Diamond Circle Myvatn Waterfalls, and Husavik from Akureyri Tour

Northern Iceland packs an astonishing amount into one day. This tour links Goðafoss, Dettifoss, and Ásbyrgi with volcanic craters, sulfurous mud pools, and a quick look at Húsavík, all without asking you to drive unfamiliar roads. Guides may include Ivy, Harold, Ritchie, or Unnur, depending on the departure.

I like the sheer range of sights, from a graceful waterfall tied to Icelandic history to the raw force of Europe’s most powerful waterfall. I also like the practical setup: round-trip transport, Wi-Fi, and a simple lunch help make a long day easier.

The trade-off is time. You cover a huge part of northern Iceland, so you will spend many hours on the bus and may get only a short visit in Húsavík or a quick photo stop at Lake Mývatn. This works best if you value variety over a slow, unhurried day.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss gives you a strong opening: You have about 90 minutes to view the falls from several angles and walk for photos.
• Dettifoss is the dramatic centerpiece: The waterfall’s force and scale are unforgettable, but some people want more than the allotted time.
• Námaskarð feels like another planet: Boiling mud pools, sulfur steam, and mineral-stained ground make this one of the day’s most unusual stops.
• Ásbyrgi adds quiet beauty: The horseshoe-shaped canyon and Botnstjorn pond offer a calmer contrast to the waterfalls.
• Húsavík is mainly a brief town stop: The advertised time includes the drive, and the actual visit may be around 20 minutes.
• Pack extra food and clothing: The included lunch is generally a sandwich and water, while northern Iceland can shift from mild sun to freezing rain in hours.

Why this northern Iceland route is worth a full day

At about $214 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. It is still a fair price if you want to see the eastern side of northern Iceland without renting a car, arranging fuel, or managing a long day behind the wheel.

The route covers a lot of ground. You get waterfalls, volcanic formations, geothermal activity, a canyon, coastal scenery, and a fishing town in one outing. A self-drive trip would give you more control, but it would also require careful planning and a very early start to fit the same sights into one day.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 65 people, so this is a large-group outing rather than a small van trip. That size can make boarding and meeting points less personal, but it keeps the price below many private options. Guides who keep firm control of the schedule make the day work well. If the group runs late, one stop usually has to lose time.

Goðafoss: a graceful start beside the old route

The first stop is Goðafoss, about 30 minutes from Akureyri. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the broad, curved falls spread across a low rock shelf in a way that makes them easy to photograph from more than one side.

You have around 90 minutes here, which is generous by the standards of a packed day. Use it to walk between viewpoints rather than taking one quick picture and returning to the bus. The path gives you different views of the falling water, surrounding rock, and river below.

This is one of the most relaxed stops because admission is free and the waterfall is close to the road. It also gives you a useful first lesson in Icelandic weather: the spray and wind can make a warm morning feel cold, even when conditions in Akureyri were mild.

Lake Mývatn and the craters shaped by fire

The drive continues toward Lake Mývatn, a district known for volcanic formations and a wide lake dotted with small islands and crater shapes. The tour makes a viewpoint stop over the lake, allowing you to see how much of the area was formed by ancient eruptions.

The stop is described as about an hour, but the exact amount of time can change. On some departures, this is mainly a short photo stop or a drive through the area. That distinction matters if Lake Mývatn is your main reason for booking.

You should also keep your expectations in check. This is not a leisurely circuit around every corner of the lake. You are getting a broad view of the region as part of a much longer route. The reward is scale: black volcanic forms, open water, and unusual ground shapes that make the area feel unlike the farming country around Akureyri.

Námaskarð: steam, color, and the smell of sulfur

At Námaskarð, the scenery changes sharply. The ground becomes bare and mineral-stained, with boiling mud pools and hot springs sending sulfurous steam into the air. The colors come from minerals carried by geothermal water, not from planted vegetation or decoration.

Give yourself time to look closely. The mud bubbles in slow, irregular bursts, steam drifts across the ground, and the yellow and orange tones around the vents contrast with the dark rock. You may also notice the strong sulfur smell, similar to boiled eggs. It is part of the place, not a fault with the tour.

Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s directions. This is an active geothermal area, and the ground around a hot pool is not a place for casual wandering. The stop lasts about an hour, though that can be shortened if earlier stops run over.

Some people would happily trade time elsewhere for a longer visit here. If you like geology and raw natural forces, Námaskarð may be one of your favorite stops.

Dettifoss: the day’s great wall of water

Dettifoss is the heavyweight of the route. It is widely described as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and the first impression is less about elegance than force. Water pours over a broad rock edge into a deep gorge, filling the air with spray and a low, steady roar.

The tour allows about 90 minutes, with access to several viewing points. That sounds ample, but the walking time, wind, slippery conditions, and photo stops can quickly use it up. Wear shoes with a firm grip and leave enough time to return to the bus.

This is also where the schedule can feel tight. The waterfall deserves attention, and some people would gladly stay longer. At the same time, the group still has to reach Ásbyrgi and Húsavík before returning to Akureyri. A guide who gives clear meeting instructions is especially useful here.

A sandwich and bottle of water are provided after the Dettifoss stop. Treat that as a basic meal, not a full picnic. Bring extra water, fruit, chips, or another snack if you tend to get hungry during a long day.

Ásbyrgi: a quieter pause inside a horseshoe canyon

Ásbyrgi offers a welcome change after Dettifoss. The canyon curves into a giant horseshoe, enclosed on three sides by steep cliffs reaching about 330 feet. The scale is impressive, but the mood is quieter than at the waterfalls.

At the deepest part of the canyon sits Botnstjorn, a small pond surrounded by vegetation. Bird life uses the cliffs, and the area gives you a chance to slow down, breathe, and take in a softer side of northern Iceland.

The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes. Use the time for photos and a short walk, but do not assume you can explore the entire canyon. This is another place where the tour gives you an introduction rather than a full hiking day.

Ásbyrgi is especially valuable because it prevents the day from becoming a string of waterfalls and steaming ground. You see how water and geology have shaped a broad, sheltered space over time.

Puffins and extra roadside stops

A few departures have included short extra stops for puffin viewing. Guides such as Ivy have been praised for adding these stops when conditions and timing allowed, and some groups saw more puffins here than at other Icelandic ports.

Do not treat this as a guaranteed part of the route. The core stops are Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík. Wildlife sightings and unscheduled pauses depend on the day, the road, and the clock.

These small additions can make the trip feel personal, especially when a guide explains why the stop is possible without sacrificing a major sight. They can also add pressure to an already tight schedule, so a well-run guide must balance generosity with punctuality.

Húsavík: pretty harbor, short visit

Húsavík is known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital and gained a new audience through the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. The town has a scenic harbor and a beautiful church, making it a pleasant final stop.

The important practical point is that the actual town visit may be only about 20 minutes. The stated 90-minute section includes travel from Ásbyrgi and the drive back toward Akureyri. Some departures have driven through town rather than stopping, especially when a festival or other road issue affected access.

That is enough time for a few harbor photographs and a quick look at the church, but not enough for whale watching, a full meal, or a relaxed visit to film locations. If you are booking mainly for Húsavík or the movie connection, choose a dedicated Húsavík outing instead.

If you see it as a brief coastal bonus at the end of a major nature tour, it fits better. You get a glimpse of a working Icelandic town before the final hour-long drive to Akureyri.

The bus ride, guide style, and group rhythm

There is no way around it: this is a long bus day. The route covers major distances, and the drive between stops is part of the experience. You will see broad northern scenery through the windows, but anyone who dislikes sitting for long periods should think carefully before booking.

The guide can shape the whole day. Strong guides have included Ivy, Harold, Ritchie, Una, Unnur, and others who mixed facts, local stories, humor, music, and clear instructions. Ivy and her father have even entertained groups with live music, while Ritchie has used WhatsApp to share updates and photographs.

That standard may not be consistent on every departure. One poor experience included skipped or shortened stops, a drive-by at Lake Mývatn, and a guide who handled questions badly. The lesson is simple: ask for the meeting time and location at each stop, then return early. On a route this tight, one late group can affect everyone.

