Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

Goðafoss is the star here, but the real strength of this trip is variety. In one shore excursion, you see a wide waterfall, bubbling sulfur pools, steaming ground, black lava formations, a tectonic rift, and the option of a soak in geothermal water. It is a lot of Iceland in one day.

I like the easy pier pickup and the small-group format, with no more than 19 people. I also like the timing: the route is built around a cruise ship schedule, so your guide keeps an eye on the clock and brings you back to Akureyri. The main caution is that the schedule is tight. An hour at the baths is short, especially if you want to swim, eat, change, and wait in line.

Key points at a glance

• Goðafoss comes first: You get about 30 minutes at one of northern Iceland’s most striking waterfalls.
• Lake Mývatn offers several types of scenery: Expect Hverir mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava, Grjótagjá Cave, and the Nature Baths.
• The small group matters: The vehicle holds up to 19 people, making this more personal than a large cruise bus.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is 7,400 Icelandic króna per person and must be reserved ahead of time.
• Keep your own watch: Guides give firm return times at each stop. That keeps the excursion on schedule, but some people find the pace brisk.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Guides such as Oli, Jon, Johannes, Graham, and Gram have led departures, with many guests praising their local stories and humor.

Why this route works for a cruise stop

Akureyri is a fine base for seeing northern Iceland, but a cruise call gives you only a slice of the day. Lake Mývatn is too far away for a casual taxi ride and too important to skip if you want to see the volcanic side of the region. This excursion solves that problem with a direct ride from the pier and a planned return to the ship.

The trip costs $205.58 per person. That is not cheap, but it includes transport, pickup, drop-off, and a guide for roughly five to six hours. You are paying for a full day of logistics as much as for the sights. The route covers a long stretch of northern Iceland, and arranging the same stops independently would require a rental car, careful timing, and a close eye on your ship’s departure.

I see the value most clearly if you want several major sights rather than one slow visit. You will not spend half the day at one waterfall or hot spring. Instead, you get a broad introduction to the area, with a guide explaining what you are seeing along the way.

The tradeoff is pace. Some departures have taken closer to seven hours, and some people felt worn out at the end. That may be caused by traffic, loading delays, weather, or the needs of the group. If your ship has a very strict departure time, tell the operator your all-aboard time when you book and confirm the return plan at the start.

Meeting the van at Akureyri port

Pickup is at the car park on the pier where your ship docks. Depending on the ship’s berth, this will be the Oddeyrarbryggja Pier car park or the Tangabryggja Pier car park. Look for the Imagine Iceland Travel sign.

That is a practical setup. You do not need to find a downtown office or arrange a separate taxi. At the end, the tour returns to the same meeting point.

The vehicle is a minibus or van, with a maximum group size of 19. That makes the day more intimate than a large coach tour, though it does not mean the ride will feel roomy for everyone. Taller people may find the seats cramped, especially on a long driving day. One person described the van as uncomfortably full, so if personal space matters greatly to you, ask about the vehicle before booking.

Several guides have received especially warm praise. Oli was described as organized, funny, helpful with photographs, and careful about returning on time. Jon was praised for local facts and a relaxed sense of humor. Johannes brought a local perspective, while Graham and Gram were also singled out for their guiding. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the strongest days seem to come when the driver treats the ride as part of the tour, not just a transfer.

Goðafoss: the best first stop

The route begins with Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. It is a sensible first stop. You get an immediate visual reward before heading farther into the volcanic country around Mývatn.

The waterfall spreads across a broad section of the Skjálfandafljót River. Its pale water drops over a curved rock ledge, creating several channels and viewpoints. In about 30 minutes, you can walk out for photographs and take in the falls from more than one angle.

Thirty minutes is enough for a good look, but not for a long wander. Keep track of the return time. One useful tip is to decide quickly which viewpoint matters most to you instead of trying to see everything. A few people wanted more time here and had to move briskly to see both sides.

Goðafoss also carries a piece of Icelandic history. Its name refers to the Waterfall of the Gods, and the site is linked with Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. The tour description does not promise a long historical talk, so ask your guide if you want the story in more detail.

Lake Mývatn and the northern volcanic zone

Lake Mývatn is not a single attraction. It is a whole area shaped by lava, volcanic vents, geothermal heat, and water. That variety gives this excursion its strongest appeal.

You will see several of the main sights around the lake, but the order can vary. The published route allows about three hours for the Mývatn area, with separate short visits at Hverir, Dimmuborgir, and Grjótagjá. The Nature Baths fit into that same general block of time.

I like this part of the tour because the scenery keeps changing. One stop is wet and green, another is black and jagged, and the next smells strongly of sulfur. You get a better sense of Iceland’s geology than you would from a simple waterfall drive.

The downside is that each place receives only a short visit. This is a highlights tour, not a slow geological field trip. If you want long walks around the lake or extended time at one site, a private trip or rental car would suit you better.

Hverir and Námaskarð: where the earth smells alive

At Námaskarð, the ground is marked by bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and bright mineral colors. Hverir is one of those places where Iceland’s volcanic activity becomes easy to understand. You do not need a museum display. The earth bubbles and exhales in front of you.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to walk around the main viewing area, take photographs, and watch the mud churn. The smell of sulfur is strong, often compared to rotten eggs. If you are sensitive to odors, this is the stop where you may want to keep your time outdoors brief.

Be careful with your footing and stay on marked paths. The hot ground is not a place for wandering off. The short visit works well for photography, but you will not have time for a long walk or extended study of each vent.

This is also where the tour gives you a useful contrast with the Nature Baths. At Hverir, geothermal heat is raw, sulfurous, and untamed. At the baths, it is filtered into a place built for comfort.

