Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Water, fire, and old lava await. This half-day outing packs Godafoss, bubbling mud pools, black lava formations, a rift cave, and Lake Myvatn’s geothermal baths into one shore excursion. I like the variety and the small maximum group of 19, which keeps the day more personal than a large coach tour. I also like that the company handled a port change from Húsavík to Akureyri without fuss. The main drawback is the pace: with long stretches between sights, a late ship arrival or poor weather can turn this into a rushed day.

The tour costs $306.40 per person and runs about five to six hours. That is a serious price, but it includes private guided transport, port pickup, and several major sights in northern Iceland. You should plan carefully for the Myvatn Nature Baths because the ISK 7,400 admission fee is extra and must be reserved in advance.

Key points to know before booking

• Godafoss is the visual highlight: You get around 30 minutes at the Waterfall of the Gods, enough for photographs and a proper look if the weather behaves.
• The route covers several sides of Myvatn: Námaskarð’s steaming ground, Dimmuborgir’s lava formations, Grjótagjá cave, and the Nature Baths each show a different part of the region.
• Driving takes real time: Some stretches between stops can last 45 to 60 minutes, so this is not a stop-every-five-minutes excursion.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is ISK 7,400 per person and should be booked for about three hours after the tour begins.
• The tour can adapt at the hot springs: If you skip the baths, the group can visit Grjótagjá cave and the rift instead.
• Port details matter: The listed starting point is Húsavíkurhöfn, but the operator has also shifted the excursion to Akureyri when weather prevented a ship from docking in Húsavík.

Why this northern Iceland route works

Northern Iceland rewards a tour that links several different kinds of scenery. In a single outing, you move from a broad waterfall to steaming ground, from ancient lava to a cave split by continental geology, and finally to warm mineral-rich water.

That range is the tour’s best feature. You are not spending five hours looking at variations of the same view. Each stop gives you a new reason to step out of the van, even if you only have 15 or 20 minutes.

The tradeoff is distance. Lake Myvatn is not right beside Húsavík or Akureyri, and the road time is part of the day. You may spend 45 to 60 minutes between some sights. That makes the guide’s commentary and the comfort of the vehicle important, especially in rain or high wind.

The group limit of 19 is useful for a cruise excursion. You are still sharing the day with other people, but you avoid the feel of a full-size coach. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the vehicle has been described as clean and modern.

Godafoss: a strong opening stop

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and it earns its place near the start of the route. The river breaks into broad, rushing curtains over a curved rock ledge. It is dramatic without requiring a long walk or a strenuous hike.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough time to take photographs, look for different angles, and appreciate the scale of the falls. It is not a leisurely picnic stop, so keep your camera and rain gear ready as soon as you leave the vehicle.

I like the way Godafoss sets the tone for the rest of the day. It gives you a classic Iceland sight right away, then the tour shifts toward the stranger geothermal and volcanic features around Myvatn.

Weather can change the experience quickly. Rain and strong wind have limited time at this stop on past departures, so waterproof clothing is more useful than a carefully styled outfit. A miserable day does not make the falls less powerful, but it can shorten your time beside them.

Námaskarð and Hverir: Iceland under pressure

At the Námaskarð area, the ground looks and behaves very differently from the waterfall. Hverir has bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and mineral-colored earth. You may see steam rising from the ground and hear the soft, wet gurgle of mud pots.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a close look and photographs, though you will want to stay aware of the guide’s timing. The area is about atmospheric force rather than a long walk. You are seeing heat and pressure escape from below the surface.

This is one of the most memorable stops for anyone who likes geology. It also helps explain why the Myvatn region has hot water, lava fields, and other geothermal features. The smell and steam can be strong, so you may not want to linger right beside every vent.

Námaskarð is also a good reason to bring footwear with a firm sole. The tour information does not promise a paved route at every stop, and Icelandic weather can make any outdoor viewpoint wet or slippery. Stay close to marked areas and follow the guide’s instructions.

Dimmuborgir: walking among dark lava

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, a fitting name for the area’s twisted lava formations. Instead of one single viewpoint, you see rock shapes formed by volcanic activity, with openings, ridges, and rough black surfaces creating a striking setting.

The planned visit is about 20 minutes. That gives you a sample of the formations rather than a long walk through every path. If you want a full hiking experience around Dimmuborgir, this excursion may feel brief. If your goal is to see the area and understand why it is famous, the stop does its job.

I like this part of the route because it breaks up the open geothermal scenery. The lava is solid and silent, while Hverir feels active and unstable. Together they show two sides of Myvatn’s volcanic character.

Keep expectations realistic. This is a sightseeing stop on a tightly timed shore excursion, not a dedicated Dimmuborgir hike. You will need to return to the vehicle promptly so the group can stay on schedule.

Grjótagjá cave and the continental rift

Grjótagjá is an old bathing cave connected with the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. It offers a more enclosed, geological experience after the open lava fields and steaming ground.

The planned visit lasts about 15 minutes. That is short, but the cave is compact and the point is the setting rather than a long underground tour. You can look into the cave, see the rock walls, and consider the tectonic split beneath the region.

This stop becomes especially valuable if you skip the Nature Baths. The tour can take you to Grjótagjá and the rift while other members of the group use the baths. That gives non-bathers a meaningful alternative instead of leaving them with nothing to do.

