Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Iceland packs drama into every mile. This small-group shore excursion links Godafoss Waterfall with the strange volcanic world around Lake Myvatn, giving you waterfalls, steaming earth, lava formations, a cave, and the option of a geothermal soak in five to six hours.

I like the wide variety of sights and the clean, modern van, which carries no more than 19 people. I also like the flexible choice at Lake Myvatn: you can use the Nature Baths, or visit Grjotagja cave and the continental rift instead. The main caution is time. Long drives between stops can make the day feel rushed, especially if your ship arrives late or the weather turns rough.

Key things to know before booking

• Godafoss is a strong opening stop: The broad, dramatic waterfall is easy to reach and leaves enough time for photographs.
• Lake Myvatn packs several different sights into one area: You will see Hverir’s bubbling mud pools, Dimmuborgir’s dark lava shapes, Grjotagja cave, and the Nature Baths.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is ISK 7,400 per person and must be reserved in advance.
• The tour can adapt to your preference: You may choose the baths or visit Grjotagja and the rift while others soak.
• Weather and ship timing matter: Rain, wind, or a late arrival can shorten stops and make this fast-paced outing even faster.
• The guide can make a real difference: Norbert is praised for his humor, clear explanations, and professional manner.

Why this route works from a cruise port

This outing gives you a strong sample of North Iceland without asking you to choose between a waterfall and geothermal country. From the port, you head toward Godafoss, then continue to the Lake Myvatn area, where the scenery changes from open mountain views to steam vents, lava formations, and black volcanic ground.

The total duration is about five to six hours. That is enough time for a useful look at the region, but not enough for slow wandering at every stop. I would treat this as a highlights tour, not a relaxed day in the countryside.

The drive between sights can sometimes last 45 to 60 minutes. That is not wasted time in Iceland, since the views can be excellent, but you should know what you are buying. You spend part of the day in the van, with short walks and photo stops breaking up the ride.

The maximum group size is 19 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach excursion, while still keeping the price lower than a private vehicle. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

One useful point for cruise passengers is the port flexibility shown by the operator. The excursion was originally arranged for Húsavík, but when high wind and rough seas prevented a ship from docking there, Imagine Iceland Travel moved the arrangements to Akureyri. The change was handled without trouble. That kind of practical response matters when your entire day depends on a ship’s arrival.

Godafoss: a dramatic first stop

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and it earns the name with a wide curtain of water dropping through a rocky channel. You get a short visit of about 30 minutes, with no separate admission charge.

This is a good first stop because the waterfall makes an immediate impression. You can walk out, take photographs, and appreciate the scale without needing a long hike. One of the strongest features of the stop is its simplicity. You do not need special planning or a paid ticket to enjoy it.

Give yourself a moment to look beyond the main drop. The water, rock, and surrounding mountains create several good angles, and the view can change quickly with Icelandic weather. On a clear day, snow-capped peaks add extra drama. In rain and high wind, you may have less time outside, so bring a waterproof layer and keep your camera protected.

Thirty minutes is enough for a proper look, but it is not generous. If you enjoy photography, be ready when you leave the van. This is a shore excursion, and the schedule must keep moving toward Lake Myvatn.

Lake Myvatn brings Iceland’s volcanoes to life

The Lake Myvatn region is the heart of the excursion. Instead of one single attraction, you get several short encounters with volcanic forces. The route includes Námaskarð, Dimmuborgir, Grjotagja, and the Nature Baths, although your exact use of the time depends on the bathing choice and the ship’s schedule.

You will see a striking mix of colors and textures. Steam rises from the ground, mud bubbles in shallow pools, lava forms twisted shapes, and the rift area reveals the powerful forces that shaped Iceland. This variety is what makes the trip worthwhile, especially if your time in North Iceland is limited.

The main Lake Myvatn portion is listed at about three hours, with separate short stops within it. That sounds generous, but the drive from Akureyri or Húsavík and the return journey take a large share of the day. You should expect an active schedule rather than long periods at one site.

Námaskarð and Hverir: bubbling mud and steam

At the Námaskarð area, you visit Hverir’s bubbling mud pools and natural steam vents, called fumaroles. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, but the ground offers plenty to notice in a short time.

This is Iceland at its most otherworldly. The mud pots bubble and heave, while steam vents release heat from below the surface. The colors can be striking, with pale mineral ground contrasting with darker earth and yellowish deposits.

Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. This is not a place for casual wandering. The ground is geothermal, and the steam vents are a reminder that the scenery is not merely decorative. The air can also carry a strong sulfur smell, which some people find memorable and others find unpleasant.

Twenty minutes works for a close look and photographs. It may feel brief if you want to study every pool, but the short stop keeps the overall route moving. In poor weather, the exposed site can be uncomfortable, so waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear will help.

Dimmuborgir’s dark lava formations

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castle, a fitting name for an area of unusual lava formations. The shapes are the remains of volcanic activity, and the site feels very different from Hverir’s open geothermal ground.

You visit for about 20 minutes. That gives you time to see the main formations and walk a short distance, but not to explore every path. The stop is best for people who enjoy unusual rock shapes and want a quick look at one of Lake Myvatn’s signature sites.

The lava structures create a more enclosed feeling than the open views around the waterfall. Some formations look like arches, walls, or towers. It is an easy place to let your imagination take over, although you should keep an eye on the time.

This stop also shows why the tour’s mix works well. Godafoss gives you moving water, Hverir gives you active geothermal ground, and Dimmuborgir gives you solid volcanic forms. Three short visits reveal three different sides of the same region.

Grjotagja cave and the continental rift

Grjotagja is an old bathing cave and part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. The visit lasts about 15 minutes, so you should expect a brief look rather than a long cave exploration.

