Four waterfalls, one geothermal reset.

This full-day Akureyri tour strings together some of North Iceland’s most dramatic water and volcanic scenery, then gives you a chance to slow down in hot springs. You’ll take in Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, Selfoss, Dettifoss, and the Lake Mývatn area, finishing with a last look back toward the fjord and Akureyri. The small-group setup also means the stops feel more paced and less like a cattle call.

I love the variety of what you see in one day, from the pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar to the lava-field eeriness of Dimmuborgir. I also love the small-group feel on departures that really let the guide work the room, with guides like Johanna, Hogni, Erwin, Daniel, and John bringing stories and local context into each stop.

One thing to think about: you’ll spend most of the day on the move, and Myvatn Nature Baths entry is extra (food and drinks are not included either). And while the tour is usually smooth, at least one review flagged an overcrowded bus and an audio problem, so if commentary matters to you, it’s smart to be ready for the occasional tech hiccup.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Goðafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss in a single north loop from Akureyri
• Lake Mývatn geology stops like Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and the Dimmuborgir lava fields
• Grjótagjá Rift as a notable pause at a historically used natural bathing spot
• Optional Myvatn Nature Baths swim with the entrance fee paid separately
• Hotel, central, and airport pickup plus cruise port meeting points in two locations
• A truly small group with a maximum of 16 travelers (and the tour is framed as up to 14 for a more personal pace)

The big idea: why this Akureyri waterfalls and hot springs day feels special

North Iceland can be a lot of driving for a little time if you try to DIY every stop. This tour fixes that by packing the right sequence into a single day, without turning it into a speed run.

You’ll start in Akureyri and work your way along the Eyjafjörður coast, then into Lake Mývatn country. That means you’re not just seeing one headline waterfall. You’re getting the full north “system”: water, volcanic rock, steam, and then a chance to soak your way back to normal body temperature.

The route you’ll actually experience, from Eyjafjörður to Lake Mývatn

The drive begins with coastal scenery along Eyjafjörður. Even if the weather is doing its own thing, the route sets expectations early: this part of Iceland is shaped by fire and ice, and you can feel that in the ground under your feet.

Your first major stop is Goðafoss. It’s famous for a dramatic, powerful fall, but the practical magic is how it works as an early reset. You get your first big photo moment, stretch your legs, and then you’re ready for the slower, weirder geology that comes next.

After that, you head toward Lake Mývatn, a region created by a large basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. The tour leans into that detail in the stops that follow, including the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters. These aren’t “real” impact craters, and that’s part of the point: Iceland’s geology has multiple ways to fake out your expectations.

Next comes Dimmuborgir, the famous lava-field area where you’ll see formations shaped by volcanic activity. The vibe here is ghostly in the best way, and it’s also where the tour’s pace matters. With a small group, you’re more likely to get time for a longer look and a few extra minutes for photos.

Finally, the route turns back toward major waterfalls, including Selfoss and Dettifoss, before returning toward Akureyri.

Goðafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss: three styles of waterfall power

If you’re the type who only likes the biggest waterfall possible, you’ll still be happy here. But what makes this stop set work is how it shows you different kinds of water force.

Goðafoss is your opening act: bold, wide, and instantly readable as a waterfall. It’s also a good place to set your timing mindset. If you’re traveling with winter daylight or tight schedules, this early stop helps you get the “wow” moment before the day gets longer.

Selfoss sits in the mix as a complementary stop. It’s not just another fall you pass through. It gives you a different sense of how rivers and cliffs behave here, and it breaks up the heavier geology stops with something simple and visual.

Then you reach Dettifoss, described as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. This is where you feel the scale. Expect loud water, spray, and that adrenaline rush that makes you forget you’ve been on a bus for hours. The practical tip is to wear shoes that handle wet ground and keep your layers on, because spray is a real thing in waterfall country.

Lake Mývatn geology stops: the “why Iceland looks like this”

My favorite part of this kind of day tour is when you stop seeing Iceland as a postcard and start seeing it as a process. This itinerary is built for that.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters

These pseudo craters are a perfect example of Iceland doing geology homework in plain sight. Because the formations are linked to volcanic and ground interactions around water, they help explain why Lake Mývatn’s area looks so unusual.

The best value here is time to walk and look. You’re not just driving past. You’re getting a chance to orient yourself, notice textures, and understand why “lava” can look like something else entirely.

Dimmuborgir lava fields

Dimmuborgir is one of those places where your brain starts writing stories because the rock does it for you. The tour frames it as one of the most popular attractions in the Mývatn area, and that popularity is easy to understand once you’re there.

With a small group, you’re less rushed. And in your head, you’ll start connecting it back to what you saw at the pseudo craters: these formations aren’t random. They’re part of a larger volcanic landscape that still plays by Iceland rules.

Grjótagjá Rift natural bathing spot

You also stop at Grjótagjá Rift, an old natural bathing spot where naturally heated water comes out of a rift. Even if you don’t swim there, it’s a meaningful pause because it shows how geothermal activity has shaped local habits over time.

