Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

The best part of this two-day trip is the way it pairs Lake Mývatn’s volcanic sights with a late-night Northern Lights hunt. By day, you move from waterfalls and lava formations to steaming ground. By night, you leave Akureyri’s lights behind and search for a clear sky.

I like the small group of up to 18 and the useful airport shuttle for EasyJet passengers. I also like that guide Sigi, sometimes called Ziggie, may lead both outings, keeping the experience friendly and consistent. The main drawback is simple: the aurora is never guaranteed, and the Nature Baths may be closed or changed during refurbishment.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different outings: A 9 AM Lake Mývatn trip and a 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt give you both daytime scenery and after-dark sky watching.
• Goðafoss comes first: The famous waterfall is an early highlight before the route reaches the volcanic country around Lake Mývatn.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Entry, swimsuit and towel are not included in the $350 price.
• The guide can make a difference: Sigi, also known as Ziggie, leads both trips for some departures and keeps the drive informative and lively.
• EasyJet passengers get airport help: The shuttle can collect you at Akureyri Airport and return you there on departure day.
• Book the aurora hunt early in your stay: If the lights do not appear, the operator may offer another trip for free, but you need another night available.

Two days that show off North Iceland

At $350 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it covers two guided outings, airport transfers for qualifying EasyJet passengers and a full day around Lake Mývatn. You are paying for transport across a spread-out region as much as for the stops themselves.

That matters in North Iceland. The sights are not arranged in a compact town center, and winter driving conditions can make independent planning less appealing. A guide also lets you focus on the views instead of watching the road or guessing which turn leads to the next volcanic site.

The schedule is split into two main parts. The Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss and Nature Baths trip begins at 9 AM. The Northern Lights trip starts at 9:30 PM. With the two outings spread across your stay, you have a chance to enjoy the region without packing every stop into one long day.

The listed duration is two days, but this is not a two-day continuous coach ride. You need accommodation in Akureyri, and you should give the operator your flight and lodging details so pickup times can be arranged.

Airport pickup makes the arrival easier

If you arrive on an EasyJet flight, the complimentary shuttle is a useful perk. The operator collects you at Akureyri Airport and takes you to your accommodation in town. On departure day, the service takes you back to the airport.

This is especially handy if you are arriving with winter luggage or landing without a car. Make sure you provide the flight information requested, along with your accommodation details for the two tours. The shuttle is specifically described for EasyJet passengers, so do not assume the same airport service applies to every airline.

The airport transfer also gives this package a practical edge over a simple sightseeing tour. You can arrange the first part of your arrival before worrying about local transport. Still, confirm the pickup details before you fly. Small-group services work best when the operator has accurate arrival and lodging information.

Following Eyjafjörður to Goðafoss

The daytime outing leaves at 9 AM and begins along Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The drive gives you a first look at the broad waterway and the mountains around it before the tour turns toward Goðafoss.

Goðafoss is one of the most striking waterfalls in North Iceland. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the broad cascade is easy to appreciate even during a short stop. The timing is good because it breaks up the drive before the more concentrated sightseeing around Lake Mývatn.

You should bring sturdy, comfortable shoes. Winter paths can be cold, wet or uneven, and you may want to move around for different views rather than remain beside the vehicle. The tour includes several stops, so shoes that work for both waterfall paths and volcanic ground are more useful than stylish footwear.

Lake Mývatn’s volcanic character

Lake Mývatn was created by a large basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. That origin explains why the area feels so different from a standard lakeside outing. You are not simply looking at water and hills. You are seeing the remains of volcanic activity in many forms.

The area includes lava pillars, rootless vents and unusual rock shapes. The exact amount of time at each stop can vary with weather and road conditions, but the route is designed to show several types of volcanic scenery in one day.

I like this part of the trip because the guide gives the sights a clear order. Goðafoss introduces the day with moving water. Lake Mývatn then shifts your attention to fire, lava and geothermal forces. The contrast makes the region easier to understand than a string of disconnected photo stops.

The tradeoff is that the day covers a wide area. You get variety, but you do not have unlimited time at every site. If you want long walks around the lake or a slow visit to each formation, an independent stay with a rental car may suit you better.

Grjótagjá and Hverarönd: lava and steam

Grjótagjá cave is another reminder that Iceland’s ground is still full of surprises. The stop lets you see a cave shaped by volcanic forces, with geothermal water associated with the area. The site is visually unusual and makes a good contrast with the open views around the lake.

The tour also stops at Hverarönd in Námaskarð, a hot spring area where the ground shows its heat more openly. You can expect steam, geothermal activity and strong natural colors. This is a place to follow the guide’s safety instructions and stay on the permitted paths.

Hverarönd can be memorable because it engages more than your eyes. Steam moves across the ground, and the surface has an active, raw quality. It is also a place where warm clothing matters less than you might expect, since you are still outdoors in North Iceland and conditions can change quickly.

Do not plan to eat or drink at these stops. Meals and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the day or plan to buy supplies before departure. The tour description does not specify meal breaks, so a small snack and a bottle of water are sensible additions.

A soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the relaxing part of the daytime program. If you choose this option, you can soak in geothermal water while surrounded by the volcanic scenery of the Mývatn area. It is a good counterpoint to walking around waterfalls, caves and steaming ground.

The entry fee is not included in the tour price. You also need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Those details sound minor, but forgetting either can turn a pleasant soak into a wasted opportunity.

There is one important caution. During one recent February departure, the Mývatn Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment. The group was offered an alternative that required an additional 45-minute drive, and one participant chose instead to explore a local town while the rest visited the replacement baths.

