Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Godafoss is the quick knockout punch on this tour: a broad, pale-blue waterfall tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. From there, you head inland to Lake Myvatn, where steam vents, bubbling mud, black lava shapes, and a warm geothermal lagoon pack several very different sights into one day.

I like the strong mix of scenery, especially Godafoss and Hverir, and I like having a choice between the Myvatn Nature Baths and Grjotagja Cave. The guides, including Norbert, are praised for clear explanations, humor, and calm handling of port changes. The main drawback is pace. Long drives can take 45 to 60 minutes, and a late ship arrival or bad weather can leave little time at each stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Godafoss gives you an excellent first stop: You get about 30 minutes for views and photographs at the Waterfall of the Gods.
• Lake Myvatn packs in several distinct sights: Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjotagja, and the Nature Baths each show a different side of northern Iceland.
• The tour works around cruise timing: Pickup and return are arranged at the port, though you should confirm the correct port if your ship changes plans.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is ISK 7,400 per person and should be reserved for about three hours after the tour begins.
• The group can reach 19 people: That is small enough for a personal guide, but not a private tour.
• Weather can change the day: Rain and high wind may shorten stops, while a delayed ship can make the schedule feel rushed.

Godafoss, the right opening to a long Iceland day

The drive from Húsavík takes you toward one of northern Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and the name carries a specific story: in the year 1000, Iceland’s law speaker chose Christianity and is said to have thrown his old pagan idols into the falls.

You do not need much time to appreciate the place. The water drops in a wide, curved rush, with several rocky channels breaking up the flow. You have roughly 30 minutes here, enough to walk to a viewpoint and take photographs without turning the stop into a long hike.

I like this opening because it gives you a major natural sight before the day becomes a series of smaller geological stops. If your ship runs late, however, this is also one of the places where the schedule may tighten. One past outing became especially fast paced after a delayed arrival, so keep an eye on your ship’s docking time.

The long road to Lake Myvatn

The tour lasts about five to six hours, but that does not mean five to six hours at the sights. The drive between stops matters. One account described stretches of 45 to 60 minutes, and that is useful information when you are deciding if this outing fits your style.

I see the driving as part of the northern Iceland experience, not simply dead time. You pass through open country, snow-capped mountain views, and changing volcanic terrain. Still, this is not a leisurely day with long walks at every stop. You are moving from one attraction to the next, with short visits designed to give you a broad taste of the Myvatn area.

The vehicle was described as clean and modern, and the maximum group size is 19 people. That is a sensible middle ground for a cruise excursion. You avoid the scale of a large coach, while still paying less than you would for a fully private vehicle.

Hverir turns the ground into a science lesson

At Námaskarð, the Hverir geothermal area gives you one of the tour’s most striking changes in scenery. The earth is colored by mineral deposits, and hot mud bubbles in pools and pots. Fumaroles send natural steam from vents in the ground.

This is not a manicured park. You are looking at raw geothermal activity, so the area can feel stark, bare, and almost otherworldly. The smell can be strong because of sulfur, and the ground around geothermal features requires care. Your guide can help explain what you are seeing, but the visual impact is immediate even if you know little about geology.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a look and photographs, though not enough for a long walk through every corner. In wet or windy weather, a short stop may be welcome. In clear weather, you may wish you had more time.

Dimmuborgir shows Iceland’s darker volcanic side

Dimmuborgir translates as Dark Castles, a fitting name for the twisted lava formations found here. The shapes were created when molten lava cooled and hardened, leaving rough walls, arches, and towers.

This stop offers a change from the open geothermal ground at Hverir. Instead of steam and mud, you get solid black rock with paths through unusual formations. The stop is listed at about 20 minutes, so expect an introduction rather than a full walk through the area.

I would treat Dimmuborgir as a photo stop and a chance to stretch your legs. If you have imagined spending hours hiking among the formations, this excursion will not provide that much time. Its value is in the contrast: within the same afternoon, you see volcanic rock in one form at Dimmuborgir and hot activity in another at Hverir.

Grjotagja offers a quieter geological stop

Grjotagja is an old bathing cave set within part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. The cave became famous as a bathing site, although the tour information does not promise bathing there. You visit to see the cave and the rift.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is short, but the cave gives you a different kind of experience from the wide views at Godafoss and the exposed geothermal ground at Hverir. It is a compact, unusual sight that works well for people who prefer geology and natural formations to a spa visit.

Grjotagja also matters because it can serve as the alternative to the Nature Baths. If you do not want to pay for or use the lagoon, the group can take you to the cave while other members use the baths. This choice adds some flexibility to the day, though the exact timing depends on the group schedule.

