Akureyri North Iceland Waterfalls and Nature Baths Small Group Tour

North Iceland packs an astonishing amount into one long day. This tour links three major waterfalls with Lake Myvatn, volcanic formations, a rift cave, and a geothermal bath, so you get far more than a simple waterfall run.

I like the small-group format, which can mean a more comfortable vehicle and room for questions. I also like the guides’ focus on stories, customs, and local life. Guides including Daniel, Johanna, Hogni, Reynir, Erwin, and John have all been praised for making the long drive feel engaging. The main caution is time: this is a full 9 to 10 hours, and one poor experience involved an overcrowded bus and a faulty microphone. Confirm your pickup and vehicle details before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Godafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss in one day: You see three very different waterfalls, from graceful and historic to broad and forceful.
• Lake Myvatn is the heart of the route: Expect lava pillars, pseudo-craters, rifts, hot springs, and unusual volcanic scenery.
• Myvatn Nature Baths cost extra: Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the geothermal lagoon.
• Small groups can be genuinely useful: The advertised group limit is 14, while the additional information lists a maximum of 16. Some departures have been much smaller.
• Pickup is included in Akureyri: Hotels, central locations, airports, and cruise ports are covered, but cruise passengers must give the ship name and correct port.
• Winter changes the whole mood: January can bring snow and a very different view from summer, so warm clothing and sturdy shoes matter.

Why this North Iceland day trip works

The strength of this outing is its range. In one day, you move from a waterfall tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity to huge volcanic formations and one of Europe’s most forceful waterfalls. Then you can spend time in warm geothermal water before returning to Akureyri.

That variety makes the $351.09 price easier to assess. It is not a cheap sightseeing bus, and you still pay separately for the Myvatn Nature Baths and your food. But the price includes pickup, transport, a local driver-guide, a professional guide, taxes, and a full day on the road. If you have only one free day in Akureyri and want to see the Myvatn region without arranging a rental car, the cost can be reasonable.

You should also understand the tradeoff. North Iceland is spread out. You will spend a good deal of time in the vehicle, and weather can affect both the roads and the walking conditions. The reward is a broad sample of one of Iceland’s most unusual areas.

From Eyjafjordur to Godafoss

The day begins with a drive along the coast of Eyjafjordur, the long fjord beside Akureyri. The route gives you an early look at the scale of northern Iceland before the tour turns inland toward the waterfalls and volcanic country around Lake Myvatn.

Godafoss is the first major stop. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the site carries an important place in Icelandic history. The falls spread across a broad horseshoe-shaped section of the Skjálfandafljót River, making them easy to appreciate from more than one angle.

I like this as an opening stop because it is visually strong without requiring a long walk. You can focus on the rushing water, surrounding rock, and winter ice or summer greenery, depending on the season. Your guide may also add context about the name and Icelandic traditions, one of the best parts of this tour when the guide is in good form.

Lake Myvatn and its volcanic origins

Lake Myvatn was formed by a large basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. That single fact explains much of what you see here. The lake is surrounded by volcanic shapes rather than ordinary hills and fields, including lava pillars and rootless vents.

This is not a place to rush through with a single photo stop. The appeal comes from the odd details: low craters, rough lava, water, and formations that seem almost arranged by hand. Your guide helps connect these pieces so the area feels like more than a collection of scenic stops.

The route includes Skútustaðagígar, a group of pseudo-craters beside the lake. These are not normal volcanic craters with deep openings. They formed when hot lava met wet ground and steam bursts shaped the surface. The result is a series of rounded forms that give you a close look at how Iceland’s volcanic terrain developed.

Bring shoes with a firm sole. The tour information specifically recommends hiking shoes, and that is sensible even if the walking is not described as strenuous. Ground conditions can change with rain, snow, or ice, and you will enjoy the stops more if you are not worrying about slippery footing.

Dimmuborgir, where lava turned into stonework

Dimmuborgir is one of the most memorable stops around Myvatn. The name is often associated with dark fortresses, and the lava formations do resemble walls, arches, and towers. These shapes formed when a lava flow cooled around pockets of water, leaving behind rough structures after the trapped water escaped.

You get a different experience here from the open views at Godafoss. Dimmuborgir feels enclosed and textural. Instead of looking across a wide valley, you look closely at the rock and follow paths through the formations.

The time available here matters. A small group gives the guide more flexibility, especially if some people want photographs while others prefer to walk. One guide, Hogni, was praised for taking a very small group to extra places when they chose not to visit the baths. That does not guarantee an added stop on every departure, but it shows why a genuinely small vehicle can be useful.

Grjótagjá and the limits of a natural hot spring

Grjótagjá is an old natural bathing place inside a rift. Naturally heated water fills the cave, creating one of those Icelandic sites where geology and bathing culture meet.

You should treat this as a viewing stop, not a promise of a swim. The tour description calls it an old natural bathing spot, but the actual bathing opportunity is at Myvatn Nature Baths later in the day. The rift is interesting because it shows the earth opening and hot water rising through it, even if you are not looking for another place to soak.

This stop also adds variety. After the broad lake and open volcanic formations, you get a tighter, more enclosed setting. Conditions may affect how close you can get, so follow the guide’s directions and do not assume the water is suitable for entry.

