Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

North Iceland packs a lot into six hours. This shore excursion gives you two strong reasons to leave Akureyri: the broad, historic sweep of Goðafoss Waterfall and a long, relaxing soak at Mývatn Nature Baths. I also like the packed lunch, which saves you from losing sightseeing time at a restaurant.

The main caution is the Mývatn area’s tiny flies, which can be irritating around the lake and at outdoor stops. You should also expect communal showering at the baths, and towels and swimsuits cost extra if you do not bring your own.

The tour is built around cruise-ship timing, with transport from Akureyri’s port and a planned return to the ship. Guides such as Arno, Runar, Victoria, Elsa, and Vicki have earned praise for lively storytelling, local knowledge, humor, and, in some cases, even Icelandic songs. The experience is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 186 ratings, which fits its appeal: this is an efficient, well-organized way to see North Iceland’s major sights without arranging a rental car.

Key points at a glance

• Goðafoss takes about 35 minutes: You get enough time for photographs, a short walk, and views of the crescent-shaped falls.
• Skútustaðagígar offers a quick look at volcanic Iceland: The 15-minute stop focuses on the pseudo-craters around Lake Mývatn.
• Mývatn Nature Baths gets two hours: That is enough time to change, shower, soak, and enjoy the views without rushing.
• Lunch is a practical extra: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water included.
• Port timing is taken seriously: The bus returns to the same Akureyri meeting area, and the schedule is designed around ship docking times.
• Bring your own towel and swimsuit: Rentals are available, but they cost extra.

Why this North Iceland shore trip works

Akureyri is a pleasant port, but the most memorable sights in this part of Iceland lie outside town. Goðafoss and Mývatn are too far away for a casual walk from the ship, so a guided coach tour solves the biggest problem: transport.

At $238 per person, this is not a cheap half-day outing. Still, the price includes port transportation, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, a packed lunch, and entry to Mývatn Nature Baths. The entrance fee and long return drive matter here. If you tried to arrange the same route independently during a cruise stop, you would need to manage a rental car, fuel, parking, bath reservations, road conditions, and the risk of missing the ship.

I see the strongest value in the time management. The tour spends about 30 minutes driving to the first major stop, 35 minutes at Goðafoss, 15 minutes at Skútustaðagígar, two hours at the baths, and about 75 minutes returning to Akureyri. That leaves little wasted time.

The compromise is flexibility. You are following a fixed schedule, so you cannot linger at Goðafoss for an hour or make a spontaneous stop along the road. For a shore excursion, though, that tradeoff is sensible. You get the big sights and a proper bath visit while keeping the day tied to your sailing schedule.

Meeting your bus at Akureyri port

The exact meeting point depends on where your ship docks. If you arrive at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If the ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

The buses are based at Gránufélagsgata 50, and guides wear an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo. That bright clothing is useful in a busy port area, but I would still allow time to find the correct point, especially if your ship changes berths.

One operational issue deserves attention: port instructions must be read carefully. A few people have had confusion over the pickup location, and one group nearly missed the correct bus because of a meeting-point mix-up. Check your ship’s pier and the supplied directions before leaving the dock. If the tour departure time changes, the operator’s schedule is intended to keep you on time for the ship, and several outings have returned a few minutes early.

The buses offer free Wi-Fi, a small but useful touch during the long drives. Your guide and driver are separate roles, and the best pairings have been praised for safe driving, clear scheduling, and good conversation. Drivers named Chris, Albert, Gisli, Ziggie, and Arran received especially warm comments, while guides such as Runar, Arno, Victoria, and Vicki helped make the coach time feel like part of the experience rather than dead time.

Goðafoss: a wide waterfall with a powerful story

After roughly 30 minutes on the road, the first major stop is Goðafoss. The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the falls are wider than they are high. Water curves through a low crescent of rock, creating a broad, photogenic scene rather than a single towering drop.

The 35-minute stop is well judged. You have time to walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and listen to the guide without turning the visit into a long hike. The ground can be wet or uneven, so practical footwear is better than smooth-soled shoes.

