Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

The best part of this two-day outing is the contrast: volcanic Lake Mývatn by daylight, then a quiet road outside Akureyri in search of the Northern Lights. I like the smart pairing of natural sights and warm bathing, and I like the small group size, capped at 18 people. Guide Sigi, also called Ziggie, has handled both outings for recent bookings, keeping the days informative without making them feel hurried.

The main consideration is that the lights are never guaranteed, and weather can change both tours. The Mývatn Nature Baths also require a separate entry fee, and a recent refurbishment closure meant one group faced a 45-minute drive to an alternative bath. Book early in your stay if you can, so there is room to try the aurora tour again.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different days: A daytime circuit of North Iceland is followed by a late-night Northern Lights hunt.
• A strong volcanic route: Goðafoss, Hverarönd, Grjótagjá, Dimmuborgir, and the pseudocraters at Skútustaðagígar each show a different side of the region.
• Small-group transport: The group is limited to 18 people, with pickup included for the two tours.
• Bathing is optional and extra: Mývatn Nature Baths are not included in the $350 price, and you must bring a swimsuit and towel.
• Useful airport service: EasyJet passengers receive a complimentary shuttle to their Akureyri accommodation and a return transfer on departure.
• Best aurora strategy: Schedule the Northern Lights outing for your first night in Akureyri when possible, leaving time for a free repeat if conditions fail.

Why this two-day Akureyri plan works

At $350 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing bus ride, but it covers a lot in a compact northern Iceland visit. You get the guided Lake Mývatn circuit, the Northern Lights hunt, airport transfers for EasyJet passengers, and transport between the main stops. Meals, drinks, bath admission, swimwear, towels, and personal spending remain yours to cover.

I see the value in the combination. A standalone Mývatn outing gives you scenery and geology, while an aurora tour can end with nothing visible if clouds roll in. Putting both together spreads your chances for a good experience across two days. The airport shuttle adds another practical benefit, especially if you do not want to sort out a transfer after landing.

The group limit of 18 matters. You are still using shared transport, but this is a more manageable size than a large coach. It should make stop times easier to handle and gives you a better chance to hear the guide. Recent bookings were led by Sigi, or Ziggie, who drove both tours and kept the schedule moving while allowing time at the stops.

The itinerary lasts two days rather than one long, exhausting day. The Northern Lights outing starts at 9:30 PM, while the Mývatn route begins at 9 AM. That split gives you a full sightseeing day and a separate night for the aurora, though you should still expect a late return from the evening trip.

The 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt

The evening tour leaves Akureyri’s city lights behind and heads toward areas where the sky may be darker and clearer. The exact route changes each night according to cloud cover and expected viewing conditions. That flexibility is useful, since a fixed viewpoint would make little sense when weather can vary across North Iceland.

You should dress for standing outdoors, not just sitting in a vehicle. Wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, and clothing that can handle a cold wait. The tour description does not promise a particular viewing site or length of time outside, so come prepared for a changing plan.

The Northern Lights are a natural event, and no guide can order them onto the sky. Even on a clear night, solar activity may not produce a visible show. The operator does offer the trip again for free if the tour operates but the lights are not seen. If weather prevents the tour from running, a repeat option is also relevant, but you need enough time left in your schedule to use it.

That is why I would book this for your first night in Akureyri rather than your last. A late booking leaves no practical chance to change dates. A first-night booking gives you the best shot at using the free repeat policy, provided another suitable evening is available.

One recent booking had an excellent lights show, but you should treat that as a fortunate result, not a promise. The honest appeal here is the search itself: you leave the town, follow the best available sky conditions, and let nature decide the ending.

Goðafoss begins the Mývatn day

The daytime tour starts at 9 AM and follows the coast of Eyjafjörður before reaching Goðafoss. The waterfall is one of North Iceland’s major sights, and it makes a strong first stop because you get a dramatic natural feature before the route turns toward the volcanic country around Mývatn.

You will want proper footwear here. Wet or icy conditions can make waterfall viewpoints awkward, and comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. The tour is guided, so you can expect an explanation of the area as well as time to look around and take pictures.

From Goðafoss, the route continues toward Lake Mývatn. The lake formed after a major basaltic lava eruption around 2,300 years ago, and that volcanic origin explains the unusual shapes you see throughout the day. This is not simply a lake-view outing. The route is really a tour of how lava, steam, water, and erosion have shaped northeastern Iceland.

Lake Mývatn’s lava pillars and rootless vents

The Mývatn area is known for its mix of open water, lava formations, volcanic craters, and geothermal ground. The route gives you several short encounters with these features instead of asking you to spend the whole day at one viewpoint.

That variety is one of the tour’s strengths. You see volcanic forms at different scales, from broad scenery around the lake to strange rock shapes and steaming ground. The guide can connect the stops, which helps the day feel like one story rather than a pile of unrelated photo breaks.

The exact amount of walking at each stop is not specified, so sturdy shoes remain a sensible choice. You should also expect outdoor exposure throughout the day. Warm clothes are essential in winter, even if the vehicle itself is comfortable.