You should not treat this as a guaranteed replacement for a full bathing session. The schedule gives only a brief visit, and the main attraction is viewing the cave and rift. Still, it is a smart option for anyone who does not want to pay the additional bathing fee or spend time in a hot pool.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the relaxing finish

The Myvatn Nature Baths are the tour’s most restful stop. After several outdoor viewpoints and a good deal of driving, warm geothermal water gives you time to slow down. There is also a café, so you can choose between bathing and a short break.

The planned stop lasts one hour, time permitting. That is enough for a taste of the experience, but it is not a full afternoon at the baths. You will need to change, enter, enjoy the water, and be ready to leave within the tour’s schedule.

Admission is not included. The listed price is ISK 7,400 per person, and you must reserve your own entry in advance. The recommended reservation time is about three hours after the tour starts. This timing matters because the route includes Godafoss and the Myvatn stops before reaching the baths.

Do not book the bath entry casually and assume every delay will be absorbed. Cruise excursions depend on road conditions, ship arrival, and the time spent at earlier stops. A late arrival into port has already made the day feel rushed, and bad weather can reduce time at each sight.

If soaking is a priority, confirm the tour start time and reserve carefully. If the baths are only a possible extra, keep your plans flexible and be ready to choose Grjótagjá instead.

The driving time and tour pace

The tour lasts about five to six hours, but the route covers a wide area. You are not getting five hours of nonstop sightseeing. Some drives between stops can take 45 to 60 minutes, especially around the Myvatn route.

That is not necessarily a flaw. The road between Húsavík or Akureyri and Myvatn can be part of the experience, with changing views of mountains and open Icelandic terrain. Still, you should know what you are buying: this is a road-based sampler, not a compact walking tour.

A late ship arrival is the biggest timing risk. One departure became much faster paced because the ship arrived late, and the group chose to skip the baths in favor of the cave and rift. That was a sensible decision, but it shows why you should rank your priorities before leaving the port.

I suggest choosing your top two priorities in advance. For many people, they will be Godafoss and the Nature Baths. For others, Godafoss and the volcanic sights around Myvatn will matter more. Having a plan makes an uncertain weather day easier.

Rain and wind can also shorten stops. Norbert, one of the guides, has been praised for being informative, professional, and good-humored, qualities that matter when the weather is poor and the schedule changes. A good guide cannot control Icelandic wind, but can help the day feel organized.

Port changes from Húsavík to Akureyri

The meeting point is listed at Húsavíkurhöfn, in Húsavík, and the tour returns to the meeting point. But cruise plans in northern Iceland can change with the sea.

A ship once could not dock in Húsavík because of high wind and rough seas, so the excursion was shifted to Akureyri. Imagine Iceland Travel changed the arrangements and operated the outing from the new port. That flexibility is a real advantage for cruise passengers, since a perfect shore plan is useless if the ship cannot reach the original harbor.

You should still check the meeting instructions for your own sailing. The published location identifies Húsavík, while the tour information also identifies Akureyri as the location connected with the experience. Treat the port as something to confirm before departure, not a detail to ignore.

Is $306.40 a fair price?

At $306.40 per person, this is not a budget shore excursion. The price includes the guided tour, transportation, pickup, and drop-off, but not food, drinks, or the ISK 7,400 Nature Baths admission.

The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange. You are paying for a long route with several major stops, a guide, a vehicle, and coordination with a cruise schedule. If you tried to connect Godafoss, Myvatn, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, and Grjótagjá independently during a port call, you would need to manage transport, timing, parking, and the return to the ship.

The tour makes the most sense for you if convenience and coverage matter more than low cost. It is less attractive if you want to spend a long time at one site or if the Nature Baths are your only goal. In that case, a shorter arrangement might offer more time in the water, though no alternative is specified here.

Because the group maximum is 19, the cost also buys a smaller setting than a large cruise bus. That does not make the tour cheap, but it helps explain the price.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to northern Iceland and have only one port day. It suits people who enjoy waterfalls, geology, volcanic formations, and geothermal water in equal measure.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a guided day. The route has several stops, and the driving distances make a coordinated vehicle useful. Norbert’s friendly, well-prepared style has added value on departures affected by wind or rain.

You may want to skip it if you dislike fixed schedules or if you need a slow day. The 15-minute cave visit and 20-minute stops at Hverir and Dimmuborgir leave little room for wandering. The experience asks you to accept some time in the vehicle in exchange for seeing many parts of the region.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The operator may also cancel for poor weather or if the minimum group size is not met, with a different date or a full refund offered.

My final take

Book this tour if you want the widest useful sample of the Húsavík and Myvatn region in one cruise stop. Godafoss and the geothermal sights are the strongest reasons to go, while the Nature Baths offer a pleasant finish if your timing and budget allow.

Before paying, confirm the port, check your ship’s arrival time, and decide if bathing is essential. If your ship is delayed, be ready to choose between the Nature Baths and Grjótagjá. For a first look at northern Iceland, the route delivers impressive variety. Just do not mistake a five-to-six-hour sampler for a leisurely day in the countryside.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is Húsavíkurhöfn, Húsavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can the tour operate from Akureyri?

Yes. The tour has been shifted from Húsavík to Akureyri when a cruise ship could not dock in Húsavík because of high wind and rough seas.

How long does the experience last?

The tour takes approximately five to six hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the guided tour, transportation, pickup, and drop-off.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission is not included and costs ISK 7,400 per person.

When should I reserve the Nature Baths?

The recommended reservation time is about three hours after the tour starts. Entrance must be reserved in advance.

What happens if I do not want to use the Nature Baths?

You can visit Grjótagjá cave and the rift while other members of the group use the Nature Baths, subject to the available time.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.