A full day of Iceland’s forces in one route. This small-group cruise excursion strings together waterfalls, lava scenery, and geothermal stops around Lake Mývatn—then finishes with time in the Nature Baths. You’ll also get the kind of guiding that focuses on timing, photos, and making sure the group stays together.

I especially like the 19-person max format. It’s built for cruise days where you want to beat crowds, move efficiently, and still have time to breathe at each stop. And I like that the tour is led by local guides who are often named for being upbeat and hands-on with photos—people cite guides like Johanna, Joanna, Leo, Jowi, and Julia for exactly that.

One thing to consider: this day runs about 7 to 8 hours, and it’s weather-dependent. If your ship has a shorter port window, the schedule can feel tight, even though the guide tries to balance faster viewpoints with slower moments.

• Small-group pacing (max 19) helps you keep a comfortable stride and avoid the biggest crowds
• Godafoss early arrival can mean better photo light and a chance at a rainbow
• Mývatn geothermal variety hits pseudo craters, lava fields, and steaming fumaroles in one sweep
• Bonus photography help is a recurring theme, including tips for tricky stops
• Nature Baths finish (1h 30m) is the real recovery phase—just plan the extra entry fee
• Good backup attitude shows up when transport has issues, with the goal of returning you on time

Why Godafoss and Mývatn make a killer cruise combo

Akureyri is a great home base for northern Iceland, but cruise time is short. This tour uses that reality. It targets two of the most memorable “Iceland categories” in one day: a major waterfall and a concentrated geothermal area around Lake Mývatn.

What makes the route feel smart is the variety between stops. You go from the power of Goðafoss to crater-like formations (Skútustaðagígar), then into lava country at Dimmuborgir. After that, you transition into very different geothermal scenes—Hverir with smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots—and then you close with the warm, human-scale relief of the Nature Baths.

If you only have one port day (or just one full day) in the region, this is the kind of plan that keeps your camera busy without turning the experience into a blur. Your guide’s goal is to see a lot, yes, but also to make it feel guided—not rushed.

Small-group mini bus: what max 19 changes for your day

This is a fully guided tour in a comfortable mini bus, with WiFi on board and pickup at the port. The group size is capped at 19 travelers, which matters more than it sounds.

With a small group, you’re more likely to:

• get to viewpoints earlier than the big buses
• hear the guide’s explanations clearly (and ask questions without shouting)
• keep a steady pace without losing people at each walk

That “keep it together” part is a big deal on a cruise excursion. The operator includes a cruise ship return guarantee, and the meeting point is straightforward: Akureyri Cruise Terminal (MWMF+X4H, Laufásgata). You’re taken back to that same meeting point at the end.

You’ll also be using a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. If your ship’s schedule shifts, you want a company that can handle it—there are examples of rescheduling and clear communication when ships delayed.

Goðafoss: the waterfall stop that’s built for photos and history

Your first major stop is Goðafoss waterfall. The drive route follows Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords, so the day starts with proper scenery right away, not just parking-lot transitions.

Goðafoss is special for two reasons:

• It’s a historic Icelandic landmark with real cultural weight
• The waterfall gives you a real “big moment” that works in wide shots and close frames

The guide also calls out the photo angle. If you’re lucky, you might see a rainbow, and the guide helps you capture it. I like this because it turns a common tourist stop into something more intentional—rather than just arriving, snapping a picture, and moving on.

Timing tip: people consistently note the value of getting there before the larger crowds. If you care about photos, this matters. For your best shot, have your camera ready before you reach the viewing area and don’t wait until the rainbow appears—weather changes fast in Iceland.

Admission at this stop is listed as free, which helps keep your day’s costs predictable.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and Dimmuborgir lava fields

After Goðafoss, the tour leans into Lake Mývatn’s odd geology.

Skútustaðagígar (pseudo craters)

You’ll explore the Skútustaðagígar area, described as pseudo craters. The cool part here isn’t that it’s one more “pretty view.” It’s that this specific phenomenon is rare worldwide—shown as existing only in a few places, including Iceland, Hawaii, the Azores, and even on Mars.

That “only a few places” angle gives you a fun perspective. You’re not just sightseeing; you’re looking at something that’s scientifically interesting enough to be compared across worlds.

The time at this stop is about 30 minutes. That’s enough to walk, take photos, and get your bearings without turning it into a long hike.

Dimmuborgir lava formations (and yes, trolls)

Next is Dimmuborgir, known for its extraordinary lava formations. This area is also popular because of Game of Thrones, so if that’s your thing, you’ll recognize why the place got noticed.

The guide encourages you to use your imagination. You’ll see the formations and think about trolls—whether you buy into folklore or just like the fun, it makes the walk more engaging. The stop runs about 40 minutes, which is usually perfect for exploring slowly enough to appreciate the rock shapes while still keeping the day on schedule.

All admission is listed as free for these stops, which is a nice budget win.

Grjótagjá cave and the Europe–North America rift

One of the most unusual stops on this route is the chance to visit Grjótagjá cave to see the hot blue river. You’re trading wide waterfall views for something stranger and more intimate.

This stop also has a memorable “science meet photo” moment. The adventure note is clear: you can take a photo standing on the continental rift between Europe and America.

That’s the kind of thing you’d never stumble into on your own. The guide helps you make the most of the limited time—listed at about 20 minutes—so you don’t waste it lining up, adjusting gear, and trying to figure out where to stand.

A practical thought: caves and rift areas can feel slick or uneven. I’d keep your steps calm and prioritize stable footing over the perfect shot.

