Myvatn midges are tiny flies. Their presence is part of the name Myvatn.
The flies the lake is named after
Midges are abundant at Myvatn. Swarms of these tiny flies give the lake its name.
Why they are there
Myvatn is very shallow, and the rays of the sun reach the lake bed over its entire surface. The lake also has a prolific growth and abundance of freshwater seaweed, along with great quantities of diatoms.
What they mean for a visit
During summer, more different species of duck gather on and around Myvatn than anywhere else in the world. Arctic char also live in the lake.
The rest of the lake
The shores have many coves and inlets, with small islets and skerries. The Gigur visitor centre at Myvatn operates all year.
Comparing North Iceland tours
Packing for the trip
Check what to pack for a trip to Iceland with this packing list.
