Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Godafoss is the showstopper here, but the real appeal is how quickly this tour moves from a wide, thundering waterfall to steaming earth, bubbling mud, black lava formations, and a warm geothermal lagoon. It gives you a strong taste of North Iceland in one shore excursion. Godafoss and Lake Myvatn are the two big reasons to book.

I like the variety and the small maximum group of 19 people. I also like the backup plan at Myvatn: you can use the Nature Baths, or visit Grjotagja Cave and the continental rift while other members of your group soak. The main drawback is time. Driving can take 45 to 60 minutes between sights, so a late ship arrival or bad weather can make the day feel rushed.

Key points to know

• Godafoss comes first: You get about 30 minutes at the Waterfall of the Gods for photos and a clear look at one of North Iceland’s finest sights.
• Myvatn packs in several different sights: Hverir’s mud pots, Dimmuborgir’s lava shapes, Grjotagja Cave, and the Nature Baths all fit into the main touring stop.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is not included, and the recommended booking time is three hours after the tour begins.
• The tour may shift ports: It is arranged around Húsavík, but the operator has also handled a change to Akureyri when high wind and seas prevented docking.
• Norbert is one named guide: He is described as professional, humorous, and well informed about the area.
• Weather affects the pace: Rain and high wind may shorten time outdoors, while a late arrival can force you to choose between the baths and Grjotagja.

Why this North Iceland route works so well

This is a full half-day outing rather than a single scenic stop. At $306.40 per person, it is not cheap, but cruise excursions often cost more because transport, a guide, and port pickup are bundled together. Here, you also get a route that would be difficult to arrange comfortably during a short port call.

The tour connects two areas with very different moods. Godafoss is open and dramatic, with water rushing over a broad rocky ledge. Myvatn feels more volcanic and strange. Steam rises from the ground, mud bubbles in shallow pits, and lava formations create dark, irregular shapes.

I especially like that the day is not built around one attraction alone. If weather limits one stop, you still have several different sights ahead. The tradeoff is that you spend a fair amount of time in the van. You need to be comfortable with a brisk schedule and long stretches on the road.

The group size is capped at 19 people. That is larger than a private tour but smaller than a big coach outing. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the vehicle used on one outing was described as clean and modern. Those details matter when you are spending much of the day moving between scattered sights.

Starting at Húsavík, with an important port warning

The listed meeting point is Húsavík Harbour, at Húsavíkurhöfn. The experience is also presented under Akureyri, so you should check your ship’s actual port call carefully before booking. This is not a minor detail. Húsavík and Akureyri are separate ports, and a shore excursion needs to match the place where you step off the ship.

High wind and rough seas have caused a ship to divert from Húsavík to Akureyri. In that case, Imagine Iceland Travel changed the arrangements to the new port. That flexibility is useful, but you should still read your booking instructions closely and confirm where the guide will meet you.

The guide is expected at the port, and one guest found the meeting point easy to identify. Since this is a cruise-day activity, allow yourself enough time to leave the ship, reach the pickup point, and be ready when the group departs. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which keeps the return simple.

Godafoss: a short, powerful first stop

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and the name fits the setting. The river spreads across a wide rock shelf and drops in several strong curtains. You get about 30 minutes here, with no separate admission fee.

That is enough time for a good first look and photographs, but it is not a long walk or a slow exploration. You should arrive ready to get out, find a good viewpoint, and make the most of the light and weather.

The waterfall is especially effective as the opening sight because it gives you an immediate sense of Iceland’s scale. The water, rock, open sky, and distant mountain views create a bold start before the route turns toward Myvatn’s volcanic features.

Bring a waterproof outer layer, even if the forecast looks fair. Spray, rain, and wind can make a short stop feel colder than expected. Good shoes also help, since outdoor viewpoints can be wet or uneven, though the tour information states that most people can participate.

Lake Myvatn and the volcanic sights

Lake Myvatn is the core of the day. The main touring period is about three hours, but that time is divided among several stops rather than spent at the lakeshore alone.

The area is famous for volcanic activity, and you see that in several forms. At Námaskarð, the ground feels active and unsettled. At Dimmuborgir, cooled lava has formed dark walls, towers, and openings. At Grjotagja, you see a cave and a visible section of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents.

This variety gives you a useful picture of how volcanic forces shape Iceland. You are not simply looking at a scenic lake. You are moving through a region where heat, lava, water, and shifting rock all appear within a short route.

The schedule can feel tight because the individual visits are short. You have about 20 minutes at Hverir, 20 minutes at Dimmuborgir, and 15 minutes at Grjotagja. Those windows are enough for a focused stop, but not for long walks, extended photography, or a relaxed meal.

Hverir’s bubbling mud and steam vents

Námaskarð, also called the Hverir area, is one of the most unusual stops. Here you can see bubbling mud pools and fumaroles, which are natural vents releasing steam and volcanic gases.

The colors and textures are the attraction. Mud boils in shallow pots, steam rises from the ground, and the earth looks more like a working workshop than a peaceful field. You should stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions, since these are active geothermal areas.

The stop lasts around 20 minutes. That is a practical amount of time for seeing the main features, taking photographs, and hearing an explanation from the guide. It is not designed as a long walk.

Wind can change the feel of this visit quickly. Steam may blow across the viewing area, and rain can make the ground unpleasant. Still, Hverir is a worthwhile contrast to Godafoss. The waterfall shows Iceland’s moving water, while Hverir shows heat rising from below.

Dimmuborgir and its dark lava shapes

Dimmuborgir translates as Dark Castle, a fitting name for its twisted lava formations. The shapes were created as molten rock cooled, leaving ridges, walls, and openings that look almost built rather than formed by nature.

