Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

The best part of this Akureyri shore excursion comes near the end, when you sink into the warm blue water of Mývatn Nature Baths with North Iceland spread around you. Before that, you get two strong sightseeing stops: the broad, historic Goðafoss waterfall and the odd volcanic forms around Lake Mývatn.

I like the way the tour combines scenery with a proper Icelandic soak, rather than filling six hours with photo stops alone. I also like the packed lunch and cruise-port scheduling, which remove two common shore-excursion headaches. The main caution is that flies around Lake Mývatn can be bothersome, and some participants found pickup instructions or guide commentary less clear than ideal.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths: Admission is included, but towels and swimwear cost extra if you need to rent them.
• Goðafoss has history as well as scenery: The crescent-shaped falls are tied to Iceland’s adoption of Christianity.
• Skútustaðagígar gives you a quick look at volcanic Mývatn: This is a short viewpoint stop, not a long walk.
• Packed lunch saves sightseeing time: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich and water bottle.
• Cruise timing is taken seriously: The six-hour outing returns to the Akureyri meeting point, with several reports of buses arriving a few minutes early.
• Guide quality can shape the day: Guides such as Arno, Runar, Victoria, Elsa, and Vicki have been praised for storytelling, humor, music, and personal attention.

Why this makes sense as an Akureyri shore excursion

Akureyri is a good base for seeing North Iceland, but the sights around Lake Mývatn are far enough away that you need organized transport during a port call. This tour handles the long driving legs and takes you to three very different parts of the region in one day.

The route begins at the cruise port area, either at the large parking lot on Gránufélagsgata 50 for ships using Tangarbryggja Pier, or at the visitor center for ships using Oddeyrarbryggja Pier. Look for a guide in an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

That meeting detail matters. One person had trouble because the meeting point shown through the booking app did not match the actual pickup arrangement. The staff solved the problem, but you should confirm your ship’s pier and meeting place before leaving the vessel. If you dock at Tangarbryggja, do not assume the bus is right beside the gangway. The listed bus area is the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50.

The tour lasts six hours. The first drive takes about 30 minutes, then you spend about 35 minutes at Goðafoss, 15 minutes at Skútustaðagígar, and two hours at the baths. The return drive takes about 75 minutes. That is a sensible shore-excursion rhythm: enough time to see the headline sights without pretending you can explore the whole Mývatn region in one afternoon.

Goðafoss, the waterfall with a national story

Goðafoss is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, and that is part of its appeal. The falls are wider than they are high, spreading in a curved crescent across the river. The shape gives you a broad view rather than one narrow plunge, and the short stop allows time for photos, a walk, and a look from the surrounding viewpoints.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. According to the story connected with the site, a local chieftain threw pagan statues into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity. That moment gives the stop more weight than a quick scenic pause. Your guide may explain the story in more detail, and several guides have been praised for adding local history, personal stories, and bits of Icelandic song.

You have about 35 minutes here. That is enough to see the falls without rushing, but it is not a long hiking visit. Wear shoes that are comfortable on uneven ground, and bring a waterproof layer. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and spray or rain can make a short walk feel colder than expected.

The guides are one of the tour’s strongest features. Arno, a geologist with local family roots, received special praise for explaining the area’s geology and culture. Runar was described as both funny and attentive, while Victoria and Vicki added songs and lively storytelling. Another guide moved between English and German for a mixed-language group. The exact guide varies, but the style of the experience can change with the person leading it.

A quick look at the volcanic forms at Skútustaðagígar

After Goðafoss, the bus continues toward Lake Mývatn. The region was shaped by volcanic activity, and the lake is known for its pseudo-craters, unusual formations created by ancient eruptions and steam explosions rather than ordinary volcanic vents.

The stop at Skútustaðagígar lasts about 15 minutes. Think of it as a viewpoint and orientation stop, not a full walk around the area. You get a chance to see the rounded crater forms and understand why Mývatn looks so different from other parts of Iceland.

This is also the place where you should prepare for insects. The name Mývatn is linked to midges, and small flies can be annoying around the lake, especially in calm conditions. The issue came up more than once, so consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, or head net if you are sensitive to insects. The tour description does not provide netting, so pack your own if you want it.

Safety matters at all geothermal and volcanic stops in Iceland. One account described a teenager stepping over a marked rope near bubbling mud pits on a related visit. Stay behind barriers and follow the guide’s instructions. The ground can look harmless while remaining unstable or hot.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

The main reason to choose this excursion is the two-hour visit to Mývatn Nature Baths. Admission is included in the $238 price, and you have time to change, enter the water, relax, and enjoy the view without treating the bath as a rushed add-on.

The baths are often called the Blue Lagoon of the North. The comparison is useful, but do not expect the same scale or setting as Iceland’s best-known lagoon. Here, the appeal is a quieter North Iceland stop paired with a day of sightseeing. Several people who had planned other lagoon visits found Mývatn a satisfying substitute, especially because it felt less crowded during their visit.

