Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Northern Lights – Winter Special

Northern Iceland gives you two very different shows in one compact trip: the soft, shifting glow of the Northern Lights at night and the stark volcanic drama around Lake Mývatn by day. This two-day tour links both without asking you to rent a car or puzzle out winter roads yourself.

I especially like the small group limit of 18 people, which keeps the outings more personal than a large coach trip. I also like the well-planned mix of stops, from Goðafoss waterfall to Dimmuborgir lava formations and the geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. The main consideration is that both days depend on weather, and the aurora can never be promised.

A guide named Sigi, also referred to as Ziggie in booking details, led both outings for recent passengers and handled the airport transfers as well. That continuity can make a short stay easier, especially when you are trying to fit several major North Iceland sights into only two days.

Key points at a glance

• Two different outings in two days: Join a 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt and a 9 AM Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths trip.
• A full volcanic circuit: See Grjótagjá, Hverarönd, Dimmuborgir, and Skútustaðagígar, each showing a different side of Iceland’s volcanic past.
• Goðafoss comes early: The waterfall is a natural first stop on the road from Akureyri to Mývatn.
• The baths are optional: Entry, swimwear, and a towel cost extra, and you should confirm the baths are operating before counting on the soak.
• Northern Lights flexibility matters: Book the aurora outing early in your stay so a missed viewing may be rescheduled.
• Airport help is built in for easyJet passengers: The shuttle covers arrival and departure transfers when you provide your flight and accommodation details.

Why this two-day plan works from Akureyri

Akureyri is a useful base for exploring northeastern Iceland, but the best sights around Lake Mývatn are too spread out for a quick walk or casual taxi ride. This tour gives you transport, a guide, and a set route, while still leaving time at the main stops.

The schedule splits the experience sensibly. The Northern Lights outing begins at 9:30 PM, when the sky is dark enough for an aurora search. The daytime excursion starts at 9 AM and takes you east along Eyjafjörður before reaching the waterfall and volcanic sights around Mývatn.

I like that the plan does not treat the aurora as a guaranteed performance. Your guide chooses the evening destination based on cloud cover and viewing conditions. That matters in North Iceland, where one valley may be cloudy while another has a clear sky.

The tour costs $350 per person. That is not a bargain-basement day trip, but it includes two guided outings and, for eligible easyJet passengers, airport transfers to and from Akureyri. For a short visit, the value comes from combining transport, local route planning, and two major Iceland experiences in one booking.

Meals, drinks, personal expenses, and the Nature Baths admission are not included. You should budget for those separately. The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise need to arrange a rental car, winter driving, and a separate aurora excursion.

The 9:30 PM Northern Lights hunt

The evening outing leaves Akureyri after dark and heads away from city lights. Exactly where you go depends on the forecast and the guide’s judgment about clear sky. That flexible approach is more useful than following a fixed route simply because it appears on a map.

You should arrive dressed for waiting outdoors. Wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, and clothing that you can adjust as the temperature changes. The tour information does not promise heated viewing shelters or long indoor breaks, so plan for cold air and a possible period outside.

The aurora is a natural event. You might see bright ribbons of green, or you might see a weaker glow, and there may be no display at all. Even an operating tour cannot change the sky. The sensible booking strategy is to schedule this outing on your first night in Akureyri, giving you a chance to use the free repeat option if the lights do not appear or weather prevents the trip.

That repeat policy has real value, but it works best when you have spare time. If you are in town for only one night, a no-show leaves no practical chance to try again. If you have several nights, the arrangement gives the operator room to choose a better evening.

Recent passengers had Sigi as their guide and driver for both the aurora and Mývatn portions. That can be helpful because you do not need to explain your plans to a new guide the next morning. One passenger described a strong light display, but you should treat that as a fortunate result, not a promise.

Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods

The daytime tour begins along the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The road gives you changing views over the water and toward Akureyri before the route turns toward Goðafoss.

Goðafoss is one of the most recognizable waterfalls in northern Iceland. Its broad, curved flow drops over a low horseshoe-shaped edge, creating several channels of white water. The stop works well early in the day because it breaks up the drive and gives you a dramatic sight before the volcanic features around Mývatn begin.

