Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall from Akureyri Port

Volcanic Iceland comes into sharp focus on this six-hour outing. You move from the thundering Goðafoss waterfall to pseudo-craters, troll-like lava towers, and steaming sulfur pools, all in one broad sweep through North Iceland. It is a lot of geology and scenery for a single port day.

I like the well-planned route, which covers four very different sights without asking you to arrange a car. I also like the small local touch at Hotel Goðafoss: coffee or tea with an Icelandic treat. The main drawback is the full coach, with up to 50 people, and limited time at each stop.

The quick verdict

This is a strong choice if you want to see the main sights around Lake Mývatn without driving. The tour earns a 4.8 rating from 157 reviews, with 97 percent of customers recommending it, and the praise is easy to understand: the scenery is varied, the bus is comfortable, and the route works well for a cruise stop.

The trip is not a quiet wilderness outing. You spend a fair amount of time on the road, and the coach may be full. Two stops can also be challenging. Skútustaðir is known for midges, while Hverir smells strongly of sulfur and has no facilities. Those are natural features of the area, not flaws that the operator can simply remove.

Four reasons this route works well

• Goðafoss gives you the day’s big visual finish: The waterfall drops about 12 meters through the Skjálfandafljót glacier river, with easy access for photos.
• The geology keeps changing: You see pseudo-craters, old lava formations, fumaroles, mud pools, and a broad lake in one outing.
• Port pickup simplifies a cruise day: Saga Travel staff direct you from the cruise area to the coach, and the tour returns to Akureyri.
• The guide commentary adds context: Guides including Runar, Lukas, Michael, Dodi, Danni, and Reynor have been praised for history, geology, folklore, and humor.
• Coffee and an Icelandic pastry are included: The stop at Hotel Goðafoss gives you a warm break during a busy sightseeing day.
• You need layers and sensible shoes: The route can bring sun, rain, wind, cold, paved paths, and uneven ground in a few hours.

From Akureyri Port to the Mývatn region

The meeting point is listed as Gránufélagsgata 51 in Akureyri, with the tour ending back there. If you arrive by cruise ship, look for the Saga Travel booth near the port gate. It has been described as orange, while staff may wear red jackets and guide you to the coach.

The departure process matters because cruise mornings can feel rushed. Staff direct you to the bus, and the coach leaves once the group is aboard. The initial Akureyri portion is short, about 15 minutes, and the total tour time includes driving.

You get onboard WiFi, transport, admission fees, and a guide who speaks English. The coach is described as clean and comfortable, though a full bus means tighter seating and slower boarding at stops. With a maximum of 50 people, this is a sizeable group tour rather than a small van trip.

The roads between sights are part of the outing. The return drive from the Mývatn area to Akureyri takes about an hour, and there are other stretches between stops. That gives your guide time to explain Icelandic geology, local stories, volcanoes, lava, and folklore. Guides such as Runar and Lukas have been especially praised for making the bus commentary entertaining, while Michael has been noted for detailed explanations of geography and history.

Sound quality can vary. One customer had trouble hearing a guide from the back of the bus and found the dialect difficult to follow. The operator responded by asking for the travel date so the departure could be checked. If the commentary matters greatly to you, sit nearer the front and speak up early if you cannot hear.

Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Goðafoss is one of the most satisfying stops because it delivers its impact quickly. The river falls roughly 12 meters into a wide gorge, and paths bring you close enough for strong photographs without requiring a long hike.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough time to walk to viewing spots, take pictures, and appreciate the falls without feeling trapped in a long walk. The water is powerful, and the setting has a clean, open feel that contrasts with the dark lava and steaming ground later in the day.

A coffee or tea and an Icelandic pastry are included at Hotel Goðafoss. The treat is a useful pause, particularly if you have started early from a ship. Restrooms are available at the hotel, and several stops on the route also offer restroom access.

Goðafoss may be the highlight for you if waterfalls are your main reason for booking. It is also a good final stop because the sight is easy to enjoy even after a day of walking. The tour’s return to Akureyri follows after this scenic area, with about an hour on the road.

Skútustaðir and the pseudo-crater row

At Skútustaðir, you look across Lake Mývatn from a row of pseudo-craters. These landforms were created by steam explosions when hot lava met wet ground, though the supplied tour information simply presents them as the crater row and a viewpoint over the lake.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. It is short, so treat it as a viewpoint and photo stop rather than a serious hike. An information center for the Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve is located here, and free toilets are available.

The drawback is the midges. Lake Mývatn’s name is tied to these small flies, and they can be present in noticeable numbers, especially around the water and grassy areas. They do not bite in the same way as mosquitoes, but they can fly around your face and become irritating.

Bring a fine-mesh head net if you are sensitive to insects. Mesh hoods are also available for purchase at the site, according to the information provided. This is one of the few places where a small item of preparation can make a large difference to your enjoyment.

Dimmuborgir’s frozen lava shapes

Dimmuborgir is the most storybook-like stop. The lava fields formed in a lagoon of magma around 2,300 years ago, leaving pillars, arches, and rough rock shapes that local folklore compares to trolls frozen in place.

You have about 50 minutes here, the longest stop of the day. That gives you time for a walk through the formations, but do not treat it as an open-ended hike. One family became separated after following yellow trail markers too far and ended up roughly an hour from the bus. Keep track of the meeting point, stay within the time limit, and turn back well before you feel pressed.

