Top 11 Iceland Shore Excursions

1.Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $205Our pick

Leave your Akureyri cruise ship for Godafoss and Lake Myvatn on a 5 to 6 hour guided trip. You’ll see Hverir’s steaming mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava, Grjotagja Cave, and the Nature Baths. Guides such as Oli, Jon, and Johannes add local stories, while port pickup keeps the day simple.

“We did this during a cruise stop in Akureyri and were happy with how the day went. Pickup was easy, the pacing was comfortable, and the stops felt well-planned. Goðafoss was impressive, and our guide shared helpful background without overloading us with information. The Lake Mývatn area was interesting and offered a nice variety of scenery. The tour didn’t feel rushed, and we had enough time at each stop to look around and take photos. The vehicle was clean and comfortable, and everything ran on schedule, which mattered since we had to be back at the ship. Overall, it was a good, well-organized way to see the highlights in a…”

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2.Small Group Golden Circle from Cruise Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 293 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $166

You’ll travel by small-group vehicle from Miðbakki, Skarfabakki, or Faxagarður to Þingvellir, Öxarárfoss, Geysir, and Gullfoss. Guides such as Diego, Laura, Emilia, and Sebastian have been praised for clear commentary and careful timing, though rear-row seating can limit views.

“Diego was fabulous and managed to squeeze in the Kerid crater(?) as well as feeding horses plus a quick stop at the cathedral in addition to the scheduled stops. It was a magic day and I feel so lucky to have been able to join the tour! Thanks, too, to Honey and Muppet for your kindness after my disasters!”

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3.Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Cruise Ship Day-Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 269 reviews · 6 hours · from $182

From Akureyri’s cruise pier, you’ll travel by 11 to 19-seat minibus to Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, Lake Mývatn, and the optional Mývatn Nature Baths. Local guides such as Johannes, Armann, Biggi, and Fribby add stories, geology, and extra stops when time allows.

“Great way to see the geological features at almost half the cost of what our cruise line would have cost small group versus a large bus.”

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4.Whale Watching Shore Excursions

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 250 reviews · from $100Best value

Sail from Akureyri into Eyjafjörður aboard a fast catamaran with an English-speaking guide, heated seating, Wi-Fi, café, and warm overalls. Guides such as Massimiliano and Dominique add clear explanations about whale behavior, while the crew works to find humpbacks, minkes, porpoises, dolphins, and seabirds.

“The staff were very friendly and very informative. We were delighted to see humpback and minky whales”

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5.From Seydisfjordur: Studlagil Canyon Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 247 reviews · 5 hours · from $213

Travel from Seyðisfjörður to Stuðlagil Canyon, where 30-meter basalt columns frame a blue glacial river. After a 239-step walk to the viewpoint, visit 27-meter Gufufoss. English-speaking guides such as Petra and Eva add local stories, while cruise-port pickup keeps timing simple.

“This tour was amazing and loved each stop. More time would of been nice at waterfall and canyon but the time was enough to see a good amount of time. If you want to do more exploring at each stop I wouldn’t do this tour. Our tour guide was very good and knowledgeable.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 216 reviews · 8 hours · from $182Top rated

Travel from Reykjavík’s cruise terminal in a group of up to 19 with a German-speaking guide such as Petra or Andy. See Kerið, Gullfoss, Strokkur, Þingvellir, Öxarárfoss, and Laugarvatn, with a farm stop for homemade ice cream and a possible Reykjavík photo stop.

“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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7.From Reykjavik Port: Golden Circle Shore Excursion

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

Join GeoIceland for a 7-hour small-group trip from Reykjavik Port to Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir. Your English-speaking guide handles cruise timing, shares local stories, and may add stops for horses, ice cream, a tomato farm, or volcanic sights when conditions and time allow.

“We were on NCL star. The ship was 7 hours late. The golden circle shore excursion was phenomenal. Even though we were 7 hours late. Geoiceland (the organizers) of the excursions were very accommodating. They even offered to refund our trip if we were too tired. We were very appreciative of Geoiceland with still providing us with an excursion. People on our cruise ship were left with nothing to do because the NCL excursion companies canceled. The trip was rushed; for our benefit. They wanted to ensure we experienced everything while there was still daylight. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I would give them 50 stars if I…”

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8.Myvatn Nature Baths & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri Shore Excursion

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

From Akureyri, visit historic Goðafoss, photograph Lake Mývatn’s volcanic scenery, then spend about two hours at the geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths. Guides such as Niko, Victoria, Petra, and Nicole lead the trip, with ship-friendly timing and return transport included.

“The baths were amazing. The bus driver and tour guide were also very helpful and great at providing info on the area. All in all a great experience! Thank you!”

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9.Private Transfer: Reykjavik Cruise Ports to hotels in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 15 minutes (approx.)

Meet your private driver at Skarfabakki or Miðbakki cruise port and ride directly to your Reykjavik hotel. Drivers such as Thor, Freyr, Helga, and Siggi help with luggage and offer local tips. The ride takes about 15 minutes, with room for up to three people and standard luggage.

“Messaged the provider several times to confirm pickup time and location, waited at the pickup location for more than 2 hours and driver never showed up. Couldn’t wait anymore and had to find alternative transportation. Vendor refused refund. Just a terrible experience.”

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10.Whale-Watching Cruise

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

Join Special Tours Iceland from Skarfabakki Harbour for a 2.5-hour high-speed or 3.5-hour leisurely cruise in Faxaflói Bay. Your guide explains local cetaceans as you watch for minke and humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, puffins, and seabirds. Warm waterproof coveralls and WiFi are included.

“Didn't see the whales however nice trip and gorgeous tour guide with amazing sense of humour”

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11.Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 19 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $141

You’ll ride from Akureyri port to Hauganes, then spend about 2.5 hours on Eyjafjörður looking for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Saga Travel provides guides, WiFi, warm drinks, cinnamon buns, and a return transfer timed for cruise departures.

“zu viele Leute an Bord, zu wenig Platz zum Beobachten und Fotografieren, sonst ok”

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