Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

Water, volcanoes, and a warm soak make a fine Iceland day. This six-hour shore excursion packs North Iceland’s best-known sights into one manageable outing: Goðafoss waterfall and the strange volcanic scenery around Lake Mývatn. I especially like the two-hour visit to Mývatn Nature Baths and the included chicken or vegan lunch, which saves you from hunting for food during a tight port call. The main drawback is that towels and swimwear cost extra, while flies around Lake Mývatn can be bothersome in warmer weather.

The tour also earns points for its cruise-friendly schedule. Guides and drivers work to get you back to Akureyri before sailing, and several guides, including Arno, Runar, Victoria, Elsa, and Vicki, have been praised for lively storytelling. Still, pickup instructions deserve close attention because Akureyri uses more than one cruise pier.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss is a quick but worthwhile first stop: You get about 35 minutes for photos, a short walk, and views of the broad crescent-shaped falls.
• Skútustaðagígar gives you a taste of Mývatn’s volcanic past: The 15-minute stop focuses on pseudo-craters beside the lake.
• Mývatn Nature Baths is the heart of the day: Two hours gives you enough time to change, soak, and enjoy the open-air pools without rushing.
• Lunch is practical rather than elaborate: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water included.
• Cruise timing is a major advantage: The tour begins and ends at the Akureyri port area, with the schedule adjusted around ship docking times.
• Bring your own swim kit: A swimsuit and towel are not included, though both can be rented at the baths.

Why this six-hour outing works from Akureyri

Akureyri is a pleasant port, but the most dramatic sights are outside town. Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn lie inland, so a shore excursion is a useful way to reach them without arranging a car, checking road conditions, or trying to fit a geothermal soak into a short port visit.

This tour keeps the plan simple. You board near the cruise terminal, ride through North Iceland, stop at two scenic sites, spend a generous stretch at the baths, and return to the same port area. The total driving time listed is about 105 minutes, split between a 30-minute ride at the beginning and a 75-minute return journey.

That leaves most of the six hours for the actual experience. You are not spending the day on a bus with only a quick photograph at each stop. Goðafoss gets around 35 minutes, Skútustaðagígar gets 15 minutes, and the baths receive two hours. That balance is sensible, especially for a cruise passenger who wants both sightseeing and time to relax.

The price is $238 per person. That is not a bargain-basement excursion, but it covers transportation from the cruise terminal, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. The bath entry alone is an important part of the value, since this is not simply a scenic drive with a short photo stop.

Meeting your bus at Akureyri’s two cruise piers

Pickup depends on where your ship docks. If your ship uses Tangarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

The buses are located at Gránufélagsgata 50, and guides wear an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo. I would confirm your ship’s pier before leaving the vessel and allow a few extra minutes to find the right meeting point. One excursion had a pickup mix-up connected to the meeting instructions, even though the staff later worked hard to fix it.

This is a small but important point. A cruise excursion has no room for a casual wrong turn. Keep the meeting address handy, look for the orange vest, and ask port staff if you are uncertain. The company’s buses and guides are meant to accommodate docking times, but you still need to be in the right place.

The tour is conducted in English. Guide quality appears to be one of its strongest features. Arno was praised for explaining geology and local life, while Runar was described as both funny and attentive. Victoria entertained the bus with Icelandic songs, and Vicki was remembered for stories, facts, and even singing. Other guides have added guitar or Icelandic songs to the ride.

That personality matters on a long bus journey. You are not only being driven from one stop to another. The best guides turn the road time into part of the day, with Icelandic history, geology, humor, and local stories.

Goðafoss: Icelandic history beside a broad waterfall

The first major stop is Goðafoss, whose name means Waterfall of the Gods. The falls are wider than they are high, and water curves across the rock in a broad crescent. It is a graceful shape rather than a single plunging column, and the low, open form makes it easy to take in from the viewing area.

You have around 35 minutes here. That is enough for a good look, photographs, and a short walk, but not enough for a long trail outing. The guide may explain the waterfall’s famous place in Icelandic history: a local chieftain is said to have thrown pagan statues into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity. The story gives the waterfall more meaning than its impressive appearance alone.

I like the timing here. Goðafoss is visually strong, but you do not need half a day to appreciate it. A focused stop lets you see the water from the main viewpoints before moving toward Mývatn.

Wear shoes suitable for a short walk on outdoor paths, and keep your clothing ready for changing conditions. The waterfall is exposed, and North Iceland weather can shift quickly. You may get clear views, mist, wind, or a mix of all three.

Skútustaðagígar and the odd shapes around Lake Mývatn

After Goðafoss, the bus continues toward Lake Mývatn. The region is shaped by volcanic activity, and one of its most unusual features is the collection of pseudo-craters around Skútustaðagígar.

These formations look like small volcanic craters, but they did not form in the same way as a true volcanic cone. The stop is brief, about 15 minutes, and works mainly as a viewpoint and photo break. You will not have time for a long exploration, but you can see why the Mývatn area feels so different from ordinary Icelandic farmland.

The scenery here is the kind that rewards a guide’s explanation. Without context, you see dark earth, water, low formations, and open sky. With a little geology, the place becomes a record of old eruptions and steam explosions.

There is one practical nuisance: small flies can be common around Lake Mývatn. They are not presented as a reason to skip the region, but you should be prepared for them, especially during warmer weather. A head net may be useful if you are sensitive to insects. This is one of those Iceland details that does not appear in the postcard.

The short stop also means you should listen for the guide’s return instructions. It is easy to wander a little too far while taking photographs, and the bus cannot wait indefinitely on a port-day schedule.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

The main reward comes at Mývatn Nature Baths, often called the Blue Lagoon of the north. The water is heated by geothermal forces beneath the ground and contains minerals associated with Iceland’s hot-spring culture.