Admission at Grjótagjá is listed as free as part of the tour.

Hverir geothermal area: fumaroles, mud pots, and the smell factor

Then you hit Namafjall Hverir, the geothermal area often associated with the steam-and-smoke side of Mývatn.

Here you’ll see:

• smoking fumaroles
• boiling mud pots

This is Iceland at full volume. The smell can be intense, and it’s part of the deal—people specifically call out strong sulphur odor here. You don’t need to “power through” it, but it’s smart to keep your expectations realistic.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That’s long enough to look around and soak in the visuals, but not so long that you feel stuck in the strong air. If you’re sensitive to smells, keep your breathing relaxed and take short breaks when needed.

Admission is listed as free for this stop too.

Mývatn Nature Baths finish: soak time, cost, and plan B

The day ends with Earth Lagoon Myvatn, also listed as Jardbodin vid Myvatn. This is the recovery phase: steam baths and geothermal water, with about 1 hour 30 minutes on the clock.

Here’s the key budget point: the Mývatn Nature Bath entry fee is not included. It’s listed as ISK 7,400 per person. Dinner isn’t included either.

So yes, you will pay extra to swim—but I think that’s part of why the tour feels worth it. Many cruise excursions show you dramatic geothermal sights but don’t give you time to actually relax in them. This one does.

What to bring: the tour explicitly says swimwear and a towel. Don’t show up hoping to improvise.

One more useful note from the way the day is handled: there’s mention of a guide taking guests who don’t want to go into the baths on an alternate activity. In other words, your time may still feel productive even if you skip the soak. That’s a good setup for people who want the scenery but aren’t sure about bathing.

Pace, weather, and why port-day timing matters

This tour runs about 7 to 8 hours, and the remaining time is allotted for travel. It’s also stated to require good weather.

On a cruise day, weather and timing are the two things you can’t control. Iceland can change quickly, and when it does, the schedule may shift. The operator also notes that if the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Now for the drawback you should actually plan around: if your ship is only in port for a shorter window, the day may feel rushed in places. One review notes that it works better when the ship is in port 11 hours or more. That matches the reality of packing multiple stops into a single excursion.

My advice: check your ship’s time in port closely. If you see a short window, consider whether this tour is worth the squeeze for you—or choose a slower option with fewer stops.

Price and value: what $216 buys (and what it doesn’t)

The price is listed at $216.02 per person. For a cruise excursion, that’s not cheap. The trick is what’s included and what you avoid paying on top.

You get:

• fully guided service
• transport by comfortable mini bus
• WiFi on board
• pickup at the port
• cruise ship return guarantee
• admission tickets free for the listed stops (Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Namafjall/Hverir)

Not included:

• Nature Baths entry fee (ISK 7,400 per person)
• dinner / meals and beverages

So your real “extra cost” is mainly the baths, plus whatever you choose to eat. If you do want to soak, the math becomes fairly straightforward: you’re paying for a guided route that also covers most on-site admissions.

Also: this tour is booked on average about 95 days in advance. That suggests steady demand, and it usually correlates with smooth operations—especially important when you’re dependent on your ship’s timing.

What to bring (and how to handle those Lake Mývatn flies)

This is the kind of detail that can make or break your comfort.

People point out that flies can be unbelievably bad at Lake Mývatn. If your day overlaps with peak season conditions, you should take it seriously. The tour notes that flies may be an issue, and one guide-related tip is to get fly nets/protection rather than just hoping you’ll tolerate it.

There’s also a practical money-saving angle: guides can offer fly nets at a significantly lower price than local shops. If you see that option from your guide, it’s worth considering.

Beyond that, plan for standard “active day” needs—comfortable shoes and your camera fully charged. Iceland burns through battery life faster than you’d expect when you’re outside.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want something else)

This is a great fit if:

• you have a cruise day and want to see the major Mývatn sights plus Goðafoss
• you like guided explanations and photo help at viewpoints
• you want a true “geothermal day” without picking between waterfall or baths

It’s less ideal if:

• your port time is short and you hate the feeling of being on a strict clock
• you don’t want to deal with possible flies at Mývatn
• you’re not interested in paying the extra baths fee

For families of adults, couples, and solo visitors who want structure, this works well. The small group size also makes it easier for the guide to manage walking pace and keep everyone together.

Should you book this Godafoss and Mývatn shore excursion?

I’d book this tour if your priorities are maximum northern Iceland variety in one day and a proper end-of-day soak. The value is strongest when you want guided transport, most admissions covered, and a schedule that’s designed to reduce crowd pressure.

I’d hesitate only if your ship’s port window is short or your schedule is already tight. In that case, the risk isn’t the sights—it’s the pace.

If your day is long enough and weather looks workable, this is the kind of Akureyri excursion that turns a single port stop into a story you’ll actually remember: waterfall power, crater weirdness, lava-walk imagination, a rift photo, then hot water to reset your body.

FAQ

What does the tour include?

It includes a fully guided tour, transport by comfortable mini bus with WiFi on board, pickup at the cruise port, and a cruise ship return guarantee.

Is admission included for all stops?

Admission is listed as free for the stops including Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá cave, and Namafjall Hverir. The Nature Baths entry fee is not included.

How much is the Mývatn Nature Baths entry fee?

The Mývatn Nature Baths entry fee is listed as ISK 7,400 per person.

How long is the Nature Baths stop?

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes at the baths.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The start point is the Akureyri Cruise Terminal at MWMF+X4H, Laufásgata, Akureyri, Iceland. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need swimwear and a towel?

Yes. The tour instructions specifically say to bring swimwear and a towel for the baths.

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