Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shared Shore Excursions

Goðafoss is the star of this North Iceland day trip, but the real pleasure is the variety: one minute you are watching a broad waterfall, the next you are peering into a cave or walking among black lava towers. I especially like the mix of major sights and odd volcanic details, plus the chance to finish with a soak at Mývatn Nature Baths.

I also like the compact vehicle and the chance to hear local stories from guides such as Siggi, Högni, Kristján, Hilli, and Johanna, depending on the departure. The main drawback is the packed schedule. You see a lot in six or seven hours, but this is not a slow, linger-by-the-lake kind of day. Clarify the pickup time, bath plan, and lunch arrangements before you set out.

Key points at a glance

• Goðafoss comes first: Spend about 30 minutes at one of North Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls.
• Eight volcanic sights in one day: The route includes pseudo-craters, mud pots, lava formations, a cave, geothermal ground, lake viewpoints, and more.
• The Nature Baths are optional: Set aside about 90 minutes for the geothermal pool, with admission paid separately.
• A practical cruise excursion: Pickup is arranged around Akureyri’s cruise ports, with a bright yellow jacket and Star Travel sign helping you find the meeting point.
• Small-vehicle comfort: The experience is designed around a personal group, with tour information describing groups of up to 18, though another booking note lists a maximum of 67, so confirm the expected group size.
• Weather and midges matter: Wind, cold, rain, and the small flies around Mývatn can affect your comfort.

Why this Akureyri excursion covers so much

The route from Akureyri to Lake Mývatn gives you a quick lesson in Iceland’s volcanic character. You are not simply driving to a waterfall and back. The day moves through cooled lava, steaming ground, crater shapes, old bathing caves, and a geothermal spa.

That variety makes the $200.33 price easier to assess. You are paying for transport, a driver, a guide, and a long loop through North Iceland without having to rent a car or plan the route yourself. You also avoid the work of fitting eight separate stops around a cruise schedule.

The value is strongest if you are visiting from a ship, have limited time in Akureyri, and want a broad introduction to the Mývatn area. A rental car could give you more freedom, but it would also leave you responsible for driving, navigation, parking, weather decisions, and getting back to the port on time.

The tour runs about six to seven hours. That is long enough to reach the main sights, but not long enough for every stop to become a proper hike. Bring shoes with a firm sole, warm layers, rain protection, and a small snack. Food and drinks are not included, and the schedule can be too tight for an unplanned restaurant meal.

Goðafoss sets the tone in 30 minutes

The first stop is Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. The falls spread across a curved section of the Skjálfandafljót River, creating a wide, powerful view rather than a single narrow drop.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for photos, a look from the viewing area, and a short walk, but it is not a long exploration of the riverbank. The waterfall can be cold and windy, so keep your outer layer easy to reach.

This is one of the best-paced stops on the route. You see something immediately impressive, then move on before the day becomes rushed. If the weather is clear, the surrounding hills add scale. If it is cloudy or snowy, Goðafoss still has plenty of force and drama.

Skútustaðagígar shows volcanic shapes by the lake

At Skútustaðagígar, you stop among pseudo-craters formed by steam explosions rather than by lava erupting from a traditional volcanic vent. These rounded formations give the area an unusual, almost otherworldly look.

The planned stop is about 25 minutes. You may see steaming ground and mud pots in the wider area, though this is not the place for a long walk around every formation. Pay attention to the guide here, since the explanation of how pseudo-craters form makes the view far more interesting than simply seeing a set of grassy mounds.

This stop also introduces one of the practical issues around Mývatn. On warm, still days, tiny midges can gather near the lake. They are part of the local ecosystem, but they can fly into your ears, eyes, and mouth. If you visit in conditions that favor them, a head net can be useful. The operator has suggested advising people when the flies are active, but head nets are not listed as included equipment, so consider bringing your own.

