Dettifoss Waterfall, Asbyrgi and Lake Myvatn Tour from Husavík

Dettifoss is the star here: a wall of glacial water dropping 44 meters into a vast canyon, close enough for you to feel its force. I like that this 5.5-hour route covers several very different sights, and I like the built-in time at Ásbyrgi, where Norse legend gives the scenery an extra layer. The drawback is a brisk schedule, with little room for a long walk or a missed connection.

You’ll also see the steaming ground at Námaskarð and the lava shapes around Lake Mývatn, so this is not just a waterfall outing. Still, the Húsavík departure point matters, and reports of boarding and booking mix-ups mean you should confirm your place before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• Dettifoss gets 90 minutes: That is the longest stop, giving you time for the waterfall, viewpoints, and some photography.
• Ásbyrgi adds myth and quiet: You’ll have 45 minutes in the horseshoe canyon, with Botnstjörn and nearby viewpoints as possible targets.
• Námaskarð feels like another planet: Steam vents, mud pots, and mineral colors make this a sharp contrast to the green canyon.
• Lake Mývatn is mostly a scenic drive: Expect views of the lake and lava formations rather than a full walking tour around the shore.
• The bus can carry up to 59 people: That keeps the price lower than a private outing, but loading and stops may feel less personal.
• Húsavík is both the start and finish: The tour begins at Norðurgarður and returns to the Húsavík cruise terminal.

The route packs northern Iceland into five and a half hours

This tour is built for people who want a broad taste of northeast Iceland without hiring a car. You leave Húsavík, ride inland, stop at a canyon and a major waterfall, cross geothermal country, view Lake Mývatn, and return to the harbor.

That is a lot for half a day. The payoff is variety. In one outing, you move from green woodland and folklore to roaring glacial water, then to sulfurous steam and black volcanic formations. The cost is time. Most stops are for looking, photographing, and getting back on the bus, not for long hikes.

The tour price is $199 per person. That is not a bargain-basement bus ride, but the value depends on what you need. You are paying for organized transport across a wide area, several major sights, and a driver or guide handling the route. You are not paying admission fees, since the listed stops are free.

A group of up to 59 can make the trip feel more like a coach excursion than a small local outing. If you value ease and want to see several headline sights in one day, the price can make sense. If you want quiet trails, flexible photo stops, or a guide focused on your questions, a smaller outing may suit you better.

Starting at Húsavík’s Norðurgarður

The meeting point is Norðurgarður in Húsavík, and the activity ends back there. The supplied location information also labels the tour location as Akureyri, but the actual start and finish details point to Húsavík. Treat Húsavík as the place you need to reach.

You should allow time to find the bus and check that your booking is recognized before departure. A serious loading error has occurred in which a booked passenger was told the operator had not received the name and the bus left without that person. Another report describes an overbooked departure in which six people could not board, followed by confusing phone calls to someone who was already sitting on the bus.

That is not a minor annoyance when the tour runs only once on a fixed schedule. I would carry your booking confirmation on your phone, arrive early, and show it directly to the staff before boarding. The mobile ticket is useful, but do not assume that a digital confirmation alone will prevent a communication problem.

The bus itself has been described as acceptable, and the timing generally works once the trip gets moving. Wi-Fi is not provided. Sandwiches have been available, which helps during a route with several hours on the road, but you should not expect a full meal service.

Ásbyrgi, where geology meets Sleipnir

Ásbyrgi is the first major sightseeing stop and lasts about 45 minutes. Its shape is the reason it catches the eye: tall cliffs curve around a broad horseshoe-shaped canyon, creating a sheltered pocket of greenery in an otherwise stark part of Iceland.

The Norse explanation is more memorable than a dry geological label. According to legend, the canyon was made when Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, struck the ground. You can enjoy the story without needing to choose between myth and science. Iceland’s best places often work on both levels.

With 45 minutes, you can take in the main view and walk a short distance toward Botnstjörn, the small lake at the canyon’s center. The area is also known for trails leading to viewpoints, but this tour does not give you enough time to treat Ásbyrgi as a hiking destination. Pick one clear goal before you leave the bus.

I like this stop because it slows the trip down. Dettifoss is loud and forceful, while Ásbyrgi feels protected and still. The short visit is a useful taste, though anyone hoping to explore several trails will find the clock restrictive.

Dettifoss delivers the tour’s biggest moment

The bus allows about 90 minutes at Dettifoss, the most generous stop of the day. That matters. A waterfall this powerful deserves more than a quick pullout and a hurried photograph.

Dettifoss drops 44 meters and stretches roughly 100 meters across. Glacial meltwater pours over the edge into Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon, producing the deep roar that makes this place feel physical, not merely scenic. You do not just look at Dettifoss. You hear it and feel the spray and vibration in the air around it.

The approach uses maintained trails, with more than one viewpoint available. The precise walking distance from the bus is not specified, so plan on comfortable shoes and enough time to move at a steady pace. The ground and weather can affect how quickly you reach the best view.

This is the place to protect your camera and phone from spray and to avoid spending the whole stop taking pictures. Give yourself a few minutes to watch the river, then work through the viewpoints. The canyon around the falls adds scale that a single close-up image cannot show.

The 90-minute allocation is one of the strongest parts of the tour. It gives you a reasonable chance to see the waterfall properly, rather than treating it as a box to tick. Still, the visit is not a full exploration of Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon. You are seeing its signature feature, then moving on.

