Cruise Tour Godafoss and Myvatn Lake and Baths Small Group

One day, five worlds of Iceland. This small-group cruise excursion strings together waterfalls, volcanic oddities, geothermal steam, and a real reset in hot springs. You’ll ride through Eyjafjörður to Goðafoss, then keep heading into the Mývatn area where the ground itself feels like the main attraction.

I especially like the 19-person max size. It means the mini bus feels personal, stops move at a human pace, and your guide can actually help with pictures. The other big win for me is the end at the Myvatn Nature Baths, because you’re not just sightseeing—you’re also soaking.

One thing to plan for: the day is long (about 7–8 hours), so if your cruise port time is tight, a few stops can feel a bit brisk. Also, the Nature Baths entry fee is not included, so bring extra cash/cards for the soak.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Small 19-person max: easier photo stops and less crowd pressure than large coach tours
• Goðafoss first, timed for views: your guide aims to get you there before the biggest bus wave
• Mývatn in short bursts: pseudo craters, lava fields, and geothermal steam without a lot of backtracking
• Grjótagjá cave + Europe–America rift photo: a rare stop for anyone who likes geology
• Hverir geothermal area: smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots in a compact visit
• Myvatn Nature Baths at the end: 1.5 hours to relax in geothermal water (with an extra fee)

Cruise-port friendly setup in Akureyri

This is built for cruise days out of Akureyri Cruise Terminal. The tour includes pickup at the port, and it runs with a cruise ship return guarantee, which matters when every minute on shore is expensive. You’ll head back to the same meeting point at the end.

The format is also practical: a comfortable mini bus for a maximum of 19 people, plus WiFi on board and an English-speaking guide. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is marked as suitable for most travelers.

Timing note: the stops are relatively short—think 20 to 40 minutes each—because the remaining time is your travel time between sites. That’s why it works so well for cruise schedules: you get a lot, but you’re not trapped at any single place for hours.

Goðafoss waterfall: history, rainbow chances, and fast photo help

Goðafoss is the kind of Iceland stop you understand instantly. You’re visiting one of the country’s most historically significant waterfalls, and the timing is set for good viewing. The visit is about 35 minutes, with admission ticket free.

What makes this stop feel worth it is how your guide frames it. Expect background that connects the waterfall to Iceland’s story—not just a generic facts list. If conditions cooperate, you may even get a rainbow, and your guide will help you figure out how to photograph it.

A good thing to know: Goðafoss can draw crowds. Multiple people taking this tour have praised the way guides aim to keep you away from the big-bus crush by getting there early. If your main goal is photos (and not just a quick look), that early arrival strategy is a big deal.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters around Lake Mývatn

Next you’ll swing into Lake Mývatn country for Skútustaðagígar, often called pseudo craters. The visit is about 30 minutes, and again, admission is free.

These are not the classic volcanic crater you might picture from a textbook. They’re more unusual—and that’s the point. Your guide will point out what you’re looking at, and you’ll get the chance to appreciate how weirdly “alien” this part of Iceland can feel. The tour description even highlights that pseudo craters show up only in a few places worldwide, including Iceland, Hawaii, the Azores, and even on Mars.

Practical benefit: because the stop is short, you can keep your energy for the day’s later geothermal hits and still leave with strong photos. If you’re someone who loves geology but hates long museum-style explanations, this is a nice middle ground.

Dimmuborgir lava formations and the Game of Thrones factor

Then it’s Dimmuborgir, a field of lava formations that can feel like walking into a fantasy set. The stop is about 40 minutes, with admission ticket free, and it comes with imagination fuel: you may meet “troll” vibes depending on how your guide talks about the place.

The famous pop-culture connection—Game of Thrones—is part of why Dimmuborgir is so easy to spot on the map. But the real draw here is the raw geology. Lava has shaped the area into strange shapes, cracks, and corridors, and Dimmuborgir rewards anyone who likes looking closely.

One recurring theme in guide experiences on this route: the pace is kept workable for different walking styles. People have said guides were patient when some group members moved slower through the lava terrain. If you want a stop where you can wander a bit and still get support for pictures and timing, this is a strong pick.

Grjótagjá cave: hot blue water and a Europe–America rift moment

Grjótagjá is the “wow” stop for many people—and for good reason. You’ll have about 20 minutes here, with admission ticket free.

You’re going to see the cave’s hot blue river, and the tour description includes a fun, geeky photo option: the adventurous can stand on the continental rift between Europe and America for a picture.

Two practical points. First, this is a short visit by design. Don’t expect a long linger—use the time to find your angle, watch your footing, and take a couple of clean photos. Second, if you’re traveling with others in your group who might not want rift-standing photos, it’s still a beautiful stop just to look around.

Namafjall Hverir: smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots

After the dramatic cave, you shift to Namafjall Hverir, the geothermal area with smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots. This stop is about 30 minutes, with admission ticket free.

This is where Iceland’s geothermal power becomes visual and nose-level. Expect strong geothermal smells. If you’re sensitive to sulfur odors, go in knowing it’s part of the place, not a malfunction.

