From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

North Iceland saves some of its strangest sights for the Mývatn region. In six hours, you go from the broad, roaring curve of Goðafoss to grassy pseudo craters, troll-like lava towers, and sulfurous mud pools that look borrowed from another planet.

I like the mix of scenery and geology, and I like that the tour leaves directly from Akureyri’s cruise-port area with lunch included. Guides such as Nico, Richie, Kjartan, and Alan have been especially good at adding local stories and history between stops.

The tradeoff is time. You cover a lot of ground, but stops are tightly scheduled, and a late departure or slow boarding can shorten the final visit. The sandwich is useful, though some people find it basic.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss opens the day with a dramatic waterfall: You get about 45 minutes to see the broad, 30-meter-wide falls and hear the story behind its name, Waterfall of the Gods.
• Lake Mývatn’s craters are not true volcanoes: At Skútustaðagígar, steam explosions formed the grassy mounds when hot lava met wet ground.
• Dimmuborgir feels like a natural sculpture garden: A 55-minute walk takes you among dark lava shapes associated with Icelandic troll folklore.
• Námaskarð is the most otherworldly stop: Boiling mud pools, steaming ground, and a strong sulfur smell make this a memorable final sight.
• The tour works well for cruise passengers: Port pickup, return transport, WiFi, and a packed lunch remove much of the day’s planning.
• Expect a brisk pace: You spend about three hours on the road, so this is a highlights tour rather than a slow exploration of Mývatn.

Why this route works from Akureyri

The Mývatn region is too far from Akureyri for a casual side trip, but it is close enough for a well-planned day excursion. The drive takes you through North Iceland’s open countryside, with volcanic scenery becoming the main attraction long before you reach the lake.

The schedule gives you around six hours from pickup to return. About 40 minutes after leaving Akureyri, you reach Goðafoss. From there, the route continues to Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð before an approximately 80-minute drive back.

That final drive matters if your ship has a firm departure time. The excursion is designed around a cruise-port day, but you should still confirm your ship’s all-aboard time before booking. One earlier departure reportedly returned about 45 minutes late, and another started roughly 15 minutes late. That does not mean delays are normal, but it shows why you should keep a sensible buffer.

The buses have onboard WiFi, and the guides speak English or German. The company uses a large parking area near Gránufélagsgata 50, with guides wearing orange BusTravel Iceland jackets or vests. If your ship uses Tangarbryggja Pier, meet at the large parking lot there. If it uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is by the visitor center at the cruise port.

Goðafoss: a powerful first stop

Goðafoss is an excellent way to begin. The Skjálfandafljót River drops in a wide, curved rush over dark volcanic rock. The falls are not the tallest in Iceland, but their broad shape and white water make an immediate impression.

You have about 45 minutes here, enough to walk to viewpoints and take photographs without turning the stop into a long hike. The black rock beneath the water gives the falls a sharp contrast, especially in changing weather.

Your guide will likely explain the name, which means Waterfall of the Gods. The story connects Goðafoss with Iceland’s shift from Norse pagan worship to Christianity. According to the traditional account, a law speaker discarded images of the old gods into the falls after Iceland adopted Christianity.

This is one of the tour’s better history moments because the setting makes the story easy to remember. You are not just looking at falling water. You are standing beside a place tied to a major change in Icelandic culture.

The stop is fairly accessible compared with the rougher volcanic areas, though exact walking conditions can vary. One guide and driver team received special praise for helping a passenger who used a wheelchair, but you should discuss your own mobility needs with the operator before booking.

Skútustaðagígar and the mystery of the pseudo craters

The short visit to Skútustaðagígar introduces one of Mývatn’s most unusual features. The grassy mounds look like small volcanic craters, but they were not formed by lava erupting from underground.

Instead, hot lava flowed across wet ground near the lake. Water trapped beneath the lava turned to steam, and the pressure caused bursts that shaped the crater-like hollows. That is why these formations are called pseudo craters.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a quick walk and photographs, but not enough for a long circuit. If you enjoy geology, listen closely to the explanation because the feature is easy to misunderstand at first. The sight is less dramatic than Goðafoss or Námaskarð, but it helps you read the rest of the region.

The grassy rims also soften the area visually. After seeing black lava and rushing water, you get a calmer scene beside Lake Mývatn. Keep your expectations realistic, though. This is a short orientation stop, not a full lake walk.

Dimmuborgir and Iceland’s troll-shaped lava

Dimmuborgir is likely the most atmospheric stop of the day. The name is often translated as Dark Cities or Dark Castles, and the place earns it. Jagged lava formations rise from the ground in irregular shapes, forming arches, towers, walls, and narrow passages.

The tour allows about 55 minutes for sightseeing and walking. That gives you time to follow a marked route, look for unusual shapes, and hear the Icelandic habit of seeing trolls in the rocks. Children usually enjoy this stop, but adults with an interest in geology or folklore will find plenty to notice too.

The formations were created when a lava flow cooled around pockets of steam and other uneven structures. Over time, openings and sections of the rock remained while weaker areas broke away. The result is a strange natural maze.

Wear sturdy shoes here. The walk is not presented as a difficult hike, but volcanic ground can be uneven. You should also keep track of time, since the bus cannot wait indefinitely for a longer wander.

Dimmuborgir is a good example of why this tour works better than a simple scenic drive. You leave the bus and walk through the rock rather than viewing it from a roadside pullout. Still, 55 minutes is enough for a taste, not every path in the area.

