Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall Day Trip

Goðafoss is the quick hit that makes this trip work: a broad, 39-foot waterfall dropping from the Skjálfandafljót River, reached after a scenic drive from Akureyri Port. From there, you get a useful sampler of North Iceland, from the odd bumps of Skútustaðagígar to the steaming ground at Hverir.

I like two things here. First, the route packs several very different sights into seven hours without asking you to plan the roads yourself. Second, the guides have a strong record for adjusting the day when a ship has a shorter time in port. Johanna, Agust, Siggi, Bo, and Matti are all praised for their friendly manner and clear explanations.

The main drawback is time. You cover a lot of ground, and the Mývatn Nature Baths can take 90 minutes if your ship schedule allows. That may leave less time for Akureyri itself, and lunch, drinks, and the bath entry fee are extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss comes first, giving you a dramatic waterfall stop before the volcanic sights around Mývatn.
• Skútustaðagígar is a pseudocrater area, with low volcanic forms and open views beside the lake.
• Dimmuborgir feels unlike the rest of the route, thanks to its dark lava formations and rough walking terrain.
• Hverir is a brief geothermal stop, where boiling mud pools and fumaroles provide the strongest smell and color of the day.
• The Nature Baths are optional, depending on your cruise departure time, and require a separate entrance payment.
• Port details matter, since Akureyri uses Tangabryggja and Oddeyrarbryggja, with different meeting points.

A smart way to see North Iceland from port

This is a road-based day trip for people who want the major sights around Lake Mývatn without renting a car or trying to fit Icelandic roads into a tight cruise schedule. The route leaves Akureyri, follows the coast of Eyjafjörður, then heads inland toward Goðafoss and the volcanic country around Mývatn.

At $179 per person, the value depends on what you want from your day ashore. It is not the cheapest way to see one attraction, but it covers several distant stops, includes pickup at the port, and gives you an English-speaking guide. If you hired transport separately, you would still need to manage fuel, directions, parking, and the risk of losing track of ship time.

I especially like the small-group feel described by several passengers. One July trip switched operators so passengers could be combined, but the group was still described as small enough to move quickly. That matters in Iceland, where a short photo stop can become a long delay if a large coach unloads at once.

The tour is also built around cruise timing. One passenger had only a shorter time ashore, yet the guide adjusted the route to fit the key sights. That flexibility is a real asset, though it cannot remove the basic limit of a seven-hour schedule.

Leaving Akureyri along Eyjafjörður

Your day begins at Akureyri Cruise Terminal. The first drive takes about 30 minutes, with photo opportunities along Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords.

The drive is part of the sightseeing rather than dead time. You get a look at the broad waterway and the mountains around Akureyri before the route turns toward the interior. The exact number and length of photo stops can vary, so I would treat the fjord views as a bonus rather than expect a separate, long fjord excursion.

Port pickup needs careful attention. If your ship uses Tangabryggja, walk just outside the cruise ship area toward the small wooden houses and look for Star Travel at house number 3. If you arrive at Oddeyrarbryggja, look for the Icewear shop and the designated agent area nearby. A Star Travel representative should be there with a sign, and staff may wear bright yellow jackets.

Give the operator your ship name and keep the supplied phone number reachable. Akureyri has more than one port, and choosing the wrong meeting point is an avoidable way to lose precious time.

Goðafoss, the waterfall with a strong first impression

After the opening drive, the van reaches Goðafoss for about 45 minutes of sightseeing. The waterfall is only 39 feet tall, but its width and setting give it plenty of force. The Skjálfandafljót River spreads over a curved edge before dropping into the river below.

Forty-five minutes is enough to walk to viewing areas, take photographs, and listen to the guide explain the site. It is not a long hike or a quiet half-day beside the water. You get a focused stop with a clear payoff, which is exactly what a port excursion needs.

The waterfall also gives you a contrast with what follows. Goðafoss is moving water and open space. Mývatn brings volcanic cones, hardened lava, steam, and mud. Starting with the waterfall helps the day feel varied instead of like a string of similar roadside stops.

Wear shoes that work for short walks over uneven ground. The provided information does not promise a particular trail surface, so I would not plan on delicate footwear. Iceland’s weather can shift quickly as well, so a waterproof outer layer remains sensible even on a bright morning.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange shapes beside Mývatn

The drive from Goðafoss to Lake Mývatn takes about 45 minutes. The first stop in this area is Skútustaðagígar, where you spend roughly 30 minutes among pseudocraters.

These are not ordinary volcanic craters formed by a central eruption. They are low, rounded formations created when lava met wet ground and steam explosions shaped the surface. You do not need a geology degree to enjoy them. Their appeal is visual: the land takes on a rough, almost moonlike look, with rounded forms scattered beside the lake.

This stop is best for people who enjoy unusual natural shapes rather than a single grand viewpoint. The time is short, so expect a taste of the area, not an extended walk around every formation. Your guide can add the explanation that turns odd-looking lumps into a memorable part of Iceland’s volcanic story.

The lake area is the heart of the trip. Mývatn means Midge Lake, and small flying insects can be present in warm conditions. One guide handed out bug nets for the lake and lava areas, a practical touch that can make the outdoor stops more comfortable. Bring your own patience as well: a name like Mývatn is not a promise of insect-free sightseeing.

Dimmuborgir, dark lava and rough ground

A five-minute drive brings you to Dimmuborgir for about 30 minutes. The name is often translated as Dark Castles, and the place earns it. Hardened lava has formed irregular walls, towers, and openings, creating a tense, almost theatrical setting.

This is one of the more atmospheric stops because it does not rely on a single view. You walk among formations and see how uneven cooling and collapsed lava created the shapes. The word lunar fits better here than it does at some other stops, but the area also has a distinctly Icelandic character: black rock, open sky, and a sense that the ground was recently hostile.

