Godafoss and the Forest Lagoon

Come for the waterfall, stay for the hot water. This four-hour outing from Akureyri pairs the dramatic Goðafoss waterfall with a relaxing soak at the Forest Lagoon, making a smart half-day choice when you want nature and comfort in one trip. I especially like the small-group format and the chance to finish at a spa surrounded by trees, though the schedule may feel tight at Goðafoss and the viewpoint stop is not always guaranteed.

The tour costs $222.28 per person, including transportation, a licensed guide and entry to the Forest Lagoon. Guides such as Krista, Siggy, Ziggy, and Reynir have earned praise for being friendly, entertaining, and helpful, but you should confirm the return arrangement from the lagoon before setting off.

Key details before you book

• Goðafoss reaches 12 meters high and 30 meters wide, with several viewing areas and a strong connection to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity.
• The Forest Lagoon is included in the price, so you do not need to pay a separate spa admission fee.
• The group can have up to 19 people, though some departures may be much smaller.
• The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about four hours.
• Pickup is available from Akureyri accommodations and cruise ports, but cruise passengers must provide the ship name and correct port.
• The main caution is timing: some outings allow only about 40 minutes at Goðafoss, and one reported departure did not include the Vaolaheioi viewpoint.

Why this pairing works so well

Akureyri is an excellent base for seeing North Iceland. It has a pleasant town center, sits beside Eyjafjörður, and gives you access to major sights without committing to a full-day road trip.

This tour uses that advantage well. Goðafoss gives you a powerful natural sight, while the Forest Lagoon supplies a slower, warmer finish. You get spray, rock, and rushing water first, then steam, stillness, and a broad fjord view later.

I like this contrast. A waterfall stop alone can feel brief, especially if you are visiting from a cruise ship. A spa visit alone may feel too passive for your only outing. Put the two together, and the day has a useful rhythm.

The experience also includes a short drive through Akureyri with an introduction to the town. That portion is not a formal walking tour, but it gives you some basic context and helps connect the outing to the place where you are staying.

Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Goðafoss is the star of the first half. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, a title tied to a famous event around the year 1000.

At that time, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði helped decide that Christianity would become Iceland’s official religion. According to the story, he then threw his old statues of the Norse gods into the falls. The tale gives the waterfall more meaning than a quick photo stop. You are looking at a natural landmark tied to one of the major turning points in Icelandic culture.

The falls are not especially tall by world standards, but their shape gives them force. Water pours over a broad horseshoe-like span about 30 meters across and drops roughly 12 meters. The width matters. Instead of one narrow column, you see several curtains of white water spreading across dark rock.

You should expect about an hour and a half here in the planned schedule. That is enough time to reach the main viewpoints, take photos, and watch the water from different angles if the visit runs as planned.

In practice, timing can vary. One departure allowed only around 40 minutes, and that was not enough to see both sides properly. If you care about photographing Goðafoss, ask the guide how much time is planned before you leave the vehicle.

The paths can also feel exposed to wind and spray. Small flies were an annoyance during one visit, and a head net proved useful. This is a minor issue, but it is exactly the sort of small comfort detail that can improve your stop. Keep your phone and camera secure, and do not rush near wet edges for a better picture.

The waterfall itself is free to visit, which makes the paid tour price mostly about transport, guiding, and the spa entry that follows.

The Akureyri view from Vaolaheioi

The listed route includes Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur, a viewpoint looking over the fjord toward Akureyri. It is designed as a short photo stop, with about 30 minutes set aside.

This is a useful addition because Akureyri makes more sense when you see its position from above. Eyjafjörður stretches beside the town, and the elevated view helps you understand how the settlement fits between water and mountains.

The stop is simple rather than elaborate. You get out, look across the fjord, take photos, and return to the vehicle. For many people, that is enough.

You should keep expectations flexible. One reported outing skipped this stop, even though it appeared in the planned route. Weather, timing, or the needs of the group may affect the order or length of stops. If this viewpoint matters to you, mention it early in the day.

Some especially small departures have been more flexible. Reynir, for example, has taken a two-person group to extra viewpoints and unusual roadside places not listed in the main plan. That kind of personal attention can make the day feel almost private, but it should be treated as a pleasant possibility, not a promised part of every departure.

A short introduction to Akureyri

The drive through Akureyri is brief, but it adds local shape to the excursion. You hear key facts about the town’s past while passing through rather than stopping for a long walking visit.

This suits you if you want an overview before heading into the countryside. It is less useful if you hoped for museums, cafés, or a detailed town tour. The main purpose of this section is to orient you, not fill an hour.

The quality depends partly on your guide. Krista has been praised for being smart, funny, and informative. Siggy and Ziggy have also received strong marks for making the drive enjoyable. Reynir has been described as enthusiastic and willing to add information and extra stops when the group is small.

One useful caution: not every guide may provide a constant stream of Iceland facts while driving. One person felt the commentary could have been fuller, even while praising the safe driving and kind manner. That is a fair distinction. The guides appear to be a major strength, but the exact style may vary by departure.

Forest Lagoon: the best finish of the day

The Forest Lagoon is where this tour earns much of its appeal. The spa is set among birch and pine trees above Eyjafjörður, giving the bathing area a calmer feel than a bare concrete pool.

Entry is included, which is important when judging the $222.28 price. You are not paying only for a ride to a waterfall. You are also paying for access to a well-regarded geothermal facility, and the final hour and a half is built around using it.

The main pool provides warm outdoor bathing with views toward one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The setting is the point. You can soak, look across the water, and let the day slow down after the wind and walking at Goðafoss.

