Port Akureyri: Godafoss Waterfall, Myvatn and Dettifoss

The biggest reason to choose this tour is its reach. From Akureyri, you get Goðafoss and Dettifoss, two very different waterfalls, plus the strange volcanic sights around Lake Mývatn in one long day. I especially like the guide-led photo help at Goðafoss and the careful cruise-ship timing, with return planned at least 30 minutes before departure.

I also like the range of scenery: pseudo craters, lava towers, steaming ground, a cave split by tectonic plates, and a waterfall powerful enough to shake the air. The drawback is the distance. You spend about three hours on the bus, the lunch stop comes late, and weather or road conditions can force changes.

Key points at a glance

• Two major waterfalls: See the graceful Goðafoss and forceful Dettifoss, with time for walks and photos.
• Lake Mývatn’s unusual geology: Visit Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Grjótagjá cave.
• Strong geothermal sights: Hverir offers smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots close to the walking area.
• Cruise-friendly timing: The tour returns to Akureyri at least 30 minutes, and usually 50 minutes, before ship departure.
• Guides who shape the day: Joana and Johanna are singled out for humor, care, information, and thoughtful photography.
• Bring your own lunch: Refreshments are not included, and the café stop is late in the schedule.

Why this Akureyri day trip covers so much

This is not a quick waterfall outing. It is a full circuit through northeastern Iceland, built around the volcanic region of Lake Mývatn and the distant power of Dettifoss. You leave from the parking lot in front of the Akureyri cruise terminal, ride in a comfortable minibus, and return to the same area after roughly nine hours.

I like the way the route mixes famous sights with places that explain Iceland’s geology. You do not simply look at water falling over a cliff. You also see what volcanic eruptions left behind: round pseudo craters, collapsed lava forms, hot ground, and a cave linked to the rift between the Eurasian and American continents.

The tradeoff is simple. This is a big day. The scheduled stops are generally 30 to 40 minutes, while the drive between Akureyri and the farthest sights takes up much of the day. If you want slow walks, long meals, or time to explore one place in depth, a private tour with a more flexible plan may suit you better.

Goðafoss, the waterfall tied to Icelandic history

After about 35 minutes on the road along Eyjafjörður, you reach Goðafoss. The name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the site carries an important place in Icelandic history. Your guide gives you time to walk, take photographs, and look for a rainbow in the spray.

Goðafoss is a good first stop because it gives you a dramatic sight without requiring a long approach. You can use the 35-minute visit to see the falls from the available viewpoints and learn how to frame the water and surrounding cliffs. Photo guidance is a useful touch here, especially on a gray day when the spray and basalt need careful composition.

The stop may also include local snacks or shopping, but food is not part of the tour price. Do not count on this as your main meal. Bring your camera, a rain layer, and shoes suitable for a short walk on wet ground.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange shape of pseudo craters

The next major stop is Skútustaðagígar, on the edge of Lake Mývatn. These low, rounded forms are pseudo craters, created when hot lava met water and caused steam explosions. They look like small volcanic cones, but they did not form in the same way as ordinary volcanoes.

This is one of the more unusual stops because the shapes are easy to overlook without an explanation. Your guide helps you understand what you are seeing, then gives you time to walk and take photos. The tour information places pseudo craters in only a few parts of the world, including Iceland, Hawaii, the Azores, and Mars. That gives the stop a memorable point of comparison without requiring a long hike.

You may have access to regional food or a market-style stop, but the schedule is short, about 35 minutes. Treat this as a compact geology visit rather than a leisurely lakeside outing.

Dimmuborgir, lava shaped into towers and arches

A short drive brings you to Dimmuborgir, an area of unusual lava formations. The name is often translated as Dark Fortresses, which fits the black, broken shapes. Here, cooled lava created walls, pillars, and openings that can look almost built rather than formed by an eruption.

This is one of my favorite stops for variety. After the open views around the lake, Dimmuborgir gives you a more enclosed walk among rock formations. You can hike, take photographs, and listen to the guide explain how the forms developed.

The scheduled visit lasts about 35 minutes, so you will not cover every path. The stop can also include coffee, tea, local snacks, or other refreshments, but none of these are guaranteed as included food. If you enjoy geology and short walks, this stop earns its place. If uneven ground is difficult for you, contact the operator before booking. The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, but a private trip is recommended for greater comfort.

Grjótagjá and the crack between continents

Grjótagjá is a small cave with a hot blue river inside. It is a striking place, but it is not simply a scenic cave stop. The site is connected to the rift between the Eurasian and American continental plates, and the route may give you a chance to photograph yourself standing across the tectonic divide.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. You can expect a guided look, scenic views, and some walking or hiking. The cave itself is the main attraction, so do not expect a long underground tour. The water is visually appealing, but the important point is the geology and the way the cave shows Iceland’s active relationship with heat and shifting rock.

A practical note: conditions around natural caves can be uneven, and the water temperature is not presented as an invitation to swim. Follow your guide’s directions and focus on the view and the geology.

