Diamond Circle Myvatn Waterfalls, and Husavik from Akureyri Tour

Waterfalls and volcanoes fill this long Iceland day. From Akureyri, this eight-hour coach tour links Godafoss, Lake Mývatn, the steaming ground at Námaskarð, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík without asking you to drive. I especially like the range of scenery and the chance to see remote northern Iceland in one outing. Round-trip transport and onboard Wi-Fi also make the day easy for cruise passengers and anyone without a rental car.

The tradeoff is distance. You spend a lot of time on the bus, and the schedule can shift with weather, traffic, crowds, or a late departure. Húsavík may receive only a short photo stop rather than the hour suggested by the overall timing, and some departures have returned later than expected. Guides such as Ivy, Harold, Una, Ritchie, Unnur, and Omar have been praised for humor, clear explanations, music, and good timekeeping, but the quality of guiding has not been perfectly consistent.

Key points before you book

• Six major northern Iceland sights in one day: See Godafoss, Mývatn, Námaskarð, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Húsavík.
• Dettifoss is the dramatic high point: Feel the force of one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls from several viewing areas.
• The day includes long bus stretches: This is efficient sightseeing, not a relaxed village tour with hours at each stop.
• Puffin sightings may be added: Some guides have made extra stops near cliffs when conditions and timing allowed.
• Lunch is basic: A sandwich and bottle of water are provided, but you should bring extra snacks and water.
• Cruise timing needs care: The meeting point is at Gránufélagsgata 50, and the coach returns to the same point near the port.

Why this northern Iceland day works

The appeal is simple: northern Iceland spreads its best sights over a large area. A rental car gives you more freedom, but it also puts you in charge of unfamiliar roads, changing weather, fuel, parking, and a very full driving day. For $214 per person, this tour lets you look out the window while someone else handles the miles.

I like the variety. You move from a broad, graceful waterfall to volcanic craters, then to sulfur vents and boiling mud. Later, the scenery turns wilder at Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi before ending in Húsavík, a small harbor town known for whale watching and its appearance in the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

This is not a small-group outing. The maximum group size is 65 people, so the coach may feel full. That helps keep the price below many private options, but it can also mean slower boarding and more pressure to return to the bus on time.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 89 ratings, which fits the experience well. The sights are excellent and many guides have been a major strength. The weak points are practical: finding the correct bus, uneven stop lengths, food that may not satisfy a hungry person, and occasional confusion about cruise departure times.

Godafoss: an easy and rewarding first stop

After roughly 30 minutes on the road from Akureyri, you reach Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. The falls spread across a broad horseshoe-shaped ledge, with several viewpoints and walking paths for different angles.

The planned stop is about 90 minutes, which gives you time to move between viewpoints instead of taking one quick photograph and rushing back. The paths are the sort of gentle walking that suits most people, though Icelandic weather can make any open trail feel more demanding.

Godafoss is a smart opening stop because it gives you an immediate sense of Iceland’s scale without requiring a long hike. I would use this time for photos, a short walk, and a look at the river above and below the falls. Keep an eye on the guide’s meeting instructions. A beautiful waterfall can make ten minutes disappear very quickly.

Lake Mývatn and the craters of the north

The coach then continues around the Lake Mývatn area. The usual experience here is a short viewpoint stop overlooking the lake and its volcanic surroundings rather than a long lakeside walk.

Mývatn is famous for its unusual volcanic forms. Dozens of craters and pseudocraters mark the area, created by ancient eruptions. From a high viewpoint, you get the best sense of how the lake, dark volcanic ground, and green summer growth fit together.

This stop has caused some disappointment because the exact amount of time can vary. On some departures, the lake has been more of a drive-by or brief photo stop than the full hour suggested in the timing. That matters if Mývatn is your main reason for booking.

I would treat this as a scenic overview, not a full visit to the lake. If you want to hike around Mývatn, visit more craters, or spend time at its baths, you need a separate day or a self-drive plan.

