Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

The best part of this Akureyri shore trip is the change of pace: Goðafoss delivers drama, then the strange volcanic scenery around Lake Mývatn leads you to a long, warm soak at Mývatn Nature Baths. It gives you three very different North Iceland experiences in six hours.

I like the cruise-friendly timing and the packed lunch, which leave more room for sightseeing. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Runar, Arno, Victoria, Elsa, and others have been praised for mixing Icelandic history, geology, humor, and even a song or two into the drive. The main concerns are the flies around Mývatn, communal showers at the baths, and occasional confusion over the pickup point.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss is a wide, graceful waterfall: You get about 35 minutes to walk, take photographs, and hear the story behind its role in Iceland’s conversion to Christianity.
• Lake Mývatn looks unlike ordinary Iceland: The stop at Skútustaðagígar focuses on volcanic formations and pseudo-craters rather than a long walk.
• Mývatn Nature Baths is the centerpiece: You have about two hours to swim and relax in naturally heated mineral-rich water.
• The tour is built around cruise schedules: Pickup and return are arranged for Akureyri port calls, with the stated end point back at the port meeting area.
• Lunch is practical rather than elaborate: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water included.
• Pack for the small annoyances: Bring swimwear, a towel, and something to cover your head if flies bother you.

Why this Akureyri outing works so well

North Iceland is spread out, and an Akureyri port call gives you only a narrow window to see it. This excursion makes a sensible route of the available time. You head east toward Goðafoss, continue to the Mývatn area, spend the longest stop at the baths, and return to Akureyri.

That order matters. Goðafoss gives you an active first stop, Lake Mývatn adds volcanic scenery, and the baths provide a warm finish before the drive back. You are not spending six hours on a bus with one rushed photo stop at the end.

I also like that the lunch is packed. A sit-down meal would eat into the sightseeing time, especially on a shore excursion. The sandwich is there to keep you going, not to be the reason you book the tour. If you want chicken, choose that option. If you prefer a plant-based meal, the vegan sandwich is available.

The $238 price is not cheap, but the value depends on what you would otherwise have to arrange. It covers port transportation, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi on the bus, lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. The biggest saving is time and coordination. You do not need to find a rental car, plan the driving route, or buy separate bath admission.

I would consider it good value for a first visit to North Iceland from a cruise ship, especially if the baths are high on your list. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long, quiet visit at Goðafoss or a full day around Lake Mývatn.

Meeting your bus at Akureyri port

The meeting details deserve careful attention. If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

The buses are at the large parking lot on Gránufélagsgata 50, and the guides wear an orange jacket or vest marked with the BusTravel Iceland logo. Check your ship’s actual pier before leaving the vessel. A few minutes of confusion can become serious when a bus has a fixed departure time.

One account describes a pickup-location problem that nearly caused a missed departure. The guides helped sort it out, but that is not a problem you want to create for yourself. Take a screenshot of the meeting instructions, confirm your pier, and allow extra time to walk from the ship.

The tour is designed to return you to the cruise port. Several guides have kept the group on schedule, and one group returned a few minutes before its ship departure time. Still, no shore excursion can remove every risk from road conditions or delays, so keep your departure time in mind when booking.

Goðafoss, the waterfall with a political story

The first major stop is Goðafoss, reached after roughly 30 minutes by bus. The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and its story gives the stop more weight than a quick scenic photo.

The falls are wider than they are high, with water curving through a broad crescent shape. You have about 35 minutes for photographs, a walk, and views from the surrounding paths. That is enough for a good look without turning the stop into a strenuous hike.

The historical detail is memorable. According to Icelandic tradition, a local chieftain threw his pagan statues into the waterfall when Iceland accepted Christianity. The falls became tied to that symbolic act, which helps explain why Goðafoss matters beyond its good looks.

You should wear shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground and bring a waterproof layer. The stop is short, so use your time well. Listen to the guide first, then move to the viewpoints and take your photographs. If you spend the whole stop at the first viewing area, you may miss better angles nearby.

Skútustaðagígar and the odd side of Lake Mývatn

The next stop is at Skútustaðagígar, where you spend about 15 minutes taking photographs and looking across the volcanic scenery. This is a short stop, but it gives you a useful introduction to what makes the Mývatn area unusual.

Ancient eruptions helped create pseudo-craters around the lake. These formations look like volcanic craters, but they did not form in quite the same way as a traditional erupting volcano. The result is a patchwork of rounded shapes and open water that feels distinctly different from the scenery around Akureyri.

Do not expect a long hike here. The schedule gives you a viewpoint and a quick look, not an hour of walking. That is a fair trade on a six-hour outing because the baths need a proper block of time.

The flies are the practical issue. Mývatn is known for them, and they can be annoying at the lake and nearby stops. The problem is not necessarily severe for everyone, but you should prepare for it. A hat, light scarf, or insect head net can make the stop more pleasant. This is one of those small packing choices that matters more than another camera accessory.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

Mývatn Nature Baths is the main event. You have about two hours for the visit, including time to change, shower, enter the water, and enjoy the pool areas. The naturally heated water is mineral-rich, and the setting looks out toward the Mývatn area.

I like the length of this stop. You are not being pushed out after a quick dip, yet you are not spending the entire shore day at a spa. Two hours gives you room to slow down after the sightseeing stops and enjoy the warm water at your own pace.

The baths are often called the Blue Lagoon of the North, but the experience is better understood on its own terms. This is a straightforward introduction to Iceland’s outdoor pool culture. You swim outside in geothermal water, enjoy the views, and let the bus schedule handle the return trip.

