Mývatn in one tight loop is a great taste of North Iceland. I love how this tour packs volcanic craters and the black-lava moonscape of Dimmuborgir into a smooth, timed day. You also get a real hit of Iceland’s geothermal mood at Námaskarð with mud pools and that unmistakable sulfur smell. The main drawback is the pacing, so you have to be okay with shorter stops rather than hanging out for hours.

What makes this outing work so well is the mix: waterfalls plus steam plus crater science, all in about 6 hours. I also like that you’re not figuring out bus routes on your own because the day is built around port pickup and drop-off in Akureyri. One consideration, especially in summer, is insects and heat-breeze sweat, so pack for sudden weather swings and plan to stay on marked paths near geothermal areas.

Key points at a glance

• Goðafoss in a semi-circle: dramatic timing and a 30 m wide waterfall view
• Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters: crater shapes formed by steam explosions, not lava flows
• Dimmuborgir walk: strange lava-rock forms that people link to troll folklore
• Námaskarð geothermal stop: mud pools, sulfur air, and strict path rules
• Port-friendly timing: multiple short stops with comfort breaks at site visitor areas

Why Mývatn works so well as a half-day plan from Akureyri

North Iceland can feel far apart on the map, but Mývatn sits in a sweet spot for a day trip. In a few hours you get the feeling of a place built by fire and water colliding over and over, from crater edges around the lake to geothermal ground that smells like sulfur.

What I like about this itinerary is that it gives you different “textures” of the same story. You see the waterfall’s force at Goðafoss, then you switch to crater shapes at Skútustaðagígar, and finally you end with steaming mud and smoke-like air at Námaskarð. If you only have one shot at the north, this is a smart way to get the basics without rushing yourself into exhaustion.

Price and what you really get for $187 per person

At $187 per person for a 6-hour tour, this is not a budget-only option. But it is solid value for what’s included, mainly because you get port pickup and drop-off plus a packed lunch and WiFi on board.

That matters if you’re doing a cruise day or you’re short on time in Akureyri. You’re paying to eliminate the “what bus, what route, where do I park” stress. One review even called it about half the price of a cruise excursion for a similar route, which lines up with how these tours often price compared with ship-based offerings.

Here’s what you should mentally price in when you compare to DIY:

• The time saved by coordinated stops
• The fact that lunch is provided, though it is a simple packed meal
• The guide’s explanations, which help the volcanic shapes make sense fast

Meeting point at Gránufélagsgata 50, plus two cruise port options

The logistics are straightforward once you know where to go. The tour meets at Gránufélagsgata 50 at the large parking lot, and your guide wears an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, your guide greets you at that main parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, your guide meets you by the visitor center at the cruise port. Either way, you should show up a bit early, since it’s the kind of day where starting on time keeps everyone on schedule for the best light and the cleanest walking conditions.

Goðafoss: the 30 m semi-circle waterfall and the story it carries

Goðafoss is the kind of stop that resets your brain. You’ll get about 45 minutes here, which is enough time to see the semi-circular fall pattern, walk for a couple viewpoints, and let the sound do its job.

This waterfall is described as a 30 m wide semi-circle, and standing in the spray zone gives you that classic Iceland feeling of black rock versus white foam. I also like that the guide narrative connects the site to a turning point in Iceland’s belief system. Goðafoss is often linked to the shift from pagan worship to Christianity, so the place becomes more than just scenery.

Practical note: bring a light layer you don’t mind getting damp. Water mist can find you even when the sky looks calm.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters: why they look volcanic, but aren’t

Next up is Skútustaðagígar, with about 20 minutes on site. These are the “pseudo craters” that sit by Lake Mývatn, and they teach you something useful fast: not every crater shape means the same formation story.

They look like volcanic craters, but they were formed when lava flowed into wetlands near the lake. The key process is the meeting of boiling magma and lake water, which triggers steam explosions that carve and shape the ground. So you get crater-like mounds, but without the crater being made from lava shooting out and building itself the usual way.

This stop is short, so I treat it as a visual lesson. If you’re the type who likes reading signs and taking slow photos, you’ll want to arrive ready to focus for those 20 minutes.

Dimmuborgir lava fields: a short walk through strange rock shapes

Dimmuborgir is one of the stops that makes people lean in, not just point and scroll. You get about 55 minutes with a walk through the lava formations, so it’s more than a quick pull-over.

The formations here are described as atmospheric and spooky, and that fits the feel of the place. Iceland commonly invites kids to spot troll-like shapes in lava rock, and even without being in a fairytale mood, the weird angles can make your imagination do its thing.

What you’ll probably appreciate most is the contrast between grass-topped ground nearby and the dark, sculpted lava here. The guide explanations can help you “see” the process behind the shapes, but even without that, the walk gives you a sense of why this region makes such a strong visual impression.