Do not rush this stop. Waterfalls look different depending on light, wind, and seasonal flow, and the surrounding open setting gives you room to appreciate the scale. At the same time, this is a popular sight, so your visit will be part of a wider sightseeing route rather than a quiet private stop.

Lake Mývatn and 2,300 years of volcanic change

Lake Mývatn was formed by a major basaltic lava eruption about 2,300 years ago. The area still shows the marks of that event in unusual forms, including lava pillars, volcanic craters, and rootless vents.

You are not simply driving to a lake for a scenic photo. The appeal is the variety packed into a fairly compact area. One stop shows water and pseudocraters, another reveals steaming ground, and another takes you among twisted lava formations.

The guide adds useful context as you move between sites. That is important here because many of the features can look abstract at first. A short explanation helps you understand why some cones formed without a conventional volcanic vent and why the lava hardened into such strange shapes.

The tour is a good fit if you want a broad introduction rather than a long hike at one single site. Stops are designed for looking around and taking photographs, but the supplied details do not give exact walking times or trail lengths. Bring comfortable shoes, since the ground may be uneven and winter conditions can make footing less certain.

Grjótagjá, an underground geothermal cave

Grjótagjá is a lava cave with geothermal water inside. The cave became widely known through its striking underground setting, though the water temperature and access conditions can change.

Here, the interest is the contrast between the rough volcanic rock and the blue-green water below. You should follow the guide’s instructions closely and avoid treating the cave like a swimming spot. This stop is for viewing, not a replacement for the Nature Baths.

Grjótagjá is also a reminder that Iceland’s geothermal activity is not confined to organized bathing facilities. Heat moves through the rock beneath your feet, producing caves, hot springs, steam vents, and warm ground across the region.

Hverarönd and the hot ground at Námaskarð

At Hverarönd in Námaskarð, you see one of the clearest examples of Iceland’s geothermal power. Steam rises from the ground, and hot springs and mud features mark the surface with unusual colors and textures.

This is a strong stop for anyone interested in geology, but it is not a place to wander carelessly. Stay on marked paths and keep a respectful distance from the hot ground. The area can smell strongly of sulfur, which some people find fascinating and others find unpleasant.

I like the way this stop changes the tone of the day. Goðafoss is all moving water and open sky. Hverarönd is raw, steamy, and earthy. Together, they show why the Mývatn area feels so varied despite being part of one volcanic region.

The Mývatn Nature Baths

If you select the bathing option, you can spend time in the geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. This is the most relaxed part of the day, and it gives your body a break after several outdoor stops.

Admission is not included, so check the cost when booking. You must also bring a swimsuit and towel. The standard packing list calls for warm clothes and sturdy shoes, but those alone will not help if you plan to enter the water.

There is one practical warning. During one recent February trip, the Mývatn Nature Baths were closed for refurbishment. The operator offered an alternative facility about 45 minutes away, but that passenger chose not to go because they had already visited Forest Lagoon the previous evening. Instead, Sigi dropped them in a local town to explore while the rest of the group went to the alternative baths.

That example shows why you should keep your plans flexible. The bath portion can be a pleasant bonus, but it should not be the only reason you book the tour. Confirm current operating conditions before departure, and bring your swimsuit and towel only if you are prepared to use an alternative arrangement when needed.

Dimmuborgir, a maze of hardened lava

On the return route, the tour visits Dimmuborgir, a field of unusual lava formations. The name is often translated as Dark Castles, and the shapes do look like rough walls, towers, arches, and broken stone rooms.

This is one of the most memorable places around Mývatn because you can see how fluid lava hardened into solid forms. The area invites close looking. A shape that first seems like a simple rock may reveal a passage or opening as you walk around it.

The stop is also a good place for photographs, but winter weather can affect paths and footing. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and do not assume that every path will feel easy in icy conditions. The itinerary allows time to explore, though it does not specify the exact length of the walk.

