From Akureyri: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Cruise Ship Day-Trip

Godafoss is the star of this Akureyri shore trip, but the real appeal is the variety packed into one long half-day. You move from a broad waterfall to lava formations, steaming ground, bubbling mud, a geothermal lagoon, and the rift at Grjotagja. It is Iceland in fast-forward, with the scenery changing every few miles.

I like the small minibus and the local guides, who can often slip ahead of large coach groups and add useful stories about Akureyri and northern Iceland. I also like the flexible choice at Myvatn Nature Baths: soak in the geothermal water, or visit Grjotagja and the rift while others bathe. The main caution is time. Six hours is tight for so many stops, and the baths cost extra, can sell out, and may leave you with only a short swim during a busy port call.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss comes first, giving you an early stop at one of northern Iceland’s most striking waterfalls.
• The 11 to 19-seat minibus keeps the group small, often allowing quicker stops than a full-size coach.
• Lake Myvatn packs in several types of scenery, from Dimmuborgir’s lava pillars to Namaskard’s steaming earth.
• Myvatn Nature Baths are optional and not included, so reserve entry ahead and budget separately.
• Grjotagja gives non-bathers a worthwhile alternative, with a rift cave linked to the Eurasian and American continental plates.
• The port pickup is built for cruise schedules, but you must give the operator your ship name and confirm that your docking time works.

Why this route works from Akureyri

This excursion covers the two big names in the region, Godafoss and Lake Myvatn, without asking you to organize several separate rides. From the Akureyri cruise terminal, the minibus follows Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord, before turning toward the waterfall and the volcanic area.

That opening drive matters. You are not simply being shuttled from one attraction to another. The fjord gives you a sense of northern Iceland’s scale, while the route toward Myvatn brings increasingly volcanic scenery. Your guide usually adds background on geology, local life, and the area around Akureyri as you go.

The group size is a strong reason to choose this trip instead of a large cruise excursion. The vehicle carries 11 to 19 people, and several departures have used a 15 or 16-seat bus. A smaller group can get moving faster, and guides such as Johannes, Armann, Biggi, Fribby, Norbert, and Birkir have been singled out for their humor, local knowledge, and effort to keep everyone involved.

That said, the vehicle is still a minibus, not a private car. One departure used a cramped replacement van, and on an unusually warm day the lack of strong air conditioning made the ride uncomfortable. If you need extra legroom or have trouble with a high step into a vehicle, ask about the vehicle setup before booking.

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

The first major stop is Goðafoss, usually written Godafoss in English. You get about 25 minutes for a guided visit, photographs, and a look at the falls from the viewing area.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the setting earns the drama. Water spreads over a curved rock ledge, with several channels dropping into the river below. You do not need a long hike to appreciate it, which makes this a good early stop for a port day.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not for a slow walk around every viewpoint. Keep your camera ready as you leave the minibus, and listen for the guide’s explanation before the group moves on. Guides often try to arrive before the larger buses, an advantage repeatedly noted by people who liked having the waterfall without quite as much crowd pressure.

The weather can change the mood here quickly. On a clear day, the water and surrounding rock are crisp and dramatic. In rain or strong wind, you may spend more time keeping your hood on than studying the falls. Bring a waterproof outer layer, even in summer.

Dimmuborgir and the volcanic world of Myvatn

The route continues to the Lake Myvatn area, formed about 2,300 years ago by a basalt lava eruption. The lake itself is important, but the region’s real strength is the collection of volcanic features around it.

At Dimmuborgir, you have about 20 minutes for a guided visit and photographs. The name is often translated as Dark Castles, a good description for the black lava pillars and irregular formations. This is not a polished garden or a single lookout. It is a rough field of hardened lava with shapes that invite a closer look.

The short stop gives you a taste rather than a full walk. Some paths are uneven or inclined, and the group needs to stay on schedule. If walking is difficult, tell the guide early so you can focus on the easiest viewing area. One family found that less mobile members could enjoy Godafoss and the mud pools but had to skip parts of the walking stops.

Dimmuborgir is a useful counterpoint to Godafoss. At the waterfall, water is the force on display. Here, you are looking at what molten rock left behind. Your guide can make that contrast clearer than a quick photograph ever will.

Namaskard’s steaming ground and bubbling mud

Namaskard, also called Hverarönd, is one of the most unusual stops on the route. You spend around 20 minutes around natural steam vents, boiling mud, and sulfur-colored ground.

This is where you smell Iceland before you fully understand it. The air can carry a strong sulfur odor, often compared to rotten eggs. That is normal for the geothermal area, but it can surprise you. Stay on marked paths and do not step beyond barriers. Some pools and vents are extremely hot, with temperatures described at around 200 Celsius.

The mud pools bubble and heave as if something below is stirring them. Steam rises from cracks in the earth, and the ground shifts in color from pale gray to orange and yellow. It is a short stop, but one of the most memorable because it feels less like a scenic viewpoint and more like a living geological system.

There is a practical catch. Namaskard involves walking from the minibus and can include uneven or sloping ground. On crowded days, you may need to wait for space at the best viewing points. Use the time well: take your photographs first, then listen to the guide while you look.

Choosing the Myvatn Nature Baths

The Myvatn Nature Baths are scheduled for about one hour, including time to visit, walk, and swim. The geothermal lagoon sits among lava fields and offers warm water in an open-air setting. The Kvika Restaurant is available if you prefer to relax or eat instead of bathing.

Entry is not included in the $182 tour price. Food and drinks are also extra. More important, you should reserve bath admission ahead of time. Walk-in visitors can be turned away when the facility is busy, and a sold-out bath can change the rhythm of the day.

