Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall Day Trip

Goðafoss is the star here, a broad, powerful waterfall dropping 39 feet into the Skjálfandafljót River. I like that this trip pairs it with Lake Mývatn, where pseudocraters, lava formations, steaming ground, and plate-boundary geology create a day that feels far bigger than a simple waterfall outing. I also like the smaller-group feel and guides such as Johanna, Agust, and Siggi, who are praised for keeping the day moving while still explaining what you are seeing.

The main catch is time. Seven hours is enough for the major sights, but not for long walks at every stop. The Mývatn Nature Baths are an extra-cost option and depend on your cruise schedule, so you should treat the soak as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the day.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss comes early: You get a 45-minute sightseeing stop at one of northern Iceland’s most memorable waterfalls.
• Mývatn packs in variety: Pseudocraters, lava fields, geothermal mud pools, and plate tectonics all appear in one area.
• The van keeps the day efficient: Drive times are built into the schedule, which matters when your ship has a firm departure time.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Bring a swimsuit and towel if your ship’s timing leaves room for a 1.5-hour soak.
• Guides make a real difference: Johanna, Agust, Siggi, Bo, and Matti have been praised for humor, flexibility, enthusiasm, and clear explanations.
• Lunch is not included: You will need to budget for food and drinks at the local restaurant stop.

Why this Akureyri day trip works so well

Northern Iceland can be hard to see from a cruise port. Akureyri gives you access to some of the region’s best scenery, but the most memorable sights are well beyond town. This trip solves that problem with a direct pickup at the harbor and a seven-hour route through Eyjafjörður, Goðafoss, and the Mývatn area.

I like the way the outing builds from one kind of scenery to another. You begin beside Iceland’s longest fjord, move to a famous waterfall, then spend the bulk of the day around a volcanic lake. The result is not one repeated view. You get water, open country, lava, steam, and unusual volcanic shapes.

The route also suits a cruise schedule. You are not trying to plan several separate buses or guess how long each stop will take. A guide handles the driving and watches the clock. One guide even adjusted the order and timing of stops for a shorter port call, fitting in the main sights despite losing time ashore.

That efficiency comes with a tradeoff. This is a sightseeing day, not a hiking tour. You will have time to walk around and take photos, but the stops are measured in minutes. If you want to explore every trail around Mývatn at a slow pace, rent a car or stay overnight instead.

Leaving Akureyri through Eyjafjörður

Pickup begins at Akureyri Cruise Terminal, but you need to identify your ship and exact port when booking. Akureyri uses more than one cruise berth, and the meeting instructions differ.

At Tangabryggja Port, look for several small wooden houses just outside the cruise ship area. Star Travel is at house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja Port, you will find an Icewear shop near the ship, with tour agents waiting in the designated area. Look for the Star Travel sign and a guide in a bright yellow jacket.

Once aboard the van, the first drive takes about 30 minutes. The road follows Eyjafjörður, a long fjord framed by broad Icelandic views. The drive itself is part of the outing, with photo stops along the coast when conditions and timing allow.

You should keep your phone reachable. The operator may need to contact you about pickup or schedule changes, which matters when several cruise ships use different berths.

Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods

The first major stop is Goðafoss, reached after the opening drive. You have about 45 minutes for sightseeing, enough to walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and watch the water pour over the curved rock edge.

At 39 feet high, Goðafoss is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall. Its appeal comes from its width, force, and clean setting. The Skjálfandafljót River spreads across the drop, making the falls feel broad and powerful rather than narrow and vertical.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods, a title tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. You do not need a long history lesson to enjoy the place, but the name adds a useful layer to the view. Ask your guide about the local story and you will get more than a quick photo stop.

Forty-five minutes is a sensible amount of time here. You can see the falls without rushing, but you should not expect a long walk along every viewpoint. Wear shoes that can handle damp ground, and keep your camera ready. The weather can change quickly in northern Iceland, and the spray makes the river edge look especially dramatic.

Skútustaðagígar and Mývatn’s pseudocraters

From Goðafoss, the van continues for about 45 minutes to Skútustaðagígar. This is your introduction to the unusual volcanic forms around Lake Mývatn.

The craters here are pseudocraters. They look like volcanic cones, but they did not form from a traditional eruption vent. They developed when lava flowed over wet ground, causing trapped water and steam to burst upward. The result is a series of rounded shapes scattered across the shore.

You get about 30 minutes to look around. That is enough to understand the pattern and take in the view, though it is not enough for a long circuit of the area. I find this stop valuable because it gives you a clear example of how Iceland’s scenery was shaped by the meeting of lava and water.

The setting can also bring small flying insects, especially during warmer months. One guide, Johanna, handed out bug nets near the lake and lava areas. That is a small but practical touch. If you are sensitive to insects, bring a light jacket or head covering anyway.

Dimmuborgir’s strange lava formations

A short five-minute drive brings you to Dimmuborgir, a lava field with a more enclosed and tense feel than the open shoreline at Skútustaðagígar. The name is often translated as Dark Castles, and the formations fit it: jagged lava shapes, arches, and rock walls create an almost built-up appearance.

You have roughly 30 minutes here. That gives you time to walk among the formations and see why the area has so many legends attached to it. The rocks can look like towers or ruined walls, but they are the remains of lava that cooled in unusual ways.

This is another stop where expectations matter. You will not have time to cover every path. Instead, follow the guide’s recommendation for the best short walk, then return to the van on time. The terrain is uneven in places, so sturdy walking shoes are a better choice than smooth-soled footwear.

Dimmuborgir is one of the more atmospheric stops on the route. Goðafoss gives you open space and moving water. Here, the rock closes in around you. That contrast keeps the day from feeling like a string of similar photo stops.