Skútustaðagígar and the pseudocraters

Skútustaðagígar gives you another view of the region’s volcanic past. These are pseudocraters, landforms created when hot lava flowed over wet ground and triggered steam explosions. They look like small volcanic cones, but they did not form from a traditional eruption vent.

For you, the value of this stop is visual and educational. It helps connect the broad story of Mývatn’s formation with the smaller details you have already seen at the cave, geothermal area, and lava field.

The area also provides a calmer contrast to Dimmuborgir. Instead of tight rock corridors, you get open views and rounded forms. Your guide can help explain what you are seeing, which is useful when the geology is not immediately obvious.

The final Eyjafjörður viewpoint

Before returning to Akureyri, the tour makes a final stop around Eyjafjörður. From here, you can look over the fjord toward Akureyri and take a last set of photographs.

This ending works because it brings the day back to the place where it began. After a route filled with volcanic features, the broad fjord view gives you a sense of the area’s wider geography. It also offers a useful photo opportunity if weather has limited your views earlier.

The route is full, but one recent passenger found that it never felt rushed and still allowed time to explore. That balance depends partly on weather and road conditions, yet the schedule is clearly built around several meaningful stops rather than one long drive with only brief photo breaks.

Airport transfers and group size

The complimentary airport shuttle applies to easyJet passengers who purchase one of the operator’s combination tours. You need to provide your easyJet flight details so the pickup can be arranged. On departure day, the operator takes you back to Akureyri Airport.

You also need to provide your accommodation information for pickup for the two tours. This is a small detail, but it matters. Give accurate information before arrival so the driver knows where to collect you.

The group is limited to 18 people, with an English-speaking live guide. That is small enough to make questions and timing easier than on a large bus, though it is not a private tour. If you want complete control over every stop, a rental car gives you more freedom. If you prefer not to drive in winter, this guided format is the safer and simpler choice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Iceland schedule is still shifting, but the weather remains the bigger practical uncertainty.

What to pack for the two days

Pack for standing outside, walking over uneven ground, and moving between warm transport and cold air. I would bring:

• Warm layers that you can add or remove
• Sturdy, comfortable shoes
• A swimsuit and towel if you want to use the baths
• Gloves, a hat, and other cold-weather basics
• Space in your day for weather-related changes

Meals and drinks are not included, so plan for your own food and beverages. The supplied details do not identify specific meal stops, so do not assume lunch is provided.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend this tour to you if you have a short stay in Akureyri and want the main Mývatn sights without winter driving. It suits people who like variety: waterfall, fjord, geothermal ground, lava formations, pseudocraters, and a possible hot-water soak all appear within two days.

It is also a good choice if the Northern Lights are high on your list but you want more than an evening chase. The daytime outing gives the booking value even if clouds hide the aurora.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed bathing, a guaranteed light display, or a private schedule. The baths may face temporary closure, and the Northern Lights depend entirely on nature. You also pay extra for the bath entry and must arrange your own meals.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to North Iceland with transport, guiding, airport help for easyJet passengers, and a small group. The strongest parts are the range of Mývatn stops, the flexible aurora search, and the chance to repeat the Northern Lights outing if conditions fail and your schedule allows.

Book early in your Akureyri stay, especially for the aurora portion. Keep the Nature Baths as an optional treat rather than the central promise, and arrive ready for cold weather and changing plans. At $350, the tour offers fair value for a two-day package when you would otherwise arrange several separate rides and activities.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The package lasts two days. It includes a 9:30 PM Northern Lights tour and a 9 AM Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Nature Baths tour.

What time does the Northern Lights tour start?

The Northern Lights outing starts at 9:30 PM.

What time does the Lake Mývatn tour start?

The daytime tour starts at 9 AM.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings depend on weather and sky conditions.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

If the evening tour operates but you do not see the lights, the trip can be offered again for free. Booking it on your first night in Akureyri gives you the best chance to use that option.

Is the Mývatn Nature Baths admission 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 enter the Nature Baths. Swimwear and a towel are not included.

Is airport pickup included?

Airport pickup and return are included for easyJet passengers who purchase a combination tour. You must provide your easyJet flight information.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 18 participants.

What language is the tour operated in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.