Goðafoss and hot pools in one tight 4-hour run. This Akureyri excursion strings together the iconic Goðafoss waterfall and Forest Lagoon geothermal bathing with plenty of Northern Iceland scenery in between.

I especially like how the timing gives you two real payoffs: about 45 minutes at Goðafoss (enough for photos and a short walk) and a full 75 minutes to soak, sauna, and chill at the Forest Lagoon. One thing to consider: the schedule is not long-stay style—45 minutes at the waterfall—and a few practical hiccups can happen, like a sound system issue on the bus or ticket confusion at the lagoon.

Key highlights

• Goðafoss in a short window with a horseshoe shape and misty photo ops
• Forest Lagoon for 75 minutes including geothermal pools, sauna, lounge, and an in-water pool bar
• Fnjóskadalur Valley + Old Mountain Road drive for change-of-scene views
• Eyjafjörður Bay photo stop plus an Akureyri Viewpoint break
• Live English guide who explains Akureyri and the drive points clearly (including Ritchie)

Why This Half-Day Akureyri Tour Works

This is a smart pick if you want big Iceland moments without burning an entire day. You start in Akureyri port, ride out by bus, hit Goðafoss, and then shift gears to geothermal relaxation at Forest Lagoon.

The big value here is the pairing. Goðafoss is dramatic and historic-feeling in a very Iceland way, while Forest Lagoon lets you reset your body after time outside. If you’re traveling with a ship schedule, the flow matters: this tour is built around port-friendly timing and a shuttle back to the Akureyri cruise area.

One practical note: it’s not a long hike day. It’s a scenery-and-soak day with short stops and a guided pace. That makes it excellent for many fitness levels, but if you’re the type who wants to linger, you may feel the time limits.

Goðafoss: The Waterfall of the Gods, Up Close

Goðafoss is one of those places where the photos do it wrong. Up close, you get the full horseshoe shape and the constant mist that turns the air into something you can almost feel on your skin.

Here are the basics you’ll notice right away:

• The falls are about 12 meters high (36 feet) and 30 meters wide (90 feet)
• It’s a horseshoe formation that creates a sweeping arc of water
• The name Goðafoss means the waterfall of the gods

You’ll get around 45 minutes at Goðafoss. That’s enough for the standard viewpoints, a short walk, and the kind of photos you’ll actually be happy with. It’s also enough time to notice the details around the falls—where the water spreads, where the mist thickens, and where your footing feels safest.

Food-wise, you can also grab a coffee at the Goðafoss Coffee Shop if you want a warm break. Lunch isn’t included on this tour, so plan to either bring snacks where allowed (you cannot have food and drinks in the vehicle) or pick up something at your own expense later.

Small timing reality check

One helpful expectation-setting detail: people often wish they had a little more time at Goðafoss. If you’re a serious photographer or you hate rushing, those extra minutes would be nice. But as a half-day structure, 45 minutes is a workable sweet spot.

The Drive That Fills In the Gaps: Fnjóskadalur Valley and Old Mountain Road

Between Akureyri and Goðafoss, and then on the return, the bus ride is doing real work. You’re not just traveling—you’re getting those Northern Iceland “change every 10 minutes” views.

On the way out, expect about 45 minutes of scenic driving. Then after Goðafoss, you don’t simply retrace the same path. You’ll pass through:

• Fnjóskadalur Valley
• The Old Mountain Road
• The Eyjafjörður Bay area with another photo stop

Eyjafjörður Bay is mentioned as the longest in Iceland, and you can see why the driver route is worth it. The brief stop at the bay area is only about 10 minutes, so you’ll want to treat it like a quick camera-and-breathe stop rather than a stroll.

Then there’s an Akureyri Viewpoint photo stop. This matters because it gives you a sense of where you are—town, bay, and the mountain backdrop all in one frame. On a day with mostly short waterfall and lagoon windows, those viewpoint breaks keep the whole tour feeling like more than just two stops.

Forest Lagoon: Geothermal Bathing With a View

After Goðafoss, you shift from “cold outside + mist” to “warm water + sauna.” Forest Lagoon is the kind of place where time can disappear—if you let it.

You’ll spend 75 minutes at the lagoon. That’s not a full-day spa, but it’s long enough to do the essentials:

• Use the geothermal pools
• Try the sauna
• Take time in the relaxing lounge
• Enjoy the in-water pool bar vibe (yes, you’re in the water and there’s a bar)

Forest Lagoon is also described as being surrounded by greenery with views over Eyjafjörður Bay. In practice, that combination changes the mood. Instead of feeling like a standard indoor pool, it feels like you’re soaking while watching the coast and weather move.

What to expect inside

Plan on a mix of warm water time and short breaks out of the water. The sauna is great, but it can make you want to regulate your pace. If you’re not sure how you’ll react to heat, take it slow at first—dip, rest, then decide what you want to repeat.

Also, keep in mind the tour is built around included entry for Forest Lagoon, not around a meal. So bring your towel and swimwear, and treat food timing as part of your own plan for the rest of your day.

The Guide and Bus Experience: Ritchie, Sound Checks, and Pace

The bus portion is where the tour can feel either smooth or slightly chaotic. The good news: the guide is a real highlight.

One review specifically called out Ritchie, describing him as enthusiastic and packed with useful information about Akureyri. That’s exactly what you want on a day like this—so the short stops add up to a story, not just a series of photo moments.