As a practical matter, this stop is mainly about viewing and context. If your goal is hot water soaking, your biggest chance comes later at the official bath option.

Myvatn Nature Baths: what you should know before you pay extra

This is the optional part of the day, and it’s also the moment that turns a long sightseeing loop into a true reset.

The tour gives you the chance to swim in the geothermal lagoon of Myvatn Nature Baths, but the entrance fee is not included. Bring a swimsuit and a towel, because you’ll want to be ready when your time in the baths begins.

One review noted about two hours of bathing time, with time inside the pools and time for showers, queuing, and getting sorted. That’s useful because it tells you the visit isn’t just a quick dip. It’s enough time to feel like you made the extra expense worth it.

Is it better than other Iceland hot spring spots? One review said it felt more relaxing than the Blue Lagoon. You don’t need that kind of comparison to appreciate the bath itself. But it’s a helpful clue: if you like hot water that feels like a slow exhale, this stop tends to land well.

How to decide if you should add it

I think you’ll enjoy the baths most if:

• You’re okay paying extra for the entrance fee
• You pack a swimsuit and don’t treat this stop as optional “maybe someday”
• You want a break from cold wind and constant walking

You might skip it if your priorities are strictly photo stops and you’d rather spend every minute seeing outside sites.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack for 9 to 10 hours

This is an all-day ride, roughly 9 to 10 hours. That length matters in Iceland, where the day can swing between brilliant and gray fast.

The tour includes pickup and drop-off in Akureyri, including hotel, central meeting points, and airport pickup. If you’re on a tight schedule, this is a real convenience, because you do not have to solve local transport after you’re already tired.

For gear, plan for temperature swings and wet ground:

• Wear warm clothes and hiking shoes
• Bring a swimsuit and towel (for the Myvatn Nature Baths option)

The tour is in English, and it’s run as a small group, which you’ll feel most when stops get a bit crowded and the guide tries to manage everyone’s pace.

One more comfort note from reviews: a few people mentioned the vehicle felt comfortable and safe, and that small group numbers helped keep the day flexible. That flexibility can mean a little extra time for photos or a calmer pace between stops.

Price and value: what $351.09 gets you, and what costs extra

At $351.09 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on. The good news is that much of what you’re paying for is time and logistics: transportation, a professional guide, pickup and drop-off in Akureyri, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included.

What you need to budget separately:

• Myvatn Nature Baths entrance fee (optional swim)
• Food and drinks (not included)

So the value question comes down to this: do you want a guided loop that hits major sites plus geothermal downtime? If yes, the price often feels fair because you’re buying fewer headaches. You also get a coherent route that makes sense for one long day rather than trying to string together far-flung stops yourself.

Where it can feel less worth it is if you end up with an overcrowded ride or poor audio. One review specifically criticized overcrowding and an audio microphone issue that prevented commentary. That sounds like a specific departure problem, not the typical experience, but it’s still a reason to pick this tour when you care about the guide connection and not just the bus ride.

Pickup and meeting points, including cruise port details

If you’re staying in Akureyri, you’ll want to make sure your accommodation details match what you selected for pickup. The tour offers hotel, central, and airport pickup and drop-off, so you should be able to start without extra planning.

If you arrive by cruise ship

There are multiple ports in Akureyri, so don’t guess.

• Tangabryggja Port: You’ll meet just outside the cruise ship area, near small wooden houses. Star Travel is at house number 3.
• Oddeyrarbryggja Port: Right outside the ship, look for an Icewear shop. Next to it is the designated agent area where tour reps wait, look for a colleague wearing a bright yellow jacket and a Star Travel sign.

This is one of those details that can make or break your first hour of the day. I’d rather you arrive early and walk over once than rush and miss a meeting point.

Who this tour is best for

I’d point you toward this tour if:

• You want the north’s top waterfall hits without juggling multiple rental-car legs
• You care about geothermal context, not just scenery
• You like small groups, because it usually means more time at stops and less waiting
• You’re the type who will actually use the swim option and enjoy a hot-spring reset

I might suggest another style of plan if you:

• Want a fully DIY route with maximum control
• Are extremely sensitive to long sitting time in a vehicle
• Don’t want to pay extra for the bath entrance

Should you book this Akureyri waterfalls and nature baths tour?

Book it if you want one guided day that combines major waterfalls with Lake Mývatn’s volcanic story and a real chance to soak. The small-group focus and the guide-led context, seen in reviews praising guides like Johanna, Hogni, Erwin, Daniel, and John, are exactly the kind of ingredient that turns a list of stops into a smoother day.

Consider passing if the idea of a long 9 to 10 hour day sounds draining, or if you hate paying extra on top of the tour price for the baths, and you’re not planning to add the swim. Also, if good audio commentary is a must for you, it’s worth knowing that at least one departure has had an audio problem reported.

If your goal is a practical, high-impact north Iceland day from Akureyri, this is one of the more solid ways to do it.