Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Godafoss is only the opening act on this half-day trip. After the broad, rushing Waterfall of the Gods, you continue to Lake Myvatn for steaming earth, dark lava formations, a rift cave, and possibly a warm soak. Iceland’s volcanic north comes at you in several very different forms.

I like the mix of major sights, and I like that you can choose between the Myvatn Nature Baths and Grjotagja Cave if time is tight. Guides such as Norbert add useful local context and a good sense of humor. The main caution is timing: long drives between stops and a late-arriving ship can turn this into a fast-moving day.

Key points to know

• Godafoss opens the tour with a dramatic 30-minute waterfall stop, including time for photographs.
• Lake Myvatn packs several types of volcanic scenery into one outing, from mud pots to lava towers.
• Námaskarð’s Hverir mud pools bubble and steam, but the sulfur smell and open ground are part of the experience.
• You may choose the Nature Baths or Grjotagja Cave when time is limited, though the bathing fee is extra.
• The small group has a maximum of 19 people, with transport and port pickup included.
• The tour can adapt to a port change, as shown when rough seas moved a cruise call from Húsavík to Akureyri.

Godafoss gives you a strong start

The drive from the Húsavík area to Godafoss brings you to one of North Iceland’s most memorable sights. The waterfall spreads across a broad rocky channel, with several curtains of white water dropping into the river below. It is not a tiny viewpoint stop. You get a real look at the falls, with about 30 minutes for photographs and a quick walk around the viewing area.

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods. The name fits both the scale and the setting. The water has a clean, forceful quality, and the surrounding scenery gives you an immediate sense of Iceland’s raw northern terrain.

I like that the stop comes early. You get a major sight before the day’s more specialized volcanic sites, and the short visit keeps the schedule moving. Still, 30 minutes is not enough for a long walk or a slow picnic. You should arrive ready to get out, take your photos, and make the most of the time.

A long drive reveals how spread out Myvatn is

Lake Myvatn is not one single attraction with one entrance gate. It is a wide area containing several separate places, and the tour links them by road. That means the van is part of the experience.

The drive between stops can take 45 to 60 minutes at times. I consider that useful to know before booking, especially if you prefer a relaxed pace. The scenery outside the windows changes as you go, but the day is not a string of short walks. You will spend a fair amount of time seated, then step out for focused visits.

That format works well for a cruise passenger who wants to see a lot of North Iceland in limited port time. It is less suited to someone who wants to linger at one site, follow a longer trail, or spend half a day at the baths.

The vehicle is described as a clean, modern van, and the group size can reach 19 people. That is smaller than a full-size coach, though it is not a private tour. Pickup, transport, guiding, and return to the meeting point are included.

Námaskarð shows Iceland’s earth at work

At Námaskarð, the ground looks and behaves unlike an ordinary hiking area. The Hverir mud pools bubble in thick, shifting patches, while steam rises from fumaroles in the earth. The colors and textures are striking, but this is not a place to wander wherever you please.

You will notice the sulfur smell. It is part of the geothermal setting, not a sign that something has gone wrong. Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s directions around the hot ground.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a close look and photographs, but not for a long walk. I like this short format because Námaskarð can be intense in wind, rain, or cold weather. On a wet day, you may be happy to see it clearly and return to the van.

The site helps explain why Iceland feels so active beneath your feet. You are not simply looking at a scenic area. You are watching heat, water, gas, and minerals reshape the surface.

Dimmuborgir turns lava into dark towers

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, a fitting name for the area’s strange lava shapes. Instead of a smooth field of black rock, you find formations that rise like walls, arches, and rough towers.

The tour allows about 20 minutes here. That gives you a taste of the site, though not a full exploration of every path. If you enjoy unusual rock forms, this can be one of the most visually rewarding stops. The shapes make good photographs, especially when the weather brings strong contrast to the dark stone.

I would keep your expectations practical. You are not getting a long hike through all of Dimmuborgir. You are getting a short introduction to its most accessible scenery within a packed day.

This stop also balances the geothermal visit. Námaskarð is about heat and motion. Dimmuborgir is about old lava frozen into dramatic shapes. Together, they show two different chapters of Iceland’s volcanic character.

Grjotagja Cave offers a quieter alternative

Grjotagja is an old bathing cave set in part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. The cave gives the tour a more enclosed, geological moment after the open waterfall and steaming mud pools.

The stop is brief, about 15 minutes. You should expect a look inside rather than a long underground visit. The cave and rift are especially useful if you do not plan to use the Myvatn Nature Baths.

The tour can take you to Grjotagja while other members of the group use the baths. That choice matters because the bathing stop takes about an hour, and the entrance fee is not included. If you would rather see another geological site than pay for a soak, Grjotagja gives you a worthwhile alternative.

I like this flexibility, but you should confirm the timing with your guide on the day. A delayed ship, bad weather, or slow loading at the port can reduce the time available for both options.

