From Akureyri: Diamond Circle Tour with Waterfalls

The Diamond Circle packs an astonishing amount of North Iceland into one long day: thunderous waterfalls, a lava maze, steaming mud pits, a volcanic cave, and the great horseshoe of Asbyrgi Canyon. The route gives you variety rather than one repeated view, which is exactly what makes this outing worthwhile.

I like the local storytelling, especially when Ingi, or Ingimundur Robertsson, shares tales from growing up in the area. I also like the small-group feel, which can allow extra stops such as a clifftop view for puffins and whales. The main drawback is the pace: with so much ground to cover, some stops may feel brief, and poor weather or delays can mean an early visit is shortened.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss begins the day with drama: You get about 40 minutes at one of Iceland’s most graceful waterfalls.
• Lake Myvatn brings the volcanic variety: See Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, and Hverir in one district.
• Dettifoss is the big-force moment: Allow about an hour to take in the waterfall and its stark surroundings.
• Asbyrgi adds myth and scale: The canyon’s horse-shaped origin story gives the final major stop a strong sense of place.
• Ingi is a major part of the experience: His local stories, jokes, and care for older passengers receive especially warm praise.
• Pack food and layers: Meals and drinks cost extra, and the weather can change quickly.

Why this North Iceland route works

At $330 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing bus. Yet the route covers a remarkable spread of places that would be difficult to link efficiently on your own in one day from Akureyri.

You are not paying only for transport. The value comes from a full day of driving, an English-speaking guide, local explanation, and the chance to reach Dettifoss and Asbyrgi without arranging a car, reading road conditions, or managing the route yourself.

The advertised duration is eight hours, though one detailed account describes a day closer to nine hours. That difference matters if you are visiting Akureyri from a cruise ship or have an evening commitment. The guide has made a point of getting people back to their ship on time, but you should still check the exact departure and return times before booking.

This is a sightseeing day, not a strenuous trek. You will walk at several stops, including Dimmuborgir and Asbyrgi, so comfortable shoes are essential. Warm outdoor clothing, water, and a camera belong in your day bag. Smoking is not allowed.

Godafoss: a graceful first stop

The first major stop is Goðafoss, reached after about 30 minutes by bus from the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre in Akureyri. You have around 40 minutes for sightseeing.

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods. Its curved row of falling water spreads across a broad rock shelf, making it one of the easier Icelandic waterfalls to appreciate quickly. You can take in the whole shape from nearby viewpoints rather than waiting for a single perfect angle.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you immediate scale without demanding a long walk. If you enjoy photography, use the time to look for different views of the falls and the river below. One fair criticism is that 40 minutes can pass quickly, especially if the group is moving between viewpoints. A German visitor specifically wanted more time here and at the pseudocraters later in the day.

Your guide adds meaning to the scenery with Icelandic stories and local background. Ingi’s style appears to be conversational rather than a string of dry facts, with saga stories, jokes, and personal memories woven into the drive.

Skútustaðagígar and the shape of volcanic water

The bus continues for about 30 minutes to Skútustaðagígar, where you have roughly 15 minutes. This stop introduces the volcanic character of the Lake Myvatn district through its pseudocraters.

Do not expect a long walk here. Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not for a slow exploration. If volcanic formations are your main interest, this is one of the places where you may wish for more time.

The short visit also shows the practical tradeoff of this tour. The route includes many major sights, but the schedule has to keep moving. A delayed start, rough weather, or an unexpected stop can affect the first part of the day. One account noted that two early excursions were removed because of time pressure, so you should view the listed schedule as a plan rather than a guarantee of equal time at every stop.

Dimmuborgir: walking through a lava maze

After another 15-minute drive, you reach Dimmuborgir for about 50 minutes. This is one of the more enjoyable walking sections of the day.

