North Iceland packs a lot in one swing. This small-group tour runs from Akureyri to some heavy-hitting waterfalls and volcanic scenery around Lake Mývatn, with time to choose whether you want a soak at the Myvatn Nature Baths (paid separately). The route is built around contrast: misty falls, eerie lava shapes, then warm geothermal water.

What I love is how the day strings together major sights without feeling like a nonstop blur. Stops like Godafoss and Dettifoss aren’t just checkboxes; they’re the kind of places where you naturally slow down for photos and quiet watching. I also like the small-group feel, including guides who bring the region to life, like Erwin, Hogni, John, and Daniel, who all earned top marks for stories and calm pacing.

One consideration: it’s a long day (about 9 to 10 hours) in variable weather, and the Nature Baths entrance plus food are not included. Also, one review flagged a microphone issue on an overcrowded bus, so if audio commentary matters a lot to you, you’ll want a spot where you can hear clearly.

Quick Key Points Before You Go

• Small group format with a maximum stated up to 16 (and marketed as up to 14), so the day feels more flexible than big-coach tours
• Waterfall line-up: Godafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss in one go, including Europe’s famously powerful Dettifoss
• Volcanic stop sequence around Mývatn: pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar and the eerie Dimmuborgir lava formations
• Optional hot-springs time at Myvatn Nature Baths, with plans to bring swimsuit and towel and cover the entrance fee yourself
• Central Akureyri pickup/drop-off plus cruise port meeting points that are clearly defined

North Iceland Waterfalls and Nature Baths From Akureyri: The Big Picture

If your idea of North Iceland is waterfalls, volcanic weirdness, and geothermal warmth, this tour is built for you. You start in Akureyri and spend a long day bouncing through the Mývatn region and Eyjafjörður before heading back. The pacing is what makes it work: you get multiple major stops, yet you’re not stuck staring at a windshield for the whole day.

For me, the strongest hook is that you’re seeing two different North Iceland moods. First you get dramatic water power—Godafoss, Selfoss, and the jaw-dropping roar of Dettifoss. Then the scenery shifts into volcanic landforms around Lake Mývatn, including lava shapes and geothermal backdrops that feel like another planet.

And yes, you can add the warm-water payoff at the end of the day’s nature hits. The Myvatn Nature Baths stop is optional, and the tour gives you the chance to turn it on when you want that decompression moment.

Pickup and Getting Set: Where This Tour Starts in Akureyri

This is a door-to-nature kind of day. If you’re staying in Akureyri, hotel/central pickup and airport pickup are included, and drop-off back in Akureyri is included too. That matters because the Mývatn area is not a place you casually “pop over” to on your own schedule—long drives, weather changes, and big sights all stack up.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, the meeting points are specific, and I appreciate that. At Tangabryggja Port, you meet at the Star Travel location in house number 3 just outside the cruise ship area. At Oddeyrarbryggja Port, you meet next to an Icewear shop near the agent area, and you’re looking for a colleague in a bright yellow jacket.

Practical tip: keep your provided phone number reachable. Weather and schedule tweaks happen in Iceland, and the tour operator needs a way to contact you.

Volcanic Lake Mývatn First: Why This Part of the Day Feels Different

A lot of “waterfall tours” stop at one impressive view and call it a day. This one builds a theme: the land itself is the main character around Mývatn.

After pickup, you drive along the coast of Eyjafjörður and then begin the day with Goðafoss. It’s a strong opener—wide, iconic waterfall energy—and it sets the tone for the kind of dramatic geology you’ll see later.

Then you move into the Mývatn region, where the area’s volcanic story becomes visible right under your feet. You stop at Skútustaðagígar, known as pseudo craters. These are the kind of formations that make you stop walking and stare for a while, because they look unreal even when you know you’re seeing something natural.

Next comes Dimmuborgir, which is famous for lava fields and striking shapes. You’re not just driving past black rock. This is where the tour shifts from “pretty scenery” to “how did this happen?” thinking.

You also get a stop at Grjótagjá Rift, an old natural bathing spot fed by naturally heated water coming from a rift. It’s not just scenery—this is the kind of place that explains why people want warm-water breaks in this part of Iceland in the first place.

The drawback here

This portion of the day depends on outdoor conditions. In cold months, you’ll want real traction shoes, because even short walks can get slick.

Godafoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss: The Waterfall Power Tour

If you only care about waterfalls, this is the portion you’ll remember. The tour hits three big ones, and the order matters.

Goðafoss: an easy-to-love start

Godafoss is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. It’s a bold waterfall that feels like a stage—dramatic but also easy to take in from multiple angles. It works as an opener because you get the classic Iceland waterfall feeling early, before the longer driving and later geothermal stops.

Selfoss: the stop that adds variety

Then you reach Selfoss, which helps break up the day so it doesn’t feel like you’re only seeing one type of waterfall. It’s part of the same natural system but a different visual rhythm, and it gives you another chance to absorb the scale and sound.

Dettifoss: the one with real power

Finally, you get Dettifoss, described as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. Whether you’re visiting in winter or summer, it’s the kind of stop where you notice your clothes and gear differently because the spray is real. This is where a good guide helps most—not just pointing, but helping you understand why it hits so hard (and how to position yourself for a safer, more comfortable viewing spot).

One note from real experiences: a review mentioned the bus being overcrowded and a microphone not working, meaning commentary was hard to hear from the back. That’s not the norm implied by the tour setup, but it’s a smart reminder for you: if audio guidance is important, choose a seat where you can actually hear.