Selfoss and Dettifoss, two very different waterfalls

Selfoss and Dettifoss are usually the day’s most dramatic waterfall pairing. Selfoss has a wide spread of cascading water, with several sections flowing over the river’s edge. It rewards a little time to take in the shape of the falls rather than focusing on one narrow drop.

Dettifoss is the powerhouse. It is known as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, and its appeal comes from force more than delicacy. The water drops hard through a broad gorge, often throwing up mist around the river below.

These stops are a major reason to choose this tour instead of a shorter Myvatn outing. You see the graceful, historic feel of Godafoss, the broad cascades of Selfoss, and the raw power of Dettifoss. The drawback is that access and viewing conditions can vary with weather. In winter, snow and ice may limit paths or make the area harder to navigate, so warm clothing and good shoes are not optional extras.

The guides have been a strong part of the experience here. John was praised for telling stories throughout the day, while Daniel was noted for explaining Icelandic culture and traditions along with the scenery. That kind of commentary matters during a long driving day because it gives the places a human connection.

Myvatn Nature Baths: a worthwhile extra cost

The final major stop is Myvatn Nature Baths, where you can bathe in geothermal water at your own expense. The blue lagoon, volcanic setting, and warm water offer a calm finish after a day of walking and road time.

The entrance fee is not included in the tour price, so add it to your budget before booking. You also need a swimsuit and towel. Food and drinks are not included either, so plan for those separately.

The bathing stop appears to allow roughly two hours on some departures. In practical terms, that can mean about an hour in the pool and the rest spent changing, showering, or waiting. Your exact timing can depend on the day’s route and conditions, but you should not assume the entire stop is spent in the water.

I consider the baths a good use of the extra money if you like geothermal bathing. If you would rather spend more time at the natural sites, tell the guide early. A past small-group departure allowed people who skipped the baths to visit additional places, though that depends on the guide, schedule, and road conditions.

The baths are also a useful comparison point with Akureyri’s local pools. This is a sightseeing tour stop, not simply a spa visit, so you are paying for the chance to combine the soak with a full day around Myvatn.

Guides, group size, and the ride

The tour is sold as a small-group experience, with a listed maximum of 14, although the additional details give a maximum of 16. That inconsistency is worth noting. Ask the operator what vehicle and group size apply to your date, especially if the smaller format is important to you.

Some departures have had only five or eight people, and one party of three enjoyed a high level of attention. With that kind of group, it is easier to ask about folklore, local food, customs, and the route. It is also easier to make modest timing adjustments.

The experience has been especially strong when guides such as Daniel, Johanna, Hogni, Reynir, Erwin, and John are leading. Johanna was praised for discussing the land, culture, food, and people in an engaging way. Reynir was credited with allowing plenty of time at Lake Myvatn, and Hogni with being both careful and flexible.

Still, the vehicle and communication system matter. One departure involved an overcrowded bus and a microphone that did not work, leaving people at the back unable to hear. That appears to be an exception among the supplied experiences, but it is a fair warning. If hearing the commentary is important to you, ask where you will sit and what vehicle is being used.

Seasonal planning for a long day outdoors

In January, this route becomes a winter outing. Snow, ice, short daylight, and changing road conditions can alter the views and the schedule. One winter departure was described as a very different experience from summer, with local customs and legends adding warmth to a cold day.

Summer brings a different mood, including the possibility of the midnight sun. The tour information also describes the experience as an outing into ice, snow, and hot springs, so you should be ready for exposed conditions in any season.

Wear warm layers and hiking shoes. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to use the baths. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate, but the day includes outdoor walking and a great deal of time in a vehicle.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Keep your phone reachable, since the operator may need to contact you with changes.

Pickup from Akureyri and cruise ports

Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels, central locations, and Akureyri Airport. Select your accommodation carefully when booking and make sure the phone number you provide works during the trip.

Cruise passengers need extra care because Akureyri has more than one port. At Tangabryggja, Star Travel meets passengers by the small wooden houses at house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and the designated agent area for the Star Travel sign or a staff member in a bright yellow jacket.

Give the operator your vessel name. Without it, the pickup location can be unclear, and a ship day leaves little room for delay.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in Akureyri and want the widest possible sample of North Iceland. It suits you especially well if you value local stories, want transport handled for you, and like the idea of pairing major waterfalls with volcanic sites and a hot bath.

It is also a good fit for cruise passengers, provided the timing works with your ship and you give the correct port details. The included pickup removes much of the usual transport hassle.

I would think twice if you dislike long road days, need a guaranteed very small group, or want to spend most of the day in one place. The price is substantial once you add the bath entrance and food, and the long route means some stops may feel brief.

For most people, the best booking choice is to confirm the group size, vehicle, bath timing, and pickup point before paying. If those details suit you, this is a strong way to see the Myvatn region without driving yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri waterfalls and nature baths tour?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours.

What waterfalls are included?

The route includes Godafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss.

Is the entrance fee to Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entrance to Myvatn Nature Baths is at your own expense.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from hotels, central locations, and Akureyri Airport. Cruise passengers can meet the operator at Tangabryggja or Oddeyrarbryggja, depending on their ship’s port.

What should I bring?

Wear warm clothes and hiking shoes. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to use Myvatn Nature Baths.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The tour is described as a small-group experience. The advertised maximum is 14 people, while the additional tour information lists a maximum of 16.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.