From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

Volcanic weirdness hits fast around Mývatn. I love how this day trip strings together steam, lava, and thunderwater with real stops you can walk around.

Two things I especially like: the Goðafoss waterfall stop gives you proper time to take it in, and the Námaskarð geothermal area feels otherworldly, with that sulfur smell and mud-pool terrain.

One drawback to plan for: it is a long day with limited time at each stop, so if you hate rushing or you want to linger, you might prefer a slower, private tour.

Key things that make this trip work

• Goðafoss time (about 45 minutes) lets you view the semi-circle falls properly from the viewpoints
• Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters look volcanic, but they form from lava hitting wetlands
• Dimmuborgir walk through lava rock gives you that eerie, storybook feeling (including troll-shape spotting)
• Námaskarð mud pools deliver strong sulfur air, so you stay on the marked paths
• Packed lunch with sandwich, chocolate bar, and juice keeps you moving without hunting for food

North Iceland in one day, without the guesswork

This tour is designed for people who have limited time in North Iceland but still want to see the big hits. You start from Akureyri, you get bus transportation, and you spend your day on foot where it counts, around the most dramatic geothermal and volcanic sights near Mývatn. At $187 per person for 6 hours, it is not a throwaway add-on, but it can feel like strong value if you compare it with typical cruise-style excursions that cram similar stops into a single day.

The best part is the pacing between sites. You are not just staring out a window. You get time at Goðafoss, a walk through Dimmuborgir, and a dedicated chunk of time at Námaskarð where the ground looks actively hostile in the way only Iceland can manage.

And yes, you should go in with the right mindset. This is Iceland’s “why is the ground doing this?” region. If you like geology, natural weirdness, and photography that looks like science fiction, you will click with this day.

Price and what you are really paying for

At $187, the value comes from three practical things. First, you are getting hotel or port pickup and dropoff in Akureyri. Second, you are not driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. Third, the included lunch keeps logistics simple.

You also get WiFi on board, which matters more than you think once you are in the middle of a long day and you want to check maps, review the day’s photos, or communicate if you split for a bathroom break. The tour also runs with a live guide in English or German, and the experience gets better when the guide can explain what you are looking at while you are standing there.

Not included: bottled water. That is usually the one place where I suggest you plan ahead. Even if you are not a big water drinker, Iceland’s geothermal areas can be dehydrating, and the bus day is long.

Pickup in Akureyri, and how the day starts

The day begins with pickup near Akureyri’s port area. If your cruise ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If you dock at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, you meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

Guides wear an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo, so you should be able to spot them fast. This sounds small, but it matters if you are coming off a ship with multiple tours clustering at once.

Once everyone is accounted for, you roll out toward North Iceland. There are stretches of driving between stops, with time blocks that keep you from feeling stuck for long stretches, but still make the total day about 6 hours.

Goðafoss waterfall, the 30m semi-circle moment

Your first major sight stop is Goðafoss. Expect around 45 minutes here, which is enough time to find your preferred viewpoint, snap photos, and enjoy the sound. The waterfall drops in a semi-circle that is roughly 30 meters wide, and the contrast is striking: foaming white water against dark volcanic rock.

Goðafoss also has a strong cultural layer. It is associated with the name waterfalls of the gods and the story of a switch from pagan worship to Christianity. That is one of those details that makes a natural stop feel more like history you can stand inside.

Potential drawback: weather and wind can push mist around. If you are doing this in shoulder season or cooler months, dress for getting a bit damp at the edges. Also, if you are sensitive to slippery footing, keep an eye on where you step near viewpoints.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, not what they look like

Next up is Skútustaðagígar, with about 20 minutes to take it in. These features look like volcanic craters, but the key idea is that they formed in a different way. The region’s volcanic activity shaped everything, yet these particular mounds formed when lava flowed into the wetlands by Lake Mývatn.

When boiling magma met lake and wet ground, it triggered steam explosions underground. That steam-driven action helped create the crater-like shapes you see today. So the scenery is dramatic, but the science is even cooler.

Why this stop is worth it: it teaches you how Iceland can remix a landscape. It is not only “lava makes lava.” In this region, water and heat combine to build forms that trick your eye.

Time note: 20 minutes can feel short if you want long walks or extra viewpoint hunting. I would use this stop to get a few angles and then move on. This tour is built for highlights, not for slow exploration.

Dimmuborgir lava fields, where trolls feel plausible

Then you head to Dimmuborgir, with about 55 minutes for sightseeing and a walk. This is one of the stops I tend to recommend most, because you can move at your own pace and read the rock shapes with your eyes.

Dimmuborgir is known for distinct, strange lava formations. A classic Iceland detail is that kids often spot troll-like shapes in the rock. Even if you come with a skeptical brain, you will probably start seeing patterns, arches, and figures once you slow down and look.

