Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths from Akureyri

Goðafoss is the star here, a broad, powerful waterfall that is especially moving when you have enough daylight to see it properly. This trip then strings together the best-known sights around Lake Mývatn, from steaming sulfur pits to lava towers and pseudo-craters, before giving you time at the Mývatn Nature Baths.

I like the small-group format, which can mean anything from a full 25-person van to a much more intimate group of six or seven. I also like the guides’ personal approach. Siggi, Thomas, Reynir, Jowi, and others have been praised for safe driving, local stories, photo help, and adjusting the pace when weather or group preferences called for it.

The main catch is cost and timing. At $167.99, the tour does not include the Nature Baths admission, lunch, a towel, or a bathing suit. The bath stop is scheduled for 1 hour 40 minutes, but changing and showering reduce your actual time in the water, especially when the facility is busy.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss comes with time to appreciate it: The 30-minute stop is long enough for photos and a proper look at the waterfall.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: You can bathe or relax in the restaurant, but admission is not part of the tour price.
• Expect a full day of varied scenery: Waterfalls, sulfur mud, lava formations, lake views, and pseudo-craters all fit into roughly eight hours.
• Guides add a personal touch: Siggi, Thomas, Reynir, Jowi, and other guides have been praised for local stories, careful driving, and help with photographs.
• Small groups can make the route flexible: Some groups have received extra stops or spent more time at the baths after a quick vote.
• Cruise pickup needs careful planning: Akureyri has more than one cruise port, so you must provide your ship name and select the correct pickup point.

Why this North Iceland day trip works

This is a busy day, but it is not a one-note sightseeing run. You get several kinds of North Iceland in one outing: falling water, open views, volcanic rock, boiling earth, and a warm geothermal pool.

That variety is the biggest reason to choose it. If you have only one day in Akureyri, the tour covers places that are difficult to combine without a car. You also avoid having to plan a route through unfamiliar roads and changing weather.

The drive itself is part of the experience. Several guides have been praised for explaining Icelandic geology, naming customs, local traditions, Christmas customs, and family connections to the area. That personal storytelling can make the miles between stops feel useful rather than wasted.

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum of 25 people. In practice, some departures have been much smaller, including groups of six and seven. A smaller group gives you a better chance of asking questions, moving promptly, and getting help with photographs.

Goðafoss, the waterfall that earns its name

Goðafoss is the first major stop and gets about 30 minutes. That is a sensible amount of time for a waterfall visit. You can walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and watch the water pour across the curved rock shelf without turning the stop into a long hike.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the place has an important connection to Icelandic history. The tour includes the waterfall admission, so there is no extra fee to worry about here.

This stop can be especially important in winter or during short daylight hours. One guide adjusted the route so the group reached Goðafoss while there was still enough light to enjoy it. That is the kind of practical judgment that matters more than a fixed timetable.

Bring shoes with a firm sole. Crampons have been available on some departures, and they were useful around icy paths and cave areas. Conditions can change, so do not treat a short waterfall walk as a simple stroll in every season.

The Mývatn Nature Baths and the real cost of soaking

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the tour’s comfort break and its largest optional expense. The schedule allows 1 hour 40 minutes, though the time available in the water will be shorter once you change, shower, and find your way through the facility.

Admission is not included in the $167.99 tour price. You will also need to bring or rent a towel and bring a bathing suit. If you decide not to soak, you can relax in the restaurant instead, but that changes the value of this stop.

The baths can be a fine way to pause after a morning of sightseeing. You get warm geothermal water, views around the lake area, and a chance to slow down before more outdoor stops. One guide allowed the group to choose the baths as the final stop, which gave the group extra time to relax.

Still, you should budget carefully. A separate admission fee can feel high when your actual time in the water is close to an hour. The facility may also be crowded, and the changing process takes longer than many first-time visitors expect.

This is the one part of the day where the tour schedule may not suit everyone. If bathing is your main reason for booking, a separate visit to the Nature Baths could give you more control. If the baths are a pleasant extra after a full day of sights, the included stop makes more sense.

Hverir, where the ground boils

Hverir brings you into one of the most unusual volcanic areas near Mývatn. The stop lasts about 25 minutes and includes boiling mud and sulfur-colored earth.

This is not a place to wander casually. The ground is hot in places, and you should remain on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. The smell of sulfur can be strong, which is part of the experience but may not suit every nose.

The stop is short for a reason. Hverir is visually striking, but there is limited shelter and little need to spend a long time there. Have your camera ready, take in the steaming vents and unusual colors, then move on.

The order of the day may change. In poor weather, one group moved through some sightseeing stops more quickly and gained extra time at the baths. That flexibility can be useful, especially on a cruise day when the hours in port are fixed.

Dimmuborgir and the dark lava formations

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, and the name fits its strange volcanic shapes. The 30-minute stop lets you walk among lava formations that look like walls, towers, caves, and figures.

