Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

North Iceland packs a lot into six hours. This shore excursion links Godafoss waterfall and the strange volcanic country around Lake Mývatn with a long soak at Mývatn Nature Baths. I like the mix of sightseeing and downtime, and I like that transport, admission, lunch, and cruise-terminal return are bundled together. The main caution is time: the day can feel tight, especially if you want to linger in the baths.

The $247 price is not small, but Iceland rarely is. Here, you are paying for a full-day-sized outing squeezed into a cruise stop, an English-speaking guide, a driver, entrance to the baths, and the comfort of a planned return to the ship. Bring patience for possible meeting-point confusion, plus a towel and swimsuit, or rent them at the baths.

Key points to know before you go

• Godafoss is a quick but memorable stop: You get about 35 minutes to walk, take photos, and hear the story behind Iceland’s conversion to Christianity.
• Lake Mývatn is shaped by volcanoes: Skútustaðagígar gives you a short look at the area’s distinctive pseudo-craters.
• The baths are the star: The advertised visit lasts two hours, though cruise-day timing can reduce actual soaking time.
• The packed lunch saves time: Choose chicken or vegan, but confirm your choice at the start.
• Guides add much of the character: Arno, Runar, Ricky, Victoria, Hannes, and others have been praised for local stories, humor, songs, and practical help.
• Expect flies near Mývatn: They can be annoying in summer, so a hat or head net is worth considering.

Why this Akureyri shore excursion works

This is a smart route for you if Akureyri is one stop on a cruise and you want more than a quick walk around town. The road leads into North Iceland’s volcanic heart, where waterfalls, pseudo-craters, lava-shaped ground, and geothermal water all appear in one compact outing.

The tour begins at Gránufélagsgata 50, in the large parking area used by the buses. The company schedules departures around cruise docking times and aims to return you to the ship. That matters. Missing a ship is not an acceptable souvenir.

The ride out takes about 30 minutes. Your bus has free Wi-Fi, and the guide provides commentary in English. Several guides have earned especially warm praise for making the ride entertaining rather than filling it with dry facts. Runar was praised for being funny and informative, while Ricky was singled out for clear explanations and humor. Other guides have added Icelandic songs, tales of trolls, and even guitar music.

That personality matters on a long bus ride. The scenery between stops is part of the experience, but you are still spending a good share of the day seated. A lively guide can make the miles feel much shorter.

Godafoss: Icelandic history beside a broad waterfall

Godafoss is the first major stop, with about 35 minutes for photographs and a walk. The waterfall is broad rather than tall, curling in a crescent over the river. It has the sort of shape that looks good from several angles, so do not simply take one picture beside the bus and leave.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. Its historical importance comes from the year Iceland adopted Christianity, when a local chieftain is said to have thrown pagan statues into the falls. That story gives the stop more weight than a pretty cascade alone.

Thirty-five minutes is enough for the main viewpoints, but it is not generous if you move slowly or want a long walk. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring a waterproof layer. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and spray or rain can make exposed paths unpleasant.

I like this opening stop because it gives you an immediate visual reward. You are not waiting until the end of the day for the famous sight. The limitation is simple: this is a photo stop, not a long waterfall hike.

Skútustaðagígar and the odd country around Lake Mývatn

After Godafoss, the bus continues toward Lake Mývatn. The planned stop at Skútustaðagígar lasts about 15 minutes, usually enough for photographs and a short look at the pseudo-craters.

These rounded formations were created by volcanic activity rather than ordinary lava vents. Steam and gas trapped beneath lava produced the crater-like shapes. The result is a scene that can look almost unreal, with low mounds and unusual forms around the lake.

The stop is brief, so keep your expectations sensible. You are getting an introduction to the area, not a full geological walk. Still, it is a useful pause before the baths, especially if you want to understand why Mývatn looks so different from the green farmland near Akureyri.

Mývatn also has a practical nuisance: small flies can be plentiful in warm weather. They are part of the local environment, but that does not make them less irritating when you are trying to take a photo. A hat, sunglasses, or head net can help. Do not let the insects ruin the stop, but do not arrive unprepared either.

The volcanic sights also reward attention from the bus window. The route passes through a broad, stark setting shaped by old eruptions. Your guide may point out lava fields, pressure mounds, or other features along the way. Stay alert between formal stops, since some of the best views are not marked by a sign.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

Mývatn Nature Baths is the main reason many people choose this outing. Often called the Blue Lagoon of the north, it offers naturally heated water in an outdoor setting with views toward the Mývatn area.

The water is mineral-rich and naturally warmed by geothermal forces. You can move between pool areas, sit back, and let the sightseeing day slow down. After a morning of wind, roads, and photo stops, the warm water feels like a real change of pace.

The planned visit is two hours, which is enough time to change, shower, soak, and relax if the schedule runs smoothly. But cruise excursions have moving parts. Some people have had closer to an hour in the water because of a late start, transfer arrangements, or the need to get back to the ship. If the baths are your top priority, keep that in mind before booking.

Towels and swimsuits are not included. You need to bring both, or rent them at the baths for an extra charge. The changing facilities include communal showering, which may surprise you if you expect complete privacy. You must also shower before entering the pools, so knowing this in advance makes the process easier.

