Godafoss and the Forest Lagoon

Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon make a smart North Iceland pairing: one stop gives you a powerful waterfall and a memorable piece of Icelandic history, while the other lets you sit in warm geothermal water with Eyjafjörður spread below. You get scenery and soaking without spending a full day on the road.

I like the small-group format, capped at 19 people, and the fact that the tour includes Forest Lagoon admission. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Siggy, Krista, and Reynir have each been praised for being friendly, funny, informative, and flexible. The main caution is timing: some departures have allowed only about 40 minutes at Goðafoss, and the viewpoint stop or return transport from the lagoon may not always work exactly as expected.

Key things to know before you book

• Goðafoss is the emotional high point: The waterfall drops 12 meters across a broad 30-meter span, with several viewing areas and a strong Icelandic story behind it.
• Forest Lagoon is the relaxing finish: You have about 90 minutes in the geothermal spa, with access to the pool, sauna, cold plunge, and drinks for purchase.
• The group stays fairly small: The maximum is 19 people, though a full van is possible and some departures may have only two guests.
• The tour adds Akureyri context: You drive through town and may stop at Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur for views over the fjord and city.
• Allow for itinerary changes: The listed stop lengths may not match every departure, so ask your guide how much time is planned at each location.
• The price covers the key admission: At $222.28 per person, the tour includes a licensed guide or driver, transport, pickup, and Forest Lagoon entry, but not lunch, bottled water, or spa drinks.

Why this half-day pairing works

Akureyri is an excellent base for seeing North Iceland, but a short stay can make planning awkward. You want a major waterfall, a good view, and a geothermal bath, yet you may not want to rent a car or spend hours sorting out roads and tickets.

This tour handles those main pieces in roughly four hours. It is especially useful if you are in Akureyri for a short visit or arriving by cruise ship. The route gives you a taste of the countryside, a little town orientation, and a comfortable spa stop before returning you to your day.

I like the rhythm. Goðafoss supplies the drama early on. The viewpoint and drive through Akureyri add local orientation. Forest Lagoon then slows everything down. That final change of pace matters, especially in Iceland, where a day of wind, rain, and constant sightseeing can leave you ready for a warm pool.

The tradeoff is that this is a compact outing, not a leisurely private day. Driving time, pickup arrangements, and the needs of the group can reduce your time at individual stops. If your main goal is careful photography at Goðafoss, you may want a longer excursion.

Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Goðafoss is the tour’s biggest sightseeing stop, and it earns its place. Water pours over a low, wide horseshoe-shaped fall, dropping about 12 meters across roughly 30 meters. It is not Iceland’s tallest waterfall, but its width and open setting make it very photogenic.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. Around the year 1000, Iceland adopted Christianity as its official religion. According to the traditional story, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, a law speaker involved in that decision, threw his pagan statues into the falls. The story gives the place more weight than a quick photo stop usually has.

You should expect about 90 minutes here in the planned schedule, although the actual time can vary. One departure allowed only around 40 minutes, which was enough to see one side but not both. That distinction matters. Goðafoss has more than one useful viewing area, and the angle changes from one bank to the other.

Ask your guide where to go first. A good guide can point you toward the strongest photo position and help you judge whether there is time to cross or walk to another viewpoint. Reynir has been praised for taking a very small group to the best photo spots, while other guides have given people room to explore at their own pace.

The spray can be strong near the water, and small flies may be bothersome around the falls. A head net can be useful if insects are active. It is not glamorous, but neither is waving away flies while trying to frame a waterfall.

Wear shoes with a firm grip and bring a waterproof outer layer. The admission is free, but the conditions are not controlled. Wind and wet paths can make a short walk feel more demanding than expected.

A quick look over Eyjafjörður

Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur is listed as a 30-minute photo stop. From here, you can look over the fjord toward Akureyri and get a broad view of the town and surrounding mountains.

This is a different kind of stop from Goðafoss. The waterfall is close and forceful. The viewpoint helps you understand the setting of Akureyri, a town spread along the head of one of Iceland’s longest fjords. If you are new to the area, that wider view gives useful bearings.

The stop is also one of the parts most worth confirming on the day. At least one departure did not include it, apparently because of the tight schedule. If this viewpoint matters to you, ask at pickup whether it is planned and how much time the group has.

The drive itself can offer extra scenery. One very small departure included additional roadside stops, including a high hill above town, a mountain tunnel rest area, and a valley with a lake and mountain views. Those extras are not guaranteed, but they show how much a small group can help when the schedule is flexible.

Driving through Akureyri with a local introduction

The Akureyri portion is brief. You drive through town while your guide shares key facts about its past and present. Think of it as an orientation, not a walking tour.

That short introduction can be useful if you have just arrived. It helps you place the harbor, town center, fjord, and nearby slopes before you spend the rest of your stay exploring on foot.

The quality of this section depends heavily on your guide and the pace of the day. Krista has been praised for being smart, funny, and informative. Siggy has also been singled out for making the tour enjoyable. At the same time, one departure left a guest wishing for more information during the drive.

I would treat the Akureyri drive as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. You are booking this experience for Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon. The town commentary adds value, but it is not a substitute for a proper city tour.

Forest Lagoon and the best part of the timing

Forest Lagoon is located among birch and pine trees above Eyjafjörður. That setting gives the spa a quieter feel than a large urban pool, with trees close by and the fjord opening out beyond them.

