From Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall & Forest Lagoon tour

Godafoss is the star here, but the Forest Lagoon gives this Akureyri excursion its extra appeal. In four hours, you see a famous waterfall, cross the countryside, pause above Eyjafjordur Bay, and soak in warm geothermal water. It is a smart pairing of sightseeing and rest, especially when you are visiting Akureyri from a cruise ship.

I like the compact route and the way it uses two very different Icelandic experiences. I also like the 75 minutes at the lagoon, which is long enough to enjoy the pools without turning the whole day into a spa visit. The main drawback is time: 45 minutes at Godafoss can feel short, and a bus audio problem or confusion at the lagoon entrance could cut into the smooth flow of the day.

Key points to know before you book

• Godafoss gets about 45 minutes: Enough for the main viewpoints, a walk, and photos, but not a leisurely exploration.
• Forest Lagoon includes 75 minutes: Your ticket covers the geothermal bathing area, and a free shuttle returns you to central Akureyri afterward.
• The route is more than two stops: You pass through Fnjoskadalur Valley, travel the old mountain road, and pause at an Akureyri viewpoint above Eyjafjordur Bay.
• Guide quality matters: Ritchie has been praised for his friendly style and useful information about Akureyri. The tour is conducted in English.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: Lunch and drinks are not included, and food and beverages are not allowed on the bus.
• Plan for a port-day schedule: The meeting point is at Akureyri harbor, with a Soleil de Minuit bus and an agent in a green jacket.

Godafoss gives the tour its Icelandic drama

The bus leaves from Akureyri harbor and heads toward Godafoss through the northeastern countryside. The ride to the waterfall takes about 45 minutes, giving you a quick introduction to the open country around Iceland’s northern capital.

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods. It is about 12 meters high and 30 meters wide, with water dropping in a broad horseshoe shape. It is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, but its width and shape make it easy to appreciate from several angles.

You get around 45 minutes at the site. I would use the first few minutes to walk directly toward the falls, then spend the rest comparing viewpoints and taking photographs. Mist, river noise, and the curved line of the water make this a strong first stop, even when the visit feels brisk.

There is also a coffee shop at Godafoss. That is useful if you need a warm drink, but do not count on a long café break. Your time is better spent seeing the waterfall first, then checking whether the stop allows time for coffee.

The waterfall also carries a piece of Icelandic history. According to the traditional story, the law speaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði placed his pagan idols into the falls after Iceland adopted Christianity around the year 1000. The supplied tour details identify Godafoss as a historic sight, but your guide may provide more context during the drive or at the stop.

The practical question is whether 45 minutes is enough. For a first look and good photographs, yes. If you like slow walks, close study of the river, or a relaxed coffee, you may wish for another 15 minutes. One recent guest specifically wanted more time here, and I can see why.

The ride through Fnjoskadalur is part of the experience

After Godafoss, the bus returns toward Akureyri by a different route. Instead of simply retracing the first road, it passes through Fnjoskadalur Valley, climbs toward the mountains, and follows the old mountain road before descending toward Eyjafjordur Bay.

This is where the trip earns its sightseeing label rather than feeling like a transfer between attractions. You see the countryside change as the road moves through the valley and higher ground. The route offers views of mountain slopes, open land, and the bay ahead.

The schedule allows about 45 minutes for this scenic return drive. That time is not one formal stop, so keep your camera ready from the bus. If the weather is clear, the changing views can be as rewarding as the planned photo stop. If clouds or rain settle over the mountains, the ride still provides a useful sense of how Akureyri sits between the inland valleys and the fjord.

This portion also makes the guide important. A strong guide can explain what you are seeing, point out Akureyri, and connect the road to local history and daily life. Ritchie received especially warm praise for his friendly manner and information about the area. Another outing had a failed bus sound system, which meant the guide had to repeat information, move around the bus, and speak outside during stops. That problem did not erase the sightseeing, but it shows why the quality of the commentary can depend on the bus equipment.

Eyjafjordur Bay provides the big viewpoint

The route includes a roughly 10-minute photo stop at Eyjafjordur Bay and the Akureyri viewpoint. Eyjafjordur is Iceland’s longest fjord, bordered by mountains that can hold snow even when conditions in town are mild.

Ten minutes sounds short, but this stop has a clear purpose. You can step off, take wide photographs, and look back toward Akureyri, the bay, and the mountains. It is not meant to be a walk or a full scenic pause. It is a quick chance to orient yourself and see the town from above.

I like this kind of stop on a port excursion because it gives you a different view of the place where you started. At the harbor, you see Akureyri as a working town. From the viewpoint, you see its position at the head of the fjord and understand why the surrounding mountains shape the city’s character.

Keep the timing in mind. Ten minutes will pass quickly if you need help getting on and off the bus, so have your jacket and camera ready before the stop. Icelandic weather can also change the quality of the view, and there is no promise of clear mountain tops.

Forest Lagoon turns sightseeing into a proper break

The final main stop is Forest Lagoon, a geothermal spa surrounded by trees and views toward Eyjafjordur Bay. You have about 75 minutes to use the pools, sauna, relaxing lounge, and in-water pool bar.

This is a different sort of Icelandic experience from the waterfall. Godafoss is loud and exposed. Forest Lagoon is designed for slowing down. You can sit in warm water, listen to birds, and look toward the bay without needing to hike or keep moving.