Onboard Wi-Fi is a useful extra, though reception can vary across remote northern roads. It lets you send messages and keep in touch when the signal allows, but do not count on a strong connection for the entire day.

Lunch, weather, and what to carry

The included food is modest. Expect a sandwich and a bottle of water, with the meal sometimes handed out after Dettifoss or eaten on the bus to preserve sightseeing time. It is practical, but several people found it too small for an eight-hour outing.

Bring:

• A refillable water bottle
• Extra snacks or fruit
• Waterproof outer layers
• Warm layers, gloves, and a hat
• Sturdy shoes with good grip

Northern Iceland can change fast. One departure began in fair conditions around 14 degrees Celsius and ended with freezing wind and horizontal rain. Even if Akureyri looks pleasant when you leave, pack for a very different afternoon.

The walking is not presented as a strenuous hike, and most people can take part. Still, you will walk around waterfalls, geothermal ground, and canyon viewpoints, often in wind or wet conditions.

Cruise passengers need extra care with timing

This tour begins at Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri and returns to the same meeting point. Cruise passengers should pay close attention to the pickup instructions because the terminal area may have many buses. The local operator name should appear on your confirmation details, but it is wise to identify it before leaving the ship.

There have been departures where the bus left before passengers who expected a later ship arrival could reach the pickup area. Do not rely on a verbal promise that the bus will wait unless the arrangement is confirmed clearly and directly.

The tour normally lasts about eight hours, but delays can happen. One departure returned more than an hour late after a fuel stop, while others arrived back in good time. If you are sailing that day, confirm the all-aboard time and build in a cushion.

The tour also requires a minimum number of people and may be canceled if that number is not reached. It has been reported as especially dependent on cruise demand, so independent visitors should keep a backup plan. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and weather-related cancellations offer a new date or full refund.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have one day in Akureyri and want a broad introduction to northern Iceland. It suits you if you prefer someone else to handle driving and want major sights without organizing a complicated rental-car route.

It is also a good fit for photographers, first-time visitors, and people who want variety. Goðafoss gives you easy waterfall views, Námaskarð brings geothermal drama, Dettifoss delivers raw power, and Ásbyrgi adds a calm canyon setting.

I would hesitate if you want long walks, quiet time at each stop, or a proper visit to Húsavík. A private tour or self-drive plan would give you more control, especially around Lake Mývatn and the canyon.

Dietary needs deserve attention too. If you need a vegetarian sandwich or another special meal, contact BusTravel Iceland directly before departure and ask for confirmation. Do not assume a request entered through a booking platform will reach the operator in enough detail.

Should you book the Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri?

Book it if your priority is seeing as many major northern Iceland sights as possible in one day. The combination of Goðafoss, Dettifoss, Námaskarð, and Ásbyrgi gives you excellent value for the price, particularly when round-trip transport, Wi-Fi, and a basic lunch are included.

Go in with realistic expectations. The bus rides are long, Húsavík may be brief, Lake Mývatn may be more of a viewpoint stop than a full visit, and the pace depends heavily on the guide. Pack food, dress for bad weather, arrive early at the pickup point, and return promptly at every stop.

For a cruise stop or a short stay in Akureyri, this is one of the most efficient ways to see the region. It is not slow travel, but it gives you a memorable look at northern Iceland’s waterfalls, volcanoes, steaming ground, cliffs, and coast in a single demanding day.

FAQ

How long does the Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including the drives between Akureyri, the sightseeing stops, and the return to the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri and ends back at the same meeting point.

What sights are included?

The route includes Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík.

Is lunch included?

A simple lunch is included. It generally consists of a sandwich and a bottle of water. Extra snacks and water are recommended.

Is Húsavík a long stop?

The Húsavík section is listed as about 90 minutes, including driving. The actual visit to the town may be around 20 minutes, and some departures may only drive through.

Can I go whale watching in Húsavík during this tour?

No. The Húsavík stop is too short for whale watching. It allows time to see the harbor and the church when the schedule permits.

Does the tour have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Onboard Wi-Fi is included, although connection strength may vary along the route.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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