Goðafoss also carries an important story from Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. Tradition says that a local chieftain threw his pagan statues into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity, turning the waterfall into a symbol of that religious change. The story gives the stop more weight than a quick photo opportunity.

Your guide may explain the tale in a more personal or entertaining way. The strongest guides have added local stories, Icelandic songs, and dry humor. Vicki, Victoria, and Tom were praised for keeping the ride lively, while Arno brought a geological perspective and spoke about North Iceland with a strong sense of place.

Do not expect a long independent walk here. This is a compact sightseeing stop. If you want to explore every trail near the falls, a private outing would suit you better. For a port excursion, Goðafoss delivers one of the day’s clearest visual rewards quickly.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange shores of Lake Mývatn

The next stop is Skútustaðagígar, a group of pseudo-craters beside Lake Mývatn. You get about 15 minutes for photographs and sightseeing, so think of this as a viewpoint stop rather than a full walk around the area.

The craters formed through volcanic activity, but not in the same way as ordinary volcanic cones. Ancient eruptions and interactions between hot lava and water shaped these rounded forms. From the viewing area, the effect is unusual: low crater shapes, open water, and dark volcanic ground combine into a scene that feels distinctly North Icelandic.

This is where the name Mývatn becomes very practical. It translates roughly as Midge Lake, and small flies can be common around the water. They do not ruin the stop, but they can make it uncomfortable, especially in calm weather. A hat, light scarf, or head net may be useful if you are sensitive to insects. At minimum, keep your visit moving and avoid assuming the lake will be bug-free.

The short timing has both good and bad sides. You will not have much time to walk far, but you also will not spend half the day battling insects. The stop gives you enough context to understand the region’s volcanic character before heading to the baths.

One point to note: the Mývatn area includes more than one possible sightseeing interest, and the order or exact roadside view can vary with the day’s operation. Follow the guide’s instructions closely, especially near any volcanic or geothermal feature. The area is not a place for stepping beyond marked ropes or testing the ground.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

The centerpiece is Mývatn Nature Baths, often called the Blue Lagoon of the North. The water is heated by geothermal forces beneath the surface and contains minerals associated with Iceland’s hot-spring culture. The setting is more important than any claim about healing properties: you are soaking outdoors with views across the Mývatn area, surrounded by volcanic country.

Two hours is a comfortable amount of time. You can change, use the required shower facilities, enter the pools, sit in the warm water, and still have time to dry and dress before the bus leaves. This is not a frantic 30-minute dip.

The bath experience is a good introduction to Icelandic pools if you have never tried one. You move from the changing area into naturally warm water, then settle into the various pool sections. The pleasure is simple: warmth, open air, mineral water, and a wide view after a cool sightseeing day.

You need to bring a swimsuit and towel. If you forget either, both can be rented at an extra cost. I would bring your own towel because it saves money and avoids one more queue at the facility.

Be prepared for communal showering. This is normal at Icelandic swimming pools and geothermal baths, but it can surprise people who expect private stalls. Follow the facility’s shower instructions before entering the water. The tour price includes admission, but not personal items such as towels or swimwear.

The baths are also a useful place to slow down. Goðafoss is about seeing and photographing. Skútustaðagígar is about a quick volcanic impression. Mývatn Nature Baths gives you a full stretch of time to stop doing anything except soak.

The smell may also be stronger than you expect. Geothermal water can carry a sulfur scent, and one visitor found it more noticeable than anticipated. That is not a fault in the facility. It is part of the volcanic setting, but sensitive noses should know in advance.

Lunch on the road, with one practical limitation

A packed lunch is included, with a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich and a bottle of water. This is a good fit for the route because the stops are short and the baths already take two hours. You do not lose valuable sightseeing time waiting for a restaurant meal.

The sandwich is functional rather than a destination meal. I would treat it as fuel for the day, not a gourmet highlight. If you have a large appetite, dietary restrictions beyond the chicken or vegan choice, or a strong preference for snacks, bring something extra if permitted by your cruise and tour arrangements.

