Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

The best part of this two-day Akureyri trip is the contrast: one day takes you through North Iceland’s volcanic country, and the next evening sends you away from city lights to search for the Northern Lights. You get waterfalls, lava formations, hot springs, and a warm soak without having to plan several separate excursions.

I like the small group of up to 18 people, which keeps the outing more personal than a large coach tour. I also like the practical airport transfer for easyJet passengers, plus the chance to take the Northern Lights outing early in your stay so you can try again if the sky does not cooperate. The main drawback is simple: the lights cannot be guaranteed, and the Nature Baths entry fee, swimsuit, and towel cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Two different outings over two days: A daytime trip covers Goðafoss and the Lake Mývatn area, while the evening excursion searches for clear skies and aurora activity.
• Sigi, also called Ziggie, may guide both tours: Recent bookings praised his driving, entertaining commentary, and the steady pace of the stops.
• The route has real variety: Expect a waterfall, volcanic vents, a cave, hot springs, lava formations, pseudocraters, and fjord views.
• The Northern Lights tour runs at 9:30 PM: The route changes according to cloud cover and viewing conditions.
• Mývatn Nature Baths are optional: Admission is not included, and you need to bring swimwear and a towel.
• Airport transfers are included for easyJet passengers: You must provide flight details and accommodation information in advance.

Why this two-day Akureyri tour works well

At $350 per person, this is not a bargain-basement excursion. It is a packaged two-day experience that combines a guided day in the Lake Mývatn area, a Northern Lights hunt, and airport transportation for qualifying easyJet passengers.

That bundled approach can offer good value if you are arriving by easyJet and want someone else to handle the driving. North Iceland’s roads and weather can make independent planning tiring, especially when one outing runs during the day and another begins at night. You are paying for transport, route planning, guiding, and the chance to adjust the aurora drive to current conditions.

The value is less clear if you already have a rental car, have visited the Mývatn Nature Baths elsewhere, or only want a single activity. The package lasts two days, so it suits a short Akureyri visit better than someone with a full week and plenty of time to arrange each stop alone.

The group limit of 18 is important. You will not have the intimacy of a private guide, but you should have a more manageable outing than a large sightseeing bus. Recent bookings gave especially high marks to Sigi, also referred to as Ziggie, who handled both the driving and guiding on the two excursions.

Goðafoss begins the Lake Mývatn day

The daytime tour leaves at 9 AM and follows the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The first major stop is Goðafoss, a broad waterfall known as the Waterfall of the Gods.

This is a smart first stop because it gives you a strong visual introduction to the region before the route turns toward the volcanic country around Mývatn. You can expect time to look at the falls and take photographs, although exact stop lengths depend on the day’s conditions and the guide’s schedule.

The route is not simply a transfer from Akureyri to a spa. Goðafoss, the fjord drive, and the later volcanic sites build a clear picture of how water, lava, and geothermal heat shape North Iceland. I like that the tour gives you several types of scenery rather than repeating the same kind of viewpoint all day.

Lake Mývatn and a 2,300-year-old eruption

Lake Mývatn was formed by a major basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. The area around the lake is marked by volcanic features, including lava pillars and rootless vents.

You will not experience Mývatn as just a pretty body of water. The real interest is in the odd shapes around it and the evidence of past eruptions. The guide-led format helps connect the separate stops, especially if you are not familiar with Icelandic volcanic geology.

The route includes Grjótagjá cave, a striking lava cave with geothermal water. You should expect a brief sightseeing stop rather than a cave adventure. The tour information does not promise swimming or extended time underground, so treat it as a geological viewpoint.

Next comes Hverarönd in Námaskarð, a hot spring area with geothermal activity. This is one of the more unusual stops, but it also calls for care. Hot ground and steam are part of the attraction, so stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s directions.

Comfortable shoes matter here. The day includes several outdoor stops, and warm clothing is essential even if the minibus feels comfortable between locations.

Dimmuborgir gives the day its most unusual shapes

On the way back toward Akureyri, the tour stops at Dimmuborgir. This area is known for distinctive lava formations and is among the most popular sights around Lake Mývatn.

The name is often translated as dark fortresses, which fits the look of the place. The formations create a very different mood from the open views at Goðafoss or the steaming ground at Hverarönd. You will have a chance to walk around and inspect the shapes rather than simply photograph them from the vehicle.

This is one place where sturdy footwear pays off. The ground around lava formations can be uneven, and the tour asks you to bring comfortable shoes. The exact walking distance is not specified, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for current details before booking.

I also like the way Dimmuborgir helps break up the drive. A day that consisted only of roadside viewpoints would feel thin. Here, you get a chance to step out, move around, and see the volcanic material from close range.

Skútustaðagígar and the final fjord view

The itinerary also includes Skútustaðagígar, an area of pseudocraters. These formations are linked to volcanic activity, but they are not true volcanic craters formed by erupting magma. Their rounded forms add another piece to the Mývatn story.

You then return toward Eyjafjörður for a final viewpoint over the fjord and Akureyri. It is a useful closing stop because you can look back toward the town and see how it sits beside the water.

The sequence gives the day a satisfying shape: waterfall first, volcanic features around Mývatn, then a broad fjord view near home. A recent booking described the schedule as unhurried, with plenty of time to explore. That matters on a sightseeing day, since rushed stops can turn memorable places into quick photographs through a window.