Your entry ticket is included in the price. You should bring swimwear and a towel. Lunch and refreshments are not included, so do not arrive expecting a meal as part of the tour. Food and drinks are also not allowed on the bus, which makes it sensible to eat before the excursion or plan around the time after it.

Seventy-five minutes is a reasonable amount of time for a port-day visit. You have time to change, use the water, try the sauna, and spend a few quiet minutes in the lounge. It is not a full spa day, but that is also the point. You can enjoy the setting without giving up the rest of your day in Akureyri.

There has been some confusion at the Forest Lagoon entrance on at least one departure. Staff eventually sorted it out, but the process was not smooth. Keep your ticket information available, listen for instructions from the guide, and allow a little patience at check-in. The lagoon itself is a strong part of the excursion, but the handoff from tour bus to spa staff may not always be perfectly clear.

Returning to Akureyri is simple, but note the drop-off

After your lagoon visit, a Forest Lagoon shuttle takes you back to central Akureyri in about 10 minutes. The listed drop-off is HOF Culture House, around a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

This arrangement is useful because you do not have to arrange your own return transport. It also gives you the option of spending more time in central Akureyri after the tour, provided your ship schedule allows it.

Pay attention to the return details if you have a fixed all-aboard time. The activity itself lasts about four hours, but the exact departure and handoff times can vary. The tour begins at the harbor, while the formal finish is listed at Forest Lagoon, with the free shuttle continuing to HOF Culture House. Confirm the day’s timing with the local staff before you leave the bus.

What the $148 price is really buying

At $148 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a waterfall near Akureyri. You are paying for more than transport, though. The price includes bus travel, an English-speaking guide, the Godafoss visit, the scenic route through the countryside, the viewpoint stop, Forest Lagoon admission, and the return shuttle into town.

The value is strongest for cruise passengers. If your ship gives you only part of a day in Akureyri, arranging separate transport to Godafoss and Forest Lagoon would take planning and could create timing worries. This tour joins the two major stops and brings you back toward the center.

The value is less clear if you already have a rental car, dislike fixed schedules, or want a long visit at one place. You cannot choose to stay at Godafoss for two hours, and the 75-minute spa visit has a set limit. You also pay for admission to a spa even if geothermal bathing is not important to you.

Children are not free, and the minimum age information is inconsistent: one part states a minimum age of 6, while another says children under 7 are not suitable. If you are booking for a six-year-old, clarify the age rule before paying.

Comfort, access, and what to bring

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible in one section, but the restrictions say it is not suitable for wheelchair users and does not allow non-folding wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, baby strollers, or non-folding strollers. That is a serious point to clarify directly with the provider before booking. The same caution applies if you have limited mobility.

The tour is also not recommended for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, recent surgery, serious medical conditions, vertigo, motion sickness, or other conditions listed in the tour information. Geothermal bathing can be physically demanding for some people, even when the rest of the outing involves little walking.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Warm outdoor clothing
• Shoes suitable for a short walk at Godafoss
• Camera or phone for the viewpoint

The tour is not designed around lunch. Eat beforehand or plan a meal in Akureyri afterward. Alcoholic drinks, food, and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Who will get the most from this four-hour trip

I would choose this excursion if you want a well-rounded first look at northern Iceland without spending a full day on the road. It works especially well for cruise passengers, couples, families with eligible children, and anyone who wants a warm spa stop after outdoor sightseeing.

It also suits you if you prefer easy access by bus over a hike. The Godafoss visit involves walking around the waterfall area, but the tour is not built around a strenuous trail. The main physical demand is managing the bus stops, changing for the lagoon, and getting in and out of the bathing area.

I would hesitate if your priority is photography time. Forty-five minutes at Godafoss and 10 minutes at the viewpoint are practical but limited. I would also hesitate if you need fully reliable onboard commentary, since one departure had a sound system failure. The guide worked around it, but the experience was less polished.

The strongest part of the trip is its mix. You see one of Iceland’s famous waterfalls, pass through a mountain valley and along a fjord, then finish in warm water. That variety matters when your time in port is short.

Should you book the Godafoss and Forest Lagoon tour?

Book it if you want two headline experiences in one manageable outing and value included transport more than free time. The Godafoss and Forest Lagoon combination is the reason to choose this tour, not either stop alone.

Before booking, confirm the departure time, the child age rule, and accessibility if any member of your group has mobility or health concerns. Bring your swimwear and towel, keep expectations realistic about the short waterfall stop, and allow time for the return shuttle from HOF Culture House to the ship.

If you want a simple introduction to Akureyri’s surroundings with a relaxing finish, this is a good use of four hours. If you want a slow, photo-focused day or a full spa session, arrange something with more time at each stop.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is at Akureyri harbor, where your ship arrives. Look for the Soleil de Minuit bus and an agent wearing a green jacket.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. The exact starting time depends on availability.

How much time do I get at Godafoss?

You have about 45 minutes at Godafoss for sightseeing, walking, and photographs.

How long is the Forest Lagoon visit?

You have about 75 minutes at Forest Lagoon. The visit includes access to the geothermal bathing area, sauna, relaxing lounge, and in-water pool bar.

Is Forest Lagoon admission included?

Yes. The Forest Lagoon ticket is included in the tour price.

How do I return to Akureyri after the lagoon?

A free Forest Lagoon shuttle takes you to HOF Culture House in central Akureyri. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the cruise ship terminal.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Lunch and refreshments are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

The information is mixed. The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but it also excludes non-folding and electric wheelchairs and states that it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact Soleil de Minuit before booking to confirm whether your specific equipment can be accommodated.