Akureyri Port: Small Group Diamond Circle Express Shore Excursion
by Nordur Travel Services ehf · North Iceland
- Fine on your own
- Suits older travellers
from €210 per person
Next departure: Sun 11 Apr
1 / 7
Duration
8 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Akureyri
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Laufásgata, Akureyri
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
06:30, 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 …
Minimum age
2
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Experience the best of North Iceland on a full-day Diamond Circle journey from Akureyri with Nordur Travel. Your adventure begins at the cruise terminal where you are welcomed onboard before setting out into a landscape shaped by fire, ice, and time. As we leave the town behind, the scenery quickly transforms into mountains, open valleys, and coastal views that set the tone for an unforgettable day. This is a guided experience designed to show you the most iconic natural wonders of the region in one seamless route.
The first part of the journey takes you along the coast to the charming village of Húsavík, known as Iceland’s whale watching capital. Here, colorful houses, a lively harbor, and the iconic wooden church reflect the town’s deep connection to the sea. From there, we continue to the Tjörnes Peninsula where dramatic cliffs rise above the Arctic Ocean, offering sweeping views and a chance to spot puffins during the summer season. These coastal stops bring you close to both Icelandic culture and wildlife.
The adventure then moves inland to some of Iceland’s most powerful natural landscapes. Ásbyrgi Canyon welcomes you with its vast horseshoe shape, peaceful woodland, and towering cliffs filled with legend and geology. Not far away, Dettifoss reveals its raw strength as Europe’s most powerful waterfall, where glacial water crashes deep into a rugged canyon with incredible force. These contrasting stops highlight both the calm and the power of Icelandic nature.
As we continue through the volcanic heart of the north, we enter the geothermal area of Námaskarð, where steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral-rich earth create an otherworldly setting. The journey then passes through the Lake Mývatn region, offering a scenic viewpoint over lava fields, craters, and the unique landscape shaped by ancient eruptions. Each stop reveals another layer of Iceland’s volcanic identity, making the region feel alive and ever changing.
Before returning to Akureyri, we make our final stop at Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Its wide, curved cascade and historic significance make it a perfect ending to the day. From here, we return comfortably to the cruise terminal with time to reflect on a journey filled with waterfalls, canyons, coastal villages, and geothermal wonders, capturing the true spirit of the Diamond Circle.
Description from the operator, Nordur Travel Services ehf. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Pickup at Akureyri Cruise Port
- Húsavík – Charming Fishing Village
- Tjörnes Viewpoint
- Ásbyrgi Canyon
- Dettifoss Waterfall – Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall
- Námaskarð Geothermal Area
- Lake Mývatn Viewpoint
- Goðafoss Waterfall – “Waterfall of the Gods”
- Return to Akureyri Cruise Port
Included
Small-group shore excursion from Akureyri Port
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Professional local English speaking guide
Guided visits to all scheduled Diamond Circle highlights
All parking and entrance fees at listed attractions
Timely return to Akureyri Port aligned with cruise schedules
Good to know
Warm layers, waterproof jacket, and sturdy walking shoes
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Mývatn, Goðafoss & Grjótagjá Half Day Tour From Akureyri from Arctic Adventures is €125 — €85 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Nordur Travel Services ehf · €210 | Arctic Adventures · €125 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 8.5 hours | 6 hours |
The €85 buys you 2.5 more hours out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 2 cannot join this one.
- Not for late risers on your first morning — the earliest departure is 06:30, and Reykjavík pickups start before that.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Nordur Travel Services ehf is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Nordur Travel Services ehf
Read all 156 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.8/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · a month ago
Really enjoyed the Golden Circle Tour with Nordur. Always on time. Our guide was well educated and explained everything very well. We say fantastic nature.
★★★★★ · 4 weeks ago
We did the Grundarfjordur Snaefellsnes tour (small group for cruises) with Lorenzo. It was fantastic. Lorenzo was a great guide, the scenery spectacular. It was a great taste of the Icelandic West Coast. A fabulous day, thank you.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
Great tour, i enjoy a lot, the guide speaks spanish very good. Wonderfull places.
★★★★★ · a month ago
A brilliant tour with Marcos to the spectacular Dynjandi waterfall and a farm visit. He was witty, friendly and very informative all tour. The coffee and homemade cakes at the farm, plus the adorable horses, were a bonus. Highly recommended 🤩
Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Cruise ship day in Iceland: what fits in six hoursShore excursions for cruise days in Reykjavík, Akureyri and Grundarfjörður — what fits inside a six-hour call and what to leave for another trip.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Hotels
Where to stay for this tour
From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Akureyri, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
from 13.800 kr.Lowest price
Guesthouse · Akureyri
Torg Guest House
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
- Cottagefrom 27.351 kr.
Mid-range
Cottage · Akureyri
LL Properties | Charming Panorama Family Cabin
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 31.642 kr.Top end
Apartment · Akureyri
Acco Luxury Apartments
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
206 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €12 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
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