You get about 90 minutes at the lagoon, and that is enough time to settle into the water rather than rush through a quick dip. The warm pool is the central attraction, but the facility also offers a sauna and cold plunge. Cocktails and other drinks are available for an additional cost.

The water temperature has been described as comfortable, and the facility is clean. The spa products and staff service have also received strong praise. I like that the pool is not simply an add-on after the waterfall. It gives the tour a proper ending, with time to relax outdoors instead of climbing back into the vehicle immediately after sightseeing.

Forest Lagoon is sometimes compared with the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík. The important practical differences here are location, price, and crowd levels. Forest Lagoon is close to Akureyri, and several departures found it less crowded and less expensive than the better-known spa near Reykjavík. That comparison is not a guarantee of quiet, though. One visit still found plenty of people in the pool.

Drinks can be costly. If you are watching your budget, enjoy the included admission and treat the bar as optional. Lunch is not included either, and bottled water is not supplied, so bring water and eat before or after the tour.

Transport, group size, and cruise timing

Pickup is offered from Akureyri accommodations and cruise ports. Cruise passengers need to provide the name of their vessel because Akureyri has more than one port.

At Tangabryggja, Star Travel meets outside the cruise area near several small wooden houses, at house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look for the Icewear shop and the designated agent area. The representative should have a Star Travel sign, and staff may be wearing a bright yellow jacket.

These details are worth taking seriously. A ship passenger who walks to the wrong port can waste much of the short pickup window. Make sure the phone number on your booking works during the day in case the company needs to contact you.

The vehicle has been described as clean and comfortable. The maximum group size is 19, but the experience can feel very different depending on the departure. A full van means less flexibility. A group of two can feel almost private, with room for extra photo stops and more direct conversation with the guide.

One point needs clarification before you commit: return transport from Forest Lagoon. The main tour plan suggests a four-hour outing, but one departure ended with the group being dropped at the lagoon without a clear pickup. The response explained that guests could use the lagoon shuttle if they wanted to stay longer. Ask exactly how and when you return to Akureyri, especially if you have a cruise departure or another fixed appointment.

Is $222.28 a fair price?

At $222.28 per person, this is not a budget bus ride. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: pickup, a licensed guide and driver, transport to Goðafoss, the Akureyri drive, and entry to Forest Lagoon.

Buying the lagoon admission separately and arranging transport to Goðafoss would take time and planning. You also avoid driving in unfamiliar conditions. For a cruise passenger or anyone with only a few hours in Akureyri, that convenience has real value.

The price is strongest when you get a small group, a good guide, the planned waterfall time, and a smooth return. It is less attractive if Goðafoss is shortened, the viewpoint is skipped, or you have to sort out your own ride back from the lagoon.

I would also budget for food and drinks. Lunch, bottled water, and spa purchases are extra. The drinks at Forest Lagoon may feel expensive, so bring a bottle of water and do not assume the admission includes everything at the bar.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the required minimum group size can also lead to a date change, another experience, or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this outing if you want three things in one manageable package: a major waterfall, an Icelandic spa, and transportation from Akureyri.

It suits you especially well if:

• You are visiting Akureyri for the first time.
• You are arriving by cruise ship and want a planned shore excursion.
• You prefer a guide and driver to renting a car.
• You like scenic stops but also want genuine downtime.
• You are comfortable with a fairly brisk schedule.
• You value included spa entry and a small group.

It is less suitable if you want a long, unhurried waterfall visit, a full walking tour of Akureyri, or complete control over the route. Photographers should confirm the Goðafoss timing. Spa fans should confirm the return plan and remember that drinks cost extra.

The tour is also a good choice for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the waterfall and history, another can focus on photos, and everyone gets the lagoon. That balance is harder to achieve on a sightseeing-only outing.

Should you book Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon?

I would book it if your time in Akureyri is limited and you want a practical mix of scenery and relaxation. The waterfall is memorable, Forest Lagoon is a strong finish, and guides such as Krista, Siggy, and Reynir can make the drive feel personal rather than routine.

Before paying, send one simple question: How much time will we have at Goðafoss, will Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur be included, and how will we return from Forest Lagoon? The answers will tell you if that day’s version matches what you want.

For most people, the $222.28 price is reasonable when the full plan runs as scheduled. Just bring water, plan for extra time at the ports, protect your phone near the pool, and keep your expectations set for a compact half-day rather than a slow private tour.

FAQ

How long does the Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. The planned schedule allows about 90 minutes at Goðafoss, 30 minutes at Vaolaheioi Utsynispallur, and 90 minutes at Forest Lagoon, with driving and a short Akureyri introduction included.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes entry to Forest Lagoon, pickup, transportation, and a licensed guide or driver. Bottled water, lunch, and drinks at the lagoon are not included.

Does the tour pick up cruise ship passengers in Akureyri?

Yes. Pickup is available at Tangabryggja and Oddeyrarbryggja, but you must provide your ship’s name because Akureyri has multiple cruise ports. At Tangabryggja, meet at Star Travel’s house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look near the Icewear shop for the agent area and Star Travel sign.

What should I know about the Forest Lagoon stop?

You have about 90 minutes at Forest Lagoon. The facility includes a geothermal pool, sauna, and cold plunge, while drinks are available for an additional charge.

Is the tour limited to a small group?

The maximum group size is 19 people. Some departures may have only a few people, while others can fill the vehicle.

Can I cancel for a full 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 tour are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.