Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

The best part of this six-hour outing is the Mývatn Nature Baths, where you can soak in warm, mineral-rich water while looking across North Iceland’s volcanic country. It gives you the classic geothermal-pool experience without using your whole shore day.

I like the smart mix of sights: Goðafoss gives you a memorable waterfall stop, while Skútustaðagígar and Lake Mývatn show you Iceland’s stranger volcanic side. The packed lunch also saves time. The main caution is that the day can feel tight, especially if you want more than an hour in the baths, and pickup instructions need close attention.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss is a short, worthwhile first stop: You get about 35 minutes for photos and a walk beside the broad, curving falls.
• Lake Mývatn looks unlike coastal Iceland: Expect pseudo-craters, lava-shaped ground, and volcanic scenery rather than classic green farmland.
• The baths are the main event: The scheduled visit lasts two hours, though some people found their actual soaking time closer to one hour.
• Lunch is simple and useful: You choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, but confirm your choice early because one meal issue involved a missing vegetarian option.
• Cruise timing matters: The bus returns to the same Akureyri meeting area, and guides have worked hard to get people back before all aboard time.
• Bring a towel and swimsuit: Both can be rented at Mývatn Nature Baths for an extra charge.

Goðafoss starts the day with a wide curtain of water

The bus leaves from the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50, near Akureyri’s cruise port. The drive to Goðafoss takes about 30 minutes, so you reach the waterfall quickly instead of spending the first half of your shore day on the road.

Goðafoss is broad rather than tall. Water spills over a curved, crescent-shaped ledge, making it easy to appreciate from several angles. You have about 35 minutes here for a walk, photos, and a look at the surrounding scenery.

The waterfall also carries a piece of Icelandic history. According to the traditional story, a local chieftain threw pagan statues into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity. That gives the stop more weight than a quick photo beside running water.

I like the amount of time allowed here. You will not wander every path, but you should have enough time to see the falls without turning the stop into a rushed bus transfer. Wear shoes you can walk in, since the visit includes a short walk and scenic viewpoints rather than a simple roadside photograph.

Skútustaðagígar shows Mývatn’s volcanic oddities

After Goðafoss, the route continues toward Lake Mývatn. The listed stop at Skútustaðagígar lasts about 15 minutes, so think of it as a focused viewing stop rather than a long hike.

The name refers to the pseudo-craters around the lake. These formations were shaped by ancient volcanic activity, but they are not ordinary volcanic cones with deep vents. Their rounded forms give the area its unusual appearance, and they help explain why Mývatn feels so different from the waterfall country near Akureyri.

This is where the trip shifts from one famous sight to a wider study of North Iceland’s volcanic character. You will see odd ground shapes and broad views, with little need for a long walk. The short stop works well in a cruise-port schedule, though anyone hoping to explore the Mývatn area at length may find it brief.

One practical warning: small flies can be bothersome around Mývatn, especially in warmer conditions. Several people wished they had been told in advance. Bring a hat or head covering if you are sensitive to insects. Insect netting may also be useful, though it is not listed as provided by the tour.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

The Mývatn Nature Baths are the reason many people choose this excursion over a sightseeing-only bus ride. Often called the Blue Lagoon of the North, the baths offer naturally heated geothermal water in an outdoor setting with views toward Mývatn.

The water is mineral-rich and warm, making this the most restful part of the day. You can move between different pool areas, sit in the water, and let the scenery do the work. I like that the baths come after the waterfall and volcanic stops. You first see the forces that shaped the region, then enjoy the heat they created beneath the ground.

The schedule allows two hours at the baths. That sounds generous, but changing, showering, and getting organized take part of the visit. Some people felt they had only about an hour in the water, especially when the wider tour schedule ran late. If soaking is your top priority, get changed promptly and keep an eye on the agreed meeting time.

The facility requires swimwear and a shower before entering the pools. Towels and swimsuits are not included, but both can be rented for an additional fee. One important point raised by the experience is that the showers are communal. If that makes you uncomfortable, prepare yourself for the facility’s standard arrangement rather than expecting private changing space.

The smell of geothermal water can also be stronger than some people expect. That sulfur scent is part of the setting, not a sign that anything is wrong. Once you are in the pool, the warm water and open views are likely to matter more than the odor.

A packed lunch keeps the schedule moving

The included lunch is a practical feature rather than a culinary event. You receive a packed chicken or vegan sandwich and a bottle of water, allowing the group to spend more time sightseeing instead of making a full restaurant stop.

That choice makes sense on a six-hour cruise excursion. You can eat during a suitable break and keep the bus moving between the main sights. The meal is described as fine and convenient, not elaborate.

You should tell the guide at the start whether you want chicken or vegan. One person reported being promised a vegetarian meal and receiving only chicken salad, so I would confirm the choice before the bus leaves. Another meal concern involved too few lunches for everyone, although this does not appear to be the normal arrangement.

If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information only confirms chicken and vegan options. You should not assume that other special meals are available.

The bus ride is part of the experience

Transport is included from Akureyri’s cruise terminal area, with free Wi-Fi on the bus. The route takes about 30 minutes to Goðafoss, followed by the stops around Mývatn, then about 75 minutes back to Akureyri.

That return drive is long enough for the packed lunch, a rest, or more stories from the guide. It also means the tour covers a good amount of ground in six hours. You see three very different parts of North Iceland without arranging a rental car or trying to judge cruise-port traffic yourself.

The guide and driver can make a real difference here. Guides named in past outings include Hannes, Arno, Runar, Ricky, Elsa, Victoria, and others, so your exact experience will vary. Arno was a geologist, and some guides have added local tales, personal stories, humor, and even Icelandic songs. Vicki was praised for keeping a group entertained with facts, stories, and singing, while Runar was remembered for being both funny and informative.