Practical advice: wear shoes with solid grip. Even in good weather, volcanic rock can be uneven. Also, bring a layer, because walking time means you will feel the wind more than you do on the bus.

Why the walk matters: on a day trip, it is easy to treat sites as photo backdrops. This one encourages you to walk and notice the differences between formations, so you end up with a more complete sense of place.

Námaskarð geothermal area, sulfur, mud pools, and strict paths

The final big feature is Námaskarð, with about 40 minutes on site. This stop is famous for geothermal activity and it has that signature smell, sulfur, that can hang in the air depending on wind. You will know you are here when the air changes and the ground looks damaged in a way that feels almost alive.

The terrain includes mud pools and a barren geothermal field marked by boiling activity. It can look alien, especially when the steam and smell roll in together. One practical tip: you must stick to the marked walking paths. That is not just for rules. It protects you from hidden heat and unstable ground.

How to make this stop enjoyable: bring patience. Geothermal areas demand that you move slowly, look down, and adjust your route to the paths available. If you try to rush, you miss the best details, and you might end up annoyed by the restricted walking routes.

Timing on a 6-hour bus day, and what to watch for

This tour has multiple drive segments and each stop is timed to fit the full route. In total, the day is compact enough that you will feel the structure, but not so short that you only peek at places.

One practical expectation: you will likely eat on the go at least once during the day unless you time your lunch perfectly. The tour includes a packed lunch, but not every site has ideal table arrangements for eating. I would plan to eat wherever it is practical and keep moving.

Also, consider that some departures can be full. A full bus changes the experience. You may wait a bit during regrouping, and small delays can compress time at later stops. I prefer to treat this as a tour built for big highlights, not one built for long, relaxed strolls at every feature.

The guide and driver make or break the vibe

A major strength of this trip is that the tour is run by a live guide who provides commentary in English or German, plus a professional driver who handles the logistics. In guest feedback, guides like Nico, Matthias, Ana, Alan, Richie Rich, and Kjartan come up again and again, and drivers including names like Gregory, Lucas, Thor, Lili, and others are mentioned as safe and helpful.

What I like about the best-guided versions of this itinerary is the way they connect the dots while you are still standing in the middle of it. Instead of just naming a site, you learn why it looks the way it does, like the pseudo-craters created by lava into wetlands or why Goðafoss carries that cultural story.

Some guides also share extra info through phone groups or photo-focused tools. If your guide does this on your departure, it can help you keep track of where you were standing and match photos later. Bring your phone charged, and do not assume you will have time to wander back and forth for lost items.

Included lunch, and how to make it work for you

The tour includes a packed lunch with a chicken or vegan sandwich, plus a chocolate bar and juice. It is convenient, especially if you are coming straight from a port schedule.

That said, lunch quality is a personal thing. Some people are happy with the included meal. Others wish it had a different taste or more satisfying portions. Either way, the smarter move is to treat the lunch as a basic fuel stop, not a gourmet picnic.

Also remember: bottled water is not included, even though water is usually helpful during long walking and geothermal air exposure. If you tend to drink a lot, plan for that gap.

Who this tour is best for, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you want a high-impact day from Akureyri and you like the idea of seeing multiple North Iceland icons in a single run. It is especially good for:

• First-timers who want Myvatn-region highlights without arranging separate rentals
• People who enjoy short walks and photo stops with guided context
• Families who want structured timing and a guide to keep the day moving

It may be less ideal if:

• You want long, slow hiking time at each site
• You dislike bus schedules and time limits
• You want to sit down for a full meal and linger for hours

If you are the type who loves “one place deeply,” you might prefer spending more than one day in the Mývatn area. But if your schedule is tight, this tour does what it says: craters, geothermal, and Goðafoss in one organized day.

Final take: should you book the Myvatn Lake, Craters, and Goðafoss tour?

I would book this tour if your priority is value of highlights and you want a guide to explain the big geology and cultural story while you are there. At $187 for 6 hours, the price is only fair if you use the included structure well, eat the packed lunch when it fits, and accept that each stop is timed.

Skip it, or consider a private option, if you hate being on a schedule or you want extra time for slow wandering. This trip rewards people who like variety more than depth.

If you are arriving from Akureyri for a day and you want to see why North Iceland looks like it belongs on another planet, the combination of Goðafoss, pseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir’s weird lava forms, and Námaskarð’s sulfur and mud pools makes it a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 6 hours.

What is included in the packed lunch?

The lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice.

Is bottled water included?

No, bottled water is not included.

What languages are the live guides?

The live tour guide is available in German and English.

Where do I meet if my cruise docks at Tangarbryggja Pier?

Meet at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50, where the guide greets you.

Where do I meet if my cruise docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier?

Meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

How much walking time is there at Dimmuborgir?

You get about 55 minutes for sightseeing and a walk at Dimmuborgir.