Námaskarð: steam, mud, and sulfur

At Námaskarð, the scenery changes again. Vegetation gives way to bare ground marked by geothermal activity. Mud pools bubble and churn, while steam rises from vents and cracks.

The sulfur smell is strong. Some people find it fascinating, others find it hard to ignore. Either way, this is not a place to wander freely. Stay on the marked paths, keep to the viewing areas, and do not touch the pools or ground around the vents.

The tour allows about 40 minutes here, making it one of the more generous stops. You can watch the mud pools change shape, take photographs, and absorb the sharp contrast between Mývatn’s green spaces and this barren geothermal zone.

Námaskarð often becomes the most memorable stop because it engages more than your eyes. The hissing steam, yellow mineral stains, and sulfur odor make the place feel unusually physical. Bring a warm layer, but also be ready for wind and changing conditions. The area is exposed.

This is another place where good guiding matters. A clear explanation helps you understand why the mud boils and why the ground must be treated with care. Guides such as Nico, Matthias, Richie, and Alan were praised for keeping the commentary lively and useful throughout the day, which is valuable on a route with long stretches between stops.

The bus rides are part of the experience

You spend roughly three hours in transit, including the return to Akureyri. That sounds like a lot, but the distances are unavoidable if you want to connect Goðafoss with the Mývatn sights in one day.

The bus gives you a warm place to rest between walks, and the guides often continue talking about Icelandic customs, history, horses, sheep, and local life. Some guides have shared extra information through WhatsApp, including site details, dropped map pins, and photographs. That can help you remember what you saw after the day ends.

The quality of the commentary depends on the guide assigned to your departure. Names frequently praised include Nico, Richie Rich, Kjartan, Alan, Matthias, Elsa, and Ana. Guides have been described as funny, attentive, and enthusiastic, with some adding music or personal stories. One guide even created a WhatsApp group for the group.

There is one small caution: constant commentary is not perfect for everyone. One person found repeated talk about sheep and horses tiring after several days in Iceland. If you prefer quiet scenic drives, you may find the narration a little full-on.

The bus has WiFi, but USB charging was not available on at least one departure. Bring a charged phone and a portable battery if you plan to take many photographs.

Lunch, comfort stops, and what to bring

The packed lunch is intended to keep the tour moving. It includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice, with the tour information also describing a bottle of water. The food is practical rather than elaborate.

Some people liked the sandwich, while others wanted less mayonnaise and more chicken. Another person preferred buying food at a stop. You should treat the included lunch as a convenient meal, not a reason to book the tour.

Visitor centers at some stops provide opportunities for restrooms and extra snacks. Still, bring your own water and a few small items you may want during the drive. The inclusions and exclusions use slightly different wording about bottled water, so it is safest to carry a refillable bottle.

Pack layers, waterproof outerwear, and shoes with a good grip. Weather can shift quickly, and the open areas at Námaskarð and around the lake can feel cold even when Akureyri seems mild.

Mývatn can also have biting midges in summer. Several people were surprised by the flies, especially in the lake area. A head net or insect repellent can make the crater and lakeside stops much more pleasant. This is one of the most useful small preparations for the trip.

Is $187 a fair price?

At $187 per person, this is not a cheap bus outing. The value depends on what you want from your day in Akureyri.

You are paying for port pickup and return, a driver, a live guide, onboard WiFi, transport across a large area, and a packed lunch. You also avoid arranging a rental car, learning the route, and watching the clock while trying to fit four major sights into one day.

Several people compared the cost favorably with cruise-ship excursions, sometimes finding this option roughly half the price for a similar route. That is the strongest value argument. If your ship offers a comparable Mývatn excursion at a much higher price, this independent option can make financial sense.

The cheaper price comes with less privacy and less flexibility. You follow the group schedule, wait for other passengers, and have limited time at each stop. A private tour would better suit you if you want long walks, extra photo stops, or a slower visit to the lake and geothermal areas.

Who should book this Mývatn day trip?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Akureyri on a cruise and want the main sights without renting a car. It is also a good match for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to volcanic North Iceland in one day.

Families can benefit from the variety. Waterfalls, crater mounds, troll-like lava, and bubbling mud provide enough change to hold children’s interest, especially if the guide tells stories along the way.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, long bus rides, or sulfur smells. The route is busy, and you will not have time to linger at every site. It is also not the best choice for someone seeking a quiet, slow day beside Lake Mývatn.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if your plans may change, since free cancellation is available until that point. The operator also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, which helps if your cruise schedule or weather plans are still uncertain.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want maximum scenery in a single Akureyri day and value an organized route over private time. Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð each feel completely different, while the pseudo craters add a useful geology lesson.

Skip it if your priority is a relaxed pace or a deep look at one area. The tour is best understood as a well-packed introduction to Mývatn, not a complete exploration. Bring layers, sturdy shoes, water, and protection from midges, then keep an eye on the clock. For many cruise passengers, that combination of coverage, guidance, and price makes it a strong alternative to a more expensive ship excursion.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts about six hours, including transportation between Akureyri and the Mývatn region.

Where does pickup take place?

For ships docking at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you in the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50. For ships docking at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is at the visitor center by the cruise port.

What sights are included?

The route includes Goðafoss Waterfall, Skútustaðagígar’s pseudo craters beside Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir lava formations, 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 bottle of water, but bringing your own refillable bottle is sensible.

What languages are available?

The live guide is available in English or German.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.