Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

Goðafoss is the star at first, but the best part of this six-hour North Iceland outing comes later, when you trade the bus for warm, mineral-rich water at Mývatn Nature Baths. The route gives you a quick look at waterfalls, volcanic formations, and one of Iceland’s most pleasant outdoor pools without asking you to plan the connections yourself.

I like the cruise-friendly timing and the packed lunch, which leave more room for sightseeing. I also like the balance: Goðafoss offers a short, dramatic walk, Skútustaðagígar shows you the odd volcanic side of Mývatn, and the baths give you time to slow down. The main caution is that Mývatn’s small flies can be irritating, and the communal showers may surprise some visitors.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss combines scenery and Icelandic history: The broad, curving waterfall is linked to the traditional story of Iceland’s conversion to Christianity.
• Mývatn looks unlike much of Iceland: Ancient volcanic activity created the lake’s pseudo-craters and unusual shapes.
• You get two full hours at the nature baths: That is enough time to change, soak, and enjoy the views without feeling rushed.
• Lunch is practical rather than elaborate: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water included.
• The tour returns to the cruise port: The schedule is planned around ship docking times, an important advantage on a shore excursion.
• Bring your own towel and swimsuit: Both can be rented at the baths, but rental costs are not included.

Why this Akureyri shore excursion works

At $238 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. But the price covers transportation from the cruise terminal, an English-speaking guide, the Mývatn Nature Baths admission, Wi-Fi, and lunch. If you want Goðafoss and Mývatn in one day, the value comes from the time saved and the careful return to Akureyri.

Driving independently would give you more freedom, but a cruise day is not always the best time to gamble on directions, parking, weather, or road delays. Here, the company plans a six-hour loop and aims to have you back at the ship before departure. Several guides have been praised for keeping the schedule under pressure, and drivers such as Chris, Albert, Gisli, and Ziggie have been singled out for safe, well-timed service.

The tour begins near the port, but your exact meeting point depends on where your ship docks. At Tangarbryggja Pier, look for the guide in the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50. At Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port, then follow instructions to the buses at Gránufélagsgata 50. The orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo helps you find the right person.

That meeting arrangement deserves attention. A few people have found the port directions confusing, especially when the meeting point shown in an app did not match the actual pickup point. I would confirm your pier and meeting place before leaving the ship, then arrive early rather than trying to sort it out at the last minute.

The ride from Akureyri to Goðafoss

The first drive takes about 30 minutes. Your guide may use the time to explain the region, answer questions, and set up the day. The tone varies by guide, but past departures have included lively storytellers such as Victoria, Vicki, Runar, Elsa, and Arno. Tom and Arran were also praised for adding Icelandic songs and dry humor to the bus ride.

That variety is part of the charm and part of the uncertainty. Some guides offer personal stories, songs, and plenty of local detail. Others may speak in a flatter or quieter style, which can be difficult to hear from the back of the bus. If the explanation is hard to follow, move closer to the front when possible and ask for the day’s schedule clearly.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, though the scenery outside is the real attraction. You will get more from this ride if you listen for the transition from the settled area around Akureyri to the volcanic country near Mývatn.

Goðafoss, the waterfall with a turning point in Icelandic history

Goðafoss means Waterfall of the Gods. It is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, but it is one of its most pleasing. The falls are wider than they are high, with water dropping in a broad crescent over several rocky channels.

You have about 35 minutes here for photos and a short walk. That is enough for a good look, though not enough for a long hike or a relaxed exploration of every viewpoint. Keep an eye on the time, since the walk, photos, and return to the bus all come from the same short stop.

The waterfall also carries a famous story. Around the year Iceland adopted Christianity, a local chieftain is said to have thrown his pagan statues into the falls. The story gives Goðafoss more meaning than a quick scenic stop. You are not just photographing moving water; you are looking at a place tied to a major change in Icelandic culture.

The area can be windy and wet, so a waterproof outer layer is sensible even when the day begins pleasantly in Akureyri. Good shoes will make the short walk easier, especially if the ground is damp.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange side of Lake Mývatn

The next stop is Skútustaðagígar, a group of pseudo-craters near Lake Mývatn. You get roughly 15 minutes for photos and views, so think of this as a quick introduction rather than a full walk around the formations.

The word pseudo-crater matters. These shapes were not formed by ordinary volcanic vents. They developed when lava flowed over wet ground and trapped water beneath the surface. Steam explosions then shaped the rounded craters you see today.

This is where Mývatn begins to look otherworldly. The area was shaped by repeated volcanic activity, and the mix of water, low craters, dark rock, and open ground gives it a very different character from Goðafoss. I like this stop because it explains the region in a few minutes, even if the short visit leaves little time for a close inspection.

There is one nuisance to prepare for: Mývatn is famous for small flies, especially around the lake. They are not a reason to skip the region, but they can gather around your face and clothing. A hat or head net can be useful, and you may prefer to keep your stop brief if the insects are active. This is one detail the tour description should make clearer.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

The main event is Mývatn Nature Baths, often called the Blue Lagoon of the north. The water is heated by geothermal forces below the ground and contains minerals associated with Iceland’s volcanic activity. You enter a modern bathing facility, change, and then step outside into warm water with views toward the Mývatn area.

The tour allows two hours here. That is generous compared with a rushed dip. You have time to change, shower, soak in more than one pool area, and sit quietly without watching the clock every few minutes.

The pools are the place to reset after the waterfall and bus ride. I like the contrast between the cool air and the warm water, especially after spending the day outdoors. The setting also makes this a good first introduction to Iceland’s geothermal bathing culture if you have not yet visited a local pool.

