Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

One Iceland day, perfectly timed to your ship.

This cruise-friendly outing strings together easy port pickup and the best geothermal variety in north-central Iceland: Goðafoss, Námaskarð’s bubbling mud and steam, Dimmuborgir lava, and a quick stop at Grjótagjá and the rift area. The pace is built for shore time, so you’re not just driving around hoping to catch views. One thing to factor in: the Myvatn Nature Baths entrance fee is extra, and the bath stop can feel tight if your goal is a long swim.

You’re out for about 5 to 6 hours, and the company keeps the day moving. It runs in English and caps the group at 19, which helps when you’re hopping between viewpoints that are popular on cruise days. I like that the tour doesn’t hide the important part: most stops are free to enter, but the baths are a separate ticket.

The guide experience is usually the highlight. In past groups, guides such as Johannes, Oli, and Jon have brought a local perspective, explained what you’re looking at, and kept the schedule realistic—plus they’ve helped with practical things like getting back on time. One possible drawback: a few guests noted the van can feel cramped and some departures can feel more strict than relaxed.

Key things to know before you go

• Cruise-schedule first: pickup and drop-off are structured so you can get back to the ship on time
• Geothermal variety, not just one stop: mud pools, fumaroles/steam vents, lava formations, and a tectonic rift stop
• Godafoss is a true anchor: about 30 minutes at Iceland’s Waterfall of the Gods
• Nature Baths cost extra: Myvatn Nature Baths isn’t included, and you should reserve ahead
• Short, focused stops: you get viewpoints and photos, but not long wandering time
• Small group max 19: easier logistics than big buses, though the van can still feel tight

Port pickup at Akureyri: where the day can win or wobble

Your day starts at the Akureyri Cruise Terminal at the pier area. You meet at the pier car park where your ship docks—either Oddeyrarbryggja Pier car park or Tangabryggja Pier car park—and look for a sign for Imagine Iceland Travel. This matters more than it sounds: cruise excursions live or die by meeting points that are easy to find when you’re trying to beat the clock.

Once you’re aboard, you’re transported to the waterfall and Lake Mývatn region and brought back to the same meeting point at the end. That round-trip structure is exactly what you want on a cruise day, when one delay can snowball.

One note for comfort: the group limit is small (up to 19), but you may still feel the vehicle is tight, especially if you’re tall. A couple of guests also mentioned the ride can feel uncomfortable in the small van/minibus setup, so it’s worth mentally budgeting for close seating.

Goðafoss: the Waterfall of the Gods stop (and how to use your 30 minutes)

Goðafoss is the first major anchor, with about 30 minutes on site. It’s called the Waterfall of the Gods, and that theme fits the drama here: a wide, powerful drop that looks impressive from multiple viewing angles.

In a short stop like this, your best strategy is simple: pick one main viewpoint first for the full overview, then use the remaining minutes for the second angle if you want photos from a slightly different perspective. Because there’s limited time, I’d treat Goðafoss like the opening act—get your bearings fast and don’t try to conquer every path.

A guided visit helps here. Even when you’re not spending a long time at a single spot, a good guide can explain what you’re seeing in plain terms, and it keeps your time from turning into a quick photo sprint.

Námaskarð and Hverir: the steam, the mud, and the fun physics of Iceland

The Lake Mývatn portion is where the tour earns its reputation. You’ll spend around 3 hours across the main sites, including Námaskarð. This is one of the most distinctive geothermal areas in the region.

At Námaskarð you get a look at Hverir mud pools and natural steam vents (fumaroles). The visual contrast is the point: bubbling ground where gases push up, plus steamy air that makes the whole area feel like the planet is running hot under a thin crust. It’s not just pretty. It’s weird in the best way.

You’ll also likely hear a lot of explanation from your guide while you walk between viewpoints. Past groups have liked how guides framed the sites from a local point of view, not just a list of facts. If you’re someone who likes to understand what you’re looking at, this part tends to deliver.

Practical consideration: geothermal sites can be loud with steam and smell strongly. If you’re sensitive to strong sulfur odors, you may want to keep your breathing relaxed and don’t linger too long in the thickest plume areas. (And if you need fresh air, it’s easy to step back to a clearer viewpoint.)

Dimmuborgir’s lava formations: the Dark Castle quick hit

Next comes Dimmuborgir, including time at the lava formations also known as the Dark Castle. Expect about 20 minutes here.

This stop is short, but the subject is visual enough that you can get a lot from it quickly. Lava fields have that strange Iceland trick: everything looks both random and deliberate at once. You’ll see rock shapes formed by past eruptions, and from a distance you get the big outlines; close up you can spot textures that explain why Icelanders treat the ground like a living thing.

Because you have only 20 minutes, I’d focus on one or two angles where you can understand the scale. Don’t plan to do a full hike at this stop—this is a “view and absorb” moment inside a packed day.

Grjótagjá and the rift: why this stop feels like science class without homework

The tour also includes time at Grjótágjá cave and the rift between the Eurasian and American Continents. This is another of those stops that sounds like a label until you see it—then it clicks.

You get about 15 minutes at this part of the day. That’s brief, but it’s enough to connect the dots: this region sits in a tectonic zone, and the geothermal activity you saw earlier is tied to that ongoing movement. Even a short stop can feel meaningful if your guide points out what links the steam vents, lava features, and rift story.