Hverir, where the ground smokes

At Hverir, the smell of sulfur and the sight of steaming ground make the volcanic setting impossible to miss. Smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots sit in an open geothermal area, with colors and textures that look almost unreal.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes time for photos and a walk. It is a strong contrast to the waterfalls. At Goðafoss and Dettifoss, water supplies the drama. At Hverir, heat, steam, and bubbling mud do the work.

Stay on marked paths and listen closely to the guide. Geothermal ground can be dangerous, and the safe viewing area matters. Wind can also carry the sulfur smell toward you, so this is not every person’s favorite stop. Still, it is one of the clearest places on the route to see Iceland’s heat close to the surface.

Dettifoss, the day’s biggest burst of power

After Hverir, the bus travels about 40 minutes to Dettifoss. You then get around 40 minutes at one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. This is the point where the long drive begins to pay off.

Dettifoss is not delicate. It is broad, loud, and forceful, with a heavy flow that sends spray into the air. On a sunny day, you might see a rainbow over the falls. The approach and viewpoint offer a chance to take photos, but the sound and movement are the real experience.

The weather can change quickly in this part of Iceland, and the road itself may be affected by conditions. That is why the operator warns that the route can change with short notice. You should arrive ready for wind, rain, and a rougher outdoor setting than the paved harbor area in Akureyri.

This is also the most remote major stop, so the 40-minute visit is useful but not generous. You have enough time to see the falls and photograph them, but not to wander at length. If Dettifoss is your main reason for booking, check the expected route and road conditions before you leave.

The long ride back to Akureyri

The return drive is listed at about 110 minutes, making it the longest single road section of the day. You stop at a café during the tour, but that break comes late, and refreshments are not included. I strongly recommend bringing a packed lunch and water so you are not relying on a late purchase.

The minibus and onboard WiFi make the long stretches easier, though WiFi should be viewed as a convenience rather than the reason to book. The route is designed for a full day of sightseeing, not for constant entertainment between stops.

If time permits, the guide may make a final stop at Eyjafjörður. From there, you can photograph Akureyri across the fjord. This ending is weather and timing dependent, but it gives the day a pleasant return to the place where it began.

Guides, group feel, and cruise-ship planning

The strongest personal element here comes from the guides. Joana is praised for her humor, warmth, local information, and thoughtful photographs. Johanna is also specifically praised for turning the day into a memorable experience through humor and a clear feel for the group.

That matters on a route with so much driving. A good guide gives the geology context, helps you use short photo stops well, and keeps the mood comfortable when the weather turns. The guide may also take photographs while you are looking at the scenery, which is useful if you want more than hurried self-portraits.

The cruise return guarantee is a major practical benefit. You return at least 30 minutes before departure, and usually 50 minutes before the ship leaves. No shore excursion can remove every risk caused by weather or road closures, but this timing shows that the day is planned around ship schedules rather than treated as an ordinary land tour.

Is the $288 price fair?

At $288 per person, this is not a cheap shore excursion. The value comes from the amount of ground covered, the guided transport, the minibus, the English-speaking guide, and the cruise return planning.

You are paying to connect sights that are far apart and difficult to combine without your own vehicle. A rental car would give you more freedom, but it would also leave you responsible for navigation, road conditions, parking, timing, and getting back to the ship. Here, you can look out the window while someone else handles the route.

The price is harder to justify if you dislike long drives or prefer unhurried visits. Meals and drinks are extra, and the tour does not include a long restaurant lunch. Bring food, dress for changing weather, and judge the cost against the convenience of seeing six major sights in one day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Reservation is required, and the live guiding is in English.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are in Akureyri for one cruise day and want a broad view of northeastern Iceland. It suits you especially well if you care about waterfalls, volcanic geology, and efficient sightseeing more than long meals or relaxed pacing.

It is also a good match for photographers. Goðafoss may offer a rainbow, Dettifoss can produce a dramatic spray arc, and the volcanic sites provide very different subjects. The guide’s photo advice and occasional photography help add value.

Families may appreciate the range of sights and infant seats are available. People using wheelchairs should contact the operator first. The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, but a private tour is recommended for comfort.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want the biggest possible sample of the region from a cruise stop. Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Hverir, and Dettifoss make a strong day, and the careful return timing reduces one of the main worries of ship-based sightseeing.

Skip it if you want a slow pace, a guaranteed long lunch, or only one main attraction. The route is ambitious, the drives are real, and weather may change the plan. For most cruise passengers who accept that tradeoff, the combination of powerful waterfalls and unusual volcanic sites makes the $288 fare a reasonable buy.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts about 9 hours, including transport and sightseeing stops.

Where does the tour start?

It starts in the parking lot in front of the Akureyri cruise terminal.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included. A café stop is planned, but it comes quite late, so bringing a packed lunch is recommended.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Will the tour return before my cruise ship leaves?

The tour returns at least 30 minutes before the ship departs, and usually about 50 minutes before departure. The route can still change because of weather and road conditions.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.