Do not expect a private spa experience. Showering before entering the pools is required, and the changing area uses communal showers. Some people will find this entirely normal, while others will want to know in advance. Towels and swimsuits are not included, although you can rent both at the baths for an additional cost.

The water can have a noticeable geothermal smell. One person described it as stronger than expected. That odor comes with the setting and may be most noticeable when you first arrive, but it is worth knowing if you are sensitive to sulfur smells.

The baths are also the part of the day most affected by your own packing choices. Bring:

• A swimsuit
• A towel
• Water-resistant footwear or flip-flops, if you have them
• A waterproof layer for the walk between indoor and outdoor areas

The tour provides a bottle of water, but you should still follow the facility’s instructions about eating and drinking around the pools.

What lunch is like on the road

Your packed lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich and a bottle of water. This is a useful arrangement because the route does not stop for a long restaurant meal. The group can spend its limited daylight and sightseeing time at Goðafoss, Mývatn, and the baths instead.

The meal is best viewed as fuel, not a food-focused part of the tour. There have been occasional issues with lunch timing and not enough sandwiches for everyone to eat when expected. If you are hungry early in the day, carry a small snack from Akureyri rather than relying entirely on the packed meal.

Tell your guide at the start whether you want the chicken or vegan option. The lunch works well for families and cruise passengers who prefer a simple, predictable meal during a busy shore day.

The return to Akureyri and cruise timing

After the baths, the drive back takes about 75 minutes. It is a useful chance to dry off, rest, and listen to more commentary. The road time is not a drawback in itself, since the return journey is part of the scenic route, but six hours goes quickly once you include driving and changing at the baths.

The tour ends back at the same general meeting point in Akureyri. Its strongest practical feature is the attempt to match departure and return times to the cruise schedule. A changed start time has caused some nervousness for people with close ship departures, but the bus has returned a few minutes early on at least one such occasion.

Still, you should treat the ship’s departure time as the hard limit. Confirm the return plan with your guide at the start, keep your watch visible, and do not wander far from the bus at the short stops. The staff can manage a tight schedule, but road conditions and port procedures are outside their control.

Guides, drivers, and the feel of the day

The guide can make a large difference here because the stops themselves are fairly short. Guides including Arno, Runar, Elsa, Victoria, Vicki, and a guide known as Mr. K have been praised for local stories, humor, music, and personal attention. One guide even moved between English and German for a mixed-language group.

Drivers also matter. Chris, Albert, Gisli, Ziggie, and others have been noted for safe driving, punctual pickups, and helping people get close to each stop. That support is especially useful at the baths, where some people feel uncertain about the changing and entry process.

The main weakness is not poor service, but inconsistency. Guide style varies. Some people may find a quiet or monotone delivery difficult to hear, while others may prefer a calmer ride. Instructions about what happens next could also be clearer at times. Ask direct questions early: when lunch will be served, how long you have at each stop, and where to meet after the baths.

The overall rating of 4.6 from 186 reviews reflects a strong track record, but the occasional four-star experience points to the same practical issues: unclear port meeting directions, flies, lunch timing, and guide communication.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this excursion if you are visiting Akureyri by cruise ship and want the major Mývatn sights without arranging a rental car. It suits first-time visitors who want a mix of scenery, geology, local history, and a proper geothermal soak.

Families can also make good use of it. The route is compact, the lunch is simple, and the baths offer a relaxing change from repeated sightseeing stops. One family with teenagers and younger children found the tight schedule manageable because the guide kept the group moving.

This is less suitable if you want long hikes, quiet time at every viewpoint, or a slow spa day. Goðafoss and Skútustaðagígar are brief stops, and the bus covers substantial ground. You also need to be comfortable with a group setting, communal showers, and possible flies around Mývatn.

The tour is available in English, and the guide’s personality will shape much of the day. If you want a private guide, a flexible departure, or a longer visit at each volcanic site, a private excursion may suit you better, though it will likely cost more.

Is the $238 price worth it?

For a single six-hour shore excursion, $238 is a significant spend. I think it is reasonable if you place a high value on reliable transport, ship-friendly timing, admission to the baths, and having lunch handled for you.

The price becomes harder to justify if you mainly want a quick waterfall visit or already have access to a car. You would be paying for convenience more than exclusivity. The experience is shared, and the time at each outdoor stop is limited.

For most cruise passengers, the calculation is simple: you are buying a managed day in a region that is difficult to see well from Akureyri on foot. The baths alone would not justify the full price for everyone, but Goðafoss, Mývatn, transport, food, and return coordination make the package more useful.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your port schedule is still changing, though you should still check the available departure time against your ship’s docking plan.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want North Iceland’s biggest scenic hits in one organized day, especially if the Mývatn Nature Baths are your priority. The waterfall is beautiful, the pseudo-craters are unusual, and two hours in the geothermal water gives the day a satisfying finish.

Before booking, confirm your cruise pier, pack a swimsuit and towel, prepare for flies, and bring a snack in case lunch arrives later than expected. If those small inconveniences are acceptable, this is a well-balanced introduction to the Akureyri region and a practical way to see far more than the port town itself.

FAQ

How long does the Akureyri to Mývatn tour last?

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

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point depends on your ship’s berth. If you dock at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If you dock at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

How will I find the tour guide?

The guide wears an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo. The buses are located at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation from Akureyri Cruise Terminal, free Wi-Fi, a packed chicken or vegan lunch with a bottle of water, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You can choose between a chicken sandwich and a vegan sandwich. Tell your guide your preference at the beginning of the tour.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. Swimsuits and towels are not included. You can rent both at Mývatn Nature Baths for an additional cost.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English. Guides may vary by departure.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.