10 Shore Excursions Tours in Iceland to Build a Day Around

1.German-Speaking Golden Circle Small Group Tour from Reykjavík – Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 216 reviews · 8 hours · from $182Our pick

You’ll follow Iceland’s Golden Circle from Reykjavík in a group of up to 19, led in German by guides such as Andy or Petra. Expect Kerið crater, Gullfoss, Strokkur, Þingvellir, Öxarárfoss, Laugarvatn, and a cheerful stop for homemade cow’s-milk ice cream. The 8 to 9 hour route is designed around cruise ship schedules.

“Tolles Programm für einen Tag Island. Tour in kleinen Gruppen. Petra ist ein toller Guide, weiß alles über Island und geht super auf die Gruppe ein, z.b wenn Kinder dabei sind.”

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2.From Reykjavik Port: Golden Circle Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 84 reviews · 7 hours · from $200

Join GeoIceland for a 6 to 8-hour small-group drive from Reykjavik Port to Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir. Your English-speaking local guide handles the timing around your cruise arrival and return. Guides such as Jagoda Rogalska have added stops including Icelandic horses, a volcanic crater, and a tomato farm when time and weather allow.

“Trip and guide were excellent!!. The bus was very cramped. Not a lot of leg room and very narrow aisles”

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3.Myvatn Nature Baths & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $248

Travel from Akureyri to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, and Mývatn Nature Baths in about six hours. Guides such as Niko, Nicole, Petra, Victoria, and Ivy have led this outing, which includes ship-timed transport, about two hours at the baths, and a simple lunch. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and confirm the pickup point carefully.

“This was an awesome experience! Highly recommend. Our tour guide Nico was extremely knowledgable and shared her own personal experiences that led her to becoming a tour guide. The driver, Lucash was amazing and kept us on time and safe.”

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4.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 61 reviews · 3 hours 50 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Sail from Skarfabakki Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for about three hours, with an English-speaking guide explaining whales, dolphins, porpoises, birds, and Icelandic waters. Choose a leisurely cruise or high-speed boat, use the supplied thermal overalls, and receive a free return ticket if no wildlife is seen.

“Saw lots of Whales and the guide was knowledgeable. Took care to stay a distance from the whales whilst still giving us a memorable experience. The warm clothing and sea sickness tablets were welcome. Would definitely recommend.”

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5.From Seydisfjordur: Studlagil Canyon Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 58 reviews · from $205

From Seydisfjordur’s cruise terminal, travel inland with an English-speaking guide to Stuðlagil Canyon, where 30-meter basalt columns frame a glacial river. You’ll also stop at 27-meter Gufufoss. Guide Kjartan has earned praise for his Iceland stories, patient manner, and careful driving. Allow for stairs and a long bus ride.

“Our guide was fantastic! He shared an incredible amount of knowledge and personal stories of growing up and living in Iceland. The canyon is spectacular but there are a LOT of stairs to go down/up to get to the viewing platform. Also, be aware that the canyon is about 90 min from the cruise port but the scenery is amazing and there are 2-3 waterfall stops along the way back. I’d highly recommend!”

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6.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63Best value

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Skarfabakki Harbour to Akurey Island, where puffins gather on the rocks, water, and in the air. Your guide explains local birds and plants while the boat circles the island and pauses with its engine off for photos. Binoculars, coffee, and round-trip port transfers are included.

“We saw puffins galore! They were flying everywhere ! Great tour- wonderful tour guide Patricia ! We learned all about Puffins”

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7.Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

From Akureyri’s port, you’ll visit Goðafoss, the Skútustaðir pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá Cave, and Námaskarð’s steaming mud pots. The tour lasts about 5 to 7 hours, includes port pickup, WiFi, and a small vehicle, with lunch available along the route. Group size may range from 8 to 19.

“From stopping in the tunnel to feel the temperature of the walls to the speactular Godafoss waterfall, this was a comprehensive trip of the area around Akureyri. We learned more about geothermal heating, saw the troll rocks, and a large lava crater much less touristy than the one the Golden Circle. We had a car and driver, so the time spent at each location was up to us. We couldn't have had a better day!”

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8.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: The Golden Circle Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $233

You’ll travel from Reykjavik’s cruise port by air-conditioned minivan to Iceland’s Golden Circle, including Gullfoss, Geysir, Faxi Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. A professional driver-guide handles the route and return transport. The tour lasts about 8.5 hours, costs $233.50, and food is not included.

“I don’t really know what happened, but the vendor left us high and dry in Reykjavik. They miscommunicated pickup information for the wrong date and wrong tour. Good news - a full refund was received.”

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9.Golden Circle – Shore Excursion from Reykjavik in Minibus, English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $156Top rated

Leave Reykjavik’s cruise port with an English-speaking guide and follow the Golden Circle to Kerið crater, Gullfoss, Geysir, Laugarvatn, and Þingvellir. The small group usually travels by minivan, with time for Icelandic ice cream and geothermal rye bread. The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to the port.

“One thing I have learned in Iceland--if you schedule a small group you will be in a minivan. As I have stated in previous reviews this has never been the case in other countries we have travelled (usually had a Sprinter-type vehicle). It is a trek fRead more”

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10.German-speaking shore excursion Góðafoss & Mývatn from Akureyri in a small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $180

From Akureyri’s cruise port, you’ll travel by small bus with a German-speaking local guide to Goðafoss and the Mývatn area. Expect stops at Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Hverir, Krafla, and Reykjahlíð, with time for photos, short walks, and a break. The group is limited to 19 people, and timing follows your ship’s berth.

“Sehr schöner Kleinbus mit einem sehr gut deutsch sprechendem Guide. Es war an jedem Stopp ausreichend Zeit und es wurde versucht, den großen Reisebussen aus dem Weg zu gehen. Absolute Empfehlung.”

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