Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shared Shore Excursions

Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn give you two very different sides of North Iceland in one long day: a broad waterfall shaped by legend, then steaming earth, lava formations, caves, craters, and a warm geothermal bath. The volcanic Mývatn region is the real prize, with eight planned points of interest packed into a cruise-friendly excursion from Akureyri.

I like the small-vehicle format, which makes stops faster and the ride more personal than a large coach. I also like the choice at Mývatn Nature Baths: you can pay to soak for 90 minutes, or use that time for refreshments and a quieter break. The main caution is that this is a busy day, and meeting-point or itinerary confusion has caused trouble for some groups.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss comes first, giving you an impressive waterfall stop before the geothermal sights.
• Eight Mývatn-area highlights fit into one day, including craters, lava formations, a cave, mud pots, and a filming location.
• Mývatn Nature Baths are optional, and admission, towel, and bathing suit costs are not included.
• The advertised group size is intimate, with the main tour description capped at 18 people, though another booking note lists a maximum of 67.
• The tour works well for cruise passengers, but you must provide the ship name and confirm the correct Akureyri port.
• Midges can be a real nuisance around Lake Mývatn on warm, still days, so bring protection if you have it.

Why Goðafoss and Mývatn belong in the same day

This excursion is built around contrast. Goðafoss is a rushing waterfall set in open northern scenery. Mývatn is a volcanic region where the ground tells the story: pseudo-craters, lava towers, steam vents, bubbling mud, and warm water heated below the surface.

You get a broad taste of North Iceland without arranging a rental car, navigating unfamiliar roads, or trying to fit every stop around a ship’s schedule. The price is $200.33 per person, which is not cheap, but it covers the vehicle, driver, guide, and local taxes. The value improves if you are arriving by cruise ship and want transport, sightseeing, and a possible soak handled in one booking.

The day lasts about six to seven hours. That sounds generous, but the route is full. You will spend more time getting from place to place than you might expect, and most stops are short. I would choose this tour for variety rather than a slow, thoughtful visit at one site.

A practical start from Akureyri’s cruise ports

The stated meeting point is at Oddeyrarbryggja, on Strandgata in Akureyri. Cruise passengers need to provide the name of their vessel because ships can use different ports.

At Tangabryggja, Star Travel uses a small wooden house marked number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and the designated agent area. The guide should be identifiable by a Star Travel sign or a bright yellow jacket.

This is one part of the day where you should take responsibility. Check your final meeting instructions, confirm your pickup point, and keep the supplied phone number reachable. Conflicting pickup times and unclear directions have led to anxious starts, including one case where people waited much longer than expected.

The tour has also left some cruise passengers safely back at the pier before departure, and guides have adjusted the timing when ships stayed overnight. Still, do not assume flexibility. Tell the operator your ship schedule clearly and confirm the return plan before setting out.

Goðafoss: a strong opening stop

The first stop is Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. You get about 30 minutes here, with no separate admission charge.

The falls spread across a low rocky shelf rather than plunging in one narrow column. That shape gives you several angles, and the surrounding hills add scale. The water can look gentle from a distance, but the broad rush across the rock is powerful, especially when conditions are cold and wet.

Your time here is enough for photographs and a walk to the viewing area, but it is not a long outing. Wear a jacket that handles wind and rain. Northern Iceland can feel cold even during a bright day, and one group reported snow still sitting on nearby mountains during its visit.

A guide may also connect Goðafoss with Icelandic stories and local history. The tour’s strongest guides, including Siggi, Reynir, Johanna, Peter, Hilli, and others named in the booking feedback, have been praised for explaining what comes next and adding stories about Icelandic customs, folklore, and daily life. The quality can depend on who leads your departure, so the guide experience is not entirely predictable.

Skútustaðagígar and the odd shape of pseudo-craters

At Skútustaðagígar, you spend about 25 minutes near the pseudo-craters of Lake Mývatn. These formations look like small volcanic craters, but they were not made by direct eruptions from a central vent. Their unusual form comes from steam explosions when hot lava met wet ground.

The stop helps you understand why Mývatn is more than a pretty lake. The region is a record of volcanic activity, and the shapes under your feet are part of that story. Depending on the exact route and conditions, you may also see steam or mud activity nearby.

Twenty-five minutes is enough to view the formations and hear an explanation, but it is not enough for a long walk. Keep an eye on the clock. The guide is trying to fit several more stops into the day, and waiting for stragglers has caused delays before.

Kálfaströnd and the Mývatn view

Kálfaströnd gives you about 15 minutes for a view over the lake. This is one of the shortest stops, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a full visit.

The lake area was used for filming scenes connected with Game of Thrones, including the territory described as north of the Wall. That connection will interest fans, though the main appeal is the volcanic setting, with water, rocky forms, and open northern views.

The lake can also bring an unwelcome feature: midges. On warm, still days, they may gather around your face, ears, and clothing. They are part of the local ecosystem, but that does not make them pleasant. Ask about conditions before you go, and consider bringing a head net or face covering if you are sensitive to insects.

Dimmuborgir: lava shaped into dark walls and towers

Dimmuborgir means dark fortresses, and the name fits. The area contains unusual lava formations that look like walls, arches, towers, and rough rock shelters. You get about 35 minutes here, making it one of the better chances to leave the vehicle and explore on foot.

The formations formed as lava cooled and collapsed, leaving behind shapes that invite stories. Icelandic folklore places elves and trolls in this kind of rocky country, and guides often connect the geology with tales of the Yule Lads and their supposed homes.

This is a rewarding stop for anyone who likes unusual rock formations, but comfortable shoes matter. The ground can be uneven, and 35 minutes passes quickly. Stay close enough to hear the return instructions. The tour has to keep moving, and a lost subgroup can hold up everyone else.