Dimmuborgir and the Dark Castle

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, a fitting name for a field of twisted lava formations. These shapes were created when molten rock cooled and hardened, leaving arches, walls, pillars, and rough black passages.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough to see the formations near the access area, but not enough to cover every path. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, since the ground around lava formations can be uneven.

This stop adds texture to the day. Goðafoss shows the power of moving water. Hverir shows heat beneath the surface. Dimmuborgir shows what happens when volcanic rock cools into strange, hard shapes.

If you enjoy walking, you may wish you had more time. If you prefer a short stop with an unusual setting and good photo opportunities, the allotted time is reasonable. Stay aware of the group’s return time, since the next stop and the baths are both important parts of the schedule.

Grjótagjá Cave and the tectonic rift

Grjótagjá is an old bathing cave in a fissure between the Eurasian and North American continental plates. The cave is a compact but memorable stop, especially if your guide explains the rift and the area’s changing geothermal conditions.

The visit lasts about 15 minutes. You will not have time for a long exploration, and the tour does not present it as a swimming stop. Think of it as a quick look at a dramatic crack in the earth and a chance to hear how Iceland sits between two major tectonic plates.

This cave can also serve as the alternative for people who do not want to use the Nature Baths. While some members of the group bathe, others may be taken to Grjótagjá and the rift. Confirm the exact plan with your guide, since the timing depends on the group.

Mývatn Nature Baths: pleasant, but plan carefully

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the optional comfort stop. Admission is not included, and the listed price is 7,400 Icelandic króna per person. You must reserve your entry beforehand, with the suggested booking time set for three hours after the tour begins.

The stop is scheduled for about one hour, including time at the cafe. That can work if you only want a quick soak, but it is not generous. You need to enter, change, bathe, dry off, dress, and possibly eat before the van leaves. Lines or a crowded cafe can reduce your actual time in the water.

My advice is simple: reserve the bath time before your trip, arrive ready to move efficiently, and bring a watch or phone alarm. Do not assume you can add the baths at the last minute. If swimming is the main reason you want this excursion, ask how much time your specific departure will allow.

The baths are best for you if you see them as a bonus after a busy sightseeing route. They are not ideal if you want a long, leisurely spa visit. Some people skipped the water and used the stop for lunch, while others felt the soak was one of the day’s highlights.

Food and drink are not included in the tour price. The cafe provides a convenient place to buy something, but you should budget separately and not count on a full meal break beyond the time available.

Guides, timing, and the cruise ship clock

This tour depends on disciplined timing. At each stop, the guide gives you a time to return to the vehicle. That can feel strict, especially at Goðafoss and the baths, but it is necessary when the group must return to a ship.

Set your phone alarm before leaving the van. One person specifically advised doing this, and it is good advice. Iceland’s scenery makes it easy to lose track of time, especially when you are taking photographs.

The strongest guide experiences combine local knowledge with practical help. Oli was praised for keeping the group comfortable and on schedule, and for taking photographs. Jon and Johannes were praised for useful information, humor, and local insight. At other times, guides have been quieter or less organized, and one guide’s accent was difficult for a person to follow.

That variation is worth accepting if you want the convenience of a shared excursion. If you need a detailed lecture on Icelandic history at every stop, this may not satisfy you. If you want clear explanations, local stories, and help getting around a large route, the tour is a better fit.

Driving standards also deserve attention. The great majority of comments about transport were positive, but one departure raised concerns about a driver’s speed in wet weather. You cannot control the guide assigned to your van, but you can speak up politely if the driving makes you uncomfortable.

Who should book this excursion?

I would choose this tour if I were visiting Akureyri by ship and wanted to see the major sights beyond town in one organized outing. It suits you especially well if you want Goðafoss, Mývatn’s volcanic sites, and a possible hot bath without renting a car.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy small groups and local conversation. The van is more personal than a large coach, and the better guides add stories, jokes, and practical help. Families and older adults can manage the route, but you should be comfortable with short walks, uneven ground, and quick transitions.

I would think twice if you dislike vans, need extra legroom, or want to linger at each stop. The tour covers a lot of ground, and the limited time at the waterfall and baths may frustrate you. A private outing would give you more control, but it would likely cost more.

The price is fair for a cruise excursion that includes transport and a guide across a wide area. Add the bath fee only if you are sure you want a short soak. If the baths are not a priority, use that part of the stop for the cafe or the alternate cave visit.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour?

Book it if you want a practical, high-value introduction to northern Iceland during a single Akureyri port call. The route gives you an impressive mix of water, lava, steam, sulfur, and tectonic scenery, and the return to the pier is planned around the ship’s schedule.

Skip it if your ideal day means slow walks, long meals, or a relaxed spa session. The tour’s strength is its range, not its leisurely pace. Reserve the Nature Baths in advance, set alarms for every departure, and accept that the van may feel tight. With those expectations, this is one of the more efficient ways to turn a short Akureyri stop into a full northern Iceland outing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately five to six hours. Some departures may run longer because of traffic, loading delays, weather, or group logistics, so keep your ship’s departure time in mind.

Where does pickup take place?

Meet at the car park on the pier where your ship docks. Pickup will be at either Oddeyrarbryggja Pier car park or Tangabryggja Pier car park. Look for the Imagine Iceland Travel sign.

Is entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission is listed as 7,400 Icelandic króna per person and must be reserved separately in advance.

When should I reserve the Nature Baths?

The suggested reservation time is three hours after the tour starts. The bath stop lasts about one hour, including time at the cafe.

What happens if I do not want to use the Nature Baths?

The group can take you to Grjótagjá Cave and the nearby tectonic rift while other people use the baths. Confirm the exact arrangement with your guide on the day.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour accepts a maximum of 19 people. Transport is provided by a van or minibus, so taller people may find the seating somewhat cramped.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.