Timing matters. The lunch may not arrive as early as you expect, and there may not be enough relaxed time to eat it on the bus. If you are hungry, ask the guide when lunch is planned rather than waiting until the final leg. A few people found the timing less convenient than it could have been.

Still, the packed meal is a net benefit. The route from Akureyri to Mývatn is long enough that a restaurant stop would either shorten the bath visit or push the return too close to ship departure.

The guides can make or break the coach time

The scenery is the main reason to book, but the guide has a large effect on the day. Several guides have been praised for personal stories, history, geology, humor, and songs. One guide moved between English and German for a mixed-language group, allowing everyone to follow the explanations.

Arno was especially strong for geology and local background. Runar was praised for being informative, funny, and attentive to the group. Vicki and Victoria brought energy and music, while other guides were praised for walking with the group at stops and staying available for questions.

The quality is not perfectly uniform. One guide was hard to hear because of a monotone delivery, and some instructions about what happened next were not as clear as they should have been. On a coach tour with several short stops, clear directions matter. You should listen for the exact meeting time and location before walking away from the bus.

The drivers generally receive strong marks for safe, careful driving and punctuality. That matters on a shore excursion. A fun guide is welcome, but getting back to Akureyri on schedule is the real job.

Who should book this excursion?

This tour suits you best if you are arriving by cruise ship and want a guided introduction to North Iceland without handling transport yourself. It is also a good choice for families, since the route mixes a waterfall, unusual volcanic scenery, lunch, and a warm pool.

It works particularly well for:

• First-time visitors to Iceland
• Cruise passengers with about six hours available
• People who want a geothermal bath but do not need a full spa day
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Anyone who prefers a guide to explain local history and geology
• Visitors who value a fixed return plan over independent flexibility

You may want another option if you dislike communal showers, cannot tolerate small flies, or prefer long walks and quiet exploration. The sightseeing stops are brief, and the bulk of the relaxation comes at the baths.

People with limited mobility should ask the operator for current details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe vehicle access, walking surfaces, or changing-room arrangements in detail.

Practical value at $238 per person

The price is easiest to justify when you count what is bundled together. You receive transport from the port, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, lunch, and bath admission. The route covers two of North Iceland’s signature sights, and the schedule is designed around a cruise departure rather than an ordinary land-based day.

I would not call it a bargain. You are paying for convenience, port coordination, and the reduced risk of missing your ship. If you are traveling with several people and feel comfortable driving, a rental car could offer more freedom, but it would also leave you responsible for navigation, parking, weather, road conditions, bath entry, and timing.

The value is strongest when your port call is short. Every minute spent organizing transport independently is a minute taken from Goðafoss or the baths. Here, the bus handles the long distances and the guide fills the ride with context.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility, especially when cruise schedules can change. Check the available starting time against your ship’s docking time before paying.

Should you book the Goðafoss and Mývatn tour?

I would book it if your priority is a well-paced taste of North Iceland. Goðafoss gives you history and strong photographs, Skútustaðagígar introduces the volcanic character of Mývatn, and the baths provide the relaxing finish that makes the day feel like more than a bus loop.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, water-resistant shoes, and something to cover your head if flies bother you. Confirm the pier meeting point, listen carefully for return instructions, and ask about lunch timing early in the day.

Skip it if you want a private itinerary, extensive hiking, or a longer stay at each viewpoint. For most cruise passengers, though, the combination of reliable transport, a packed meal, knowledgeable local-style guiding, and two hours in warm geothermal water makes the $238 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri to Mývatn tour?

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

Where does the tour start?

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet the guide at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

How will I recognize the guide?

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

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

Yes. Entrance to Mývatn Nature Baths is included in the tour price.

Are towels and swimsuits included?

No. You need to bring your own swimsuit and towel. Both can be rented at Mývatn Nature Baths for an additional cost.

What lunch is provided?

You receive a packed lunch with either a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, plus a bottle of water. Tell your guide your preference at the start of the tour.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.