If you’re the type who loves tectonics and the big “how is this possible?” questions, this is often the part people remember most. In the groups with guides like Oli and Jon, the explanations tended to add humor and clarity, not just technical talk.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the extra ticket that can make or break the day

This is the one part you can’t treat casually. The Myvatn Nature Baths entrance fee is not included. The cost listed is ISK 7,400 per person. That means you’re making a real choice: do the geothermal swim experience, or keep your time focused on sightseeing.

The tour schedules a stop called Earth Lagoon Myvatn (Jardbodin vid Myvatn) for about 1 hour, including time at the baths and cafe. Reviews also point out a big reality: the bath stop can be crowded, and the total time may not feel generous if you want to swim a lot.

Here’s how I’d plan it if you care about the baths:

• Reserve your bath ticket ahead. The tour recommends booking tickets about 3 hours after the tour start.
• Decide early if you want to swim. If your only goal is to look, you might spend less time in lines and more time around the geothermal sights.
• If you’re bringing kids or you’re traveling with older relatives, understand that dressing and queuing can eat up the hour fast.

The good news: for many guests, this bath stop is the payoff. One standout comment was that booking the baths is worth it. Another guest described the baths as wonderful. So if you’re even mildly curious, you’ll likely feel glad you did it.

Timing, group size, and that cruise-day “be back on time” vibe

This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 19 travelers, which usually means less waiting and better flow than the large bus excursions. Many guests said the pacing felt comfortable and not rushed, with enough time for photos at most stops.

Still, you should know how this kind of day works. The schedule has a lot of ground to cover, and cruise ships don’t care about your last perfect photo. Some guests reported strict timing cues at each stop and a more rushed feel at times. That doesn’t mean the tour is bad. It means you should show up ready to move when your group is.

Also: stop times are short on purpose. You’re sampling multiple icons—Godafoss, steam vents, lava formations, a rift area—rather than deep-diving into one location.

A practical tip from the reality of the day: keep an eye on the time yourself. A phone timer helps when the guide moves you along. And if you’re prone to slow transitions (bath towels, climbing out of caves, kids needing extra help), plan your pace accordingly.

Food, water, and what to do about the cafe reality

Food and drink are not included. The tour includes cafe time at the baths stop, but that’s still on you to purchase. So don’t count on finding meals fully handled for free.

If you’re the type who gets hungry fast, I’d bring a small snack strategy for the long drive time. Even a quick bite can keep the mood from turning into grumpy stomping at the next viewpoint.

Also, remember that your free time at stops is built for sightseeing, not for a full restaurant break. The cafe at the baths can be busy, so if you want a calmer meal, treat it as a quick pit stop rather than a long sit-down.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $205.58

At $205.58 per person, this is not a throwaway excursion. But it can be good value for the cruise setup because you’re buying three things at once:

• Transport between Akureyri and the Lake Mývatn area
• A guided itinerary designed around shore time
• Stops that include multiple major highlights, with most site entries listed as free

The single biggest cost surprise is the optional add-on: Myvatn Nature Baths. Since the baths ticket isn’t included, your final cost can rise quickly if you book the swim experience. But that’s also what makes the tour flexible. If you want the baths, you plan it. If you don’t, you’re not paying for it automatically.

Several guests specifically mentioned the tour felt like a solid deal compared with ship-run options, especially because it covers more places in a compact time frame. Your decision should come down to whether you want the structure. If you like a tight, guided highlight day, this price can feel reasonable. If you prefer slow independent wandering, you may wish you had more time.

Who this tour suits best (and who should consider alternatives)

This works well for:

• Cruise passengers who need reliable pickup and return timing
• People who want a lot of Iceland variety in one day: waterfall + geothermal steam + lava + tectonic story
• Travelers who like a guide who explains what they see, not just points and waves
• Anyone who’s excited to try the Nature Baths and is willing to reserve and plan around the hour

It may not be ideal if you:

• Hate tight time windows and quick stop turnover
• Strongly prefer long stays at one place
• Are sensitive to cramped seating on small vehicles
• Want food and drinks fully included (they’re not)

So, should you book the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss cruise tour?

If you’re visiting Akureyri on a cruise day and you want the highlights without DIY stress, I think this tour is a strong choice. It’s built around getting you to the big names—Goðafoss and the Myvatn geothermal sites—while keeping the schedule structured enough to get you back on time.

Book it if you can plan ahead for the baths. The tour gives you the schedule, and the baths are the part that benefits most from reserving early. If you’re not doing the baths, you’ll still get plenty of geothermal drama from Námaskarð/Hverir and the lava and rift stops.

Skip it or rethink it if you want a slow, lingering day. This is a highlight sampler with guided stops and short windows. Bring patience for lines and a phone timer for your own sanity.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Myvatn and Goðafoss tour from Akureyri port?

It runs about 5 to 6 hours.

Where do I meet the tour for pickup?

You meet at the Akureyri Cruise Terminal at the pier car park where your ship docks (either Oddeyrarbryggja Pier car park or Tangabryggja Pier car park). Look for the Imagine Iceland Travel sign.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Do I need to pay for the Myvatn Nature Baths?

Yes. The Myvatn Nature Baths entrance fee is not included (ISK 7,400 per person). You should reserve tickets in advance, with a recommendation to book about 3 hours after the tour start.

What is included in the ticket price?

You get a guided tour plus transport, pickup, and drop-off.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.