Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss and Goddafoss Waterfalls Day Tour from Akureyri

The north packs a lot into one day. This small-group tour from Akureyri links Lake Myvatn’s volcanic sights with Godafoss and the mighty Dettifoss, using a climate-controlled vehicle and a guide who explains what you are seeing. I like the hotel pickup options and the chance to cover several major sights without arranging a rental car.

I also like the local touch. Guides such as Norbert, Arman, Icky, Daniel, and Tweety have been praised for safe driving, humor, clear explanations, and care in poor weather. The main drawback is the tight schedule, especially in winter, when the walk to Dettifoss can be icy, slow, and difficult.

Key points to know before you book

• Dettifoss can demand more time than the schedule allows: The waterfall is reached on foot, and icy paths have made the walk difficult.
• You see a remarkable range of volcanic sights: Expect mud pools, steam vents, lava formations, a rift cave, pseudocraters, and two major waterfalls.
• The Myvatn Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is ISK 7,400 per person, and about 1 hour and 20 minutes is allowed there.
• The group is capped at 17 people: That makes the outing more personal than a large coach tour.
• Weather can change the day: Dettifoss may be unreachable in winter, and the tour can be canceled for poor weather or low numbers.
• Plan for an early pickup routine: The stated start is 9 a.m., but some pickup arrangements require you to be outside by about 8:30 a.m.

Why this northern Iceland day is worth your time

At $311.55 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. But northern Iceland is spread out, the roads can be demanding, and the tour covers a large number of stops in seven to nine hours. If you do not want to drive, navigate, or judge winter road conditions, the price can make sense.

You are paying for transport, pickup and drop-off, a guide, and the convenience of seeing places that would be awkward to connect in one short day. Food, drinks, and the Nature Baths entrance are not included, so the real cost will be higher if you choose to bathe.

The strongest part of the outing is its variety. In one day, you can move from a broad lake dotted with pseudocraters to steaming ground, a lava cave, dark volcanic rock, and waterfalls ranging from graceful Godafoss to roaring Dettifoss.

The tradeoff is pace. This is a sightseeing sampler, not a slow walk through the Myvatn area. At some stops you may have only 10 or 20 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not always enough to explore at leisure.

Leaving Akureyri in a small group

Pickup is offered at many Akureyri hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and central meeting points. The listed central options include Hotel Kea, the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre, and the Brynja Ice Cream shop in the Old Town. Check your exact pickup instructions closely, since some locations are meeting points rather than door-to-door pickups.

The vehicle is climate-controlled, an important detail in northern Iceland. You can expect cold, rain, snow, and wind to be part of the day’s possibilities, even when the forecast looks friendly at breakfast.

The group maximum is 17 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the efficiency of a shared outing without being placed on one of the very large buses that can make short stops feel crowded.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Norbert has been singled out for watching the weather and handing out spikes on slippery ground. Arman has earned praise for safe driving and for finding substitute activities when roads or conditions prevented access to a planned sight. Icky, a local guide from the area, has been praised for sharing personal connections to the region and explaining Icelandic life with humor.

Lake Myvatn: volcanic scenery in several forms

The Lake Myvatn area receives about five hours of the day, though that time is divided among several places. The lake itself is the anchor, with wide views and a setting shaped by volcanic activity.

Your guide explains how eruptions, lava, steam, and shifting ground have formed this part of north Iceland. That background matters because the area can otherwise feel like a series of unrelated stops. Once you understand the volcanic forces at work, the mud pools, caves, lava towers, and pseudocraters begin to fit together.

The main lake visit is free, but the full area is not one single viewpoint. You will make short walks and photo stops, so wear shoes that can handle uneven or wet ground. In cold weather, gloves and a hat are not optional luxuries.

Skutustaoagigar and the view across Lake Myvatn

Skutustaoagigar is a pseudocrater area beside the lake. These rounded formations look like volcanic craters, but they formed when lava met water and caused steam explosions rather than opening as traditional eruption vents.

The scheduled stop is about 10 minutes. That is brief, but it gives you time to take in the lake and the unusual shapes near the shore. If you enjoy geology, this is a place where a short explanation from the guide adds real value.

Do not expect a long walk here. The stop is designed as a quick introduction to the area, not a full hike.

Dimmuborgir, the Dark Castle of lava

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castle, and the name suits the place. The area contains striking lava formations created when molten rock cooled into towers, walls, and irregular shapes.

You have about 20 minutes here. That allows a short stroll and photographs, though not a full exploration of every path. The formations are among the day’s more visually unusual sights, especially when weather and light bring out the deep blacks and rough textures of the lava.

This stop also gives the day some breathing room after the open lake views. You are no longer looking across a wide body of water. You are walking among solidified volcanic shapes.

Grjotagja Cave and the continental rift

Grjotagja is a small lava cave with a pool inside. It was once used as a bathing place and became familiar to many people through its appearance in Game of Thrones. The cave is also part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continental plates.

The scheduled visit lasts about 20 minutes. The appeal is less about spending a long time underground and more about seeing a compact place where geology, local bathing traditions, and popular culture meet.

Conditions inside and around a cave can be uneven, so take care on the approach. This is another stop where sturdy footwear will serve you better than smooth-soled shoes.

Namafjall Hverir: steam, mud, and sulfur

At Namafjall Hverir, the ground seems to be cooking. Mud pools bubble, steam vents rise from the earth, and fumaroles release the unmistakable smell of sulfur.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough to walk among the marked areas and see the colors and textures, but you should stay on the designated paths. The ground is hot and unstable in geothermal zones.

The smell is part of the experience, though some people find it clings to clothing and hair. Keep that in mind if you plan to use the Nature Baths afterward or continue sightseeing in the same clothes.