The cave offers a more intimate contrast to Dimmuborgir. You move from large lava formations to a confined space shaped by volcanic forces. The rift connection adds another layer of interest, since the site helps explain the shifting geology beneath Iceland.

This is also the alternative for people who do not want to use the Nature Baths. That choice is important because a one-hour stop at the baths can take up much of your remaining time. If you would rather see another geological feature than spend part of the day in warm water, Grjotagja gives you a worthwhile substitute.

The cave is not a replacement for a full geothermal experience. It is a short sightseeing stop, and the tour schedule keeps it compact. Still, if your ship is late or the weather is poor, choosing Grjotagja may make better use of the available time than trying to fit in a hurried soak.

Myvatn Nature Baths: a pleasant but costly option

The Myvatn Nature Baths are the tour’s most relaxing stop. You get about one hour at the baths and café, time permitting. The entrance fee is not included and costs ISK 7,400 per person.

You must reserve admission beforehand. The suggested timing is three hours after the tour begins, which gives the operator room to reach the Lake Myvatn area before your reservation. Do not leave this until the last minute. A reserved time is especially important on a cruise day, when the ship’s schedule gives you little room for error.

The baths can provide a pleasant end to a busy day of sightseeing. After walking around the waterfall, geothermal ground, lava formations, and cave, warm water offers a clear change of pace. But one hour is not a long spa visit. You need time to enter, change, bathe, and leave, so the experience will be more of a quick soak than an afternoon at a resort.

The extra cost also affects the tour’s value. At $306.40 per person before the bath admission, this is already a substantial shore excursion. I think the price is easier to justify if you want transport, a guide, and several distant sights in one outing. If the baths are your main goal, you should consider how little time you actually get there.

You can skip the baths and visit Grjotagja instead. That option is especially useful for people who prefer geology, photography, or sightseeing over changing into swimwear during a tightly scheduled port day.

Timing, weather, and the pace of the day

The tour’s biggest weakness is the narrow time margin. A cruise ship that arrives late can turn a brisk schedule into a rushed one. One account of the outing described skipping the hot springs because there was not enough time after a delayed arrival, then choosing the cave and tectonic rift instead.

Weather can have the same effect. Rain and high wind may shorten the time you spend outside at each stop. North Iceland can look spectacular in rough weather, but exposed places such as Hverir are not comfortable for lingering when the wind is strong.

I would book this tour when your priority is seeing several major sights, not when you want a slow, unhurried day. Keep your clothing practical: waterproof outerwear and shoes suitable for uneven ground are sensible choices based on the range of outdoor stops.

The operator requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the outing, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Guide quality and the small-group advantage

A guide matters on a route like this because the sites are spread out and the driving time is significant. Norbert is praised for being informative, professional, courteous, and funny, with an engaging manner. Those qualities can make a long drive feel useful instead of merely necessary.

The vehicle is described as clean and modern. With a maximum of 19 people, you avoid the scale of a large bus, though the group is not tiny. Pickup at the port and return to the meeting point are included, which keeps the day simple for cruise passengers.

The guide also helps with the key decision at Lake Myvatn. If you use the baths, others can visit Grjotagja, and the route can be shaped around those different choices. That flexibility is valuable, but you should still confirm your preferred plan early in the day.

Is $306.40 a fair price?

At $306.40 per person, this is not a budget outing. The price covers guided transport, pickup, and drop-off, but not food, drinks, or the ISK 7,400 Nature Baths admission.

The value comes from combining several far-flung sights into one cruise-friendly trip. Arranging Godafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjotagja, and the baths on your own would require transport, careful timing, and confidence that you can return to the ship. Here, the route is organized and the guide handles the driving.

The price is less attractive if you want only one attraction or a long bath visit. You are paying for range, convenience, and a guide, not for extensive time at each individual stop. I would also factor in the port risk: the later your ship arrives, the more likely you are to lose time at the final stops.

The experience has an overall rating of 4.6 from eight ratings, with especially strong praise for the waterfall, scenery, guides, and vehicle. The clearest positive pattern is the range of beautiful and unusual sights. The clearest warning is the fast pace when delays or bad weather interfere.

Who should book this North Iceland excursion?

I would recommend it to cruise passengers who want a broad introduction to the region and are comfortable with several short stops. It suits you if you enjoy waterfalls, geology, geothermal features, and changing scenery more than long meals or slow walks.

It is also a good fit if you want the option of a hot bath but do not want to spend the entire day there. Reserve the Nature Baths well ahead, then decide whether the extra cost and one-hour visit match your priorities.

I would hesitate if your ship often runs late, if you dislike long drives, or if you need generous time at every attraction. The route is ambitious for five to six hours, and poor weather can make it feel even tighter.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Húsavíkurhöfn, 2MW3+PGW, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided tour, transport, pickup, and drop-off. Food, drinks, and admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths are not included.

How much does the Myvatn Nature Baths admission cost?

Admission costs ISK 7,400 per person. You must reserve the bath entry beforehand.

Can I skip the Nature Baths?

Yes. If you do not want to use the baths, the tour can take you to Grjotagja cave and the rift while other people use the Nature Baths.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 19 participants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see the best-known sights around Godafoss and Lake Myvatn in one organized shore excursion. The waterfall, Hverir mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Grjotagja cave give you a strong range of Icelandic scenery, while the Nature Baths provide an optional change of pace.

Just plan for a quick-moving day. Reserve the baths three hours after the tour begins, dress for rain and wind, and keep your expectations realistic about driving time. For a cruise passenger who values variety and reliable transport, this is a worthwhile, if expensive, way to spend a port day in North Iceland.