Why this stop is valuable even if you’ve seen geothermal areas before: Hverir tends to look busy. You’re not just watching steam. You’re watching movement, heat, and texture—mud that looks like it’s actively cooking, plus vents that puff constantly. For many people, this is the moment the day stops feeling like a checklist and starts feeling like a living science walk.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the 1.5-hour geothermal reset (plus the extra fee)

The tour ends at Earth Lagoon Myvatn, also known as Jardbodin vid Myvatn. Your time here is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Here’s the part to plan for financially: the entry fee is ISK 7,400 per person and is not included in the tour price. The tour strongly notes that you should bring swimwear and a towel. If you forget, you’ll lose your whole advantage of this stop—because the point is relaxing in geothermal water, not just watching other people soak.

This is also the most flexible part of the day emotionally. You’ll finish after several active, visually intense stops (waterfall, lava fields, cave, geothermal vents). The baths let you slow your breathing, warm up, and soak in the same geothermal “theme” without standing in wind and cold for too long.

One more useful tip from real guide behavior on this route: people have said their guide helped those who didn’t want to swim find other nearby options while the rest did the baths. So if you’re hesitant about soaking, you may still get a satisfying plan rather than sitting idle.

How the day stays on track: mini bus, early timing, and guide help

This is a lot of ground in one day, but the structure helps it feel manageable. The mini bus keeps transfers efficient, and because the group is capped at 19, it’s easier to pause for photos without turning every stop into a bottleneck.

Guides on this route are also praised for practical photo support—helping you choose angles, pointing out the best spots, and taking pictures when asked. If you’re not comfortable with tripod setups or selfie sticks, this kind of on-the-ground help is surprisingly valuable.

Crowd management is another big thread in guide performance. People taking this tour have highlighted how guides aim to get to Goðafoss early before the biggest bus arrivals. That single decision improves your experience at multiple stops, because the day doesn’t feel like it’s running between waiting lines.

That said, there’s a real trade-off: the itinerary is packed. One caution from experience with this specific route is that it can feel rushed if your cruise ship has a shorter port day. If your ship is in port for less time, you might want to think twice and choose a shorter day elsewhere, or reserve this for longer shore windows.

Price and value: what $216.02 buys you in real terms

At $216.02 per person, this tour isn’t trying to be the cheapest way to see northern Iceland. But it is aiming to be good value for the kind of day it delivers.

Here’s why the price holds up for cruise visitors:

• Transport is included (comfortable mini bus, pickup at the port, and return timing).
• It’s a fully guided day, with an English-speaking local guide shaping what you see.
• Most admissions are included through free admission at the listed stops (Goðafoss, pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, and Hverir).
• The only major extra cost called out clearly is the Myvatn Nature Baths entry fee (ISK 7,400).

So the cost isn’t just for driving around. You’re paying for coordination, timing, and a guided route that takes you from waterfall to geothermal terrain without you having to organize anything last-minute.

What to pack so the experience feels smooth

The tour explicitly tells you to bring swimwear and a towel for the baths. That’s non-negotiable if you want the end of day soak to work.

I’d also add two reality-based items that match what people report from this route:

• Bring something for lake-area flies. People note it can get intense around Lake Mývatn, and some guides may offer fly nets at a lower price than local shops.
• Bring a camera with plenty of storage. This route has multiple “one good angle” photo opportunities—waterfall, lava formations, cave, and the rift photo idea.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who hates fast transitions, you might also be the kind of person who wants to keep your expectations realistic. Even when guides do great work, short stops mean quick decisions on photos and walking.

Who this tour fits best (and who should consider another plan)

This tour fits best if you want:

• A one-day cruise excursion from Akureyri that hits multiple major geothermal highlights
• A small group experience where you can ask questions and get photo help
• A day that ends with an actual payoff: 1.5 hours in the Nature Baths

It may not be the best fit if:

• Your cruise port time is short and you hate feeling rushed
• You want a slower, long-form hike day rather than quick stops (the itinerary is built for momentum)
• You’re not interested in geothermal areas at all, since Hverir and the baths are major parts of the story

Should you book this Godafoss and Mývatn Baths day trip?

If your ship is in port long enough for a full day and you want a high-impact sampler of northern Iceland, I think this is a strong book. The combination of Goðafoss, the Mývatn geothermal zone, lava formations, a cave, and then a real soak is a smart way to spend limited shore time.

The decision comes down to two things: your tolerance for a packed schedule and your budget for the bath entry fee. If you’re okay with that, this is the kind of tour that turns a cruise stop into a genuine day of geology, steam, and warm water.

FAQ

How long is the Godafoss and Mývatn Lake and Baths small group tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours, depending on the schedule and travel time between stops.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. The entry fee for the Mývatn Nature Bath is ISK 7,400 per person and is not included in the tour price.

What do I need to bring for the baths?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

What sites are included in the tour?

You’ll visit Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar (pseudo craters), Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá cave, Hverir geothermal area (Namafjall), and then the Myvatn Nature Baths.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do you pick up from the cruise port in Akureyri?

Yes. There is pickup at the port, and it includes a cruise ship return guarantee.

What happens if weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum isn’t met, you’ll also be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.