Dettifoss Waterfall, Asbyrgi and Lake Myvatn Tour from Husavík

Northern Iceland packs a lot into a small area, and this 5.5-hour coach tour tries to show you the best of it in one sweep. You’ll visit the horseshoe canyon at Ásbyrgi, hear Dettifoss thunder over its rocky edge, see the steaming ground at Námaskarð, and pass the lava formations around Lake Mývatn.

I like the wide range of scenery and the fact that transport is handled from Húsavík to Húsavík. I also like the planned photo stops, which save you from trying to piece together a long northern route on your own.

The main concern is the pace. Dettifoss gets a useful 90 minutes, but Ásbyrgi has 45 minutes and Námaskarð only 30. You also need to take the departure details seriously, since unclear boarding arrangements and even booking mix-ups have caused real trouble.

Key points to know before booking

• Dettifoss gets the longest stop: You have about 90 minutes to reach viewpoints and take in Europe’s mightiest waterfall.
• Ásbyrgi adds myth and greenery: Its horseshoe form and Sleipnir story give the day more character than a simple waterfall run.
• Námaskarð feels like another planet: Steam vents, bubbling mud, and mineral colors make this a sharp change from the canyon and falls.
• Lake Mývatn is mainly a scenic drive: You’ll see the lake and lava formations, but this is not a long walking stop.
• The bus can carry up to 59 people: That keeps the price practical, but this is not an intimate private outing.
• Confirm the meeting details carefully: The start is at Norðurgarður in Húsavík, and past operational problems make an early check wise.

A big northern Iceland day from Húsavík

This tour is built for you if your time in Húsavík is limited but you want more than whale watching or a short coastal outing. It links several major sights east and south of town, then brings you back to the Húsavík harbor area.

The route covers about five and a half hours, including roughly an hour of driving back from the Mývatn area. That leaves a little under four and a half hours for actual sightseeing, so you should think of this as a well-packed sampler rather than a slow nature day.

The price is $199 per person. That is not cheap, but Iceland transport rarely is, and the value depends on what you would otherwise pay for a rental car, fuel, navigation, and a driver willing to cover the same ground. You also avoid the work of planning road conditions and finding each access point.

The trade-off is flexibility. With a maximum group size of 59, the bus may feel more like organized sightseeing than a personal outing. If you want long hikes, quiet time at each site, or the freedom to stop whenever a view catches your eye, a rental car or private tour would suit you better.

Starting at Norðurgarður in Húsavík

The stated meeting point is Norðurgarður, 640 Húsavík. The tour begins after everyone boards, with Húsavík also serving as the return point near the cruise terminal.

I would arrive early and have your confirmation ready on your phone. One booking was not recognized at boarding even though payment had been confirmed, and another departure had unclear instructions with people unsure about the start and finish time. A separate problem involved an overbooked bus, with six people unable to ride.

Those are not minor details. If you are connecting with a cruise or another fixed departure, ask the operator to confirm your reservation and pickup point before the morning of the tour. The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not replace a clear boarding check.

The operator is BusTravel Iceland. The bus has been described as acceptable, and the driving and guiding received positive marks. Wi-Fi is not available, so download maps, messages, or entertainment before you leave. Sandwiches may be provided, but do not treat the food as a full meal plan.

Ásbyrgi, the canyon shaped by a god’s horse

Ásbyrgi is the first major stop, with about 45 minutes on site. This huge horseshoe-shaped canyon feels calmer than the waterfall stops, with high cliffs, greenery, and ponds gathered around the Botnstjörn area.

The local story says Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, struck the ground here and left the canyon’s curved shape. It is a good example of how Icelandic nature and folklore sit side by side. You are not just looking at rock walls. You are also hearing the story people have used to explain this unusual place.

The time is enough for a short walk and photographs, especially around the pond and nearby viewpoints. It is not enough for a serious hike through the canyon. Keep your expectations modest and stay close to the access area unless your guide gives different instructions.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day. After the open road, Ásbyrgi gives you trees, low vegetation, still water, and a sense of shelter. The drawback is that 45 minutes can feel brief if you want to explore beyond the main area.

Dettifoss and the sound of moving water

Dettifoss receives the largest sightseeing window, about 90 minutes. That is the right priority. The waterfall is 44 meters high and about 100 meters wide, and the glacial water drops with a force you feel as much as hear.

The paths are described as well maintained, with several viewing angles. Your exact walking distance will depend on the access route and the pace of the group, but you should wear sturdy shoes and expect uneven ground near a powerful natural feature. Keep your phone and camera secure. Spray, wind, and wet rock can make the viewpoint feel raw rather than polished.

This is the emotional center of the trip. Ásbyrgi is graceful, and Námaskarð is strange, but Dettifoss is pure force. I would use the first few minutes to simply watch the water before reaching for the camera. The canyon around it adds scale and makes the falls feel larger than the standard photograph suggests.

Ninety minutes gives you time to see the main view, take photographs, and return to the bus without a frantic rush. It is still not a full hike through the surrounding Jökulsárgljúfur area. If you have dreamed of spending half a day around Dettifoss, this outing will only provide an introduction.