Kálfaströnd connects scenery with television

Kálfaströnd provides a lake view and a chance to see part of the setting used for Game of Thrones, including scenes associated with the area north of the Wall. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

That is a short pause, best treated as a viewpoint rather than a walk. You can take in the water, volcanic forms, and broad surroundings before returning to the vehicle. If you are a fan of the series, the filming connection adds a bit of fun. If you are not, the view still earns its place because it helps show how varied the Mývatn area can be.

The brief timing is typical of this excursion. You get a taste of many locations rather than a long stay at a few. Keep your camera ready and listen for the return time.

Dimmuborgir is a maze of black lava

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, an apt name for the twisted lava formations scattered across the area. The rock shapes were created when lava cooled around pockets of water, leaving arches, towers, and rough walls.

You have around 35 minutes here, enough to walk a short section and see why this is one of the most visited places around Mývatn. Wear shoes with good grip. The ground can be uneven, and the formations invite you to leave the main path, but you should stay within the marked areas.

Dimmuborgir is also tied to Icelandic folklore. The rocky formations are associated with trolls and the Yule Lads, which gives the guide a natural opening to talk about Icelandic stories and customs. Several guides on this route have been praised for adding that kind of local color to the geology.

This is one place where a longer tour would be welcome. Thirty-five minutes passes quickly, especially if you want both photographs and a walk. Still, the stop gives you a real sense of the lava field without turning the day into a strenuous hike.

Grjótagjá Cave has a striking film connection

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave with an underground geothermal pool. It was once used as a bathing place and became famous to many television fans as a location connected with a romantic Game of Thrones scene.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. You will have time to look inside and take photographs, but this is not a bathing stop. The cave is compact, and access can involve uneven ground, so take care with your footing.

The cave’s history is also practical. The water has been too hot for regular bathing, and the site is treated as a viewing stop. Do not confuse it with the later Mývatn Nature Baths, where bathing is an optional part of the day.

Hverir brings you close to steaming earth

At Námafjall Hverir, the ground looks and sounds active. Steam rises from vents, mud pots bubble, and mineral colors mark the soil. The smell of sulfur can be strong, often compared with rotten eggs, so do not be surprised when the air changes as you approach.

The stop is about 20 minutes. Follow the guide’s instructions and stay on the permitted paths. This is not a place for casual wandering. The ground around geothermal vents can be hot and unstable.

Hverir is a highlight for anyone interested in geology. You can see heat moving through the earth rather than merely hearing about ancient volcanic activity. It is also one of the stops most affected by weather. Wind may clear the steam quickly, while still air can hold it low over the ground.

The route also includes a brief stop known as the Lake of the Lights. The supplied schedule gives no separate time or detailed description for it, so treat it as an additional scenic pause rather than a major walk or attraction.

Mývatn Nature Baths provide the gentlest finish

The final major stop is Mývatn Nature Baths, also called Jarðböðin við Mývatn. The planned visit is about 90 minutes, depending on the cruise ship’s arrival and departure requirements.

Admission is not included in the tour price. Bathing suits and towels are also your responsibility. If you choose not to enter the water, you may have time for refreshments at the on-site café, though you should confirm the exact arrangement with your guide.

The baths are man-made, but the water is heated by geothermal energy. That distinction matters if you are expecting a wild pool in the middle of nature. You are using a developed bathing facility with changing areas and a café, while the heat comes from Iceland’s volcanic ground.

Many people find this a fine way to end a busy sightseeing day. After walking around lava formations and geothermal ground, warm water can feel especially welcome. One practical tip is to keep track of time yourself. At least one departure had no easy way to check the clock while in the water, and cruise passengers cannot afford to drift past the agreed return time.

Construction and expansion have affected the view at times. If you are looking for total solitude, this is not it. If you want a comfortable geothermal soak added to a sightseeing route, it can be the most relaxing part of the day.

The bath stop can also change. One group skipped it and visited Dettifoss instead at the request of the group. That suggests some flexibility, but you should not assume a major change will always be possible. Discuss alternatives early, especially if you need to be back at the ship by a fixed hour.

