Note: Akureyri is known for its whale watching and if I ever return, that’s what I am going to do. The best spot is in the Eyjafjordur fjord area and common sightings are the Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, Blue Whale (sometimes seen), Harbor Porpoises and White Beaked Dolphins. Daily three-hour tours are approximately 100 USD a person. I took only one brochure from the Tourist Information Office in Akureyri that guarantees a sighting.
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drive from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn, Iceland
map of Lake Myvatn, Iceland
Myvatn Nature Bath – a Blue Lagoony type of spa at Lake Myvatn, Iceland
Another long touring day off L’Austral with at least four different stops in the geologically interesting area around Lake Myvatn. Off the ship at 8:00a, it was a 1-1/2 hour ride from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn and Myvatn Nature Baths for a toilet stop. This “Blue Lagoony” geothermal spa opened in 2004 and offers mineral rich waters in its facilities that contains: reception area and cafeteria, three natural steam baths and a geothermal bathing pool. All we saw was steam rising and the welcome toilets. Hey…when a person drinks lots of coffee at breakfast, nature calls. I personally would have been happy to visit a rock along the way but Tauck Tours refused to stop.
The 37 kilometer/14 mile lake and 50 islets were formed during a massive eruption 2,300 years ago and are protected due to the huge numbers of nesting birds that visit in the summer. The eruption also produced many weird volcanic features seen while visitors circle Lake Myvatn. “Myvatn” is pronounced “me-van” in Icelandic and means, “midges”; those pesky and annoying insects that just bite. However, we had no midge problems. Perhaps they were on vacation.
Hverir hot springs geothermal area map
arriving at Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
The boundary between tectonic plates (best seen at Thingvallir National Park) cuts through the Northeast with associated geothermal and volcanic activities. Krafla Volcano erupted in a series of short eruptions between 1974-1984 and ripped the land 8 meters/24 feet apart, giving geologists an opportunity to observe the forces at work.
Sight number 1 is known as: Namafjall or Namaskard or Hverir or Hverarond or Hverarondor Hverir! (Pick any of these and drive Google search crazy.) Namaskard is located a short distance from a volcano system and the expanse of hot springs called “Hverarondor Hverir” is filled with sulfurous mud springs, mud pools, mud pots and steam springs called fumaroles, all bubbling and boiling away.
tiny plant growing in the sterile ground at Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
a Hverir Hot Spring steaming away in Iceland
a mud pot bubbling away at Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
Signs warn visitors to stay on the clearly marked pathways and not to even consider testing the water temperature of 300℃ /572℉! The fumes are also dangerous. Try to stand upwind and don’t inhale. The constant emission of fumes has made the ground utterly sterile and acidic, unfit to sustain any floras and faunas. A few brave little plants did defy the odds and added to the magnificent mineral colors surrounding us.
Pathways spread out and lead in many directions. We did our best to walk as much as possible in the short time allowed but once again, not long enough at this fantastic sight. It is exceptionally compelling to just stand and listen! Hiss..blurp..bubble…gurgle…amazing…
Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
hot river from below the earth at Hverir Hot Springs, Iceland
TIP: Hverir Hot Springs was my favorite sight in the Lake Myvatn area.