Godafoss and the Forest Lagoon

Waterfall drama meets warm Icelandic calm. This four-hour outing pairs Goðafoss Waterfall with a soak at the Forest Lagoon, giving you two very different sides of North Iceland in one manageable trip. I like the small-group format, with no more than 19 people, and I like that the entry fee for the lagoon is included rather than added later.

The guides can make the day especially good. Siggy, Krista, Ziggy, and Reynir have all been praised for being friendly, funny, safe, and flexible. The main caution is timing: some departures have allowed only about 40 minutes at Goðafoss, and the advertised viewpoint stop has not always happened. Confirm the exact schedule if seeing both sides of the waterfall matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss is the visual centerpiece: The waterfall drops 12 meters across a 30-meter span, with several viewpoints and a strong connection to Icelandic history.
• The Forest Lagoon is the relaxing finale: You get 90 minutes at a geothermal spa surrounded by birch and pine trees, with views toward Eyjafjörður.
• Small groups can feel personal: The vehicle holds up to 19 people, and some departures have operated with only two guests.
• The viewpoint stop may vary: Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur is planned as a 30-minute photo stop, but one account says it was skipped.
• Cruise pickup needs care: Akureyri has more than one cruise port, so you must provide your vessel name and choose the correct meeting point.
• The $222.28 price includes the important admission: You pay for transport, a licensed guide and driver, and Forest Lagoon entry, but not lunch or bottled water.

Why this Akureyri tour works so well

Akureyri is a good base for short excursions. You can see one of North Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, take in a high view over the town and fjord, and finish in warm geothermal water without spending a full day on the road.

That combination matters. A waterfall stop alone can feel brief, especially in changeable weather. A spa visit alone may not give you much sense of the area. Together, the two stops create a balanced half-day: scenery first, then a slow finish.

I also like the scale of the trip. A maximum of 19 people is small enough to make questions and conversation possible, but you should not assume every departure will be nearly private. One especially positive experience had only two people, allowing Reynir to add extra stops and adjust the pace. A full van is also possible.

The tour is offered in English and starts at 10:00 a.m. The listed duration is about four hours. That makes it useful for a free morning or afternoon in Akureyri, though cruise passengers should allow enough margin around ship departure times.

Goðafoss: a wide waterfall with a strong story

Goðafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and the name comes with an important Icelandic story. In the year 1000, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði helped make Christianity Iceland’s official religion. According to the well-known account, he then threw statues of the old gods into the falls.

The setting is striking even before you know the story. Water runs across a broad horseshoe-shaped drop, falling about 12 meters over roughly 30 meters. It is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, but its width and shape make it easy to appreciate from a distance. You get a better sense of its force by moving between viewpoints.

The planned stop is 90 minutes, which should give you time for photos and a short walk. In practice, the time may be shorter. One account described having only 40 minutes and seeing just one side. That is enough to admire the falls, but it may not be enough if you want a relaxed look from every angle.

I would treat Goðafoss as the part of the tour where you need to watch the clock. Wear shoes that can handle wet ground, and keep a rain layer handy. Tiny flies have been bothersome around the waterfall for some people, so a face net can be a smart little addition in the right season.

The waterfall is free to enter, so the value here comes from having transport and a guide who can explain the site. Several guides have also been praised for finding good photo positions. If photography is important to you, tell the guide early. That may help you use the available time well.

A short look over Akureyri and Eyjafjörður

Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur is described as a 30-minute viewpoint stop with a view across the fjord toward Akureyri. It is meant to give you the classic high-angle photo: town below, water beyond, and mountains around the long fjord.

This stop adds useful context to Goðafoss. At the waterfall, you are focused on moving water and a historic tale. At the viewpoint, you can see where Akureyri sits within the wider area.

There is an important qualification. The stop did not happen on at least one departure, and the actual timing can depend on the day. The tour also includes a short introduction to Akureyri while driving through town, with basic facts about its history. That drive-by overview is useful for getting oriented, but it is not a full city tour.

I would not book this experience mainly for the viewpoint. Think of it as a welcome bonus when conditions and timing allow. If the panorama is essential to your plans, ask about it before departure.

The Forest Lagoon brings the best part of the afternoon

After the outdoor stops, you reach the Forest Lagoon, also called Shógarböð. The spa is surrounded by birch and pine trees, with views toward Eyjafjörður. The setting gives the bath a quieter feel than an urban pool, although it is not always empty.

Your included time is about 90 minutes. That is long enough to settle into the warm water, try the sauna and cold plunge, and consider ordering a drink. The lagoon has also been praised for being clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with spa-quality products and helpful staff.

The water temperature has been described as just right. That is a personal matter, of course, but the combination of warm water, an outdoor setting, and the fjord view gives this stop a clear purpose. You are not rushing from one sight to the next. You get time to slow down.

The Forest Lagoon has drinks available, including cocktails. Keep your budget in mind. The tour price includes admission, but drinks cost extra and can be expensive. Food is not included either, and lunch is not part of the package.

