Akureyri North Iceland Waterfalls and Nature Baths Small Group Tour

Waterfalls and geothermal heat in one north-day. I love how this route hits the big-name sights in a single sweep, from Goðafoss to Dettifoss, and I also like that you can choose your own level of soaking at Myvatn Nature Baths.

It is a long day, about 9 to 10 hours, and the Myvatn Nature Baths entrance, plus food and drinks, are extra. Also, if you sit far back and the vehicle audio is acting up, you may miss some narration, so try to get a seat where you can clearly hear the guide.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• Goðafoss, Dettifoss, and Selfoss in one day so you do not have to pick favorites
• Lake Mývatn plus volcanic stops like Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and Dimmuborgir lava formations
• A real geothermal bathing option at Myvatn Nature Baths, paid on your side
• Small-group feel with a cap of 14 in the tour description (and an upper limit of 16 in the details)
• Eyjafjörður views on the way back with a final look toward Akureyri

North Iceland in One Long Day, From Akureyri

This is the kind of north Iceland day trip that feels like a highlight reel, but not in a rushed, checklist way. You start in Akureyri and spend the day working through a string of waterfall power and Mývatn geothermal scenery, with time to stretch your legs at the stops.

The other thing I like for planning is the structure. You get pickup and drop-off in Akureyri, a local guide, and set stops that make sense geographically: coastal Eyjafjörður, then Mývatn area, then back along the fjord. It is simple to understand, and you do not have to be your own dispatcher.

There is also real variety. You get the thunder of waterfalls, volcanic textures around Lake Mývatn, and then the option of hot water soaking at the baths. Even if you skip the soak, the area still delivers.

Godafoss to Start: A Waterfall With Story Power

Goðafoss is your first major taste of Iceland’s dramatic side. It sits on the route as you head toward Lake Mývatn, so it works as a strong opener rather than a random early stop.

What makes Goðafoss especially worth your attention is that it is not just a pretty cascade. It is a site people remember because of the legends and cultural context that guides tend to share on the way there and during the stop. In the way this tour runs, you get that blend of scenery and meaning, the kind that turns a quick photo stop into a moment.

Practical tip: wear warm layers and keep your outer coat ready. Even on clearer days, waterfall mist and wind can make you feel colder than you expected.

Eyjafjörður Driving Time That Actually Helps

Between Akureyri and the waterfall stops, you travel along the Eyjafjörður coast. This matters because it keeps the day efficient while giving you a sense of where you are.

You also get a last look at Eyjafjörður when you are heading back. That final viewpoint toward Akureyri is a nice way to close the loop, especially if the weather cleared a bit later in the day.

If you are the type who hates staring out the window with nothing to do, this tour gives you enough scheduled stops that you will rarely feel trapped in transit.

Skútustaðagígar Pseudo Craters: Weird Volcanic Forms

When you reach the Mývatn area, you start with Skútustaðagígar, the pseudo craters. These are not your classic cone-shaped volcano landforms. They are instead volcanic features formed through interactions of lava and water, which is why the shapes look so odd and layered.

This stop is valuable because it trains your eye. After a couple of waterfall moments, you shift into the language of volcanic geology. You start noticing how lava and heat shaped the ground, not just what is floating and falling into the air.

Good shoes help here. Even when it is not “full hiking,” you are still on outdoor paths, and the ground can be uneven. Winter or shoulder-season conditions can make traction more important.

Dimmuborgir Lava Fields: Black Rock, Strange Shapes

Dimmuborgir is one of the most popular stops in the Mývatn region, and for good reason. The lava formations create shapes that look almost architectural from certain angles.

This is a great place for photos, and it is also a great place to slow down. Your guide can point out what you are looking at so you are not just seeing black rock. When the narration clicks, you start to recognize the patterns instead of treating it like a random rock garden.

Because the area is outdoors, weather can change fast. Bring a hat or hood for wind, and keep your camera in a secure pocket or strap so you can react quickly to light changes.

Grjótagjá Rift: The Old Natural Bath Spot Feeling

The tour also stops at Grjótagjá Rift, an older natural bathing spot fed by naturally heated water coming from the rift. Even if you do not plan to bathe there, the location is a meaningful geothermal reminder.

It helps your understanding of the broader Mývatn area. The baths at Myvatn Nature Baths are the modern, managed version of the same idea: geothermal heat stored and brought up from below.

One note on planning: this is more about seeing the site than turning it into your full swimming plan. Your main soak option is at Myvatn Nature Baths, and that part is separate.

Selfoss and Dettifoss: Two Waterfalls, One Big Day

Now you get to the serious waterfall portion. Selfoss is your stop before Dettifoss, and it sets you up for what comes next.

Dettifoss is described as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, and the energy shows up instantly when you arrive. This is where the tour earns its keep. You are not just passing through a waterfall viewpoint. You are getting that “wow, this is loud and forceful” feeling, the kind you remember even weeks later.

Key practical consideration: go slow on the path and watch for slippery spots. Waterfall areas can be damp and windy. Take your time moving between photo points so you do not trip when you are focused on the view.

Myvatn Nature Baths: Optional, Extra Cost, Worth Planning For

You get an opportunity to swim in the geothermal water at Myvatn Nature Baths, but the entrance fee is not included. So you are choosing your own adventure here, and that choice affects your budget.

This is still a strong value add, though. In the same day where you see extreme natural power at Dettifoss, you also get a chance to switch gears and relax in warm water. That contrast is part of the appeal of doing these stops together.