The water is naturally heated by geothermal forces and contains minerals associated with the area. You can move between different pool areas and look across toward Lake Mývatn. The experience is simple: change, shower, enter the warm water, and let the driving and sightseeing fall away for a while.

There are a few practical points to know. Towels and swimwear are not included. Bring both, or rent them at the baths for an extra charge. The changing area uses communal showers, which may surprise people expecting more private facilities. One person also found the geothermal smell stronger than expected. That sulfur scent is part of the setting, but it is worth knowing before you go.

Two hours is generous for a shore excursion. You can take your time rather than watching the clock every few minutes. If you are not keen on bathing, the operator may divide the group so some people visit the baths while others visit another area, but the supplied tour details specifically promise the bath admission and two-hour visit. Confirm the arrangement at the start if your group includes both bathers and non-bathers.

The packed lunch and the long bus rides

The packed lunch includes a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich and a bottle of water. Tell your guide your choice at the start of the tour. Since the schedule is built around sightseeing, the lunch is intended to save you from stopping at a restaurant.

That is good use of port time, but the timing may not suit everyone. One person suggested handing out sandwiches earlier, while another said there were not enough lunches ready for everyone to eat on the bus. Treat the lunch as convenient rather than elaborate. If you need snacks between breakfast and the afternoon, bring your own extra food.

The bus ride back to Akureyri takes about 75 minutes, and the first drive takes about 30 minutes. These are not wasted hours. A good guide can turn the road into part of the tour with geology, Icelandic history, and local stories. Guides have also been praised for dry humor, singing, and answering questions. Arno, Runar, Victoria, Elsa, Vicki, and other guides were singled out for making the ride lively.

Still, commentary is not equally easy for everyone to follow. One person found a guide’s monotone delivery hard to hear and wanted clearer instructions about what would happen next. If you have hearing difficulty, sit near the front and ask the guide to repeat meeting times or directions. The driver and guide may be separate people, and drivers such as Chris, Albert, Gisli, and Ziggie were repeatedly praised for safe, punctual, and helpful service.

Is $238 a fair price?

At $238 per person, this is not a cheap outing. The price includes transport from the Akureyri cruise terminal, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, the packed lunch, water, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. You are paying for the convenience of reaching a distant region during a single port call, not just for entry to the baths.

The value is strongest if you want all three major pieces: Goðafoss, volcanic Mývatn, and the geothermal soak. Booking separate transport, arranging bath admission, and managing return time from a cruise ship would be difficult and could cost more once you add transfers and food.

The value is weaker if you only want a long spa session. About 75 minutes of the day is spent on the return drive, with another 30 minutes on the outward leg. That is normal for this route, but you should enjoy scenic bus travel and guided sightseeing. The tour is also less attractive if you dislike communal showers, sulfur smells, or insects.

The cruise-focused timing is a real benefit. Several people were nervous when the start time changed or when the schedule felt tight, but the bus returned a few minutes early. No shore excursion can remove every traffic or weather risk, yet a local operator arranging the schedule around docking times is better than trying to make this route independently.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to you if this is your first visit to North Iceland and you want a broad sample in one day. You get a waterfall, volcanic scenery, a local story, a packed meal, and an outdoor bath. Families can manage the itinerary, and one group with children aged 12 and 16 found the day workable.

It also suits anyone who wants a bath experience without giving up the region’s main scenery. The two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths give the day a calm center, while the waterfall and crater stop keep it from becoming a spa transfer.

You may want another option if you prefer long hikes, private changing facilities, or a very quiet small-group outing. The schedule is fixed, the viewpoint stop is short, and the bus can carry a mixed group with different interests. You should also pack for wind, rain, insects, and geothermal odor rather than expecting a polished resort day.

My call: book it for the combination

Book this tour if you want a dependable way to see the Mývatn region from an Akureyri port call and you like the idea of ending with a warm outdoor soak. The strongest reasons are the efficient route, included bath admission, packed lunch, and guides who often bring the day to life with local stories, jokes, and even music.

Skip it if the flies, communal showers, or long bus rides would spoil the day for you. Pack swimwear, a towel, an extra snack, and insect protection, then confirm the correct pier meeting point before you leave the ship. With those details handled, this is a well-rounded introduction to North Iceland rather than just a quick stop at a famous pool.

FAQ

How long does the Akureyri to Mývatn tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. The listed schedule includes a 30-minute drive to the first sightseeing area, stops at Goðafoss and Skútustaðagígar, two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths, and a 75-minute return drive.

Where does the tour meet in Akureyri?

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the visitor center by the cruise port.

How do I identify the guide and bus?

The guides wear an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo. The buses are located at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

Yes. The entrance ticket to Mývatn Nature Baths is included in the tour price.

Do I need to bring a towel and swimsuit?

Yes. Towels and swimwear are not included. You can bring your own or rent both at Mývatn Nature Baths for an additional cost.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose either a chicken sandwich or a vegan sandwich. The packed lunch also includes a bottle of water. Tell the guide your choice at the beginning of the tour.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide. The activity information lists English as the tour language.