Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

North Iceland packs plenty into six hours. This shore excursion links Goðafoss waterfall, the volcanic scenery around Lake Mývatn, and a long soak at Mývatn Nature Baths, all while keeping an eye on your cruise schedule. I like the smart combination of sightseeing and relaxation, and I like that entrance to the baths, transport, Wi-Fi, and a packed lunch are included.

The main caution is time. The schedule works well for a port day, but you may get only about an hour of actual soaking time, depending on the day’s timing. You should also prepare for flies around Lake Mývatn and confirm the bus meeting point carefully, since the pickup area can be easy to miss.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss is the visual opener: You get around 35 minutes for photos and a short walk beside one of North Iceland’s most graceful waterfalls.
• Lake Mývatn is volcanic country: The stop at Skútustaðagígar shows the lake’s unusual pseudocraters and gives you a quick look at scenery formed by ancient eruptions.
• The baths are the main event: Two hours are set aside for Mývatn Nature Baths, though actual water time can be shorter once changing and showering are included.
• The lunch saves port-day time: You choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water, so you do not need to search for food during the excursion.
• The guide can make the bus ride special: Guides including Niko, Ivy, Ricky, Hannes, Arno, Runar, and Victoria have been praised for humor, stories, songs, and local knowledge.
• Meeting details matter: The buses use the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50, so check the exact pickup instructions before leaving your ship.

Why this makes sense on an Akureyri port day

Akureyri is a useful base for seeing North Iceland, but the region’s best-known sights are spread out. Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn are not quick walks from the harbor, so a guided coach tour is a practical choice if your ship gives you only one day in port.

The route takes you from Akureyri toward Goðafoss in about 30 minutes. After the waterfall, you continue toward Lake Mývatn, stop at the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, and then spend time at the thermal baths before returning to Akureyri in about 75 minutes.

That structure is the real strength of the outing. You get waterfalls, geology, local history, and hot water without having to plan fuel stops, parking, driving directions, or bath reservations yourself. The tradeoff is that each stop has a fixed time, and the bath visit may leave you wishing for a slower day.

The tour begins at the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50. Transportation is provided from the Akureyri cruise terminal, but you should not assume the bus will remain directly beside the ship. On one occasion, the bus was moved roughly 100 yards away, which caused some last-minute rushing. Give yourself time to find the coach and look for the guide waiting to greet you.

Goðafoss, the waterfall tied to Icelandic history

Goðafoss is a fine first stop because it offers instant drama without requiring a long hike. The waterfall is wider than it is high, with water curving through a crescent-shaped formation. You get about 35 minutes for a photo stop, sightseeing, and a short walk.

The name Goðafoss is often translated as Waterfall of the Gods. Its historical connection is especially interesting: a local chieftain is said to have thrown pagan statues into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity. That story gives the place more weight than a pretty viewpoint alone.

I would use the time here for several angles and a little quiet looking, not just one hurried photograph. The falls are the sort of stop where weather changes the mood completely. Sun brings out the shape of the water, while cloud and mist make the scene feel more severe.

Thirty-five minutes is usually enough to see the waterfall properly, but it is not a long wandering break. If you like extended walks, photography, or sitting beside moving water, you may wish for more time. Still, for a cruise excursion, the stop is well judged.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange side of Lake Mývatn

After Goðafoss, the scenery becomes more unusual. Lake Mývatn was heavily shaped by volcanic activity, and ancient eruptions created pseudocraters around the lake. These rounded formations can look almost artificial, as if someone scattered small volcanic bowls across the ground.

The planned stop at Skútustaðagígar lasts about 15 minutes. That makes it a quick viewpoint rather than a full walk, so you will mainly take in the shapes, photograph the area, and listen to the guide explain how volcanic activity formed them.

The word landscape is appropriate here in the literal sense. This is not the soft green countryside many people picture when they first think of Iceland. The lake area has dark volcanic features, open water, unusual formations, and a spare, otherworldly look.

There is one practical nuisance: small flies can be bothersome around Mývatn, especially during warmer conditions. Bring a light layer that covers your arms and consider head netting if you are especially sensitive. This is not a reason to skip the area, but it is worth knowing before you step off the bus.

The stop also helps you understand why the Mývatn region is more than a scenic lake. The volcanic forces here are visible in the ground itself. If your guide is in good form, this is where the bus commentary can add real value. Arno, a guide who described himself as a local geologist, was especially praised for explaining the area’s geology in an engaging way.

Mývatn Nature Baths, the reason to choose this tour

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the centerpiece. Often called the Blue Lagoon of the North, the facility gives you a classic Icelandic geothermal experience without requiring you to build an entire day around it.

The water is naturally heated by geothermal forces beneath the surface and is known for its mineral content. You can move between different pool areas, sit in the warm water, and look across the Mývatn region. The appeal is simple: after a morning of coach travel and sightseeing, you stop trying to see Iceland and simply enjoy being there.

Two hours are allocated to the baths, but do not read that as two full hours in the water. You need time to change, shower, and get organized. Depending on the day’s schedule, actual soaking time may be closer to an hour. One person who wanted a slower visit felt the bath portion was too short, while others found it to be the clear highlight.

That difference matters. If the baths are your main reason for booking, treat this as a taste of the experience rather than a full spa day. If you want a lengthy soak, relaxation, and repeated time in the pools, a separate visit with more time would suit you better.

The changing routine also deserves a plain warning. Communal showering is part of the process, and this made some people nervous before arriving. The experience became easier once they had help from the guide and driver, but you should be prepared for the Icelandic pool custom of showering before entering the water.

Swimwear and towels are not included. You must bring both or rent them at the baths for an additional charge. Pack them where you can reach them quickly, rather than burying them in a suitcase or large day bag.