This is one of the more memorable stops for people who enjoy unusual rock formations rather than grand wide views. Guides have pointed out features such as Spoon Licker’s Cave and helped groups look for troll-like shapes in the rocks.

Some departures have also included extra cave stops, such as a location recognized by fans of Game of Thrones. These additions are not guaranteed, so you should treat them as possible extras rather than part of the promised route.

The paths can be uneven. Crampons may be available, and they can help in icy conditions. Wear footwear suitable for walking over rough ground, even though the scheduled visit is only half an hour.

Lake Mývatn and the Skútustaðagígar craters

Lake Mývatn receives a short dedicated photo stop of about 15 minutes, plus the wider time spent in the area. The lake views give you a chance to step back from the close-up details of lava and steam.

The name Mývatn is linked to midges, and small flies can be a real nuisance around the lake. A simple face net can be worth carrying, particularly if you are sensitive to insects. This is not a glamorous tip, but it can make a photo stop much more pleasant.

At Skútustaðagígar, you see pseudo-craters formed by volcanic activity. These are not ordinary volcanic cones. Their rounded shapes were created when hot lava interacted with water, producing bursts of steam and crater-like forms.

The scheduled visit is about 15 minutes. That is enough for a look and photographs, but not for a long walk around every formation. If you want extended hiking time at the craters, a self-drive day or a dedicated local excursion would give you more freedom.

Eyjafjörður and the ride back to Akureyri

The Eyjafjörður stop lasts about 10 minutes and gives you a view over the fjord toward Akureyri. It is brief, but it helps you understand the setting of the town and the scale of the waterway beside it.

This is also a reminder that the tour is not only about named attractions. Your guide may point out views along the road, stop for an extra photograph, or add a short detour if the group is on schedule.

That flexibility depends on the guide, weather, road conditions, and timing. Some groups received extra stops and still returned early. Others, especially cruise passengers, had to keep a closer eye on the clock.

What the guides add to the day

The guide is central to this experience. The strongest part of the day may be the way the driver connects the sights rather than any single stop.

Siggi has been praised for relaxed driving, local stories, careful attention to anxiety and comfort, and willingness to take photographs. Thomas has been described as especially strong on historical and geological explanations. Reynir has handled difficult winter conditions and coordinated timing with other guides.

Jowi and Paula have also been praised for helping with photographs and finding good viewpoints. The company uses several guides, so your experience will depend on who leads your departure.

There is one useful note of balance: not every guide will have the same depth of information. One pleasant guide was still building experience and could not answer every question. If detailed geology or history is your main priority, consider asking questions early and paying attention to which guide you have on the day.

Is $167.99 good value?

The price is reasonable if you value transport, route planning, and a full day of access to several distant sights. Goðafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Lake Mývatn, and Skútustaðagígar would be difficult to combine by public transport.

It is less attractive if you mainly want the Nature Baths. The entrance fee is extra, and your soaking time is limited by the group schedule. Add the price of admission, a towel if needed, lunch, and any food or drinks, and the final cost becomes noticeably higher than the headline figure.

For cruise passengers, the value improves because pickup and return are arranged around the port. For hotel guests in Akureyri, pickup is available on request, but you must choose the correct accommodation when booking.

The tour is free to cancel up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund. That matters in Iceland, where road and weather conditions can change quickly.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have one day in Akureyri and want a broad introduction to North Iceland without driving. It suits people who enjoy several short stops, volcanic sights, photography, and a guide who adds stories along the way.

It is also a good fit for cruise passengers, provided you give the company the correct vessel and port details. Akureyri has multiple cruise berths, so do not assume the driver will find you without that information.

You should think twice if you dislike busy schedules, short walks, or paying separately for the main bathing experience. A private vehicle or a smaller custom tour would give you more control, though likely at a higher price.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to pack the major Mývatn-area sights into one practical day and you value a friendly guide over complete control of the schedule. The mix of Goðafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, pseudo-craters, and the baths gives you a strong first look at North Iceland.

Before booking, decide how important the Nature Baths are to you. If they are the main goal, check the extra admission cost and accept that changing time may reduce your soak. If they are one pleasant part of a larger day, this small-group trip offers good coverage, helpful guides, and a sensible way to see the region from Akureyri.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the driver-guide, local taxes, Goðafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, and the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters. Admission to the Mývatn Nature Baths, lunch, a bathing suit, and a towel are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 9:00 am.

Is pickup available in Akureyri?

Yes. Pickup is offered upon request. You must select the correct accommodation when booking if you are staying in Akureyri.

Where do cruise passengers meet the tour?

At Tangabryggja, meet at Star Travel in wooden house number 3 outside the cruise area. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and the designated agent area for a Star Travel sign and a staff member wearing a bright yellow jacket.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 people. Some departures may be much smaller.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.