You get roughly 20 minutes here. That gives you time to see the main formations, but it is not enough for a long walk through every path. If you enjoy geology or unusual rock shapes, this stop may deserve your full attention.

The short visit also means you should wear shoes suitable for outdoor ground and avoid wandering too far from the group. The guide can help you understand what you are seeing, which adds value when the formations first look like a jumble of black rock.

Dimmuborgir is also one of the stops most affected by weather. Rain and wind can make a short visit feel even shorter. On a calm day, the dark rock against the open surroundings gives you some of the most memorable photographs of the route.

Grjotagja Cave and the continental rift

Grjotagja is an old bathing cave located in part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. The cave offers a very different experience from the wide-open waterfall and steaming mud fields.

You get about 15 minutes here, so expect a quick visit rather than a long cave tour. The appeal is seeing the opening, the rock, and the connection to the rift zone. It is a strong choice if you prefer geological sights to sitting in a geothermal pool.

This stop also serves as the tour’s alternative to the Myvatn Nature Baths. If you decide not to pay for the baths, the guide can take you to Grjotagja while others use the bathing time. That makes the schedule more flexible for a mixed group.

You should not expect a full underground expedition. The time is short, and the attraction is mainly the cave and rift setting. Still, it adds a useful sense of place to the day and gives you something to see if soaking is not your priority.

The Myvatn Nature Baths and the extra cost

The Myvatn Nature Baths are intended as the relaxing part of the route. You stop here for about an hour, with time for the baths and the cafe if the schedule allows.

Admission is not included. The listed cost is ISK 7,400 per person, and you must reserve your entry in advance. The suggested reservation is three hours after the tour starts. That timing is important because the drive, stops, and port schedule can all affect your arrival.

An hour is enough for a pleasant soak, but it is not a long spa visit. If you want time to change, use the water, and visit the cafe without watching the clock, you should think carefully about the tour’s pace. A ship delay may reduce your soaking time.

The baths are a good fit if you want a slower finish after several outdoor stops. They are less suitable if you would rather spend every minute at geological sites, or if the extra admission fee pushes the total cost beyond your budget. The alternative visit to Grjotagja means you do not have to pay simply because the group is stopping at the baths.

Food and drinks are not included. The cafe is available at the Nature Baths, but the schedule may not leave much time for a full meal. Bring your own expectations accordingly.

Timing, weather, and the real pace of the day

The advertised duration is about five to six hours. That sounds generous until you add the driving. One account of the outing found that the road time between stops could be 45 to 60 minutes.

That travel time is not wasted if you enjoy looking out at Icelandic scenery and listening to the guide. It does mean the day is not a string of long visits. You will get out, see the main feature, take photographs, and return to the vehicle several times.

A late ship arrival can make the schedule much tighter. One outing became particularly rushed after the ship arrived late, and the group chose to skip the hot springs in favor of the cave and rift. If your ship is delayed, you may need to make the same choice.

Weather is another major factor. Rain and high wind have limited time at the stops. The operator requires suitable weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation. That policy offers some protection, but it cannot make a rough day feel calm once you are on the road.

Guide quality and group comfort

The guide can make a long driving day much better. Norbert is specifically noted for an engaging personality, good humor, and strong knowledge of the route. Another guide was described as informative and courteous.

Those qualities matter because the tour includes several short stops rather than one long activity. During the road sections, clear explanations and a relaxed manner help the time pass. A good guide can also keep the group moving when the schedule is tight.

The maximum group size is 19. You should not expect the intimacy of a private car, but the group is small enough for a more personal feel than a large coach. Transport and guiding are included, so you are paying for more than a ride between attractions.

Is $306.40 a fair price?

At $306.40 per person, this is a serious purchase. The value depends on what you want from a cruise day.

I think the price is easier to justify if you want several major sights in one outing and do not want to arrange separate transport from the port. You get pickup, return transport, a guide, Godafoss, the main Myvatn stops, and the option of the Nature Baths or Grjotagja.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a long soak, a slow lunch, or extended time at one site. The route covers a lot, but the visits are short and the road sections can be long. Remember to add ISK 7,400 for the Nature Baths if you choose that option.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so it can be changed or canceled if that minimum is not reached.

Who should book this excursion?

I would suggest this tour to you if you are making a single cruise stop and want to see several of North Iceland’s signature sights without planning the transport yourself. It suits people who enjoy variety, outdoor viewpoints, volcanic geology, and a full schedule.

It is also a good fit for couples or families with different interests. One person can use the Nature Baths while another chooses Grjotagja, provided the timing works and the guide confirms the arrangement.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need a relaxed pace, or have a very tight ship schedule. You should also be cautious about booking the baths if your arrival time is uncertain. Reserve the entry for the recommended time, but be prepared for the possibility that weather or ship delays will change the plan.

Should you book Lake Myvatn and Godafoss?

Book it if you want a broad, efficient introduction to North Iceland. Godafoss gives you the memorable waterfall, while Myvatn adds geothermal steam, bubbling mud, lava formations, and a cave in one busy but rewarding route.

Skip it if you want a slow day or only care about soaking. The tour asks you to accept long drives and short stops, and the $306.40 price rises if you add the Nature Baths. For a cruise passenger with limited time, though, the mix of sights, included transport, small group size, and capable guiding makes this a strong choice, especially if your ship’s port plans are confirmed.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is Húsavíkurhöfn in Húsavík. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission is not included and is listed at ISK 7,400 per person. You must reserve entry beforehand, with a recommended booking time three hours after the tour begins.

What can I do instead of using the Nature Baths?

If you do not want to use the baths, the guide can take you to Grjotagja Cave and the rift while other members of the group use the baths.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 19 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.