Top 15 Shore Excursions in Iceland

1.Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $205Our pick

From Akureyri’s cruise pier, you’ll travel with a guide such as Oli, Jon, Graham, or Johannes to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn. Expect steaming fumaroles, Dimmuborgir lava, Grjótagjá Cave, and an optional visit to Mývatn Nature Baths. The tour lasts about 5 to 6 hours and returns to the ship.

“Beautiful trip to see an amazing waterfall and areas where lava continues to heat the surface with the funk of sulfur”

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2.German-Speaking Golden Circle Small Group Tour from Reykjavík – Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 216 reviews · 8 hours · from $182

Join a German-speaking guide, such as Andy Halbinsel or Petra, for an 8 to 9-hour Golden Circle shore excursion from Reykjavík. You’ll see Kerið crater, Gullfoss, Strokkur, Þingvellir, Öxarárfoss, and Laugarvatn, with stops for farm ice cream and Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja if ship time allows.

“Tolles Programm für einen Tag Island. Tour in kleinen Gruppen. Petra ist ein toller Guide, weiß alles über Island und geht super auf die Gruppe ein, z.b wenn Kinder dabei sind.”

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3.Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Cruise Ship Day-Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 121 reviews · from $176

This five-hour small-group trip takes you from Akureyri port along Eyjafjörður to Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, and Lake Mývatn. You can bathe at Mývatn Nature Baths or visit Grjótagjá instead. Local guides such as Biggi, Armann, Bikir, and Oli lead the tour in English, with ship timing and port pickup carefully coordinated.

“We had a wonderful trip with Armann, the owner of Imagine Iceland. He was so knowledgeable about geology, history and folklore. He was able to keep a diverse group of child, grandchildren and old people entertained and educated. We were comfortable in his well maintained van. There were lots of flies at some of the sites, but he was thoughtful and would only stop to talk in places where the wind was blowing to keep the flies away. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland. I would vigorously recommend Imagine Iceland for a great insight into this island country.Read more”

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4.From Reykjavik Port: Golden Circle Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 84 reviews · 7 hours · from $200

From Reykjavik Port, you’ll visit Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and Thingvellir National Park with a local English-speaking guide. Cruise-friendly departure times, small-group transport, WiFi, and a return-at-least-one-hour-before-sailing promise make this a practical choice. Extra stops may include Icelandic horses, a tomato farm, or a volcanic crater.

“Trip and guide were excellent!!. The bus was very cramped. Not a lot of leg room and very narrow aisles”

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5.Myvatn Nature Baths & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $248

From Akureyri, visit historic Goðafoss, photograph Lake Mývatn’s volcanic scenery, and relax at Mývatn Nature Baths. The six-hour trip includes port pickup, admission, and a guide such as Niko, Petra, or Victoria. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and confirm the exact pickup point carefully.

“Bring a towel Meet at the bus not by the huts It was a great excursion. Saw the waterfall, Lake Mvatan and went to the baths! 2 hours was the perfect amount of time for the baths. We did not get lunch but we didn’t mind, we have been sating too much on the ship”

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6.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 61 reviews · 3 hours 50 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Sail from Skarfabakki Harbour into Faxaflói Bay on a 2.5 or 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise. An expert guide explains local whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and Icelandic nature. Thermal coveralls, WiFi, seasickness tablets, and a free return ticket if nothing is seen are included. The tour runs in English, with app commentary in five languages.

“The cruise itself was fine. A nice boat. Plenty of space to move around. On the down side, the boat was not really handicapped accessible. Many people were getting seasick along the way. And, oh yeah, there were no whales. We got an offer to go on another whale-watching cruise in the futurebut will we ever return to Iceland to take them up on the offer?”

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7.From Seydisfjordur: Studlagil Canyon Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 58 reviews · from $205

Travel inland from Seydisfjordur to Stuðlagil Canyon, where 30-meter basalt columns frame a glacial river. Stop at 27-meter Gufufoss before returning to port. Your English-speaking guide handles the timing around your ship, and guides such as Kjartan add local stories and practical help.