Myvatn Nature Baths are a warm finish, at extra cost

The Myvatn Nature Baths offer a chance to sit in warm geothermal water near the end of the outing. After several outdoor stops, the contrast can be welcome, particularly in cold or wet weather.

You have about an hour at the baths and café, time permitting. The entrance fee is ISK 7,400 per person, and it must be reserved separately before the tour. The practical advice is important: book your entry for about three hours after the tour begins, not for the advertised departure time.

That timing leaves room for the drive to Godafoss and the first Myvatn stops. Even then, the schedule can shift. Cruise ships may arrive late, roads may be slow, and poor weather can shorten time at each stop. I would avoid booking the baths too tightly if your plans allow any flexibility.

The baths are not part of the $306.40 tour price. That makes the total cost higher than the headline fare, especially if you are traveling as a couple or family. Still, the fee pays for a distinct experience, and the tour’s transport makes it easier to combine the baths with sites that would be harder to arrange independently from a cruise port.

If soaking is your priority, you may find the hour too short. If you see the baths as a pleasant final stop after a full sightseeing circuit, the arrangement makes more sense.

Weather and port changes can reshape the day

North Iceland’s weather can change the rhythm of this tour. Rain and strong wind may limit the time you want to spend outside, especially at Námaskarð and the lava formations. Bring warm waterproof clothing and shoes suited to uneven ground.

A cruise schedule adds another layer. One sailing could not dock at Húsavík because of high wind and seas and had to divert to Akureyri. Imagine Iceland Travel moved the arrangements to the new port, which is a useful sign of practical flexibility.

The stated meeting point is Húsavíkurhöfn, at Húsavík harbor, and the activity returns to the meeting point. Because the tour information also identifies Akureyri and has handled a port change there, check your final pickup details carefully after booking. Do not assume that a change in docking plans will automatically mean the same meeting place.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels it, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

What the $306.40 price really covers

At $306.40 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing shuttle. You are paying for a guided, five to six-hour outing that connects several sites from a cruise port, uses a smaller vehicle, and includes pickup and drop-off.

The value improves if you want to see both Godafoss and the Myvatn area in one day. Arranging that combination on your own would require transport, careful timing, and a plan for returning to the ship. The guide also helps put the volcanic sites into context rather than leaving you to identify every steaming hole and lava formation yourself.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want one activity. Someone interested only in bathing may prefer to arrange the Nature Baths directly. Someone who wants only Godafoss may not need a five to six-hour tour. This excursion earns its cost through variety and port convenience.

Budget separately for the ISK 7,400 Nature Baths entrance fee, food, and drinks. None of those are included. If you skip the baths, Grjotagja gives you another included stop, but you still pay the full tour price.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the north in one port day. It suits you if you like waterfalls, volcanic geology, short walks, and changing scenery more than long stretches of free time.

It is also a good fit if you value a small-group setting and an English-speaking guide. The maximum group size is 19, so you get a more personal format than a large coach, though you should not expect the freedom of a private vehicle.

The tour may frustrate you if you dislike a tight schedule. The route has several stops, long drives, and a possible bath visit. A late ship arrival can make the pace even faster. One cruise passenger chose the cave and tectonic rift instead of the baths because there was not enough time to enjoy the water properly after a delay.

That is a useful way to think about the tour: the sights are excellent, but the schedule needs cooperation from the ship, road, and weather.

Booking details worth checking before you go

You receive confirmation when you book, and most people can participate. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the local time cutoff applies.

The excursion is booked, on average, 61 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if the port day is important to you. If you want the Nature Baths, reserve that separate entry after checking the tour’s expected start time.

Should you book the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

Book it if you want to pack North Iceland’s major contrasts into one cruise excursion: rushing water at Godafoss, boiling mud at Hverir, dark lava at Dimmuborgir, a rift cave, and the option of a warm bath.

I would book with two conditions. First, accept that the day can feel brisk, especially after a delayed ship arrival or in poor weather. Second, treat the Nature Baths as an optional extra rather than the main purpose of the tour.

The strong points are clear: a clean modern van, capable English-speaking guides such as Norbert, a manageable maximum of 19 people, and a route with real variety. If your priority is seeing as much of the Myvatn region as possible while your ship is in port, this is a practical and rewarding choice. If you want a slow day or a long soak, choose a simpler plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Húsavíkurhöfn at Húsavík harbor in Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is Godafoss included in the tour price?

Yes. The guided visit to Godafoss and its admission are included, with about 30 minutes at the waterfall.

Is entry to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entry costs ISK 7,400 per person and must be reserved separately in advance.

When should I reserve my Nature Baths entry?

The recommended booking time is three hours after the tour starts. The timing can still be affected by weather, road conditions, or a delayed ship.

Can I visit Grjotagja Cave instead of using the baths?

Yes. For those who do not want to use the Nature Baths, the tour can take you to Grjotagja Cave and the rift while other members of the group use the baths.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. The tour may also be canceled if its minimum number of participants is not reached.