Grjótagjá, the cave with a changing reputation

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave that once served as a bathing place. It became widely known after appearing as a romantic setting in Game of Thrones, which gave it another nickname connected with the show.

You have about 15 minutes here. The cave is not a large attraction with a long indoor route. Instead, you look into or enter a compact volcanic space and see how water, rock, and heat meet underground.

The old bathing use is part of the cave’s story, but do not expect this to be your bathing stop. The planned soak comes later at Mývatn Nature Baths. Conditions inside can be awkward underfoot, so take care and follow any access instructions given on the day.

Námaskarð and the smell of active earth

The Námaskarð, or Námafjall Hverir, area is where the tour feels most otherworldly. You may see steaming ground, bubbling mud pots, and mineral-colored earth. The smell of sulfur can be strong, sometimes like rotten eggs. That odor is not a sign that anything is wrong. It is part of the geothermal activity.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. Your guide can explain how heat from below reaches the surface and why the ground behaves so differently here. Several people who enjoyed this tour especially liked seeing thermal pools and steam rising from the earth, because the activity is immediate and easy to understand.

Stay on marked paths. This is not a place to wander wherever you like. The ground can be hot and unstable near geothermal features, and the safest experience is also the most sensible one.

The itinerary also refers to a place called Lake of the Lights, but the supplied schedule gives no separate time or description for that stop. Ask your guide how it fits into the day, since the route can change with weather, traffic, group wishes, and available time.

Mývatn Nature Baths: the optional warm finish

The final major stop is Mývatn Nature Baths, also called Jarðböðin við Mývatn. The planned visit lasts about 90 minutes, depending on your cruise ship’s berthing time.

You can pay to enter the geothermal water or skip the soak and use the café. Admission is not included. You must also bring or rent a bathing suit and towel, since those items are not part of the tour price.

The baths are man-made, but the water is heated by geothermal energy. That distinction matters. This is not a wild pool hidden in the countryside. It is a developed bathing facility designed for visitors, with the pleasure coming from warm mineral-rich water, open views, and a chance to rest after a busy day.

Many people consider this the best part of the excursion. I understand why. After walking around cold waterfalls, rough lava, and windy viewpoints, warm water can reset your whole mood. The downside is timing. Some groups have wanted longer in the baths, while others have skipped them to see another waterfall or get back to the ship sooner.

Expansion work has also affected the setting at times, with construction equipment visible during some visits. If your main goal is a quiet, natural bathing experience, check the current conditions before booking. If you mainly want a warm geothermal break in the Mývatn region, this remains a useful option.

The vehicle, guides, and group size

The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and guide. The minibus format has several practical advantages. Loading is quicker than with a large coach, and the vehicle can handle smaller stopping areas more easily. A group of eight to 18 people can also feel more personal than a full-size bus.

The main description says the group is capped at 18, but the additional booking information gives a maximum of 67. That is a meaningful inconsistency. Ask for the expected group size before you pay if a small group is central to your decision.

Guide quality is another variable. Siggi was praised for clear explanations and careful timing. Johanna was praised for being friendly and handling both driving and guiding well. Hilli, Reynir, Kristján, Peter, and Hogni also received strong praise for local information, humor, and attention to the group.

At least one departure had a guide who gave very little information and did not clearly explain the plan. Another had confusion over lunch, a farm visit, and the bathing schedule. These reports do not erase the many good experiences, but they show why you should confirm the day’s plan at the start.

Food and drinks are not included. The schedule does not guarantee a lunch stop, despite some departures making time for local food or snacks. Bring something to eat unless you are comfortable relying on the café or an unscheduled stop.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would choose this tour if you have one day in Akureyri and want to see the greatest range of northern sights without renting a car. It suits cruise passengers, first-time visitors, and anyone who values a guide’s stories about geology, folklore, and Icelandic life.

It also works well for people who want the option of a hot bath but do not want to commit to it. You can decide on the day, provided the timing and admission arrangements allow it.

I would hesitate if you dislike quick stops, crowded schedules, sulfur smells, uneven ground, or insects. I would also think twice if your ship’s departure is close and you cannot tolerate uncertainty around pickup times. A rental car may give you more control if you are comfortable driving and want to choose fewer stops at your own pace, but the tour removes the burden of navigation and adds a local guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather or too few bookings can lead to a different date, another experience, or a refund.

Should you book the Goðafoss and Mývatn tour?

Book it if you want a full, varied day from Akureyri, especially if Goðafoss, volcanic geology, and a possible geothermal soak all appeal to you. The route gives you a lot for the price, and the small vehicle can make a major difference on a cruise shore day.

Before paying, confirm three things: your exact pickup point, the expected group size, and whether the 90-minute Nature Baths visit is firmly planned for your date. Bring warm waterproof layers, food, sturdy shoes, and protection from midges. With those details sorted, this is a strong introduction to one of Iceland’s most unusual regions.

FAQ

How long does the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six to seven hours, depending on the cruise ship’s berthing time, weather, traffic, and the day’s timing.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver, a guide, and local taxes.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission to the Nature Baths is not included. A bathing suit and towel are also not included.

Can I skip the Nature Baths?

Yes. The visit is optional. You can use the time for refreshments at the on-site café instead, depending on the schedule.

Where does the tour meet in Akureyri?

The listed starting point is Oddeyrarbryggja on Strandgata. Cruise passengers must provide their ship name because Akureyri has more than one port. At Tangabryggja, meet at Star Travel’s wooden house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop and the agent area.

Does the tour include food?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Some departures may allow time for food, but a lunch stop is not guaranteed in the supplied schedule.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather or too few bookings causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.