Guides make a real difference

This is a guide-led tour, and the quality of the day depends heavily on the person behind the wheel. Guides named in past departures include Siggi, Högni, Kristján, Hilli, Johanna, Peter, and Reynir. You are not guaranteed one specific guide unless Star Travel confirms it directly.

The strongest guiding style on this route is practical and personal. A good guide explains what you are seeing, gives clear return times, points out restrooms and food options, and adds stories about Icelandic customs, trolls, elves, and the Yule Lads without letting the folklore overwhelm the geology.

Several guides have been praised for being warm, punctual, and good at getting everyone back to the port. That matters more than it might on an ordinary day trip. Cruise passengers have a fixed deadline, and a delayed start or a missing passenger at an early stop can cut into every later visit.

Communication has not always been perfect. Confusion has occurred around pickup times, lunch, the bath duration, and the cost of admission. Before departure, confirm:

• The exact pickup time
• Your cruise ship name and port
• The planned bath duration
• Whether you will stop for food
• The admission cost for the baths
• The expected return time

That five-minute conversation can prevent a great deal of anxiety.

Port pickup is useful but needs attention

The main meeting point is at Oddeyrarbryggja, on Strandgata in Akureyri. Cruise passengers need to provide the ship name because Akureyri has more than one port.

At Tangabryggja, look for the small wooden houses outside the cruise area. Star Travel operates from house number 3. At Oddeyrarbryggja, look for the Icewear shop and the designated agent area beside it. Staff should have a Star Travel sign, and a team member may be wearing a bright yellow jacket.

If you are staying in Akureyri, choose the correct accommodation for pickup and keep the provided phone number reachable. The schedule has had occasional communication problems, so do not rely only on memory or assume every departure uses the same time.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and smaller than a large coach. That usually means faster loading at stops and an easier time hearing the guide. The tour information highlights a personal group of up to 18, while another booking note gives a maximum of 67. Because those figures do not match, ask what vehicle and group size apply to your date.

Price, pace, and who gets the best value

At $200.33 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mývatn. It can still be good value if you are arriving by cruise ship, want a guide, and prefer not to drive on unfamiliar roads.

The price includes the air-conditioned vehicle, driver, guide, and local taxes. It does not include food, drinks, or the Nature Baths admission. The bath fee has caused confusion because the final cost can be much higher than an initially quoted small amount, so get the current price before entering.

You are paying for coverage rather than leisure. Eight sights in one day is efficient, but the schedule leaves little room for a long lunch, a spontaneous walk, or a missed photo stop. I would choose this tour if your priority is seeing the main Mývatn sights from Akureyri in one organized outing.

I would think twice if you dislike group schedules, want to spend hours at the baths, or prefer to choose every stop yourself. A rental car may suit independent drivers, but it does not provide the same local commentary or cruise-focused planning.

Should you book the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss excursion?

Book it if you have one day in Akureyri and want the widest possible sample of North Iceland: Goðafoss, volcanic formations, geothermal ground, a cave, filming sites, and an optional spa.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, vehicle size, bath admission, and return plan. Bring warm waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, snacks, and protection from midges during warm summer weather.

This is a strong choice for first-time visitors and cruise passengers who value coverage and local guidance. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a quiet, unhurried day. The route is busy, but the sights are unusually varied, and the right guide can turn a fast schedule into a memorable introduction to Iceland’s volcanic north.

FAQ

How long does the Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Where does the tour begin in Akureyri?

The listed starting point is Oddeyrarbryggja on Strandgata in Akureyri. Pickup details vary by cruise port and accommodation.

What should cruise passengers provide when booking?

Cruise passengers should provide the name of their vessel because Akureyri has multiple ports.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, driver, guide, and local taxes.

Is admission to Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission to the Nature Baths is paid separately.

Are bathing suits and towels provided?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own bathing suit and towel if you plan to enter the baths.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.