The Mývatn Nature Baths are a worthwhile optional extra

If you choose the Nature Baths option, the day includes time to relax in geothermal water. This is the gentler part of the itinerary, and it gives you a warm break after the outdoor stops.

Admission is not included in the $350 price. You also need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Those items are easy to overlook when the main focus is waterfalls and lava, so pack them before leaving Akureyri.

There is one practical warning. At the time of one recent booking, the Mývatn Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment. The group was offered an alternative bath location about 45 minutes away. One person chose not to go because they had already visited the Forest Lagoon, and Sigi instead dropped them in a local town to explore while the others went to the baths.

That flexibility is useful, but you should check the current operating status before departure. If the baths are closed, the replacement may add driving time and may not suit your plans. If a geothermal soak is the main reason you are booking, confirm the arrangement directly rather than assuming the advertised stop will operate exactly as planned.

The 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt

The evening outing begins at 9:30 PM. You leave Akureyri’s artificial light behind and head into darker surroundings outside town.

The guide chooses the direction each night based on cloud cover and the chance of finding clear sky. That is the right approach for an aurora outing. A fixed route would be less useful than a flexible one when weather changes across North Iceland.

Still, the Northern Lights are a natural event. Even if the tour operates, you may see nothing. Cloud, darkness, and aurora activity all have to line up, and no guide can control that.

The operator offers the trip again for free if the evening tour runs but the lights are not seen. This makes booking timing especially important. I would schedule the Northern Lights outing on your first night in Akureyri, leaving room to change dates if weather cancels the trip or the sky stays empty.

A recent booking described a strong lights display, while another simply called the experience amazing. Those outcomes are possible, but they should not be treated as a promise. The sensible reason to book is that North Iceland gives you a good setting and the guide can respond to the night’s conditions, not that a sighting is guaranteed.

Bring more clothing than you think you need. You may spend time standing outdoors in the cold while looking upward, and the tour specifically advises warm layers and sturdy shoes. A hat and gloves are sensible additions, even though they are not listed separately among the required items.

Airport transfers can simplify a short stay

For easyJet passengers, the package includes a complimentary shuttle from Akureyri Airport to accommodation in Akureyri. On departure day, transport back to the airport is also provided.

This is a useful extra if you are flying in and do not plan to rent a car. You need to send your easyJet flight information so the pickup can be arranged. You should also provide your accommodation details for pickup for the two tours.

The transfer is not a general airport service for every airline. The included benefit is specifically described for easyJet passengers, so confirm your eligibility before paying. If you are arriving on another carrier, ask what transportation arrangements apply.

For a two-day visit, the airport connection can save time and reduce the need to arrange taxis, especially when you are also fitting in a late evening excursion.

Who will get the most from this experience

This package suits you if you want a guided introduction to North Iceland without driving yourself. It is particularly useful for a short stay in Akureyri, an easyJet arrival, or a first visit when you want the major Mývatn sights explained in one organized day.

You should also like variety. The tour moves between a waterfall, fjord, cave, hot springs, lava formations, pseudocraters, and a geothermal bath option. It is not designed around one long hike or one slow scenic stop.

The outing is less suitable if you dislike cold nighttime waits, need a guaranteed aurora sighting, or want complete control over the schedule. Nature Baths admission costs extra, and a temporary closure could change that part of the day.

Families and couples can benefit from the easy transport, while independent visitors may prefer a rental car if they want to stay longer at Mývatn. The small group size makes the guided option more appealing than a very large coach, but it remains a shared tour with a fixed start time.

What to pack and what to plan for

Wear warm layers, comfortable shoes, and sturdy footwear for outdoor stops. If you plan to use the Nature Baths, pack your swimsuit and towel rather than assuming those items are provided.

Meals, drinks, personal expenses, and Nature Baths admission are not included. Plan to pay for food separately and bring what you need for a full day away from Akureyri.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. Both outings can change or be canceled because of weather and sky conditions. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while watching the forecast.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn and Northern Lights Winter Special?

Book it if you want a well-organized two-day introduction to North Iceland, especially if airport transfers matter and you prefer not to drive in winter. The combination of Mývatn’s volcanic sights, an optional hot-water soak, and a flexible aurora search gives you a good range of experiences for one short stay.

I would book the Northern Lights outing for the first evening possible. That leaves room for a free repeat if weather or visibility spoils the first attempt.

The $350 price is reasonable when you use the airport shuttle and would otherwise pay separately for transportation, guiding, and an aurora outing. It is harder to justify if you already have a car or if the Nature Baths are your only priority. Check the bath’s current status, pack for cold weather, and treat the aurora as a fortunate bonus rather than a guarantee.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts two days. The Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths outing starts at 9 AM, while the Northern Lights tour starts at 9:30 PM.

What is included in the $350 price?

The price includes the guided Lake Mývatn area tour, the Northern Lights hunt, and airport shuttle service for easyJet passengers.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included, so you should plan for those separately.

Is admission to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths is not included in the tour price.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes, bring both if you want to use the Nature Baths. Swimwear and a towel are not included.

Can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?

You may see them, but sightings are not guaranteed because the Northern Lights depend on natural conditions. If the tour operates but the lights are not seen, the operator offers the trip again for free.

When should I book the Northern Lights tour?

Booking it on your first night in Akureyri is advised. This allows an opportunity to change dates if the tour is canceled or the lights are not visible.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 18 participants.