Grjótagjá and Hverarönd show Iceland’s heat below ground

Grjótagjá is a cave associated with geothermal activity. It gives you a look at the forces beneath the surface, though the tour information does not promise that you can enter the cave or bathe there. Consider it a stop for viewing and learning rather than a swimming opportunity.

At Hverarönd in Námaskarð, the focus shifts to hot springs and steaming ground. This is one of the most direct places on the route to see Iceland’s heat at work. The colors and vapor make it visually different from the cooler lava formations around the lake, but geothermal areas also require care. Stay with the guide and follow any marked boundaries.

These stops are valuable because they prevent the day from becoming only a waterfall and lake drive. You get evidence of active geothermal forces, not just old volcanic rock.

The optional Mývatn Nature Baths stop

The Nature Baths offer the day’s most relaxing pause. You can pay separately to soak in geothermal water surrounded by North Iceland’s volcanic scenery. For many people, the bath is the piece that turns a busy sightseeing day into a more comfortable Iceland experience.

Admission is not included in the tour price. You also need to bring a swimsuit and towel. If you forget them, the tour information does not promise that replacements will be supplied, so pack both in an easy-to-reach bag.

The bath stop can affect your choice of tour. If you already plan to visit another geothermal spa, you may prefer to skip this extra cost and spend more time exploring. A recent itinerary had the Nature Baths closed for refurbishment, with an alternative requiring a 45-minute drive. The people who did not take that option were dropped in a local town while the others visited the baths. That shows the operator can make a practical adjustment, but it also shows why you should confirm current bath status before departure.

Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar finish the circuit

On the return route, Dimmuborgir brings you into one of the most unusual lava areas around Mývatn. The formations are the remains of old lava structures, shaped into dark pillars and irregular rock walls. This is a good place to slow down and look closely rather than simply take one wide photograph.

The stop at Skútustaðagígar adds another geological oddity: pseudocraters. These formations look like volcanic craters but formed differently, through steam explosions when lava met wet ground. You do not need a geology background to enjoy them, but knowing that distinction makes the view more interesting.

The final stop is back in Eyjafjörður, where you can look across the fjord toward Akureyri and take a broad closing photograph. After a day of lava, steam, waterfalls, and crater forms, this viewpoint gives you a clear sense of the town’s setting.

A recent booking found the route well paced, with plenty of time at the stops and no feeling of being rushed. That is useful feedback for anyone wary of a packed sightseeing schedule. Still, winter daylight and weather can affect the timing, so keep your expectations flexible.

Airport transfers make the package easier

EasyJet passengers receive a complimentary shuttle from Akureyri Airport to their accommodation after arrival. You need to provide your flight information in advance so the operator knows when to collect you.

The return transfer is provided on your departure day. For the two tours, you also need to provide your accommodation details. These are small planning tasks, but they matter in Akureyri, where a reliable airport connection saves you from arranging separate transport on a short visit.

The shuttle is specifically offered for EasyJet flights, so do not assume the same airport service applies to another airline unless the operator confirms it. The tour data supports the service for EasyJet passengers only.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this package if you want the main natural sights around Mývatn without renting a car or building the route yourself. It suits a short stay in Akureyri, especially if you want one guided daytime outing and one organized attempt at seeing the aurora.

It is also a good match if you value explanation and structure. The English-speaking guide drives, handles the route, and gives context at the stops. The small group should feel more personal than a large coach outing, though it is still a shared tour and not a private trip.

You may want another plan if you need complete control over timing, prefer long hikes, or already have a full spa schedule. The Nature Baths cost extra, the aurora cannot be guaranteed, and weather may alter the order or operation of the tours.

Pack sturdy shoes, warm layers, and a swimsuit with a towel if you plan to bathe. Keep the first evening free for the Northern Lights, and avoid placing the aurora tour on your final night.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn Winter Special?

I would book it if you want a practical northern Iceland package with strong variety: Goðafoss, geothermal ground, lava formations, pseudocraters, a possible hot-water soak, and an evening search for the aurora. The $350 price is reasonable when you value the airport transfers and the convenience of combining two guided outings.

I would not book it expecting guaranteed Northern Lights or a fixed bath experience. The weather controls much of this trip, and the Nature Baths are an extra expense that may be affected by refurbishment. For a two-day visit, though, the route covers a great deal without forcing you to arrange every detail yourself.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The package lasts two days. The Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths outing begins at 9 AM, while the Northern Lights tour begins at 9:30 PM.

What is included in the $350 price?

The price includes the guided Lake Mývatn area tour, the Northern Lights hunt, and an airport shuttle for EasyJet passengers.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths is not included, so you must pay the admission fee separately.

Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?

Yes. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the Nature Baths.

Can the Northern Lights be guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and sightings depend on weather, cloud cover, and sky conditions.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not visible?

If the evening tour operates but you do not see the lights, the operator offers the trip again for free. Booking it early in your Akureyri stay gives you a better chance to use that option.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is a small-group experience limited to 18 participants.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is airport pickup available for every airline?

The complimentary airport shuttle is specifically offered to passengers arriving on EasyJet flights. You must provide your flight information and accommodation details for pickup arrangements.