Myvatn Nature Baths: Worth the Extra Money?

The tour gives you an option: Myvatn Nature Baths is the geothermal lagoon stop, and the entrance fee is not included. That means you’ll decide based on your priorities.

Here’s how I’d think about it:

• If you want a warm-water reset after hours outdoors, the baths are a clear value add. A review highlighted the baths as incredibly relaxing and even compared them favorably to the better-known Blue Lagoon.
• If you hate paying extra or you’re not into hot pools, you can skip it and use that time for more viewing and breaks, because the day already includes plenty of major sights.

What to plan for: you should bring a swimsuit and towel. You’ll also want warm clothes for the ride before and after. One review mentioned about two hours of bathing time as part of their experience flow (pool time plus time for showering/queuing), which is the kind of practical expectation that helps you not feel rushed.

The Return Through Eyjafjörður: Closing With a Fjord View

After the nature baths stop, you head back toward Akureyri. Your last stop includes views across Eyjafjörður, with the chance to look over the fjord toward Akureyri.

This matters more than it sounds. After a day of up-close waterfalls and geothermal stops, that fjord viewpoint gives your brain a breather. It’s the moment where the region stops feeling like an expedition and starts feeling like a place you could actually live.

Small Group, Real Flexibility: How the Day Feels Different

This is sold as a small group tour, with maximum limits stated around 14 and up to 16. In practice, the group size can make a meaningful difference: you get better chances to ask questions, you’re less lost in a crowd at viewpoints, and you typically get the sense your guide is managing the day for people—not just for a schedule.

The reviews you provided back that up. People highlighted groups of around five or eight as a big part of the experience. Several guides named in the feedback—Hogni, John, Daniel, Johanna, and Erwin—were praised for their storytelling and for making the day feel generous, not rushed.

If you’re traveling as a couple or small family, this format tends to feel especially worth it, because you’re not fighting for space or standing on tiptoe for photos.

Value for the Money: Is $351.09 Worth It?

At $351.09 per person, this is not a cheap “drive-by” tour. But it also isn’t priced like a private charter.

So where does the value come from?

1. Multiple major Iceland highlights in a single day (Goðafoss, Dettifoss, Selfoss, Dimmuborgir, and more). If you were trying to stitch these together yourself, you’d spend real time driving and figuring out timing.
2. Pickup and drop-off included from Akureyri, including cruise and airport options. That removes a big hassle.
3. Guiding and interpretation. Reviews repeatedly call out that the guide’s stories and explanations made the scenery hit harder—legends, local customs, and site context.
4. Small group comfort. Even with the possibility of audio issues on a bad day (one review mentioned a microphone problem), the general setup is built for a more personal experience than a huge bus.

Where you should be realistic: food and drinks aren’t included, and the baths entrance isn’t included. Bring snacks if you can, or plan to purchase food on the day. In Iceland, warm drinks and calories aren’t a luxury—they’re how you keep energy up for cold-weather walking.

What to Wear and Bring in Iceland Weather

This tour is outdoors-heavy. The basics you should follow from day one:

• Warm clothes
• Hiking shoes
• Swimsuit and towel if you plan to do Myvatn Nature Baths

In winter, you’ll feel the cold more, especially near waterfalls where spray can hit. If you’re not used to Icelandic weather, prioritize dry layers and foot comfort over fashion. You’ll enjoy every stop more when you’re not shivering through it.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is a good match if you want:

• Major North Iceland sights in one day from Akureyri
• Waterfalls plus volcanic landscapes around Lake Mývatn
• The option to add geothermal relaxation at Myvatn Nature Baths

It’s also smart for first-time visitors who don’t want to assemble a long north-driving plan on their own. If you already know the country well and you’re set on hyper-custom stops, you might prefer a private tour. But for most people, a structured small-group day is the sweet spot.

Should You Book This Akureyri North Iceland Waterfalls and Nature Baths Tour?

I’d book it if your priority list includes Dettifoss plus the Mývatn volcanic sites and you want that optional warm soak at the end. It’s the kind of day where the effort pays off because the stops are big and varied, not repetitive.

You should think twice if you:

• Are very sensitive to noise or rely on spoken commentary and you worry about audio quality in transit
• Don’t want to spend extra on baths entrance fees
• Can’t handle a long day of driving and standing outdoors

If you’re traveling in a season with harsh weather, I’d still lean toward booking—but pack for it properly. This route is exactly what North Iceland is best at: dramatic water, strange lava shapes, and a realistic chance to warm up when you need it.

FAQ

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

It runs about 9 to 10 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel/central and airport pickup and drop-off in Akureyri are included.

What’s the maximum group size?

This is described as a small group. It’s listed with a maximum of 14 in the tour features, and a maximum of 16 in the additional information.

Which waterfalls and sites do you visit?

You stop at Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Rift, Selfoss, and Dettifoss, plus the Myvatn area and views across Eyjafjörður toward Akureyri.

Do I have to pay for Myvatn Nature Baths?

Yes. Entrance fee to Myvatn Nature Baths is not included, so you pay it on your own.

What should I bring?

Wear warm clothes and hiking shoes. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to use the Nature Baths.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Iceland Secret Lagoon Admission TicketHúsavík: Whale Watching Tour with GuideCrystal Treasures of Vatnajökull: Ice Cave Adventure4 Day Blue Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes & Northern Lights