Dimmuborgir means Dark Fortresses, a fitting name for the twisted lava formations scattered across the area. Instead of one single viewpoint, you walk among walls, arches, and irregular rock shapes. The route feels more active than simply stepping off the bus, taking a photograph, and getting back on.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. The ground can be uneven, and the weather may make the paths less comfortable. You are not signing up for a long mountain hike, but you should be ready to walk and stand outdoors.

The time here is long enough to get a real taste of the site, though not to wander every path. I would give Dimmuborgir priority if you like unusual geology or want a break from the bus. It is also a good place to keep your camera ready, since the formations change character as you move around them.

Grjótagjá and the crack between plates

A 15-minute drive brings you to Grjótagjá Cave, with about 15 minutes for sightseeing. The site is known for the enormous tectonic crack across the earth and the small hot spring lagoon inside the cave.

This is a brief, concentrated stop. You will have time to see the cave and understand the geological setting, but not to linger for long. The contrast is what makes it useful in the route: after the open lava formations of Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá turns your attention underground and toward the forces that split Iceland apart.

Do not plan on a swim here. The tour description presents Grjótagjá as a place to visit and view, not as a bathing stop. The cave and lagoon are the attraction, along with the visible evidence of tectonic movement.

Hverir: steam, color, and the smell of sulfur

Next comes Hverir, about 15 minutes away, with 20 minutes to explore. This geothermal area is one of the most sensory stops on the route.

You can see bubbling mud pits, steaming ground, and the raw signs of heat below the surface. The colors and textures are unlike the waterfall stops, and the sulfur smell may be strong. That is part of the experience, but it can surprise you if you expect every Icelandic sight to smell like clean air and snow.

Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. Geothermal ground is not a place for casual wandering. The short visit works well because Hverir is intense rather than broad, giving you enough time to see the main features without turning the stop into a long walk.

This is another reason to dress for conditions. Steam, wind, rain, and cool temperatures can arrive together, and your clothing needs to handle more than one kind of weather.

Dettifoss: the day’s great wall of water

The drive to Dettifoss takes about 40 minutes, followed by an hour at the waterfall. This is the day’s most forceful sight.

Dettifoss is presented as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and its reputation comes from the sheer volume and violence of the water as it drops into the canyon. Godafoss is broad and elegant. Dettifoss is louder, rougher, and more imposing.

The surrounding country is stark, which makes the falls feel even more powerful. Give yourself time to stop listening to the guide and simply watch the river. The spray and wind can make this a wet, chilly visit, so keep your outer layer handy even on a mild day.

An hour is a sensible allowance here. You need time for the walk from the parking area or bus drop-off, viewpoints, photographs, and a pause to take in the scale. Exact walking conditions may vary, so comfortable outdoor shoes matter.

This stop also shows why a guided vehicle is useful. Dettifoss sits well beyond Akureyri, and reaching it independently means handling a long day of driving along with the rest of the Diamond Circle. The tour removes that burden while giving you a guide to explain what you are seeing.

Asbyrgi Canyon and the hoofprint of Sleipnir

After Dettifoss, the bus continues for about 40 minutes to Asbyrgi, where you have around an hour. This is the final major sightseeing stop before the long return drive.

Asbyrgi is a huge horseshoe-shaped canyon. The local story says it was formed when Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse, struck the ground with one hoof. That legend is not a substitute for geology, but it gives the place a memorable Icelandic voice. Ingi’s saga stories and local experiences are especially useful here, because the canyon invites both myth and observation.

The hour allows time for a walk and several views into the canyon. It is one of the places where you will appreciate having a guide who is attentive to the group’s pace. One family group noted that Ingi was considerate of different needs, including older passengers, while still keeping the day moving.

Asbyrgi comes late, and that can cut both ways. You may be tired after the earlier walks and several hours on the road. On the other hand, the canyon offers a quieter change from the noise of Dettifoss and the busy volcanic stops. If you like wide spaces, folklore, and a sense of scale, this may be your favorite stop.

The long ride back to Akureyri

The return drive to the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre takes about two hours and 15 minutes. That is a substantial final leg, so be honest about your tolerance for a long day in a vehicle.