Námaskarð: boiling mud and sulfur steam

Námaskarð, also called Hverir, changes the mood completely. The ground is bare and colored by minerals, with boiling mud pools, hot springs, and vents sending sulfur-smelling steam into the air.

The colors can be striking: pale yellow, orange, gray, and rust tones spread across the rocky ground. The smell is equally memorable. If you have never encountered a geothermal field, this is one of the clearest places in the north to see the heat beneath Iceland’s surface.

Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. These pools are not decorative ponds. They are hot geothermal features, and the thin crust around them can be unsafe.

The planned stop is about an hour, but time has not always felt generous. Some departures have spent too long at less important stops or lost time through delays, leaving less room at Námaskarð. If this site matters to you, keep your own pace and return promptly when asked.

Bring a waterproof outer layer. Steam, wind, rain, and loose volcanic ground can make this stop uncomfortable if you arrive in ordinary city clothes.

Dettifoss: the day’s most powerful sight

Dettifoss is the visual centerpiece. Water crashes over a wide rocky edge with such force that spray often hangs in the air. From the viewing areas, you can understand why it is described as Europe’s most powerful waterfall.

The coach allows about 90 minutes here. That sounds generous, but the walk to the viewpoints, the rough ground, photo stops, and the sheer scale of the falls can use every minute.

This is not a delicate waterfall like Godafoss. Dettifoss feels raw and physical. You hear it before you fully see it, then watch the river plunge into a dark gorge. In good conditions, a rainbow may form in the spray.

Footwear matters here. You should expect uneven ground and strong wind, and you should keep your clothing ready for sudden rain. The route and access can vary by season and road conditions, so follow the guide rather than assuming every viewpoint will be available.

Several people have wished for more time at Dettifoss. I understand why. If the day is running late, this is one of the stops where even an extra 15 minutes would help. Still, the stop is long enough to make the visit worthwhile when the coach stays on schedule.

Ásbyrgi: a horseshoe canyon with a quieter mood

Ásbyrgi offers a welcome change after the noise of Dettifoss. This huge horseshoe-shaped canyon is enclosed on three sides by cliffs rising as high as 330 feet. At its center is Botnstjörn, a peaceful pond in the deepest part of the canyon.

The setting feels sheltered and calm. Birds use the cliff walls, and the broad canyon floor gives you a chance to look beyond one dramatic viewpoint. The planned stop is about 90 minutes, enough for a walk toward the pond if the group’s timing and trail conditions allow.

The long drive to Ásbyrgi is part of the bargain. You are covering a large part of northeastern Iceland, so this is not a quick hop between attractions. If you dislike coach travel, the day may feel tiring even though the stops are strong.

For me, Ásbyrgi is one of the most rewarding places on the route because it has a different character from the waterfalls and geothermal field. Dettifoss overwhelms you with force. Ásbyrgi gives you space to look, breathe, and notice the cliffs, birds, and pond.

Húsavík: a short harbor visit, not a whale-watching trip

The road from Ásbyrgi to Húsavík is scenic, but the stop in town is usually brief. The published description gives Húsavík a longer block of time, yet the actual town visit has often been around 20 minutes. In some cases, the coach has driven through without stopping because of a festival or schedule problem.

That is enough time to photograph the harbor, see the town center, and look toward one of Iceland’s most attractive churches. It is not enough for whale watching, a museum visit, a leisurely meal, or a proper search for the Eurovision film locations.

Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, but this outing does not include a whale-watching boat. Think of the town as a final scenic stop rather than a separate activity.

If the film connection matters to you, keep expectations modest. You may have time to look for the bar connected with Fire Saga, but you should not count on a long independent visit. One helpful feature is that some departures reverse the order of the day, beginning in Húsavík and finishing elsewhere. That can work well when weather or crowds favor the reverse route.