Dress for a walk on uneven volcanic rock. Even when it looks flat on camera, the ground can be abrasive and uneven underfoot.

Námaskarð geothermal area: sulfur air, mud pools, and the path rules

This is where the day gets a little more intense. At Námaskarð, you’ll have about 40 minutes, and it’s famous for the smell of sulfur hanging in the air.

Expect barren ground scarred by geothermal activity, with mud pools that look like something animated. It’s also a place where you really need to respect the rules, because the ground can be unstable. The tour info stresses sticking to marked walking paths, and that’s not just caution theater. In geothermal areas, “just one step closer” can be a bad idea.

I’d plan for your senses here. The smell can be strong, and that’s part of the point. If you’re sensitive to odor, you may want to keep your breathing steady and take short breaks from the densest sulfur air.

The day’s rhythm: bus time, comfort breaks, and realistic expectations

This tour runs on a bus schedule with multiple short drives, which is why it fits into 6 hours total. You’re looking at transfer time between stops, and then 20 to 45 minute windows at several locations, with Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð getting the longer chunks.

A key detail I like is that visitor centers at the sites can give you a chance to reset. That matters because the day includes cold-to-cool-weather potential, wet spray at waterfalls, and strong geothermal odors later.

One thing to keep in mind: short stops mean you should choose your priorities before you get on the bus. If you want more time at one place, you’ll probably be happier using the other stops as “see it, understand it, move on.” This isn’t a slow hike day, it’s a highlights day.

What I’d bring to stay comfortable in Mývatn

Even without knowing your exact month or weather, Mývatn days can change fast. Based on what people report, you should plan for two common annoyances: insects and sulfur.

Bring:

• A warm layer you can keep on during wind or spray
• Waterproof shoes or at least shoes with good grip for volcanic rock
• Insect protection if you’re visiting when midges or flies are active, since some people have wished they’d brought mosquito-net-style protection
• A small bag for trash and wet items
• Your own bottled water if you prefer, because bottled water is not included, though lunch includes a water bottle

Also, take a moment to notice where you’ll stand for photos. Wind can push spray at Goðafoss, and geothermal fumes at Námaskarð can be stronger in certain spots.

Guides and the on-bus experience: what makes the day click

The tour is built around a live guide, and the best part of the guide setup is how it connects each stop to the bigger “why” behind the shapes and events. Several guides named in past departures, like Nico, Kjartan, Richie Rich, Ana, Alan, and Matthias, show up in feedback as friendly and able to keep the day engaging.

You also get WiFi on board, which is a small comfort if you’re uploading photos or checking maps while waiting between stops. It won’t replace good navigation, but it helps make the bus time less dead.

For me, the sign of a good tour here is how smoothly people are handled during the stops. When the group moves as one unit, you can actually enjoy the sites instead of spending mental energy on logistics.

Who this tour is best for, and who should consider alternatives

This is a great fit if you want a strong sampler of North Iceland with minimal planning. It works especially well for:

• Cruise passengers who need a port-friendly day
• First-time visitors to Akureyri who want the big Mývatn highlights
• Families who appreciate short walks and clear stop-by-stop viewing

It might be less ideal if:

• You want long, slow time at one site like Dimmuborgir or the geothermal fields
• You plan to do lots of serious hiking beyond marked paths
• You’re extremely odor-sensitive and don’t want sulfur air as part of your experience

If you have multiple days in the area, you may find it’s worth splitting it up and going back to the place you liked most.

Should you book this Mývatn Lake, Craters, and Waterfall tour?

I’d book it if you want a structured, high-value highlights day that hits Goðafoss, pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, the walking lava world of Dimmuborgir, and the smelly geothermal stop at Námaskarð without the stress of driving.

You should hesitate only if you know you struggle with time-boxed stops. With 6 hours total, you’ll see a lot, but you won’t linger like you could on a longer day. If you’re okay with that trade-off, this tour is an efficient way to understand why Mývatn feels like another planet.

FAQ

How long is the Mývatn Lake, Craters, and Waterfall tour from Akureyri?

It runs for about 6 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $187 per person.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. Your guide greets you there if your ship docks by Tangarbryggja Pier, and near the visitor center by the cruise port if you dock by Oddeyrarbryggja Pier.

What stops are included?

The tour includes Goðafoss waterfall, Skútustaðagígar (pseudo craters), Dimmuborgir (lava formations), and the Námaskarð geothermal area. It also includes time connected to Lake Mývatn.

Is a lunch included?

Yes. You get a packed lunch with a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included.

Is WiFi available on the bus?

Yes, WiFi is provided on board.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live tour guide speaks German and English.

Will I have time to walk at Dimmuborgir and at Námaskarð?

Yes. Dimmuborgir includes sightseeing and a walk (about 55 minutes). Námaskarð includes sightseeing with a focus on staying on marked walking paths (about 40 minutes).

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.