The walking surface includes paved and uneven ground. Gentle slopes are manageable for many people, but some older visitors may find the footing harder. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and do not wander farther simply because the path looks inviting.

This is also one of the best stops for the guide’s storytelling. Danni, Runar, Michael, Dodi, and other guides have been praised for mixing geology with Icelandic tales. Commentary can point out how the rock formed, explain the area’s folklore, and identify the separation of the North American and European tectonic plates.

Toilets at Dimmuborgir may require a small payment, listed in one account as three Icelandic króna. Carry a little local currency if you want to avoid being caught without it.

Hverir and the boiling ground at Námafjall

Hverir, also called the Námafjall geothermal area, looks unlike the other stops. Steam rises from fumaroles, mud bubbles in shallow pools, and the ground takes on unusual colors. It is a raw display of heat below Iceland’s surface.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a short look and photographs, but there are no facilities at the site. The smell can be strong because sulfur is present in the ground. Some people find the sulfur odor fascinating, while others compare it to a broken sewer pipe.

This is not the stop for a relaxed picnic or a long walk. Stay within the marked area and keep the brief timing in mind. You may also want a scarf or jacket collar that can cover your nose if strong smells bother you.

Hverir is valuable because it shows active geothermal forces rather than only the remains of ancient eruptions. Still, it is fair to say that this stop has the most limited comfort and the least universally appealing atmosphere. If you prefer waterfalls and scenic viewpoints, Goðafoss and Dimmuborgir will probably leave the stronger impression.

What the $171.80 price buys you

At $171.80 per person, this is not a bargain-basement excursion. The value comes from what it removes from your day: car rental planning, navigation, parking, fuel, and the risk of misjudging a cruise schedule.

You receive port-area pickup, a coach, an English-speaking guide, WiFi, fees, and the coffee or tea with an Icelandic treat. Lunch is not included. There is a short lunch break, but the schedule may not leave much time to shop for food, so bring a sandwich, snack, and water.

A comparable ship excursion can cost more. One person described this outing as about half the price of a similar cruise excursion, though prices vary by ship and date. The most useful comparison is not simply the ticket price. Ask how much you would pay for a rental car, fuel, parking, and the comfort of returning to the port with a planned route.

The trade-off is control. You cannot linger at Dimmuborgir, skip Hverir, or change the order unless the guide adjusts the plan. One departure reportedly changed the order to avoid crowds, giving the group extra time, but that depends on conditions and the guide.

How demanding is the day?

The tour is accessible to most people, but it is not entirely effortless. You walk over both paved and uneven surfaces, with some gentle slopes. One account recorded close to five miles of walking across the day, though your own distance will depend on how far you go at each stop.

The coach ride gives you regular rests, but the drive time adds up. If you dislike long road stretches, the four-stop format may feel busy. If you want to make the most of a single day in North Iceland, the same structure is a major benefit.

Restrooms are available at several stops, including Skútustaðir and Hotel Goðafoss. Hverir has no services, and Dimmuborgir may charge a small toilet fee. Plan ahead rather than assuming every stop has a café or restroom.

Weather can shift fast. The route may bring sunshine, rain, cold wind, and cloud in the same day. Wear layers, pack rain gear, and bring something warm for standing near the waterfall or walking across exposed ground.

Who should book this Akureyri shore excursion?

I would choose this tour if you have one port day and want a broad introduction to North Iceland. It suits people who value scenery, geology, folklore, and efficient transport more than a slow pace.

It is especially useful for:

• Cruise passengers who want port pickup and a planned return
• First-time visitors without a rental car
• People who want waterfalls, lava, geothermal features, and lake views in one day
• Families who can manage a full schedule and keep track of meeting times
• Anyone who enjoys guide commentary during long drives

I would think twice if you strongly dislike coach tours, insects, sulfur smells, or fixed stop times. You should also consider another plan if lunch arrangements and quiet walking time are very important to you.

The guide can make a real difference. Names associated with especially well-received departures include Lukas, Runar, Michael, Dodi, Aitana, Danni, and Reynor. Guides are assigned by departure, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your trip.

Booking, cancellation, and cruise-day details

The experience is offered in English, confirmation is sent at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The operator may cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not met. In either case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Most people can take part, but you should be ready for walking, uneven ground, weather exposure, and a large coach. The tour ends back at the meeting point in Akureyri.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing a lot of North Iceland in six hours with little planning. Goðafoss and Dimmuborgir are the strongest stops, and the combination of lava, pseudo-craters, geothermal activity, and waterfall scenery gives you a useful picture of how Iceland was formed.

Bring food, water, layers, rain gear, sturdy shoes, and a midge net. Sit near the front if you want the clearest guide commentary, stay close to the bus at Dimmuborgir, and do not expect every stop to feel equally scenic or comfortable.

At $171.80, it is best viewed as a practical shore excursion rather than a cheap sightseeing ride. For a single day from Akureyri Port, the route covers a great deal, returns you to town, and gives you a good chance to see the region’s most memorable natural features.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour?

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

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Gránufélagsgata 51, 600 Akureyri. Cruise passengers should look for the Saga Travel booth near the port gate and follow staff directions to the coach.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Akureyri.

Is transportation included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the tour takes a short lunch break. You should bring a snack and water.

What sights does the tour visit?

The route includes Goðafoss waterfall, the pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the boiling mud pools and fumaroles at Námafjall Hverir.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Are admission fees included?

All fees and taxes are included. Coffee or tea and an Icelandic treat at Hotel Goðafoss are also included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.