Hverir and the smell of Icelandic geology

Next comes Hverir, reached after another short drive. This geothermal area is known for boiling mud pools, fumaroles, and ground colored by minerals. Steam rises from the earth, and the smell of sulfur can be strong.

You have about 30 minutes at the site. The activity information lists shopping here, but the reason to stop is the geothermal ground itself. Hverir is a place to watch the earth working in real time, with bubbling mud and vents releasing heat from below.

Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. The ground around geothermal areas can be dangerously hot, even when it looks firm. This is not a place to wander freely for a better photograph.

The odor is part of the experience, though it may not suit everyone. If you dislike sulfur smells, keep the visit focused and enjoy the colors, steam, and unusual textures. For most people, Hverir is a memorable change of pace after the waterfall and lava field.

Seeing the plates pull apart

The Mývatn route also includes a stop connected to divergent plate tectonics. Iceland sits on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates, and the land is being pulled apart as the plates move away from each other.

The value of this stop is that your guide can connect a broad scientific idea with the ground beneath your feet. You are not just looking at strange rock. You are seeing evidence of the forces that helped shape Iceland.

The exact timing of this geology stop can vary with the day’s schedule, since the route must fit around the main sightseeing points and your ship’s departure. It works best as a short explanation and photo stop rather than a long lesson.

Lunch, timing, and the optional Mývatn Nature Baths

Food and drinks are not included, and the day includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant. Plan to pay separately and keep your meal reasonably efficient. A long lunch can put pressure on the later stops, especially if your ship has a tight departure time.

If your cruise schedule allows, the day may include about 1.5 hours at the Mývatn Nature Baths. This is an optional addition, and the entrance fee is not included in the $179 price.

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want the possibility of bathing. The geothermal pool offers a calmer end to a busy day, particularly after walking around the lava fields and geothermal areas. But do not book this tour assuming the soak is certain. The operator has to protect your return to Akureyri Port first.

This flexibility is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Guides have adjusted the schedule when cruise ships provided less time ashore, and some groups have still managed to include a swim. At the same time, the option depends on berthing and departure times. Ask about the baths when you book, then be prepared to skip them if the schedule changes.

The guides and the small-group feel

The guide can shape this experience as much as the scenery. Johanna has been praised for her positive energy and her clear affection for Akureyri and the surrounding nature. Agust is described as especially accommodating, while Siggi made the day enjoyable from start to finish.

Bo is remembered for professionalism and humor, and Matti earned praise as an excellent driver-guide. Those details matter because this route has several moving parts. You want someone who can explain the geology, keep the van on schedule, and adjust if a stop takes longer than planned.

The trip has also been described as a smaller-group outing. Group size can affect how quickly you load and unload, how easy it is to hear the guide, and how much freedom you have at each stop. The vehicle is a van, and the experience is more personal than a large coach excursion.

There was one report of a 90-minute delay caused by mechanical trouble. That appears to have been an exception, but it is worth remembering that any port-side road trip carries some timing risk. The operator’s ability to adapt is important, but no guide can make a mechanical problem disappear.

Is $179 a fair price?

At $179 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mývatn. You also pay separately for lunch, drinks, and the Nature Baths if you add them.

Still, the price can make sense for a cruise passenger. It covers pickup at the port, a full seven-hour route, a driver-guide, and several distant sights that would be difficult to reach independently during one port call. You are also paying for schedule management, which has real value when your ship will not wait for a late return.

The value is strongest if you want a broad overview rather than a single attraction. In one day, you see Goðafoss, pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir, Hverir, plate-boundary scenery, and possibly the baths. A private car could give you more control, but it would require arranging transport and watching the clock yourself.

I would compare the cost with your cruise line’s shore excursion price, then look closely at what each includes. This outing does not include food or bath entry, but its route offers a strong mix of natural sights and the smaller van format can be more flexible.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this trip if you are visiting Akureyri by cruise ship and want to see the Mývatn area without renting a car. It is also a good match if you enjoy geology, unusual rock formations, waterfalls, and short walks rather than a full-day hike.

You should be comfortable with a busy schedule. The day includes several drives, fixed stop lengths, and a firm return to port. If you prefer lingering at one location, the pace may feel tight.

Families, first-time visitors to northern Iceland, and people who want a guide’s explanations should find the format useful. The tour also suits anyone who likes having a guide manage the route while leaving enough time to take photographs and walk around.

You may want another plan if your priority is a long soak at the Nature Baths, extended hiking, or substantial time in Akureyri itself. One traveler especially wished for more time in town, and that is a fair tradeoff here: the tour uses the day to reach the countryside.

My booking advice

I would book this tour for the combination of Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn, especially if your ship gives you only one day in Akureyri. The route covers a lot of ground, and the guides appear to be a major strength. Johanna, Agust, Siggi, Bo, and Matti are all praised for warmth, humor, flexibility, or strong driving.

Before paying, confirm your ship name, port berth, and available time ashore. Decide if the Nature Baths are essential or simply a pleasant extra. If you can accept the quick stops and extra costs, $179 is a reasonable price for a well-organized look at one of northern Iceland’s most varied areas.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts seven hours, including driving time and sightseeing stops, and returns to Akureyri Cruise Terminal.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is at Akureyri Port. The exact meeting point depends on your ship’s berth. At Tangabryggja, meet at Star Travel’s house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look for the designated agent area beside the Icewear shop and a Star Travel sign.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the route includes a stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entrance to the Nature Baths costs extra, and the stop is only possible if your cruise ship’s schedule allows enough time.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.