That personality is useful on a long bus ride. Still, one person found a guide difficult to hear because of a monotone delivery, and another found the driver’s banter distracting. If you are seated far from the guide, you may miss some commentary.

The bus itself has been described as comfortable, and drivers have been praised for careful driving and close attention to the schedule. The company has also adjusted plans when timing became tight. In one case, the group took a direct route back and arrived about 45 minutes before all aboard time.

Cruise timing deserves careful attention

This is a shore excursion, so the return to Akureyri is central to the decision. The published duration is six hours, and the tour is planned around cruise docking times. The stated end point is the same Gránufélagsgata 50 area where the buses gather.

Most important, check the pickup instructions on the day of your visit. Some people found the meeting information unclear, and one bus had moved roughly 100 yards from the ship. Another person nearly missed departure after arriving at the stated time while the bus was already waiting nearby.

I would allow extra time to reach the parking area and look for the correct bus. Do not rely only on a phone map pin if the port area is busy. Confirm the bus, guide, and departure time before you leave the ship.

The guides and drivers have generally kept close track of cruise schedules, but the tour is still dependent on road conditions and group punctuality. It is reassuring that the route can be shortened on the return if needed. It is less reassuring if you want a relaxed soak with no clock watching.

Is $247 a fair price?

At $247 per person, this is not a cheap outing. Iceland’s transport, geothermal facilities, and cruise-port scheduling all raise the cost, but you should still ask what you are getting for the money.

The price includes transportation, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, the packed lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. You also get a structured visit to Goðafoss and the Mývatn area without paying for fuel, parking, or navigating the route yourself.

For a cruise stop, that package has real value. You can cover a large section of North Iceland in one day, enjoy the baths, and return to the ship without arranging several separate bookings. The convenience is strongest if you want both sightseeing and a geothermal soak.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long spa visit. Two hours at the facility becomes less once you account for changing and group movement, and the whole day includes significant bus time. A private car or a longer independent visit could give you more freedom, but it would also require you to manage timing and transport yourself.

I would consider the price reasonable for a cruise-port day if the baths are a priority. I would hesitate if you dislike organized group travel or want to explore Lake Mývatn at a slower pace.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing?

This tour fits you best if you want a clear introduction to North Iceland without making many decisions. Families, cruise passengers, and first-time visitors can see a waterfall, volcanic formations, and a geothermal pool in one compact day.

It also works well for people who value a guide. The strongest guide experiences have included local history, geology, folklore, humor, and music. That can turn the bus ride into part of the trip rather than dead time.

You may want a different plan if you are uncomfortable with communal showers, sensitive to sulfur smells, or hoping to spend several quiet hours at the baths. The flies around Mývatn may also bother you, especially on warm days.

The stops involve walking and standing, although the supplied details do not give a specific accessibility description. If you need mobility arrangements, ask the operator before booking.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear and a towel, or budget for rentals at the baths. Bring a warm outer layer for the waterfall and lake stops, since Icelandic weather can shift even when the bus ride feels comfortable.

I would also bring:

• A waterproof bag for wet swimwear
• Shoes suitable for short walks near viewpoints
• A hat or head covering for flies around Mývatn
• Water if you prefer more than the bottle supplied with lunch
• Your ship’s all aboard time and the local meeting point details

Tell the guide your lunch preference early. At the start, ask when the group will meet after the bath visit and confirm which bus you should return to. Those small checks can prevent the only truly frustrating part of the day.

Should you book the Goðafoss and Mývatn Baths tour?

Book it if you want the best-known sights near Akureyri plus a genuine geothermal soak in one cruise-friendly package. Goðafoss is striking, Mývatn’s volcanic forms are unusual, and the baths give the day a pleasant finish.

I would not book it if your main goal is an unhurried spa afternoon or a detailed exploration of the entire Mývatn region. The schedule covers a lot, but it does not leave much room to linger.

For most cruise passengers, the combination is the strong point. You get scenery, local stories, lunch, admission, and a managed return to the ship. Just confirm the meeting point, bring your swim gear, expect a simple lunch, and allow for flies and a little schedule pressure.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri to Mývatn tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including transport between Akureyri, Goðafoss, the Mývatn area, the baths, and the return point.

Where does the tour start?

The buses gather at the large parking area at Gránufélagsgata 50. A guide waits there to greet you.

Is transportation from the cruise terminal included?

Yes. Transportation from the Akureyri cruise terminal area is included, and the tour ends back at Gránufélagsgata 50.

How much time is spent at Goðafoss?

The scheduled stop at Goðafoss lasts about 35 minutes. This includes sightseeing, photographs, a walk, and time to enjoy the views.

What is the Skútustaðagígar stop?

Skútustaðagígar is a short viewing stop near Lake Mývatn, focused on the area’s volcanic pseudo-craters. The scheduled time is about 15 minutes.

How long do you spend at Mývatn Nature Baths?

The planned visit lasts two hours. Changing and showering take part of that time, so your actual time in the water may be shorter.

Are the baths included in the price?

Yes. Admission to Mývatn Nature Baths is included.

Are towels and swimwear provided?

No. You should bring both. Towels and swimwear can be rented at Mývatn Nature Baths for an extra cost.

What lunch choices are available?

The included packed lunch offers a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, along with a bottle of water. Tell the guide your choice at the start of the tour.

Is the tour suitable for cruise passengers?

Yes. The schedule is designed around cruise docking times, and the bus returns to the Akureyri meeting area. You should still confirm the exact pickup location and allow extra time to find the bus.