The facilities have been praised for being clean, attractive, and well maintained. Spa-quality products, helpful staff, a sauna, and a cold plunge are available. Drinks can be ordered, including cocktails, though prices at the bar may feel high. One visit described the drinks as expensive, while another found them delicious and reasonably priced, so your sense of value may depend on what you order.

The water temperature has been described as just right, and the geothermal water left one person’s skin feeling smooth. The pool can still be busy at times. Forest Lagoon is often calmer than the better-known Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík, but less crowded does not mean empty.

Allow yourself to enjoy the full spa period rather than treating it as an afterthought. The waterfall provides the visual drama, but the lagoon gives the excursion its sense of completion. You get time to sit still, use the sauna or cold plunge, and enjoy the setting without racing from one sight to the next.

The return ride needs clarification

The largest practical weakness is the transportation arrangement after the spa.

The tour information describes pickup service, but one person was dropped at the Forest Lagoon and not collected by the tour vehicle. The operator explained that the lagoon shuttle can be used if you want to stay longer. That possibility should be made clear before the tour begins.

You should ask these questions at pickup:

• Is the same vehicle returning to the port or accommodation?
• If not, is the lagoon shuttle included or separately arranged?
• What time should you leave the spa?
• Where exactly is the return pickup point?

This is especially important for cruise passengers. Akureyri has more than one cruise port, and the correct meeting place depends on your ship.

At Tangabryggja, Star Travel meets near the small wooden houses, at house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and the designated agent area for the Star Travel sign or a staff member in a bright yellow jacket.

If you are staying in town, choose the correct accommodation pickup when booking. Keep the phone number you provide active during the day in case the operator needs to send an update.

Cruise passengers should plan carefully

This tour can work very well during a port call because it lasts about four hours and offers pickup. Still, cruise timing requires more care than a normal day trip.

You need to give the company the name of your ship and the exact port. Akureyri has multiple docking areas, and going to the wrong one could create an avoidable scramble.

The 10:00 a.m. start is another factor. Check your ship’s arrival time before booking, and allow enough time to walk from the gangway to the meeting point. The tour operator gives specific directions, but you are responsible for reaching the correct location.

The tour is capped at 19 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach outing, while still being large enough that the guide may need to keep the group moving. Some departures have had only two people, and the company has run the outing even with that tiny group.

That small-group possibility is one of the more appealing features here. A quiet departure can mean better photo advice, more questions, and occasional flexibility. A full van may feel less personal, though the vehicle has been described as clean and comfortable.

Is $222.28 a fair price?

At first glance, $222.28 is not a cheap half-day outing. The value improves once you count what is included: transport from Akureyri, a licensed guide and Forest Lagoon admission.

You also avoid arranging separate transport to Goðafoss and then finding your own way to the spa. For a solo visitor, cruise passenger, or anyone without a rental car, that convenience matters.

The price is strongest if you want both major elements. If you only want to see Goðafoss, paying for the full spa visit may not suit your plans. If you already have another way to reach the waterfall and only want a pool, a separate spa booking could be more fitting.

There is no lunch or bottled water included. Bring your own water and eat before departure or after returning to Akureyri. Since the tour lasts about four hours, this is manageable, but it is worth planning around the start time.

The 4.8 rating from 16 reviews and 94 percent recommendation signal strong satisfaction, but the small number of ratings also means you should pay attention to the mixed details. Most praise centers on the guides, waterfall, clean vehicle, and spa. The main complaints concern short waterfall time, a missed viewpoint, and uncertainty about the ride back from the lagoon.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this outing if you want a compact taste of North Iceland without spending a full day on the road. It suits you especially well if:

• You are visiting Akureyri from a cruise ship.
• You want a famous waterfall plus a geothermal spa.
• You prefer a small group to a large coach.
• You value a guide who can answer questions and adjust the day when possible.
• You would rather pay one price for transport and lagoon admission.
• You want a relaxing finish instead of another long sightseeing stop.

It may not suit you if Goðafoss photography is your main goal and you need a long, unhurried visit. It is also less ideal if you want a detailed walking tour of Akureyri or firm guarantees about every listed viewpoint.

Bring swimwear, a towel if the operator’s instructions require one, warm outdoor layers, and water. A fly net may be useful near the falls in some conditions. Keep your phone away from the pool edge too. One person lost a phone in the Forest Lagoon, along with the day’s photos. Iceland supplies enough natural drama without adding a waterproofing emergency.

Should you book Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon?

I would book this tour if you want two very different experiences in one manageable outing. Goðafoss is impressive, and the Forest Lagoon is a genuinely relaxing way to end the day. The strongest guides add warmth and local color, and a small departure may feel wonderfully personal.

Before paying, confirm the time at the waterfall, ask if Vaolaheioi is operating that day, and settle the return plan from the lagoon. If those details work for your schedule, the tour offers good value for a cruise stop or a short stay in Akureyri.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can also lead to a rescheduled tour or full refund.

FAQ

How long does the Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The planned schedule includes about 1 hour and 30 minutes at Goðafoss, 30 minutes at Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur, and 1 hour and 30 minutes at the Forest Lagoon, along with driving through Akureyri.

What is included in the price?

The price includes entry to the Forest Lagoon and transportation with a licensed guide and driver. Bottled water and lunch are not included.

Where does pickup take place in Akureyri?

Pickup is available from selected Akureyri accommodations and cruise ports. At Tangabryggja, meet at Star Travel’s house number 3 near the small wooden houses. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and designated agent area for the Star Travel sign or a staff member in a bright yellow jacket.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m.

Is the Forest Lagoon entry fee included?

Yes. Admission to the Forest Lagoon is included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.