One hour sounds generous until you count changing, showering, entering the pool, and getting back to the minibus. Some people had roughly 40 minutes in the water, while others had closer to 20 minutes after a line at the entrance. If bathing is your main reason for booking, check the opening hours and reserve before the tour date.

Cruise timing can create another problem. One ship arrived at 6:00 AM and departed at 3:00 PM, while the baths were operating on winter hours and did not open until noon. The guide adjusted the route with extra stops, but there was not enough time for a proper soak. This was a schedule issue, not something the driver could fix, so confirm your ship’s exact arrival and departure times with Imagine Iceland.

If you skip the baths, the guide can take you to Grjotagja instead. That option is especially useful if you prefer geology to a rushed swim, or if the baths are closed, full, or outside your ship’s timing.

Grjotagja and the rift between continents

Grjotagja is an old bathing cave connected to the rift between the Eurasian and American continental plates. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and gives you a close look at a small cave and the surrounding geology.

The cave is not a grand cavern with a long underground route. Its value is in the setting and the story. You are seeing a place shaped by Iceland’s position between major tectonic plates, along with a former bathing site whose water became too hot after volcanic activity.

If part of your group uses the Nature Baths, the guide may take non-bathers to Grjotagja while the others soak. That makes the day more flexible than a fixed group activity where everyone must choose the same option.

The ground around the cave may be uneven, so wear shoes with a firm sole. The short visit also means you should not expect a long cave exploration. Think of it as a focused geological stop, not a caving trip.

The ride back and possible extra stops

The advertised duration is six hours, but some outings have lasted seven hours when ship schedules allowed. Guides have added a short look at Akureyri, a geothermal power station, a road tunnel, or another local viewpoint. These extras depend on timing, traffic, weather, and the guide’s judgment, so treat them as a bonus rather than part of the promise.

Returning to Akureyri with time before departure is the key concern on a cruise excursion. The operator designs the tour around docking times, but you must provide the name of your ship and the correct pier. Pickup is at the car park where your ship docks, not necessarily at one universal meeting point.

At Tangabryggja Pier, look for the Imagine Iceland Travel sign on a shed in the car park. At Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, look for an A-board with the same name near the car park. Pickup begins at the time printed on your ticket, so do not expect a staff member to be there early.

The tour is aimed at cruise passengers, but do not assume every ship schedule fits. If you are unsure, contact the operator before paying. That simple check is more important here than it would be on a normal day tour.

Is $182 a fair price?

At $182 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. Still, the price includes port pickup and return, transport, a live English-speaking guide, and a full route to Godafoss and the main Myvatn sights. A cruise-line excursion covering the same ground may cost considerably more, while a rental car requires you to drive, navigate, watch the clock, and find parking.

The small group adds real value. You are not paying only for transportation. You are paying for a driver-guide who can explain the geothermal areas, adjust the order of stops, and sometimes avoid the biggest coach crowds.

The price looks less attractive if you planned to spend most of the day at the Nature Baths, since admission is extra and the bathing time may be short. Food and drinks are also not included, although the group stops at a local cafe. Bring money for that break and do not count on a full restaurant meal.

I would call it good value for a cruise port day if your priority is seeing many northern Iceland sights in one organized outing. It is weaker value for anyone who wants a slow, relaxed day at one place.

Who should book this excursion?

I would choose this tour if you have one day in Akureyri and want the widest possible sample of the region. It suits you especially well if you like waterfalls, volcanic geology, short walks, and local commentary more than long periods of free time.

It also works well for people who prefer a personal guide to a large coach. Guides including Johannes, Armann, Biggi, Fribby, Norbert, and Birkir have been praised for humor, local pride, careful timing, and extra explanations. The exact guide is not guaranteed, but the format gives you a better chance to ask questions than a large group usually allows.

You should think twice if you have significant walking difficulties, dislike tight minibus seating, or want a guaranteed long swim. The stops are short, some paths slope or feel uneven, and the vehicle may have a high step. Families with children under three cannot join this tour.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want to turn an Akureyri port call into a brisk tour of northern Iceland’s best-known sights. Godafoss, Namaskard, and Dimmuborgir give you a strong mix of water, lava, and geothermal activity, while the small group and local guides are the main reasons to choose it over a standard coach outing.

Before booking, check three things: your ship’s docking hours, the Nature Baths’ opening time, and bath availability. If all three line up, the optional soak can be a fine finish. If not, Grjotagja and the other volcanic stops still make the route worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The scheduled duration is six hours. Some trips have lasted about seven hours when the ship’s schedule allowed extra stops.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is at the car park on the pier where your ship docks. At Tangabryggja Pier, look for the Imagine Iceland Travel sign on a shed. At Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, look for an A-board near the car park.

Do I need to provide my ship’s name?

Yes. You must tell the operator which ship you are arriving on so the correct dock and pickup point can be confirmed.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transport in an 11 to 19-seat minibus and port pickup and return are included.

Is the Myvatn Nature Baths entrance fee included?

No. Admission to the Nature Baths is separate, and food and drinks are not included.

Can I visit Grjotagja instead of bathing?

Yes. If you do not use the Nature Baths, the guide can take you to Grjotagja cave and the rift between the Eurasian and American continental plates.

Should I reserve the Nature Baths in advance?

Yes. The baths can be full, and walk-in admission may not be available during busy periods.

Is food included?

No. The tour stops at a local cafe, but you pay for your own food and drinks.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can children under three join?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under three.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.