Námaskarð and the smell of Iceland’s hot ground

The next stop is Námaskarð, a geothermal area with about 30 minutes to explore. Here the colors and textures change sharply. Steam vents, bubbling mud pots, and mineral deposits spread across ground that looks harsh and almost artificial.

Boardwalks help you approach the geothermal features safely. Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s directions. The area is interesting precisely because it does not look like the green Iceland many people picture. Steam rises from the earth, mud moves in slow bubbles, and the mineral surface gives the site its unusual color.

Half an hour is enough for a close look and a set of photographs. It is not enough to wander widely or treat the place as a long walk. You should also be ready for strong geothermal smells and exposed conditions, although the supplied information does not promise any shelter or facilities at the stop.

I like Námaskarð as a contrast to Dettifoss. One site shows the power of water, the other shows heat below the ground. That variety is one of the best reasons to choose this route instead of a tour focused only on the waterfall.

Lake Mývatn from the bus window

The Lake Mývatn section lasts about an hour, but much of that time is a countryside drive rather than a dedicated walk. You will see the lake, the surrounding lava formations, and the wider Mývatn area from the road.

This is important when you compare tours. The name Lake Mývatn may suggest a long stop beside the water, but this experience mainly gives you moving views. You will not have a separate hour to hike around the lake or visit every nearby attraction.

That does not make the drive pointless. Mývatn is one of northern Iceland’s most varied areas, and the lava shapes give the lake a distinctive setting. The bus lets you watch the scene without navigating, while the route gives your eyes a quieter break after Dettifoss and Námaskarð.

If you want more time at Mývatn, choose an outing designed around the area itself. If you want a broad taste of several northern sights in one day, the drive works well.

Timing, group size, and comfort on the road

The published stop times add up to a demanding schedule:

• Húsavík departure and boarding: about 30 minutes
• Ásbyrgi: about 45 minutes
• Dettifoss: about 90 minutes
• Námaskarð: about 30 minutes
• Lake Mývatn area: about 1 hour
• Return drive to Húsavík: about 1 hour

The total tour lasts about five hours and 30 minutes. The figures are approximate, and a short extra photo stop may be possible if time allows. Do not count on that bonus stop when making plans for later in the day.

A bus with up to 59 people changes the rhythm. Boarding can take time, and the group must stay close to the agreed departure schedule. On the positive side, a larger coach spreads the transport cost across more people and keeps you from driving unfamiliar roads.

The available comments describe the driver and guide positively, with the bus considered acceptable. The clearest comfort complaint is the lack of Wi-Fi. Bring a charged phone, downloaded directions, and anything you need for a half-day ride. Sandwiches may be part of the arrangement, but you should not assume a broad food service.

Who gets the best value from $199?

I would consider this tour good value if you are staying in Húsavík, have only one open half-day, and want to see several famous sites without renting a car. The route gives you a waterfall, canyon, geothermal area, and lake in one package. That variety is hard to match on foot or by local transport.

The price is harder to justify if you are traveling with several people who can share a rental car. A self-drive plan may give you longer at Ásbyrgi or Mývatn and let you set your own stops, though you take on all the driving and planning.

This outing suits you best if you:

• Want major sights without a full-day commitment
• Prefer a driver and guide to road planning
• Are comfortable with a large group
• Like photo stops more than long hikes
• Need to return to Húsavík after the tour
• Can keep to a fixed schedule

It is less suitable if you need an intimate group, hotel pickup, extended walks, or guaranteed Wi-Fi. The tour is also a poor fit if your schedule cannot absorb a late return.

How to prepare for the five-and-a-half-hour route

Wear shoes suitable for paths and outdoor ground. The tour includes waterfalls, canyon trails, geothermal boardwalks, and roadside viewpoints, so one pair of city shoes may not be enough for comfort.

Bring a waterproof layer and protect your camera or phone around Dettifoss. The supplied information does not promise a particular weather arrangement, and Icelandic outdoor stops are best approached with clothing that can handle wind and spray.

Charge your phone before boarding. There is no Wi-Fi on the bus, and a mobile ticket is useful only if you can display it. Keep the confirmation easy to find, and double-check the departure location at Norðurgarður.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local Iceland time.

Should you book the Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, and Mývatn tour?

Book it if you want a fast, varied introduction to northeast Iceland and your base is Húsavík. Dettifoss is the strongest stop, while Ásbyrgi and Námaskarð keep the day from becoming a single-waterfall outing.

I would pause if you need a relaxed pace or have a hard connection after the tour. Confirm your reservation directly, arrive early, and understand that Lake Mývatn is mainly a scenic drive. With those limits clear, $199 buys a practical route through some of Iceland’s most striking natural sights.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Norðurgarður, 640 Húsavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point, with drop-off at the Húsavík cruise terminal area.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $199 per person.

How large can the group be?

The tour can have a maximum of 59 travelers.

How much time is spent at Dettifoss?

The planned stop at Dettifoss is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is Lake Mývatn a walking stop?

The Lake Mývatn portion is mainly a countryside drive, with views of the lake and surrounding lava formations.

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 the start are not refunded.