Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour

The best part of this Akureyri shore excursion is the contrast: a powerful waterfall, volcanic scenery, and a warm geothermal pool all fit into six hours. Goðafoss gives you Icelandic history and drama, Lake Mývatn gives you strange volcanic shapes, and the baths let you slow down before returning to the ship.

I like the careful cruise timing and the packed lunch, which leaves more daylight for sightseeing. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Guides including Arno, Elsa, Runar, Victoria, and Vicki have added local stories, humor, songs, and useful help along the way. The main drawback is that flies can be bothersome around Mývatn, and some people find the communal changing and shower arrangements less comfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Goðafoss is a short, rewarding stop: You get about 35 minutes for photos, a walk, and views of the broad, crescent-shaped falls.
• Lake Mývatn shows Iceland’s volcanic side: The Skútustaðagígar stop focuses on the lake’s unusual pseudo-craters.
• The baths are the centerpiece: You have about two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths, with admission included.
• The shore-excursion timing matters: The tour starts and ends in Akureyri, with the schedule arranged around cruise-ship docking times.
• Lunch is simple and useful: Choose a chicken or vegan sandwich, with a bottle of water included.
• Pack for the pool: Swimwear and a towel are not included, though both can be rented at Mývatn Nature Baths.

Why this North Iceland combination works

Akureyri is a pleasant port, but the most memorable sights lie outside town. This tour gives you a sensible taste of the region without asking you to organize several separate rides, reserve a bath entry, or watch the clock alone.

The route also has a good rhythm. You start with a waterfall, move into volcanic country, then finish with a long soak. That order matters. Goðafoss and Mývatn keep your eyes busy early in the day, while the baths provide a calm finish before the ride back to the port.

At $238 per person, this is not a cheap bus outing. Still, the price includes transport from the cruise terminal, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, lunch, and admission to Mývatn Nature Baths. For a cruise passenger, the value is mainly in the coordination. You are paying for a full day’s sights with someone else handling the route and return schedule.

You should still compare it with a rental car or a private excursion if you want more freedom. But on a port day, a scheduled group tour removes several practical worries, especially the long drive back to Akureyri.

Meeting your bus in Akureyri

Your exact pickup point depends on where your ship docks. If you arrive at Tangarbryggja Pier, the guide meets you in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship uses Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

This distinction is important. One of the clearest problems reported about the tour involved confusion over the meeting point, with passengers reaching the correct bus only shortly before departure. Check the pier information carefully and look for the guide wearing an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

The buses are based at Gránufélagsgata 50, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. The company adjusts departure times for cruise docking schedules, and the return is planned for the ship. Even so, I would not treat the schedule casually. Get to the meeting point early, and confirm with the guide that you are on the correct bus and following the bath itinerary.

The first ride: 30 minutes through North Iceland

The first bus ride lasts about 30 minutes. This is your chance to settle in, check the day’s timing, and listen to the guide’s introduction to the region.

The quality of the narration can vary with the individual guide. Several guides have been praised for clear local stories and a good sense of humor. Arno, who is also a geologist, has explained the area’s volcanic forces in a way that helps the scenery make sense. Other guides, including Runar, Elsa, Vicki, and Victoria, have been described as warm, entertaining, and attentive to questions.

Some guides have even sung Icelandic songs or played guitar. That is not something you should expect as a promised part of the tour, but it shows how much personality some guides bring to a long bus ride. One guide also handled a mixed English and German group by switching between languages.

The bus includes free Wi-Fi, which is handy for checking messages or sharing photos. This is still a sightseeing tour, not a private vehicle, so expect the pace and conversation of a group outing.

Goðafoss: waterfall, legend, and a quick walk

Goðafoss is the first major stop, with about 35 minutes for sightseeing. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the falls have an important place in Icelandic history.

The story says that a local chieftain threw his pagan statues into the water when Iceland adopted Christianity. The tale gives the waterfall more than visual drama. You are looking at a place tied to a major change in the country’s religious life.

The falls are wider than they are high, spreading across a curved, crescent-like formation. That shape makes Goðafoss easy to appreciate even during a short stop. You can walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and watch the water break into several sections.

Thirty-five minutes is enough for a focused visit, but not for a long walk around the whole area. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking, and keep the group schedule in mind. The tour has several stops still ahead, so this is a place to enjoy rather than linger indefinitely.

I like the placement of Goðafoss at the beginning. The waterfall gives you a strong first sight, and the short stop keeps the day moving toward Mývatn.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange shapes of Mývatn

The next stop is Skútustaðagígar, where you spend about 15 minutes taking photographs and looking across the Mývatn area. This is a brief viewpoint stop, not a long hike.

The unusual forms here come from volcanic activity. Ancient eruptions created pseudo-craters around the lake, producing rounded shapes that can look almost artificial from a distance. They are not ordinary volcanic cones, and that is part of the area’s appeal.

This stop is especially useful if you have never studied Iceland’s geology. The guide can connect the shapes in front of you with the volcanic forces that formed them. You will not get a full geology lesson in 15 minutes, but you will come away with a better sense of why Mývatn looks so different from the countryside around Akureyri.

The main practical warning here is the flies. Mývatn is known for them, and they can be annoying at the lake and at some nearby stops. Bring a hat or head covering if you are sensitive to insects. The tour information does not provide insect netting, so you may want to pack your own if this is a serious concern.

