From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

The strangest sight here is not the waterfall. It is Lake Mývatn’s pseudo-craters, grassy mounds shaped by steam explosions when hot lava met wet ground. Add black lava towers, sulfur vents, and a waterfall tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, and you get a busy but memorable day from Akureyri. The scenery changes fast, which is exactly the appeal.

I like the way this trip covers several of North Iceland’s big sights without making you rent a car. I also like the guides’ strong reputation for lively storytelling, with names such as Nico, Richie, Alan, and Kjartan appearing often in passenger feedback. The main drawback is time: with six hours and four major stops, some visits feel brisk, and a late departure or slow group can shorten the final stop.

Key points to know

• Goðafoss comes first, with about 45 minutes to view the broad, horseshoe-shaped falls and hear the story behind its name.
• Skútustaðagígar’s craters are pseudo-craters, not true volcanic cones, and the short stop gives you a useful look at how they formed.
• Dimmuborgir feels like a natural sculpture garden, with a 55-minute walk among dark lava formations.
• Námaskarð is the most otherworldly stop, with boiling mud pools, bright mineral colors, and a strong sulfur smell.
• The tour is built for cruise passengers, offering port pickup, return transport, WiFi, and a packed lunch.
• You should allow for a full, tightly scheduled day, especially if the bus leaves late or passengers are slow returning to it.

Why this six-hour route works from Akureyri

North Iceland is spread out, and the best sights around Mývatn are not close enough to reach comfortably on foot from Akureyri. This trip solves that problem with a bus route that links waterfall, crater, lava, and geothermal stops in one day.

The drive from the starting point at Gránufélagsgata 50 takes about 40 minutes to Goðafoss. After that, you continue toward the Mývatn area, with short bus legs between several stops, then face an 80-minute ride back to Akureyri from Námaskarð.

That final drive matters. You are not spending six hours walking from one attraction to the next. Much of the day passes through the coach window, with the guide explaining Icelandic culture, geology, farming, horses, and local stories. Guides such as Alan, Richie, Nico, and Kjartan received especially warm praise for keeping that commentary going between stops.

I would choose this trip if you are in Akureyri for one cruise day and want a broad introduction to the region. If you have several days in North Iceland, a private trip or slower self-drive would give you more time at each place. This is a highlights tour, not a relaxed day beside the lake.

Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Goðafoss is the first major stop, and it makes a strong opening. Water pours across a roughly 30-meter-wide semicircle of dark volcanic rock, creating a broad, foaming curtain rather than one narrow plunge.

You get about 45 minutes here. That is enough to walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and listen to the guide explain why Goðafoss is linked with Iceland’s move from pagan worship to Christianity.

The contrast is the thing to notice: pale water, black rock, and low northern light if the weather is cloudy. In good conditions, the falls look clean and powerful. In mist, the spray adds drama, though it can make paths slippery.

Do not treat this as a quick photo from the parking area. Use the full stop to see the falls from more than one angle. At the same time, keep an eye on the departure time. The group has several more sights ahead, and the schedule depends on everyone returning promptly.

Skútustaðagígar and Mývatn’s unusual craters

The next stop is Skútustaðagígar, on the edge of Lake Mývatn. You get about 20 minutes here, so this is more of an introduction than a long walk.

The rounded green mounds look like volcanic craters, but they are pseudo-craters. When lava flowed into wet ground near the lake, the heat turned trapped water into steam. The explosions shaped the ground into crater-like forms, even though no lava erupted from these particular hollows.

That detail changes how you look at the scene. Instead of seeing a row of ordinary grassy bumps, you are looking at evidence of a violent meeting between lava and water. The lake’s calm surface makes a sharp contrast with the forces that helped form its edge.

Twenty minutes is enough to understand the site and take photographs, but not enough for a long exploration. If crater walks are your main interest, this tour will leave you wanting more. The reward is variety: you see the pseudo-craters here, then encounter very different volcanic forms at Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð.

Midges can also be an issue around Mývatn in warmer seasons. Several passengers wished they had been warned about the small flies. Bring a head net if you are sensitive to insects, especially in summer. It is a small item that can make the lakeside stop far more pleasant.

Dimmuborgir’s black lava shapes

Dimmuborgir follows after a short 10-minute drive, and this is one of the most enjoyable stops on the route. The name is often translated as Dark Castles, which fits the place well. The lava formations rise in twisted walls, arches, pillars, and rough towers.

You have about 55 minutes for a walk. That is long enough to move beyond the entrance area and see why Icelandic children are encouraged to imagine trolls in the rocks. The formations are not polished or symmetrical. Their appeal comes from the way they resemble ruined buildings left behind by a fire.

I like this stop because it asks you to slow down and look closely. At Goðafoss, the force is moving water. At Dimmuborgir, the force has frozen into stone. A good guide can help you understand how the lava shaped these openings and walls, but you should also leave room for your own imagination.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. The walk is not described as difficult, but lava fields are uneven by nature, and the ground can be rough. You may also want an extra layer. Icelandic weather can shift during the day, and the open rock offers little shelter.

This is often the emotional high point for people who enjoy unusual geology. It is also where the short format becomes most noticeable. You will see a worthwhile section of Dimmuborgir, but not every path.

Námaskarð and the smell of the Earth

Námaskarð, also called the Hverir geothermal area, is the final sightseeing stop. You get about 40 minutes here, which is helpful because the site needs time to take in.

This is a barren patch of steaming ground with boiling mud pools and mineral-stained earth. There are no trees or soft green fields to soften the view. Instead, you see red, yellow, orange, and gray tones around vents that hiss and release steam.

The smell is strong. Sulfur hangs in the air, often compared to rotten eggs, and the wind can carry it straight toward you. That odor is not a sign that anything is wrong. It is part of the geothermal activity, but you should stay on the marked paths and keep away from the hot ground.