One practical warning deserves attention. The transportation arrangement after the lagoon needs clarification. One account says the group was dropped at the spa but not picked up, with a lagoon shuttle available for the return if guests wanted more time there. Other experiences describe being helped back to a cruise port, including one return arranged by the spa’s general manager. Do not leave this vague. Before you get out of the vehicle, confirm exactly how and when you return to Akureyri or your ship.

What the guides add to the day

A good guide matters on a short tour because there is little spare time. The strongest accounts describe guides who were funny, safe, enthusiastic, and willing to answer questions.

Krista was praised for being smart, entertaining, and informative. Siggy was singled out as an excellent guide, and Ziggy was praised for making a four-hour trip both informative and enjoyable. Reynir received particular credit for running a small departure for only two people and adding extra stops, including a high hill above Akureyri, a tunnel rest area, and a valley with views of a lake and mountains.

Do not expect the same personal touches every time. A full van can make the trip feel more like a standard group excursion, and one account wished for more information during the drive. Still, the licensed guide and driver are included, and safe driving was repeatedly appreciated.

I would ask questions during the drive if you want more local background. The town introduction is brief, so the amount you learn will depend partly on how much the guide explains and how engaged the group is.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $222.28 per person, this is not a cheap half-day. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: round-trip tour transport in the planned service, a licensed guide and driver, and Forest Lagoon admission.

The lagoon is the main cost item. If you were already planning to visit a geothermal spa, combining it with Goðafoss saves you from arranging separate transport and paying for two unrelated outings. You also avoid spending a full day on the road.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long waterfall visit or a full Akureyri sightseeing tour. The waterfall admission is free, the town introduction is short, and the viewpoint may be skipped. In that case, you are paying mostly for convenience, guidance, and the spa entry.

The small-group limit of 19 helps. It is more comfortable than a large coach, and it gives the guide a better chance to respond to the group. But ask about the expected group size if that is a major reason for booking.

You need to bring your own water and arrange your own lunch. The four-hour length may not require a full meal, but a snack is sensible, especially if you are heading straight from a cruise ship or have an early start.

Cruise pickup requires careful planning

Pickup is offered from Akureyri accommodations and cruise ports, but the port details matter. There are multiple cruise docks, and the operator needs the name of your vessel.

At Tangabryggja Port, look for several small wooden houses just outside the cruise ship area. Star Travel is at house number 3, where the meeting takes place.

At Oddeyrarbryggja Port, look for the Icewear shop outside the ship. The designated agent area is beside it, and the guide should have a Star Travel sign. A staff member wearing a bright yellow jacket may also be there.

If you are staying in Akureyri, select the correct accommodation for pickup. Keep the phone number used at booking reachable in case the operator needs to send an update.

I would be especially careful with ship timing. The tour begins at 10:00 a.m., and the advertised four-hour duration is approximate. A delay at the waterfall, spa, or pickup point could matter if you have a tight sailing schedule. Confirm the return plan before booking, not after you reach the lagoon.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I think this tour suits you if you want a clear taste of North Iceland without hiring a car or planning several transfers. It works particularly well for cruise passengers and first-time visitors based in Akureyri.

You will probably enjoy it if you want:

• A major waterfall with time for photos
• A short introduction to Akureyri
• A warm geothermal bath in a wooded setting
• A guide who can handle the driving
• A small group rather than a large coach
• A half-day schedule instead of a full-day road trip

It may not suit you if you want a slow, detailed visit at Goðafoss, a guaranteed panoramic viewpoint, or a fully guided city tour. It also requires some flexibility around the return from Forest Lagoon.

The experience is accessible to most people according to the available information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have mobility needs, contact Star Travel before booking and ask about the vehicle, paths, changing facilities, and time in the water.

Cancellation and weather notes

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason should bring the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon tour?

I would book it if you want the convenience of seeing Goðafoss and ending in a very pleasant geothermal spa. The best parts are clear: the waterfall is memorable, the Forest Lagoon is clean and relaxing, and the guides can add real value, especially when the group is small.

At $222.28, I would make the booking only after confirming two details: how much time your departure allows at Goðafoss, and how the return from Forest Lagoon works. Those points have varied enough to matter.

If you are visiting Akureyri for one day, this is a strong way to combine scenery and relaxation. If the waterfall is your top priority, seek a tour with a guaranteed longer stop. If you want a comfortable introduction to the region followed by warm water, Star Travel’s version is a sensible and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long is the Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. It begins at 10:00 a.m.

Is Forest Lagoon admission included?

Yes. Entry to the Forest Lagoon is included in the tour price.

How much time is planned at Goðafoss?

The planned stop is 1 hour and 30 minutes, although the actual time may be shorter on some departures.

Does the tour include the Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur viewpoint?

The itinerary includes a planned 30-minute viewpoint stop, but this stop may not occur on every departure.

Can cruise passengers be picked up in Akureyri?

Yes. Pickup is offered at Akureyri cruise ports, but you must provide your vessel name because the city has multiple ports. Specific meeting instructions differ for Tangabryggja and Oddeyrarbryggja.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.