Some people notice a stronger-than-expected geothermal smell. That comes with the territory at naturally heated pools, but it can surprise you. The reward is the warm water, open-air setting, and views across the Mývatn area.

The packed lunch and what you actually get

The included lunch is designed for efficiency. You choose either a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, and a bottle of water is provided. Eating on the road lets the group spend more time at the sights instead of stopping at a restaurant.

That is a good fit for a port day, when every minute matters. Do not expect a restaurant meal or a large picnic spread. The food is best understood as a practical packed lunch that keeps you going between stops.

Make your choice clear to the guide at the start of the tour. There have been occasions when the promised vegetarian option was not available, leaving someone without lunch. I would confirm your choice as soon as you board and check that the correct sandwich has been set aside.

The timing can also be awkward. Some people prefer to eat at the first stop, while others find the bus more convenient. If you need lunch at a specific time, ask the guide early rather than waiting until you are hungry.

Guides, drivers, and the feel of the coach ride

The human side of this outing can make a big difference. Guides such as Niko, Ivy, Ricky, Hannes, Arno, Runar, and Victoria have received strong praise for explaining the sights, keeping the group on schedule, and adding humor to the long road sections.

A few guides have entertained the bus with Icelandic songs or even a guitar. That is not a guaranteed part of every departure, but it gives you an idea of the warm, informal tone this company can offer. Hannes was especially appreciated for stories about trolls, while Ricky was praised for clear explanations and humor.

The drivers matter just as much on a shore excursion. People have singled out drivers including Lukesh, Magic, Ziggie, Chris, Albert, and Gisli for safe driving, punctuality, and help at the stops. The return from Mývatn is about 75 minutes, so a calm driver and a comfortable coach make that final stretch easier.

The bus includes free Wi-Fi, which is useful if you want to send a few photos or check ship information. Still, do not let Wi-Fi distract you from the road. The scenery between stops is part of the experience, and the guide may point out details you would miss from a car.

Communication has not always been perfect. Some people found instructions about the day’s sequence unclear, and one guide was hard to hear because of a flat speaking style. If you are unsure about where to meet, when to eat, or how long you have at the baths, ask directly.

Price, value, and the cruise schedule

At $247 per person, this is not a cheap day out. Iceland rarely offers bargain pricing, and the cost needs to be judged against what is included: transport from the cruise area, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, the packed lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths.

The entrance ticket is important. If you paid separately for transport, food, and the baths, the total could add up quickly. I see the strongest value in the convenience and schedule control, not in the lunch itself.

The company shapes the tour around ship docking times and aims to return you to the cruise terminal before departure. That is essential for a shore excursion. Past departures have returned a few minutes early or, in one case, about 45 minutes before all aboard, though you should still allow time to find the bus and follow the exact meeting instructions.

A few complications are worth keeping in mind. Start times can change, and a delayed or confusing pickup can make the first minutes stressful. Some departures have also split the group, with one part visiting the baths while another visited a different area. Ask what your group is doing before you leave the coach.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option add useful flexibility. Check the available start time against your ship’s docking and departure times before booking.

Who should book this North Iceland excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want the broadest taste of the Mývatn region during one Akureyri port call. It suits you if you value a guide, prefer not to drive, want the famous waterfall, and see a geothermal bath as a must-do Iceland experience.

It is also a good match for families and mixed-age groups. The stops do not demand a strenuous hike, the coach handles the long distances, and the bath offers a relaxing change from sightseeing. Families should still watch children closely around any volcanic viewing area and follow all marked safety boundaries.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, spa-focused day. The tour gives you a rewarding bath visit, but not an entire afternoon of lounging. I would also think twice if you dislike communal changing areas, geothermal smells, flies, or tightly managed schedules.

For photographers, the tour offers strong subjects but limited time. Goðafoss receives the longest outdoor stop, while Skútustaðagígar is brief. If your goal is to explore every corner of Mývatn, rent a car or choose a longer private outing instead.

My booking verdict

I would book this tour for a first visit to North Iceland from a cruise ship. The combination is hard to beat: Goðafoss provides the big scenic moment, Mývatn shows you Iceland’s volcanic character, and the nature baths give the day a warm finish.

Book it with realistic expectations. Bring swimwear, a towel, a layer for flies, and patience for a fixed schedule. Confirm the meeting point at Gránufélagsgata 50, verify your chicken or vegan lunch, and ask how much time you will really have in the pools.

At $247, the tour earns its price through convenience and the included bath admission. It is best for a compact introduction to North Iceland, not for a leisurely spa day or a full exploration of Lake Mývatn.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The buses are located at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri. A guide waits there to greet you, and transportation is provided from the Akureyri cruise terminal.

How long is the excursion?

The tour lasts six hours, including the coach travel, sightseeing stops, and time at Mývatn Nature Baths.

Is transportation from the cruise terminal included?

Yes. Transportation from the Akureyri Cruise Terminal is included.

How long is the stop at Goðafoss?

The scheduled stop at Goðafoss is about 35 minutes and includes sightseeing, a short walk, and time for photographs.

What is Skútustaðagígar?

Skútustaðagígar is an area beside Lake Mývatn known for volcanic pseudocraters formed by ancient eruptions. The scheduled stop lasts about 15 minutes.

How much time is provided at Mývatn Nature Baths?

The tour allocates two hours to the baths, although changing and showering reduce the time available in the water.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

Yes. The entrance ticket to Mývatn Nature Baths is included in the tour price.

Are towels and swimwear included?

No. You should bring both. Towels and swimwear can be rented at the baths for an additional cost.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a chicken packed lunch or a vegan packed lunch. Each includes a sandwich and a bottle of water.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide provides the tour in English. Free Wi-Fi is also available on the bus.