“Our guide was fantastic! He shared an incredible amount of knowledge and personal stories of growing up and living in Iceland. The canyon is spectacular but there are a LOT of stairs to go down/up to get to the viewing platform. Also, be aware that the canyon is about 90 min from the cruise port but the scenery is amazing and there are 2-3 waterfall stops along the way back. I’d highly recommend!”

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8.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63Best value

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Skarfabakki Harbour to Akurey Island, where your guide points out puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds. The boat circles the island, pauses with its engine off for photos, and returns in about an hour. Binoculars, coffee, commentary, and a port shuttle are included.

“Loved seeing the Puffins floating on the sea near the island in the harbor where the covered boat had taken us. Our guide, Joel, was super nice and very knowledgeable regarding the Puffins. He also pointed out other unusual birds for that area.”

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9.Private Transfer Service from Hotels in Reykjavik to Cruise Ship Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · 15 minutes (approx.)

Arrange a private ride from your Reykjavik hotel to the cruise terminal in about 15 minutes. Drivers such as Siggi, Emma, Helga, and Daniel are noted for punctual pickups, clean vehicles, luggage help, and friendly local conversation. Port-to-hotel service is also available, with a name sign at the terminal.

“Excellent service. Very personable driver. Well done. Very quick and painless. Would recommend it to anyone.”

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10.From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Ride from Akureyri to Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, with an English-speaking guide. You’ll pass Eyjafjordur Bay, Fnjoskadalur Valley, and the old mountain road, then stop for waterfall views and a 10-minute lookout over town. Expect a 2.5-hour trip, basic bus transport, and no lunch.

“Expensive guide did not give any background on puffins habitat etc pointed to a he steps and that was it”

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11.Private Transfer from Cruise Ship Port to Keflavik Int. Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Book a private, one-way ride from Reykjavik’s cruise port to Keflavik International Airport for up to three people. Drivers such as Helga, Siggy, Baldur, Emma, and Marius have handled pickups, luggage, and airport drop-offs. Expect about 45 minutes in a clean vehicle, with optional airport-hotel drop-off.

“Helga was right on time and got us to the airport within 45 minutes as promised. Very pleasant experience.”

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12.Mývatn Lake & Goðafoss CruiseShip tour +Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 15 reviews · from $135

From Akureyri harbor, an English-speaking guide takes you by bus to Lake Mývatn’s pseudo-craters, Dimmuborgir lava fields, Hverir’s steaming mudpits, and Goðafoss. The $135 price includes transport, guidance, and a packed chicken lunch. Expect about six hours on the road, with short walks and 45 minutes at the waterfall.

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13.Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

From Akureyri’s port, travel through North Iceland to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn’s pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, and Námaskarð. Expect 5 to 7 hours, a small vehicle, free time at each stop, WiFi onboard, and lunch available along the route. Pickup and drop-off are included.

“Crazy amount of people in every place we went! Tour guide added 2hrs on our tour. We had to wait for two people that went to the Geo baths as they were put on tour bus by mistake.”

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14.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: The Golden Circle Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $233

You’ll leave Reykjavik’s cruise port with an English-speaking driver-guide for an 8.5-hour Golden Circle tour by air-conditioned minivan. Expect Gullfoss, Geysir, Faxi Waterfall, and UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, with round-trip port transport. The $233.50 price includes transport and guiding, but not food or drinks.

“I don’t really know what happened, but the vendor left us high and dry in Reykjavik. They miscommunicated pickup information for the wrong date and wrong tour. Good news - a full refund was received.”

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15.Lake Myvatn Private Day Tour Mývatn, Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.)

From Akureyri Port, your private guide drives you to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn for bubbling mud pools, steam vents, lava formations, Grjotagja Cave, and optional time at Myvatn Nature Baths. The 5 to 6-hour trip is offered in English, with guides such as Daniel and Laurent praised for lively history and folklore.

“Iceland is very beautiful! Unfortunately, there was little time to drive and see :( Because he arrived on the ship Celebrity Apex. But next time we hope to see more!! :))”

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