You have two hours here, which is a generous amount of time for a shore excursion. You can change, enter the pools, find a comfortable place to sit, and enjoy views over the Mývatn area. The pools are outdoors, so the pleasure comes from the contrast between warm water and cool Icelandic air.

I like this stop because it provides a real break in the middle of a sightseeing day. Goðafoss and Skútustaðagígar ask you to walk, look, and take photographs. The baths let you slow down. You are not simply observing Iceland’s geothermal activity from a distance. You are sitting in it.

The water is said to have soothing properties, but you should think of the baths first as a relaxing cultural experience rather than a medical treatment. For many people, this will be their first Icelandic geothermal pool visit, and it offers a gentler introduction than trying to fit a more elaborate spa visit into a busy trip.

Bring your swimsuit and towel. Neither is included. Mývatn Nature Baths can rent both for an additional fee, but packing your own avoids another charge and makes changing easier. The changing facilities include communal showering, which may be uncomfortable if you expect private stalls. Know that before you book.

The sulfur smell can also be stronger than expected. That is normal around geothermal water, but it is not everyone’s favorite scent. If you dislike sulfur, the smell may take some getting used to. Once you are in the warm water, though, most of the day’s sightseeing fatigue should fade.

The baths are not a silent retreat. Other bath users will be around, and the site can be busier at some times than others. Still, the setting and the two-hour allocation give you a proper chance to enjoy it rather than merely checking it off.

Lunch, bus comfort, and the pace of the day

The packed lunch includes a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, plus a bottle of water. This is a practical choice for a port excursion because it keeps the group moving and avoids losing time at a restaurant.

I would not book this tour expecting a long Icelandic food experience. The meal is fuel for the road, not a destination in itself. A few people wished the sandwiches had been handed out earlier, and there was an isolated issue with too few lunches for the full group. Those problems do not appear to define the excursion, but it would be sensible to confirm your lunch choice at the start.

The bus includes free Wi-Fi, a useful touch during a day with long stretches on the road. The return drive is listed as 75 minutes, so Wi-Fi can help you pass the time, though the scenery may be more interesting than your phone.

The pace is generally efficient. You get enough time at Goðafoss to enjoy the falls, a brief look at the pseudo-craters, and a long bath visit. Families with older children and teenagers may find this combination especially workable. One family with children aged 16 and 12 appreciated how carefully the guide kept the schedule.

Guides make the difference

A good guide is especially valuable on this route because the sights need explanation. The waterfall has a historical story, the Mývatn area needs geological context, and the bus ride provides time for local information.

Several guides have been praised for making the day more than a transfer service. Arno brought a strong geology background and local family connections. Runar was described as attentive, humorous, and eager to answer questions. Victoria and Vicki added songs and a warm personal touch, while Tom entertained the bus with Icelandic music and dry humor.

Drivers also receive frequent credit for safe and punctual service. Names such as Ziggie, Chris, Albert, Gisli, and Arran appear in the feedback connected with the tour. The important practical point is that the operation depends on both people in the front of the bus: the guide handles the stories and group instructions, while the driver keeps the day on time.

The experience is not perfect for every listener. One guide was considered difficult to hear because of a flat speaking style, and some people wanted clearer instructions about what would happen next. If you have hearing trouble, sit near the front and ask questions early. A friendly guide cannot help if you cannot hear the basic meeting times.

How this compares with planning it yourself

A rental car would give you more freedom and more time at each location, but it would also put driving, navigation, fuel, weather decisions, and cruise timing on your shoulders. This tour removes those tasks and bundles the bath entrance, lunch, and transportation.

A private excursion could offer a slower schedule, but it would usually cost more per person. At $238, this tour makes the most sense if you value convenience and want the baths included. It is less compelling if you already have a car, dislike group schedules, or want to spend a full day hiking around Mývatn.

The six-hour format also forces choices. You see Goðafoss and Skútustaðagígar, but the stops are focused rather than expansive. You will not have time to explore every part of the Mývatn region. That is not a flaw so much as the price of fitting a major inland outing into a cruise port call.

Who should book this Akureyri shore excursion?

I would recommend it to cruise passengers who want three major North Iceland experiences in one day: a historic waterfall, volcanic scenery, and a geothermal soak. It is also a strong pick if you want the reassurance of a return to the ship on a planned schedule.

Families, first-time visitors to Iceland, and anyone who wants a comfortable introduction to geothermal bathing should find the format appealing. The included lunch and port transport make the day easy to manage.

I would think twice if communal showers are a deal-breaker, if you strongly dislike sulfur smells, or if flies make you miserable. You should also bring a towel and swimsuit, or budget for rental fees. And check your pier carefully before setting out.

The experience has a rating of 4.6 from 186 ratings, with especially strong praise for the guides, drivers, bath visit, scenery, and organization. A few complaints focus on pickup communication, lunch timing, insects, and guide volume. Those are useful cautions, but they do not erase the central appeal.

If I had one day in Akureyri and wanted a guided outing rather than a self-drive, I would book this tour. The waterfall and volcanic scenery provide the sightseeing, while the baths give the day a warm, distinctly Icelandic finish.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri to Mývatn tour?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date of your visit.

Where does the tour meet in Akureyri?

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

Is transportation from the cruise terminal included?

Yes. Transportation from the Akureyri Cruise Terminal is included, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a packed lunch with either a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, along with a bottle of water. Tell the guide your choice at the beginning of the tour.

Are towels and swimwear included?

No. You need to bring your own swimsuit and towel, or rent them at Mývatn Nature Baths for an additional cost.

Is entry to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

Yes. The entrance ticket to Mývatn Nature Baths is included, and the visit lasts about two hours.