The water can have a noticeable geothermal smell. One person found it stronger than expected. That odor is not a sign that anything is wrong, but if you are sensitive to sulfur smells, be ready for it.

Still, this is the strongest part of the excursion for many people. The bath is not simply another stop where you take a few photographs. You get to use Iceland’s geothermal culture in the most direct way possible: sit in warm outdoor water while looking across a volcanic region.

The packed lunch: practical, not the main event

Lunch is a packed sandwich and bottled water, with a chicken or vegan option. The point is speed. You can eat without losing time to a restaurant, which helps a six-hour shore excursion cover so much ground.

The lunch has received mixed practical feedback. Most people found it fine, while one person reported that only chicken salad was available despite expecting a vegetarian option. Tell your guide your choice as soon as you board, and check that the correct lunch is actually present.

You may eat during the ride or at a stop, depending on the group and the schedule. A few people wished the sandwiches had been handed out earlier. If you are hungry in the morning, carry a small snack from the ship. The provided lunch is useful fuel, but it is not a food-focused tour.

Bus comfort, guides, and cruise-day timing

Transportation is by coach from Akureyri and back to the same general meeting point. The buses have Wi-Fi, and the drivers have generally been praised for safe, timely service. Drivers named Chris, Albert, Ziggie, Gisli, Magic, Lukesh, and Arran have all received positive comments for handling the route and schedule well.

The guide can make or break a bus excursion. Arno was praised for geology and local knowledge, while Hannes entertained the group with stories about trolls. Victoria and Vicki were praised for warmth and energy, and one guide moved between English and German to help a mixed group follow along.

The tone varies by guide. One person found a guide’s delivery hard to hear because it was monotone, and another felt that the day’s instructions were not always clear. That is useful advice: listen carefully at the first briefing and ask what happens next if you are unsure. Do not assume every change will be announced in the same way.

Pay close attention to the pickup location. The buses are at Gránufélagsgata 50, not necessarily directly beside the ship. One group found the bus about 100 yards away, and another had difficulty because the meeting point shown in their app was wrong. Arrive early, check the exact location, and allow extra time to walk from the terminal.

The return drive is listed at about 75 minutes. Depending on ship departure time and road conditions, the guide may use a more direct route rather than a more scenic one. Several groups arrived early, including one that returned about 45 minutes before all aboard. That is reassuring, but you should still treat the meeting time as firm.

Is $247 a fair price?

At $247 per person, this is an expensive half-day. Iceland’s prices make that unsurprising, but you should still ask what you are gaining.

The cost includes transport from the cruise terminal, a live English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, packed lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. If you arranged a private car, paid separate entry, and handled the timing yourself, the total could climb quickly. The organized return to the ship has real value on a cruise stop.

The tradeoff is control. You cannot decide to spend an extra hour at Godafoss or remain at the baths until sunset. You are buying convenience and coverage, not a slow independent day.

I think the price makes the most sense for you if the alternative is staying near Akureyri or trying to organize several separate transfers. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a long soak, since the sightseeing schedule may leave less bath time than you hoped.

Who should book this tour?

This suits first-time visitors to North Iceland, cruise passengers, families, and anyone who wants a guided introduction without renting a car. The route offers several kinds of scenery, and the bath gives the day a relaxed finish.

Families with older children and teenagers can enjoy the waterfall, volcanic formations, and pool. The six-hour format also avoids the commitment of a very long full-day road trip.

You may want another option if you dislike communal showers, geothermal smells, insects, or fixed schedules. You should also think twice if your only goal is Mývatn Nature Baths. A longer visit focused on the baths would give you more time in the water.

Final verdict: a strong cruise-stop choice with one big caveat

I would recommend this excursion if you want the highlights of the Mývatn area and a first taste of Icelandic geothermal bathing in one carefully timed outing. Godafoss is beautiful, the volcanic scenery is unusual, and the baths provide the day’s most memorable pause.

Book it knowing that timing is the price of convenience. Confirm the pickup point, lunch preference, and bath equipment before departure. If you can accept a possibly shortened soak, the $247 cost buys a useful and enjoyable look at North Iceland without risking a missed ship.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The buses meet at the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50. A guide waits there to greet you.

Does the tour pick up directly at the cruise ship?

Transportation is provided from the Akureyri Cruise Terminal, but the buses may be in the parking area rather than directly beside the ship. Check the exact meeting location and allow time to walk there.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including travel, sightseeing stops, time at the baths, and the return to Akureyri.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Coach transportation from the Akureyri cruise area and back to the meeting point is included.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide provides the tour in English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a packed lunch with a sandwich and bottled water. The available sandwich choices are chicken or vegan.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You can bring your own or rent one at Mývatn Nature Baths for an extra cost.

Do I need a swimsuit?

Yes. Bring swimwear, or rent it at Mývatn Nature Baths for an additional charge.

How long do you spend at Mývatn Nature Baths?

The planned visit is two hours. Actual time in the baths can vary if the group starts late or needs to adjust the return schedule.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.