Two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths

Mývatn Nature Baths are the main attraction of the day. Admission is included, and you have about two hours to change, enter the water, and enjoy the pool areas.

The water is naturally heated by geothermal activity beneath the ground. It is mineral-rich and warm, with broad views over the Mývatn area. You can move between different pool sections, sit in the water, and let the earlier bus ride and walking fade away.

I think these baths work particularly well as an introduction to Iceland’s geothermal pool culture. You get the outdoor setting and the pleasure of hot water without needing to make the baths the entire purpose of your Iceland visit. For many people, this will be the most relaxing part of the excursion.

The water may have a noticeable geothermal smell. One person found the smell stronger than expected, while others focused on the pleasant feel of the water. That is a fair warning: Icelandic hot pools are natural and mineral-based, not perfume-scented hotel spas.

You need a swimsuit and towel. Neither is included, although both can be rented at extra cost from the baths. Bring them from the ship if you have room. It saves money and avoids the extra stop at the rental desk.

You should also know that the changing and shower arrangements are communal. This is normal for Icelandic pools, but it may surprise anyone expecting private facilities. Follow the bath’s instructions, shower before entering the pool, and leave enough time to change before the bus departs.

Two hours gives you a comfortable visit, but the time includes changing. Do not wait until the last few minutes to leave the water. The bus must keep to the return schedule, and the group cannot hold up the departure for late bathers.

Lunch on the road

A packed lunch is included, with a choice of chicken or vegan sandwich and a bottle of water. It is a practical choice for a shore excursion because you do not lose sightseeing time waiting for a restaurant.

The meal is functional rather than a major food attraction. I would treat it as fuel for the day, not as a special Icelandic dining experience. One useful improvement would be to hand out the sandwiches earlier, perhaps at the first stop, since some people may be hungry before reaching the baths.

There has also been an isolated problem with not enough lunches being ready for everyone at once. That is worth keeping in mind, though the general experience has been that the lunch was adequate. If you have dietary needs beyond the listed chicken and vegan choices, confirm them before booking rather than assuming they can be arranged.

The return to Akureyri

After the baths, the ride back takes about 75 minutes. This is a longer stretch, and it gives you time to rest after the pool.

The return route is also where the tour’s cruise-port purpose becomes most important. The operator plans the day around the ship’s docking time, and several guides and drivers have kept close to schedule. One group arrived back a few minutes early after a change in the departure time caused some concern.

That said, no shore excursion can remove every risk from a port day. Weather, road conditions, or a delay at an earlier stop could affect the schedule. Stay with the group, listen carefully to the return instructions, and avoid wandering off at the baths.

The driver matters here. Drivers including Chris, Ziggie, Albert, Gisli, and Arran have been praised for safe, timely, and helpful service. A few comments also found the driver’s banter distracting, so the experience can depend on who is behind the wheel as well as who is guiding the group.

Who will get the most from this tour?

This excursion suits you best if you want North Iceland’s major highlights in one organized day and you are comfortable with a group schedule.

It is a good match for:

• Cruise passengers who want a port-safe return plan
• First-time visitors to the Akureyri region
• People who want both sightseeing and a geothermal soak
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Anyone who would rather not drive in unfamiliar conditions
• Visitors who enjoy local stories, humor, and informal guiding

The six-hour length is manageable for families, though younger children may find the bus rides and quick photo stops tiring. The pool itself is easy to enjoy, but you will need to manage changing time and keep track of the departure.

This is less suitable if you want long walks, quiet time alone, or a slow visit at each sight. Goðafoss and Skútustaðagígar are short stops, and the tour cannot pause whenever you wish.

Practical value at $238

The $238 price includes several costs that add up quickly on a port day: transport, guide service, lunch, Wi-Fi, and two hours with entry at Mývatn Nature Baths. The strongest value is convenience rather than luxury.

You are not getting a private guide or a flexible custom route. You are getting a well-planned six-hour circuit that combines sights that are difficult to reach on foot from Akureyri. If the baths are a priority, including admission makes the price easier to justify.

The rating of 4.6 from 186 reviews reflects a strong overall record, but the weak points are clear. Meeting-point instructions need attention, some guides can be hard to hear, lunch timing can be imperfect, and the Mývatn flies are real. None of these issues changes the basic appeal, but each is worth planning around.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Check the available starting time against your ship’s schedule before committing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-paced introduction to Goðafoss, Mývatn, and Icelandic geothermal bathing without arranging transport yourself. The combination is hard to beat for a single port day, and the baths provide a satisfying finish.

I would book with three preparations: confirm your pier and bus meeting point, bring your own swimsuit and towel, and pack protection from flies. If you prefer private touring or longer walks, choose another plan. For most cruise passengers who want scenery, local stories, lunch, and a warm pool before sailing, this is a strong use of six hours.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts six hours, including transportation, sightseeing stops, lunch, and time at Mývatn Nature Baths.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Akureyri’s cruise-port meeting points. If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet at the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If it docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the Visitor Center by the cruise port.

How do I identify the guide?

The guides wear an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo.

Is transportation from the cruise terminal included?

Yes. Transportation from the Akureyri Cruise Terminal is included, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a packed lunch with either a chicken or vegan sandwich and a bottle of water.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

Yes. The entrance ticket to Mývatn Nature Baths is included.

Do I need to bring a towel and swimsuit?

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

How much time do I get at the baths?

The visit to Mývatn Nature Baths lasts about two hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.