The Myvatn Nature Baths, with an extra fee

The Myvatn Nature Baths are allotted about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Entry is not included, and the stated admission is ISK 7,400 per person.

For many people, this is the day’s most relaxing stop. Warm geothermal water can feel especially welcome after time outside in wind, rain, or snow. The bath also changes the rhythm of the outing, giving you a chance to sit still rather than move from viewpoint to viewpoint.

Still, the timing is tight. You need to change, enter, enjoy the water, and get ready to leave within the scheduled window. If you also need lunch, you may feel pressed.

One practical concern is the sulfur smell. Some people enjoy the strong geothermal character, while others dislike smelling of sulfur afterward. Construction has also affected the setting at times, with cranes visible in photographs. I would treat the baths as an optional add-on, not an essential part of the tour.

If you skip the baths, the guide may be able to arrange another activity, depending on the day and the group. That flexibility has been a welcome feature when not everyone wanted to pay for or use the baths.

Dettifoss and Selfoss: the day’s toughest stop

Dettifoss is billed as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and it is the day’s biggest natural spectacle. Water crashes through a stark canyon with a force that makes the viewpoint feel very small.

The planned stop is about 40 minutes and may include nearby Selfoss, but access depends on conditions. This qualification matters. In winter, snow and ice can make the road or walking route unsafe, and the guide may need to cancel this section.

The walk from the car park is the main issue. Several accounts describe solid ice, flooding, detours, and a slow approach. One person reported spending roughly 30 minutes reaching the waterfall, leaving almost no time at the viewpoint before turning back. Another described crampons as essential.

The operator has sometimes provided spikes, which can help, but you should not assume that every winter day will be easy. Ask about the conditions at the start of the tour, and bring warm waterproof clothing. If you have a medical condition that could be affected by cold weather or a difficult walk, check with your doctor before booking.

Dettifoss is worth seeing when access is safe, but it is also the clearest reason this tour can feel rushed. The waterfall itself may take only a few minutes to view, yet reaching it can require much of the allotted time.

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Godafoss is usually the easier waterfall stop. Its broad, curved cascade is visually graceful, and the name, Waterfall of the Gods, reflects its place in Icelandic history and legend.

The listed time is only 15 minutes, so you will want to move quickly between the viewing areas. In icy conditions, the paths can still be slippery. Spikes or traction aids are useful here as well.

Some guides save Godafoss for later when winter daylight is limited. That can work well because the waterfall becomes a fitting final sight, rather than a rushed stop in dim morning light.

The guide makes the difference

The route is ambitious, so the guide has to balance safety, timing, and group preferences. The strongest guide accounts describe people who kept the drive calm, explained volcanic activity clearly, and adjusted the plan when conditions changed.

Norbert has been praised for caring for everyone in the group and monitoring the weather. Arman has been described as positive and careful behind the wheel. Icky brought local stories and a personal connection to the region, while Tweety was praised for taking time to explain Icelandic life.

You should not expect the same person on every departure, but the pattern is clear: the guide can make a crowded schedule feel purposeful. A less active guide would leave you wondering why some stops are so short.

Timing, food, and what to pack

The day begins at 9 a.m. and lasts roughly seven to nine hours. In practice, the schedule can run closer to eight hours, and pickup may require you to be ready outside by 8:30 a.m.

Food and drinks are not included. Because the day includes the baths and many short stops, plan ahead. Bring water and something easy to eat so you are not forced to choose between lunch and a scheduled activity.

Pack:

• Waterproof outer layers
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Traction spikes or crampons if you have them
• Extra socks
• Water and portable food

You will do more walking than the short stop times suggest, especially at Dettifoss. The tour is not described as a strenuous hike, but cold conditions and slippery paths can make ordinary walking tiring.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this outing if I had limited time in Akureyri and wanted a broad look at northern Iceland without driving. It suits people who value scenery, geology, waterfalls, and local explanation more than long meals or relaxed time at one site.

It is also a good fit for families with older children who can manage cold weather and uneven walking. The small group and guide support are helpful, but parents should think carefully about the winter route to Dettifoss.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long soak at the Nature Baths, an easy walk to a waterfall, or a slow day with plenty of free time. The tour tries to cover a lot, and winter conditions can turn a short walk into the hardest part of the day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can also lead to cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered.

Should you book the Lake Myvatn and waterfall tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety from Akureyri and accept a brisk pace. The combination of Lake Myvatn, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjotagja, Godafoss, and Dettifoss gives you an excellent taste of the region’s volcanic character.

Before paying, check the forecast, ask about Dettifoss access, and decide if the Nature Baths are worth the extra ISK 7,400. If the roads are open and the guide can keep the group moving safely, this is a strong day out. Just remember that the most dramatic waterfall may also be the most demanding stop.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven to nine hours, with a stated start time of 9 a.m.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered at many Akureyri hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and central locations. Listed meeting points include Hotel Kea, the Brynja Ice Cream shop in Old Town, and the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, although some listed locations are designated meeting points rather than direct hotel pickups.

Is the Myvatn Nature Baths entrance included?

No. Admission costs ISK 7,400 per person and must be paid separately.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You need to arrange your own food and drinks for the day.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 17 people.

Can the tour visit Dettifoss in winter?

The visit depends on road and walking conditions. Snow, ice, flooding, or poor weather can prevent access to Dettifoss and Selfoss.

Is this tour suitable for people with medical conditions?

Most people can participate, but you should check with your doctor if you have a condition that could affect your ability to walk to Dettifoss or cope with cold conditions.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you will be offered another option or a full refund.