Námaskarð can feel like a different planet, and that description is understandable without exaggeration. The mud bubbles, steam rises, and the ground looks raw and unfinished. It is also the stop where sensible footwear and attention matter most. Do not cross barriers for a closer photograph.

Some passengers wanted more time here, especially when a late start shortened the visit. If the geothermal area is your top priority, arrive at the bus promptly at every earlier stop. The final visit is the most vulnerable to schedule changes because of the long drive back to Akureyri.

What the bus ride adds to the day

The bus is not just a way to move between attractions. It is where much of the cultural side of the trip happens.

Guides have explained Icelandic customs, local history, farming, horses, folklore, and family stories during the drives. Richie was especially praised for sharing links and location pins through WhatsApp, while other guides used humor, music, and personal stories to keep the ride lively.

That style can make a big difference. The roads between Akureyri and Mývatn are part of the experience, but you may miss details if you are only watching the scenery. A good commentary gives meaning to what you see outside the window.

The downside is that constant commentary is not for everyone. One passenger found repeated discussion of sheep and horses tiring after several days in Iceland. If you prefer quiet road time, you may find the narration a bit much. The guides usually appear to take questions and adjust their approach, but the experience depends partly on who leads your departure.

The coach has WiFi, which is useful for checking messages and sharing photographs. A USB charger was not available on at least one departure, so charge your phone before leaving. You will use it heavily for waterfalls, lava formations, and geothermal pools.

Lunch, comfort stops, and the real pace

The included packed lunch contains a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The supplied information also describes a water bottle with the lunch, though additional bottled water is not included, so bring extra water if you want more than the provided drink.

The lunch is practical rather than elaborate. Some people found the sandwich perfectly adequate, while others wanted less mayonnaise, more chicken, or a better alternative. You may eat on the go, depending on the schedule and the rules at each stop.

Comfort stops and visitor facilities are available at some locations, where you can also buy snacks. Do not assume you will have a long café break. This is a sightseeing circuit, and your meal may be eaten quickly.

That pace is the chief tradeoff for the price. You see Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð in one outing, but you do not get an hour or two at each place. A punctual group will make the day feel smooth. A late start or passengers missing the bus can create pressure, particularly at the last stop.

Port pickup and timing in Akureyri

The meeting details deserve careful attention because cruise piers in Akureyri can differ.

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, go to the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet the guide at the Visitor Center by the cruise port. The buses are located at Gránufélagsgata 50, and guides wear an orange jacket or vest marked BusTravel Iceland.

Check the correct meeting point before you leave the ship. A few passengers had trouble with directions or received an incorrect meeting link. The company’s buses can also be hard to identify in a busy port area, so look for the orange clothing and allow extra time.

Pickup and drop-off at the port are included, which is a major benefit for a shore excursion. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a distant bus station. Still, this is an independent excursion rather than a ship-operated trip, so give yourself a sensible margin and follow the stated return time carefully.

One departure returned about 45 minutes late, which made some people nervous about getting back aboard. That does not mean every trip will run late, but the possibility is worth considering if your ship has a tight all-aboard deadline.

Is $187 good value?

At $187 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride, but Iceland rarely offers cheap sightseeing. The useful question is what you would need to arrange separately.

The price covers port pickup and drop-off, transport for six hours, a guide, WiFi, and the packed lunch. It also puts four notable North Iceland sights into one outing without requiring you to drive unfamiliar roads or plan fuel, parking, and route timing.

Several people considered it far less expensive than the comparable cruise excursion, sometimes roughly half the ship price for a similar route. That is the strongest value argument here. You receive a broad itinerary and direct port logistics while avoiding the premium often attached to a ship-sponsored outing.

The value drops if you want long walks, quiet time, or flexibility. You are paying for coverage and convenience, not an intimate private experience. A private tour may suit you better if your group wants to linger at Dimmuborgir, spend longer around Námaskarð, or stop for photographs whenever the view catches your eye.

Who should book this Mývatn day trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to cruise passengers with one day in Akureyri. You get the region’s major contrasts in a single trip: moving water, grassy pseudo-craters, black lava, and active geothermal ground.

Families can also find it useful because the route is varied and the guides often make the stories accessible. One departure assisted a passenger using a wheelchair with transport and site logistics, but access can vary by stop, so discuss your needs before booking.

This is a good match for you if:

• You want to see several North Iceland sights in one day.
• You value a guide who explains geology and local culture along the road.
• You prefer not to drive in Iceland.
• You are comfortable with a fixed schedule.
• You are comparing the cost with a cruise-line shore excursion.

You may want another plan if:

• You need long, unhurried walks.
• You dislike group schedules.
• Sulfur smells or midges are a serious concern.
• Your ship’s return deadline leaves almost no room for delay.
• You want to choose exactly how long to spend at each site.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing the best-known Mývatn-area sights from Akureyri without handling the transport yourself. The route is varied, the guides often add real personality, and the port pickup, lunch, and return service remove much of the day’s practical work.

Go in with realistic expectations. You will not explore every corner of Dimmuborgir or linger beside Námaskarð for hours. You will get a well-filled six-hour circuit, and the experience is strongest when you arrive early, pack extra water, wear sturdy shoes, prepare for sulfur and midges, and return to the bus on time.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts six hours, including transportation between the stops and the return to Akureyri.

Where does the tour meet in Akureyri?

For ships docking at Tangarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. For ships docking at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

How can I identify the tour guide?

The guides wear an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo. The buses are located at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50.

What sights are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The packed lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The tour information also describes a water bottle with the lunch. Extra bottled water is not included.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and German.

Is WiFi available on the bus?

Yes. WiFi on board is included. A USB charger is not listed as an included feature, so charge your phone before departure.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.