Myvatn Nature Baths are the warm finish

The Myvatn Nature Baths, also called Jardbodin vid Myvatn, are the most relaxing part of the outing. The stop is planned for about an hour, time permitting, and includes access to the cafe area. The geothermal water offers a welcome contrast after several outdoor stops, especially if the day is cold.

Admission is not included. The stated price is ISK 7,400 per person, and you must reserve your entry in advance. The recommended booking time is three hours after the tour starts. That timing is important because the driving schedule, weather, and ship arrival can affect the day.

I would only reserve the bath if you are comfortable with a fairly tight plan. A delayed ship once forced a group to skip the hot springs and choose the cave and tectonic rift instead. If soaking is your main reason for booking, leave as much margin as possible and confirm the operator’s timing before you pay for entry.

If the baths are a bonus rather than your main goal, the tour makes more sense. You still get Godafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, and Grjotagja if conditions allow, and you can use the geothermal pool as the pleasant final stop.

A guide makes the busy schedule work

This tour includes transportation and an English-speaking guide. Norbert is specifically praised for being informative, professional, and funny, with an engaging manner. That matters here because the day contains several short stops rather than one single attraction.

At Godafoss, a guide can give the waterfall a useful cultural setting. At Hverir, you can learn why steam escapes from the ground and why the mud pools look the way they do. At Dimmuborgir and Grjotagja, the explanations help connect the rock formations to Iceland’s volcanic and tectonic setting.

The strongest practical benefit is help with timing. A guide can keep the group moving, explain the next stop, and adjust plans when conditions change. The experience is not self-guided freedom, but that is part of the tradeoff. You see more in a limited cruise-port window, though you give up the option to linger wherever you like.

Weather and ship timing deserve serious attention

Northern Iceland can change quickly. Rain and high wind have already shortened time at some stops, and poor weather can cause the experience to be canceled. If that happens, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

A cruise ship delay creates a different problem. The tour may still run, but the day can become rushed. That is most noticeable if you want to include the Nature Baths, since a one-hour stop is already modest once changing time and transport are considered.

There is also a port detail to check. The meeting point is listed at Húsavíkurhöfn in Húsavík, but the activity information also identifies Akureyri, and one cruise ship had to divert from Húsavík to Akureyri because of high wind and heavy seas. Imagine Iceland Travel moved that outing to the new port, which was a major help. Even so, confirm your ship’s actual docking port and the pickup arrangement before departure.

Is $306.40 a fair price?

At $306.40 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing shuttle. You are paying for a guided half-day, port pickup and return, a modern vehicle, and the ability to reach Lake Myvatn from a cruise stop without arranging several separate transfers.

The value improves if you want to see several major sights in one outing and your ship is in port for a limited time. A private taxi or custom vehicle could offer more control, but it would likely cost more. A large coach excursion might cost less, but this group is capped at 19 people, which should make boarding and stop management easier.

The price does not include food, drinks, or the Nature Baths. Add ISK 7,400 per person if you want to soak. I would compare the total cost with your priorities: if you want the waterfall, geothermal area, lava formations, and cave, the included sightseeing is enough to make the outing worthwhile. If you mainly want the lagoon, the extra fee and tight timing deserve more thought.

Who will enjoy this Myvatn excursion most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad introduction to northern Iceland and prefer a guide to handle the driving. It suits cruise passengers who want a full day away from the port, photographers looking for varied scenery, and first-time visitors who want volcanic sights without planning several connections.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy short walks and outdoor viewpoints rather than demanding hikes. Most people can take part, and the stops are designed around viewing rather than strenuous activity.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long drives, need a slow pace, or have a fixed appointment soon after returning to port. The route covers a lot of ground, and the day can feel compressed in bad weather or after a late docking. You should also reconsider if you expect a private experience, since the group may reach 19 people.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best range of northern Iceland sights in one cruise-port outing. Godafoss, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjotagja, and the option of Myvatn Nature Baths create a strong mix of water, volcanic rock, geothermal activity, and a warm final stop.

Skip it if you want a quiet spa day, a long hike, or total control over the schedule. The smartest plan is to reserve the tour, confirm the pickup port, and treat the Nature Baths as optional unless your ship arrival is dependable and you have secured the correct entry time.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The listed meeting point is Húsavíkurhöfn, Húsavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the original meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided tour, transportation, pickup, and drop-off.

Is admission to Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission costs ISK 7,400 per person and must be paid separately.

When should I reserve the Nature Baths?

The recommended entry time is three hours after the tour starts. You must reserve the bath ticket beforehand.

What happens if I 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 Nature Baths, subject to available time.

How large is the group?

The activity allows a maximum of 19 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or too few bookings cancel the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.