Lake Myvatn tour from Akureyri: Godafoss, lava, hot springs

Godafoss, black lava fields, and steaming mud pools in one morning from the port

A guided day tour from Akureyri Port to Lake Myvatn covers Godafoss waterfall, the Dimmuborgir lava formations known as the Dark Castle, and the Hverir mud pools and steam vents near Námaskarð. The tour runs five to six hours with an English-speaking guide, transport, and hotel or port pickup included. The Nature Baths entrance fee is separate, and passengers can choose to visit Grjotagja cave instead. Small groups keep the pace manageable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Godafoss15m
2. Lake Mývatn3h
3. Mývatn Nature Baths1h
4. Hverir20m
5. Dimmuborgir20m

Explore Godafoss and Lake Myvatn area

• Depart from Akureyri Port
• Visit Godafoss waterfall
• See bubbling Hverir mud pools and fumaroles
• Explore Dimmuborgir lava formations
• Visit Grjotagja cave and rift or Myvatn Nature Baths
• Enjoy Myvatn Nature Baths and cafe

The experience

The tour departs from Akureyri Port and heads south toward Lake Myvatn, stopping first at Godafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods." From there the route moves into the Lake Myvatn area itself, where the day splits between three main stops: the Dimmuborgir lava formations (jagged black rock towers that rise from the ground like a dark castle) the Hverir mud pools and natural steam vents at Námaskarð, and the Myvatn Nature Baths with its warm geothermal water and on-site café.

An English-speaking local guide leads the group through each site, explaining the geology and history as you walk. Transport and pickup from Akureyri Port or your hotel are included in the price. Groups stay small, which means you move at a steady pace without the crowd that larger tours draw. If you'd rather skip the Nature Baths (where entry is paid separately), the guide can take you to Grjotagja cave and the rift between the Eurasian and American Continents instead, so the choice is yours on the day.

The whole tour runs between five and six hours, making it a fit for cruise passengers with limited time in port or travelers based in Akureyri who want to see the region's most distinctive landmarks without driving themselves. Note that on certain cruise ship dates in summer, the schedule tightens enough that the Nature Baths stop may not fit. The operator will confirm this when you book.

What’s included

• Guided tour with an English-speaking local guide.
• transport in a small-group vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off from Akureyri Port or your hotel.
• access to Dimmuborgir, Hverir, and Grjotagja cave or the Myvatn Nature Baths (your choice on the day).

Options for this experience

2 options

Vehicle 1 - for up to 4 passengersGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Vehicle 1 - for up to 4 passengers

Vehicle 5 - for up to 16 passengersGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Vehicle 5 - for up to 16 passengers

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 62

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Imagine Iceland Travel

Is this one for you?Book the smaller vehicle if your group is four or fewer and you want a more intimate pace. The larger vehicle suits families or small groups up to sixteen who want to share the cost. Either way, the fixed five- to six-hour window fits cruise ship schedules and lets you see the Lake Myvatn highlights without committing to a full day away from Akureyri.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Godafoss like when you reach it?

Godafoss is a wide, powerful waterfall where water drops in two main cascades into a canyon. The name means "Waterfall of the Gods," and it's the first major stop on the drive south from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn.

Can I swim in the Myvatn Nature Baths on this tour?

Yes, you can swim in the warm geothermal water and use the café, but the entrance fee is not included in the tour price and you pay it separately at the site. If you don't want to enter the baths, the guide will take your group to Grjotagja cave instead while others use the water.

What are the Hverir mud pools?

Hverir is an area near Námaskarð where the ground bubbles with mud pools and natural steam vents called fumaroles. You walk among them to see the geothermal activity up close.

How many people travel in each vehicle?

You can book a vehicle for one to four passengers or one for five to sixteen passengers, depending on your group size. Either way, transport and pickup from Akureyri Port or your hotel are included.

What is Dimmuborgir?

Dimmuborgir is a lava formation in the Lake Myvatn area with tall, jagged black rock towers that rise from the ground. The name means "Dark Castle," and the landscape is one of the most striking geological features in the region.