The upside is that you see a great deal of North Iceland without changing hotels or navigating yourself. Ingi’s approach helps here. His stories about growing up in the area, along with humor and factual explanations, give the drive more character than a silent transfer.

Small groups can also bring flexibility. Extra scenic stops have included a clifftop viewpoint for puffins and a whale sighting, though you should treat such additions as possible bonuses rather than promised parts of the route. Flexibility depends on time, weather, wildlife, and the needs of the group.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water and consider packing food for the day. Some stopping points may have takeaway food, but refreshments are not guaranteed at every stop. This is one practical detail that can affect the value of a $330 excursion, especially if you are used to frequent café or snack breaks.

What the guide adds to the price

The guide is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour rather than arrange a self-drive day. Ingi is described as patient with senior passengers, eager to share his home region, and able to mix factual explanation with funny stories and personal memories.

That local connection matters in North Iceland. A waterfall is impressive on its own, but a story about its name or a legend tied to the surrounding ground gives you something to remember after the spray has dried. Ingi’s humor also seems to keep the long driving stretches from feeling like dead time.

The tour is conducted in English. Group size is not fixed in the information provided, but small groups have allowed extra stops, and one booking became a private-style outing because only one family had booked that day. You should not assume a private tour, but you may get a more personal experience than on a large coach.

Is $330 a fair price?

The price makes the most sense if you value convenience and coverage. You are visiting six distinct areas in one day, with transport from Akureyri, a live English-speaking guide, and walks at Dimmuborgir, Dettifoss, and Asbyrgi.

The value is weaker if you prefer slow travel, long meals, or extended time at one waterfall. The schedule is ambitious. You may enjoy the sheer range of sights, but you will not have unlimited time at each one.

For cruise passengers, the price can be easier to justify because the tour offers a structured way to see inland North Iceland during a port call. Still, confirm the timing carefully and allow a sensible margin around your ship departure. The guide has worked to return participants on time, but no day in Iceland is fully protected from weather or road delays.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make planning less rigid. Those terms are useful when your wider Iceland schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one day from Akureyri and want the broadest possible look at the region. It suits first-time visitors, cruise passengers, photographers, and anyone who prefers a guide to a full day of driving.

It is also a good match for families or mixed-age groups, provided everyone can manage several short walks and a long day out. Ingi’s patient approach is a plus if your group includes older relatives.

I would hesitate if you want to hike deeply into Asbyrgi, spend half a day at Dettifoss, or linger over lunch. The tour favors variety and access over a relaxed pace.

Bring a packed meal, water, warm layers, sturdy shoes, and a waterproof outer layer. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the schedule turn every stop into a race for photographs.

Should you book the Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri?

Book it if your goal is to see the major natural sights of North Iceland in one organized day, with a local guide who adds stories and humor to the road. The combination of Godafoss, Lake Myvatn, Hverir, Dettifoss, and Asbyrgi gives you a strong range of waterfalls, volcanic ground, geothermal activity, and folklore.

Skip it if you need a slow, flexible day or dislike long bus journeys. At $330, it demands a clear appetite for a packed schedule.

For most people with limited time in Akureyri, I think the route is worth considering. The scenery does the heavy work, and Ingi’s local voice helps turn a long list of stops into a more memorable day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns to the Hof Cultural and Conference Centre in Akureyri.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is eight hours. One detailed account describes a day lasting about nine hours, so check the available starting time and return details before booking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Which waterfalls are included?

The route includes Godafoss and Dettifoss. Godafoss receives about 40 minutes of sightseeing time, while Dettifoss receives about one hour.

Does the tour visit Lake Myvatn?

Yes. The Lake Myvatn district includes stops at Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, and Hverir.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included, and personal expenses are also separate. Bring water and consider packing food because refreshments are not guaranteed at every stop.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, outdoor clothing, water, and a camera. You should be ready for changing weather conditions.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.