guided tour of the Lake Mývatn area, and a Northern Lights hunt.

Are meals included?

No, meals and drinks are not included.

Do I need to pay extra for the Nature Baths?

Yes. Entry fee to the Mývatn Nature Baths is not included, and you should bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to go in.

Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour depends on weather and sky conditions. If the evening tour runs and the lights are not seen, you will be offered the trip again for free.