That does not mean the baths will always be closed, but it does mean you should check their current status before booking and again before the tour. If the baths are central to your plans, ask what happens if they are unavailable. If you have already visited another geothermal pool, the substitute sightseeing option may be perfectly reasonable.

Dimmuborgir and the pseudocraters

On the return route, the group visits Dimmuborgir, one of the best-known attractions near Lake Mývatn. The name is often translated as Dark Fortress, which suits the area’s jagged lava formations. The shapes were created when molten lava cooled and left behind walls, pillars and irregular openings.

Dimmuborgir is a good place to use your camera, but do not rush from one formation to the next. The appeal is in the odd details: a passage here, a rough arch there, and rock shapes that change as you walk around them. The guide can help you understand how the formations came to be.

The stop at Skútustaðagígar adds another volcanic feature. This area is known for pseudocraters, which resemble small volcanic craters but were not formed by a traditional eruption from a central vent. Together, Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar show two different results of the same region’s volcanic past.

These stops also give the day a useful rhythm. You are not spending all your time at one major attraction. Instead, you see a waterfall, cave, geothermal area, lava formations and pseudocraters, with the lake tying the route together.

The final fjord view toward Akureyri

The last stop is in Eyjafjörður, where you can look across the fjord toward Akureyri. This is a strong place for a final photograph because it puts the town in context. After a day among lava and geothermal features, you get a broad view back toward the community where you are staying.

The stop may be brief, but it helps close the loop. You began along the fjord in the morning and finish with a view across it. If the weather is clear, this should be one of the easiest places to appreciate how water, mountains and town fit together.

Hunting for the Northern Lights at 9:30 PM

The Northern Lights outing leaves at 9:30 PM and heads outside Akureyri, away from the city’s artificial light. Each night’s route depends on the forecast, cloud cover and the guide’s judgment about where clear skies are most likely.

That flexibility is important. The best viewing point is not one fixed location, and the aurora does not follow a timetable. You may spend time driving between possible sites, waiting for the sky to improve or watching for a glow that may appear suddenly.

The tour can operate without a sighting because the Northern Lights are a natural event. There is no honest way to promise a display. If the evening outing runs but you do not see the lights, the operator offers the trip again for free. If you want to use that option, book the aurora hunt on your first night in Akureyri rather than leaving it until the end of your stay.

You should also expect a late finish and cold conditions. Wear several warm layers, bring sturdy shoes and be ready to spend time outdoors. A camera is optional, but patience is not. The experience depends as much on clear skies and timing as on the guide’s route choice.

The Northern Lights may be the headline attraction, but the sensible reason to book this package is that the daytime tour still gives you a full Iceland experience if the sky stays dark. That balance makes the cost easier to accept.

What the small group changes

The group is limited to 18 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more personal than a large coach excursion. A smaller vehicle can also make stops feel less crowded and gives you a better chance to hear the guide.

Sigi, also called Ziggie, has led both the daytime and evening trips for some departures. That continuity is useful. You do not have to explain your plans to a new guide each time, and the person driving the Northern Lights route already knows how the day went.

One strong feature of the experience is the guide’s role in keeping the drives interesting. The Lake Mývatn route includes many stops, yet the schedule is designed so you do not feel hurried at every turn. That matters in winter, when daylight hours are limited and road conditions can affect the pace.

Still, a group tour requires compromise. You will follow the set route, share the vehicle and accept the group’s timing. If you want to linger at Dimmuborgir, skip the baths or spend hours at the waterfall, this may feel restrictive.

What to pack, and what costs extra

The $350 price does not include meals, drinks, personal expenses or entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths. Budget for those items separately.

Pack:

• Warm clothing in layers
• Comfortable, sturdy shoes
• Swimsuit and towel if you plan to use the baths
• Snacks and drinks for the day
• A camera or phone with enough battery for the evening outing

The clothing advice is not filler. You will move between a warm vehicle and cold outdoor sites, and the Northern Lights hunt can keep you outside late at night. Layers let you adjust without carrying a bulky coat the whole time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when Iceland’s winter weather may affect your plans. Both outings can be changed or affected by weather conditions, so keep your schedule flexible.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Akureyri for at least two nights and want a guided introduction to the area without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors who want major sights, geothermal scenery and an aurora attempt in one package.

It is also a good fit if you arrive on EasyJet and value a simple airport connection. The shuttle removes one small task from your arrival and departure days.

You may want another option if the Mývatn Nature Baths are your main reason for booking. Check their operating status first, since refurbishment has affected at least one departure. You may also prefer a private or self-drive plan if you want long walks, flexible stop times or complete control over the route.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized two-day introduction to North Iceland with transport, a small group and a real attempt at seeing the Northern Lights. The daytime route has enough variety to remain worthwhile even if the aurora does not appear.

Before paying, confirm the Nature Baths situation, check that the EasyJet shuttle applies to your flight and plan the Northern Lights hunt for your first night in Akureyri. If you can accept uncertain weather and a shared schedule, the package offers solid value for seeing several of the region’s most unusual natural sights.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts two days. The Lake Mývatn outing begins at 9 AM, and the Northern Lights hunt begins at 9:30 PM.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tours are conducted in English.

Is airport pickup included?

Airport pickup is included for EasyJet passengers who provide their flight information. A return transfer to Akureyri Airport is also provided on the day of departure.

Is the Mývatn Nature Baths entry fee included?

No. Entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths is not included in the $350 price.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes, bring both if you plan to use the Nature Baths. Swimwear and a towel are not provided.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If the tour operates without a sighting, the operator offers the trip again for free.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 18 participants.