Still, there’s a caution. One booking noted the sound system on the bus wasn’t working, and the guide worked around it as best he could (repeating info and shifting where he spoke). If you’re seated far from where the guide can be heard, you may miss some commentary during the driving parts.

How to protect your day

• Sit where you can hear the guide if possible
• If you care about the story of the route, keep your attention during the early driving segments
• Expect the itinerary to move on time, since lagoon soaking and shuttle timing both matter

In other words: it’s not a silent tour, but it is a moving schedule. Your job is easy—listen when you can, and enjoy the views when you can’t.

Price and Value: Is $148 Worth It?

At $148 per person for about 4 hours, this is not a budget tour. But it also isn’t just a ride to a waterfall.

You’re paying for:

• Round-trip bus transport and live English guidance
• Forest Lagoon entrance/tickets, including access to the geothermal pools and sauna time
• A free shuttle-bus back after the lagoon to Akureyri, with drop-off near HOF Culture House (about a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal area)

If you were to build the day yourself, you’d still be paying for transportation between Akureyri, Goðafoss, and the lagoon, plus the lagoon admission. That’s where the value usually lands: the tour removes the headache of timing and ticket matching while keeping you in a guided flow.

What isn’t included (and what that means)

Lunch and refreshments are not included. That’s the one part you have to handle yourself. If you’re the type who gets cranky without a meal, plan ahead—either grab something before meeting up, or plan a post-tour food stop in Akureyri.

Also, the tour is structured around short time blocks. You’re not paying for a long stay—so you should confirm you’re the kind of person who enjoys fast, high-impact sightseeing.

Practical Stuff: What to Bring, Wear, and Skip

This tour is built for outdoors + water, and your packing list is simple.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel

Because you’re doing geothermal bathing, bring clothing you can dry or change out of quickly. Many people also find it helpful to have something warm to wear during transfers and after the lagoon time, even though that’s not explicitly listed—cold waits for you outside in Iceland.

Not allowed rules to know:

• Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle
• Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle
• Baby strollers and certain types of wheelchairs/strollers aren’t allowed (the rules list specific equipment types)

Also, the tour is explicitly not suitable for some medical situations and conditions, including people with vertigo, heart problems, high blood pressure, and those who’ve had recent surgeries, among others. If you have a health concern, this is the part you should take seriously and check before booking.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Double-Check)

This is a great match if you want:

• Major sights in a short day
• A geothermal soak without planning your own transportation
• A guided route from Akureyri that includes viewpoint photo stops

It’s also described as suitable for all fitness levels, which makes sense because it’s not built around long hikes.

However, the tour notes several “not suitable” categories. It also lists wheelchair accessibility, but separately says wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments aren’t suitable. That contradiction is worth flagging. If mobility is part of your planning, contact the provider to confirm exactly what they can accommodate for your specific needs.

Bottom line for fit:

• Good for people who handle short walks and changing weather
• Not great for anyone who cannot manage heat exposure in spas or who has conditions listed as not suitable
• Not ideal if you need a long sit-down meal included, since lunch is excluded

Booking Tips and Common Hiccups to Watch For

Even when everything is well run, a tour day can have little friction points.

Two real-world issues show up in the provided feedback:

• A bus sound system problem that made the commentary less clear for some seats
• Some confusion at Forest Lagoon related to entrance ticket handling

You can reduce both by being prepared:

• Keep your eyes on the pickup instructions at the port and find the Soleil de Minuit bus early
• When you arrive at the lagoon, have your confirmation info ready and follow staff directions right away
• If you feel unsure, ask quickly—Forest Lagoon staff can sort out the ticket side fast once it’s identified

These are small issues, not deal-breakers. But knowing they can happen helps you stay relaxed instead of stressed.

Should You Book This Goðafoss & Forest Lagoon Tour?

If you’re visiting Akureyri and want a clean, guided half-day that delivers Goðafoss plus a real geothermal spa experience, I think this tour is a solid booking. The value is strongest because Forest Lagoon entry is included and you don’t have to coordinate transport across three different areas.

Skip it if:

• You want long time at the waterfall
• You’re very sensitive to schedule changes
• You have health conditions listed as not suitable, or you’re unsure how the operator can support your mobility needs

If you want a practical, high-impact day that balances outdoor wonder with warm-water recovery, this is the kind of tour that makes sense.

FAQ

How long is the Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon tour?

The tour is listed as about 4 hours.

Where do I meet the tour in Akureyri?

You pick up at the Akureyri harbour where your ship lands. Look for the Soleil de Minuit Bus and an agent in a Green Jacket.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes bus and guidance, tickets to the Forest Lagoon, and a free shuttle-bus back to Akureyri to HOF Culture House after your lagoon visit.

What isn’t included?

Lunch and refreshments are not included.

How much time do I get at Forest Lagoon?

You get 75 minutes to enjoy Forest Lagoon.

What should I bring for the lagoon?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is there a minimum age for this tour?

The tour information states a minimum age of 6 years, and it also notes it is not suitable for children under 7.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide is English.

Do I get a shuttle back to town after the lagoon?

Yes. After Forest Lagoon, there’s a free shuttle-bus back to Akureyri (about 10 minutes), to HOF Culture House, which is about a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal area.

Is cancellation free if plans change?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.