Thirty minutes gives you time to look around, photograph the most unusual formations, and return to the van. It does not allow a long exploration of every path. Stay aware of the meeting time, since the later geothermal stop and the possible bath visit depend on keeping the day moving.

If you prefer a slow walk with no clock, this schedule may feel tight. If you want a well-chosen sample of Dimmuborgir during a port call, the short stop makes sense.

Hverir, where the earth makes noise and smells

From Dimmuborgir, it is only about five minutes to Hverir. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and is listed with time for shopping, but the real attraction is the geothermal ground.

Here, boiling mud pools and fumaroles send steam from the earth. The colors and textures are stark, and the smell can be strong because of sulfur. This is not a polished garden or a gentle hot spring. It is raw ground, and you should stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions.

Hverir gives you the clearest reminder that Iceland is still geologically active. At Goðafoss, you see the result of water cutting through the country. At Mývatn and Dimmuborgir, you see old volcanic activity. At Hverir, heat remains close to the surface.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a look at the pools, but it is not a long stay. That is probably welcome if the smell troubles you. A guide who explains what you are seeing adds real value here, since the pools can otherwise become a quick series of photographs.

The plate boundary stop and the shape of Iceland

The route also includes the divergent plate tectonics area around Lake Mývatn. The supplied schedule does not give this stop a separate duration, so it may be folded into the lake sightseeing or handled as part of the surrounding route.

The important idea is simple: Iceland sits across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates move apart. A visit to this part of Iceland gives you a physical example of a process usually shown only in a textbook. Ask your guide how the local features relate to the plate boundary, since the exact viewing point and timing can depend on the day.

This is another reason a guide matters. You can photograph lava and steam on your own, but an explanation connects those sights into one story. The strongest guides on this route, including Johanna and Bo, are praised for explaining the area while still giving people time to wander.

Lunch, timing, and the optional Nature Baths

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant, but food and drinks are not included in the $179 price. The exact restaurant is not specified, so budget separately and expect the meal to use part of the sightseeing schedule.

The Mývatn Nature Baths are an optional addition when your cruise ship’s departure time allows. The stop can last about 90 minutes, and entrance is not included. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the geothermal pool.

This is a pleasant choice after the dusty lava fields and sulfur steam. It changes the pace from looking at Iceland to sitting in it. But it also creates the clearest tradeoff of the day. If you have a tight ship schedule, the baths may not fit. If you do have enough time and want a slower finish, the soak can be a fine use of the final part of the excursion.

Do not assume the bath stop is guaranteed. It depends on your ship’s berthing and departure schedule. If the operator cannot fit it safely, the sightseeing route takes priority.

The ride back to Akureyri

The return drive takes about 75 minutes. By this point, you will have seen the waterfall, the pseudocraters, lava formations, geothermal pools, and the wider Mývatn area. The ride gives you a chance to rest, though it also shows why this tour is not a casual outing close to town.

A few hours in Akureyri would be useful if you have never seen the town, but this excursion gives that up in favor of the countryside. One passenger specifically wished for more time in Akureyri. That is a fair criticism, not a flaw in the route itself. You are choosing Mývatn over a town visit.

The guides are a major part of how well this works. Johanna is praised for enthusiasm and local pride, Agust for going beyond expectations, Siggi for making the whole day enjoyable, and Bo for professionalism and humor. Matti is also singled out as an excellent guide. Since guide assignments can change, consider these names evidence of the company’s guide team rather than a promise that one particular person will lead your departure.

Who gets the most value from this tour?

I would choose this trip if you are arriving by cruise ship and want to see North Iceland’s major natural sights in one organized day. It suits you especially well if you like variety: water, lava, steam, volcanic formations, and a possible geothermal soak.

It is also a good fit if you value a guide who can explain what you are seeing. The route is much more rewarding when pseudocraters, plate movement, and geothermal activity are connected rather than treated as unrelated photo stops.

You may want another plan if your main goal is a slow day in Akureyri, a long hike, or a guaranteed visit to the Nature Baths. The schedule is active, and the bath depends on ship timing. The 90-minute soak can be included only when the departure window leaves enough room.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Still, the practical question is not only the cancellation policy. Check your ship’s time in port, confirm the correct Akureyri pier, and decide if you are comfortable paying separately for lunch and the baths.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss trip?

Book it if you have one day in Akureyri and want a well-paced introduction to the region beyond town. At $179, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour guided route with port pickup, several distant sights, and the added security of a guide watching the clock for your ship.

I would be less enthusiastic if you have already visited Mývatn, dislike van time, or want to linger at each location. The tour works by covering ground efficiently. Its strength is range, not solitude.

For most cruise passengers, the combination of Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, Hverir, and Lake Mývatn is the right reason to book. Add the Nature Baths only if your schedule is confirmed, and bring a swimsuit, towel, sturdy shoes, and a little tolerance for sulfur and midges.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts seven hours, including transportation, sightseeing stops, and the return to Akureyri Cruise Terminal.

Where does pickup take place in Akureyri?

Pickup is at Akureyri Port. At Tangabryggja, meet near the small wooden houses at Star Travel, house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, meet near the Icewear shop in the designated agent area and look for a Star Travel sign or a staff member wearing a bright yellow jacket.

Does the tour visit both Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn?

Yes. The route includes Goðafoss Waterfall and several Lake Mývatn area stops, including Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Hverir, and the divergent plate tectonics area.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The tour includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant, but you pay for your own meal.

Is entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. The entrance fee is separate. The stop is also dependent on your cruise ship’s departure time from Akureyri.

What should I bring for the Nature Baths?

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the geothermal pool. The bath visit is only possible if the ship schedule allows enough time.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.