Námaskarð turns the ground into a science show

After the waterfall, Námaskarð changes the mood completely. This geothermal area is marked by steam vents, bubbling mud pots, and mineral deposits in unusual colors. Boardwalks help you approach the hot ground safely, but you still need to stay on the marked paths.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough to walk through the main geothermal section and take photographs, but not enough for a slow study of every feature. The smell and noise can be strong, especially near active vents, so this stop may be more intense than its short duration suggests.

Námaskarð is valuable because it shows a different side of Iceland’s volcanic activity. At Dettifoss, water is the main force. Here, heat and gas push up from below, leaving behind mud, steam, and mineral stains. The contrast makes the route feel much broader than a simple waterfall tour.

The area may look barren, but the information provided points out that life survives in these harsh conditions. You probably will not have time for a detailed natural science talk, so approach this as a compact, visual introduction to geothermal ground.

Lake Mývatn is a scenic hour, not a full lake tour

The Lake Mývatn section lasts about one hour, but much of that time is a drive through the countryside. You will get views of the lake and the lava formations around it, rather than a dedicated circuit of every attraction in the area.

That distinction matters when you book. Lake Mývatn is a broad region with many possible stops, but this outing uses it as a scenic part of the return route. You may see the water from the bus and watch the volcanic shapes pass by the windows. You should not expect a long lakeside walk or an extended stop at a particular lava formation unless the guide makes a short photo stop.

I like this portion as a visual reset after Námaskarð. The pace becomes calmer, and you can watch the countryside instead of constantly getting on and off the bus. For photographers, sit where you can see out clearly and keep your camera ready, since the best view may come during the drive.

The route description also mentions Goðafoss as one of the major sights associated with the trip, but the detailed stop schedule does not give it a separate visit. Do not book this outing assuming you will have a guaranteed Goðafoss stop. The listed visits you can plan around are Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Námaskarð, and the Lake Mývatn drive.

The return to Húsavík can be useful for cruise schedules

The final drive back to Húsavík takes about an hour, with a possible short photo stop if time allows. The word possible is important. Treat any extra stop as a bonus, not part of the core plan.

The return ends at the Húsavík cruise terminal, which makes the tour practical for people using the harbor as their base. You still need to protect your own schedule. A five-and-a-half-hour activity is approximate, and an overbooked or delayed start could cut into your plans afterward.

The return ride is also when the value of organized transport becomes clear. You avoid navigating unfamiliar roads and can rest after several outdoor stops. The tradeoff is that you follow the group’s timetable, even if one place captures your interest more than another.

Group size, guide service, and the practical tradeoffs

The maximum group size is 59. That is a substantial coach group, and it affects the feel of the day. At each stop, you may need to wait while people leave the bus, gather again, and settle into their seats.

The guide service has received mixed practical feedback. One account praises the driver and guide, calling the bus acceptable and the timing generally good. That is the core of what you need from this tour: safe driving, clear instructions, and a schedule that keeps moving.

The weak point is organization at the start. Conflicting end times have also caused confusion, and the overbooking problem is the most serious concern. I would not ignore these details simply because the sightseeing route is attractive.

There is no named guide provided for this activity, so you cannot choose a particular leader in advance. The tour is best for you if you are comfortable with a standard group format and do not need a personal guiding style. It is less suitable if you want guaranteed one-to-one attention or a flexible departure.

Who gets the most value from this tour

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Húsavík and want to see several of northeast Iceland’s major natural sights without driving. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a planned route, a bus seat, and a guide handling the roads.

It also works well for photographers who want a range of subjects: moving water at Dettifoss, curved cliffs at Ásbyrgi, steam and mud at Námaskarð, and volcanic forms around Mývatn. The dedicated sightseeing stops give you more than a roadside glimpse, especially at Dettifoss.

I would hesitate if your priority is hiking. Ásbyrgi has trails and viewpoints, but 45 minutes is short. Lake Mývatn is mostly viewed from the bus, and the possible extra photo stop is not guaranteed.

I would also think twice if you dislike large groups or need absolute schedule reliability. The reported booking and boarding failures are unusual but important. Arrive early, bring proof of purchase, and make sure staff confirm your name before you settle in.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. That gives you some flexibility while your plans are still forming.

Should you book the Dettifoss and Mývatn tour?

Book it if you want a wide snapshot of northeast Iceland in one half-day, especially with Dettifoss as your main goal. The route offers strong variety, a generous waterfall stop, and transport from Húsavík for $199.

Skip it if you want long walks, a small group, or a relaxed schedule. The trip is efficient rather than leisurely, and the organization at departure needs careful attention. Confirm your booking, arrive early, and keep your expectations focused on seeing several headline sights, not exploring each one in depth.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Norðurgarður, 640 Húsavík, Iceland, and returns to the same meeting point. The final drop-off is at the Húsavík cruise terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $199 per person.

What stops are included?

The route includes Húsavík, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Námaskarð, and a drive through the Lake Mývatn area. A short extra photo stop may be possible on the return if time allows.

Is Goðafoss included as a guaranteed stop?

Goðafoss is mentioned among the tour’s major attractions, but the detailed stop schedule does not assign it a separate visit. You should not assume a dedicated Goðafoss stop is guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.