The guide can shape the whole day

A good guide makes the long drives useful. Harold has been praised for his Icelandic music stories and entertaining commentary. Ivy has received strong praise for her friendly manner, help with puffin stops, and live music with her father. Una has been appreciated for mixing myths and local stories with firm timekeeping.

Ritchie has used WhatsApp to send updates, facts, and group photographs. Unnur has been praised for explaining exactly where to meet and how long each stop would last. Omar has also been described as helpful and good at guiding.

That range tells you two things. First, there are guides who can turn a long coach day into an enjoyable introduction to northern Iceland. Second, the experience may depend heavily on who leads your departure. One poor guide has been criticized for rude communication, skipping or shortening advertised stops, and handling group questions badly.

The schedule makes guide discipline important. If one person is late, the lost minutes have to come from another stop. A strong guide explains this without scolding and keeps the group moving without making the day unpleasant.

Food, weather, and what to carry

A small boxed meal is included. In practice, this has been described as a sandwich and a bottle of water, sometimes handed out after Dettifoss. It is useful, but it is not a full lunch.

I would bring:

• An extra water bottle
• Fruit, chips, biscuits, or another filling snack
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Gloves and a warm hat
• Several light layers
• Shoes suitable for uneven paths

The weather can change sharply during the day. One departure began in mild, fair conditions and ended with freezing wind and horizontal rain. Northern Iceland rewards preparation, not optimism.

Dietary needs require special care. A vegetarian sandwich has not always been available even when requested through the booking platform. Contact BusTravel Iceland directly before the tour and confirm the request. Do not assume a note entered during checkout will reach the operator in usable form.

Meeting point, cruise timing, and value

The meeting point is Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri, and the tour ends back there. Cruise passengers should allow extra time to identify the correct coach. The port area can hold many buses, and some people have found it hard to know which local operator to look for.

The tour is designed to return you to Akureyri, but timing is not guaranteed to the minute. One departure arrived about 80 minutes later than expected after a fuel stop and other delays. Other departures returned early when Húsavík was shortened or removed.

If your ship has a strict all-aboard time, check the planned return carefully and ask the operator about your sailing date. A confirmed pickup does not remove the need to leave a safety margin. One missed departure led to a serious complaint after the coach left before the passengers reached it, despite an earlier discussion about the ship’s arrival time.

At $214, the value is strongest if you want a wide sampling of the region and do not want to rent a car. You are paying for transport, a guide, and access to a string of sights that would be hard to connect by taxi. The value is weaker if you mainly want a leisurely visit to Húsavík or substantial time at Lake Mývatn.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and accepts most people. It requires a minimum number of participants, so a departure can be canceled if demand is too low. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or an unmet minimum may lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this Diamond Circle tour?

Book it if you want maximum scenery in one day, enjoy waterfalls and volcanic features, and can handle several hours on a coach. It is especially useful from a cruise port, where driving independently may be awkward and time is limited.

Skip it if you need long, relaxed visits at every stop, want a proper Húsavík town experience, or find strict schedules and long bus rides unpleasant. Also think twice if your ship’s timing is tight unless the operator confirms the pickup and return plan directly.

My practical verdict: this is a strong-value introduction to northern Iceland, with spectacular stops and many excellent guides, but you should pack food, dress for bad weather, confirm dietary needs, and treat the Húsavík visit as a short photo stop. Book for the waterfalls, geothermal ground, and Ásbyrgi. Do not book it mainly for whale watching or a long Eurovision-themed afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Diamond Circle tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including driving between the stops.

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transport from Akureyri is included, and onboard Wi-Fi is available.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include whale watching in Húsavík?

No. The Húsavík stop is for seeing the harbor, town center, and church. The tour does not include a whale-watching trip.

How much time is spent in Húsavík?

The stop is described as around 20 minutes in the town, although the overall timing shown for this part also includes the drive. The stop may be shortened or canceled because of conditions or scheduling.

Is lunch included?

A small boxed meal is included. It has been described as a sandwich and a bottle of water, so bringing extra food and water is sensible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.