Bring your own swimsuit and towel. Neither is included. You can rent both at the baths for an extra charge, but carrying them from the ship is simpler and cheaper if you already have them.

The changing arrangements may not suit everyone. Communal showering is part of the experience, and one account specifically found this uncomfortable. If you prefer privacy, know that this may be a deciding factor.

The geothermal smell can also be stronger than expected. That sulfur scent is normal around heated geothermal water, but it may take a moment to adjust. I would not book the baths expecting a scent-free swimming pool.

You may also be able to buy refreshments at the facility, but the provided lunch is the meal to count on during the tour. The schedule is built around the soak, not around an extended restaurant stop.

What the guides add to the day

The guide can make a major difference on a bus-based excursion. The strongest guiding style here seems to be conversational and personal, rather than a nonstop list of dates.

Arno has been praised for his geology background and for connecting the region’s volcanic features to broader Icelandic history. Runar has been described as funny and attentive, while Victoria has entertained groups with Icelandic songs. Other guides, including Elsa and a guide called Mr. K, have helped visitors understand local culture through stories and personal details.

Tom and Arran have also been remembered for dry humor, and Tom apparently sang a couple of Icelandic songs during the drive. That sort of touch can make a long transfer feel shorter. It also gives you something beyond the standard waterfall facts.

Guide quality can vary from person to person. One guide was difficult for some people to hear because of a monotonous delivery, and the day’s instructions were not always clear enough. You may need to ask what happens next, especially if the group divides for different activities.

Some departures can include a mixed-language group. One guide handled English and German during the same outing, but the exact language arrangements depend on the departure. The listed tour language is English.

The bus ride, lunch, and timing

The drive back from the baths takes about 75 minutes. That is a useful time to rest, look through photographs, and finish lunch if you did not eat earlier.

The packed meal includes a chicken or vegan sandwich and a bottle of water. Tell your guide your preference at the beginning. A few practical complaints have centered on sandwiches arriving later than expected or not being easy to eat during a short stop. I would carry a small snack from the ship if you tend to get hungry, since the provided lunch is basic and the schedule is tight.

Free Wi-Fi is included on the bus, though the value of that depends on the signal along the route. The more important comfort is having a guide and driver who can keep the group moving.

The excursion uses several different bus drivers and guides, so the personality of the day changes. Drivers have been praised for safe driving, punctuality, and helping people get close to each stop. At the same time, some passengers have found driver banter distracting. That is a minor issue for most people, but quiet-minded passengers should know this is a social group tour, not a silent scenic transfer.

Who should book this tour

This tour suits you if you are visiting Akureyri by ship and want a broad sample of North Iceland without renting a car. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want a waterfall, volcanic scenery, and a geothermal bath in one outing.

Families can make good use of it. The route is simple, the stops are varied, and the baths offer a relaxing break after the bus ride. Keep an eye on children near any marked volcanic or geothermal area, and follow every rope and safety instruction. A separate incident involving someone crossing a barrier is a useful reminder that Iceland’s natural features are not harmless playgrounds.

The tour also suits anyone who values a clear return to the ship. The company schedules the excursion around docking times, and the route is designed to end at the port meeting area.

I would think twice if you dislike communal changing rooms, geothermal odors, flies, or a fixed group schedule. You may also prefer a private tour if you want more time at each viewpoint, a slower lunch, or freedom to stop whenever the scenery catches your eye.

Practical packing advice for this exact route

Bring swimwear and a towel in a day bag you can reach easily. Do not bury them under coats and camera gear, since you will need them at the baths.

A warm outer layer and rain protection are sensible for Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the waterfall stop is outdoors even if the baths later feel warm and sheltered.

I would also pack a hat or head net for the Mývatn stops, plus a small snack. The lunch is included, but it may not arrive at the moment you expect. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably for the waterfall and volcanic viewpoint.

The buses have free Wi-Fi, and the guides wear orange BusTravel Iceland clothing, which helps with group organization. Keep your booking details and ship departure time available in case you need to confirm the return plan.

Should you book the Goðafoss and Mývatn Baths tour?

I would book this tour if you want the most efficient introduction to North Iceland during an Akureyri port call. The route is well chosen, and the combination of Goðafoss, Mývatn, and a two-hour geothermal soak gives the day a satisfying rhythm.

Book it with realistic expectations. The lunch is simple, the lake flies can be bothersome, the baths use communal showers, and guide communication is not perfect on every departure. Bring your own towel, confirm the correct pier, and be ready for a group schedule.

At $238 per person, this is best for the convenience it provides. If you value a reliable port transfer, included bath entry, a guide, and a full half-day of North Iceland sights, the price is reasonable. If you only want one waterfall and a short drive, it is more than you need. For most cruise passengers seeking a well-rounded day, it is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Akureyri to Mývatn tour?

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

Where does the tour begin?

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 do I recognize the guide?

The guides wear an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo.

Is transportation from the cruise terminal included?

Yes. Transportation from the Akureyri Cruise Terminal is included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a packed lunch with either a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich, along with a bottle of water. Tell the guide your choice at the start.

Are towels and swimsuits included?

No. You need to bring your own swimsuit and towel, or rent them at Mývatn Nature Baths for an extra cost.

How much time do I get at Mývatn Nature Baths?

The scheduled visit lasts about two hours, including the swimming portion of the tour.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English. Some departures may include people speaking other languages, but English is the listed tour language.