What to plan for:

• You should bring a swimsuit and towel.
• Warm clothes are a must, because you will dress down for the bath and then back up afterward.
• Expect a chunk of your day at the baths. One person noted that the time block felt like about two hours on site, with time for showering and queues included. Even if your timing is slightly different, build your schedule around a sustained visit.

If you have ever done a big commercial bath experience elsewhere, this will feel more like geothermal Iceland culture than a full-on resort day. You are there because the water comes from the earth, not because of entertainment.

Head Back to Akureyri With Eyjafjörður in the Rearview

After the baths stop, you drive back to Akureyri. The final viewpoint along Eyjafjörður is a good way to end. It puts Akureyri back into your mental map, so the day ends with orientation, not just exhaustion.

If the day’s weather improved later, you might catch better visibility on the fjord on the way back. That last look can be surprisingly satisfying after a day full of close-up nature moments.

Small-Group Value: Pick the Right Seats, Then Let the Guide Work

This is sold as a small group tour, with a maximum of 14 in the highlights, and an upper limit of 16 in the additional details. Either way, you are not stuck in a huge crowd, and you typically get more flexibility.

I also like the human factor. The tour is led by a local driver and a professional guide, and the guide style is a big part of why people rate this so highly. Names that have stood out include Hogni, Erwin, John, Daniel, and Johanna. The consistent theme is that the guide uses local customs and legends to connect the sites, not just recite facts.

That said, there is one possible caution. A negative experience noted an overcrowded vehicle and a microphone issue, which meant the guide commentary was hard to hear from the back. That is not guaranteed, but it is a reminder to be strategic about where you sit when pickup allows.

What to Bring for a Day That Mixes Wet, Wind, and Warmth

Pack for temperature swings and changing layers. This tour asks you to go from cold outdoor viewpoints to optional geothermal soaking.

Bring:

• warm clothes
• hiking shoes
• swimsuit and towel (especially if you plan Myvatn Nature Baths)
• a layer for wind and spray near waterfalls

Also, food and drinks are not included. You will want snacks you can eat quickly during gaps, or a plan for buying food at a stop if there is time. Even if you are not a big snacker, you will feel better if you are not hungry for the entire long drive.

Price and Value: Why $351.09 Might Make Sense

At $351.09 per person, this is not a “cheap and cheerful” day. The question is what you get for that money.

You are paying for:

• full-day routing across major north Iceland highlights
• professional guide plus local driver
• pickup and drop-off in Akureyri (hotel, central, and airport)
• taxes and fees included in the base price

Then you can add the main extra cost yourself: Myvatn Nature Baths entrance. Since entrance is not included, you decide whether the soak is worth it for you.

For value, the biggest advantage is convenience plus reduced decision fatigue. Instead of planning separate day trips for Goðafoss, Mývatn, and the major waterfalls, you get one guided day with set timing. If you only have a short window in North Iceland, this kind of bundled approach often saves you time and mental energy.

If you are traveling as a couple or small group, the small-group cap also supports the value, because you are less likely to feel swallowed by a big tour machine.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This fits well if you:

• want major north Iceland sights in one organized day
• like geology and volcanic features as much as waterfalls
• want the option of a real geothermal bath, not just a photo stop
• prefer a small group over a large bus

It is less ideal if you:

• hate long days and lots of driving
• plan to skip both the baths and most outdoor walking (you would still have the waterfall stops, though)
• need quiet, uninterrupted narration from start to finish and are very sensitive to audio issues

Also, this is a good choice in winter or colder months when conditions change how everything looks. People have specifically highlighted how January felt different from summer, and the tour’s stop variety helps you avoid repeat scenery.

Should You Book This Akureyri Waterfalls and Nature Baths Tour?

If you want one strong day that strings together Goðafoss, Selfoss, Dettifoss, and the Lake Mývatn area, I think this is a smart booking. The small-group size and pickup convenience make it easier to enjoy rather than manage.

Book it if the idea of optional soaking at Myvatn Nature Baths appeals to you, and you are comfortable dressing for wind, spray, and changing weather. Skip it or adjust expectations if you are very price sensitive, you do not want to pay extra for the baths, or you dislike long driving days.

In short: this is a “big sites, guided, efficient” north Iceland day. If that matches your travel style, you will probably be happy you booked it.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri North Iceland Waterfalls and Nature Baths small group tour?

It runs about 9 to 10 hours.

What are the main waterfalls and sites included in the tour?

You visit Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Rift, Selfoss, Dettifoss, and you also spend time around Lake Mývatn.

Is Myvatn Nature Baths included?

You have the opportunity to swim in Myvatn Nature Baths, but the entrance fee is not included. The baths are an own expense item.

What does the tour price include?

Pickup and drop-off in Akureyri (hotel/central/airport), a local driver/guide and professional guide, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What group size should I expect?

The tour is described as a small group with a maximum of 14, and the additional info lists a maximum of 16 travelers.

What should I bring with me?

Wear warm clothes and hiking shoes, and bring a swimsuit and towel (especially if you plan to use the baths).

Are children allowed?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most travelers can participate.

Where do I meet the tour if I am arriving by cruise ship?

For Tangabryggja Port, meet just outside the cruise ship area at Star Travel house number 3. For Oddeyrarbryggja Port, meet next to the Icewear shop at the designated agent area, with a Star Travel sign, and look for a colleague wearing a bright yellow jacket. If you are on a cruise, provide your vessel name.

What happens if weather is bad and the tour is canceled?

If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.