Godafoss & Lake Mývatn Tour: Small Group Shore Excursion

Godafoss waterfall and five stops around Lake Mývatn in one morning.

A guided small-group tour from Akureyri port visits Godafoss waterfall, the pseudo craters and lava formations of Lake Mývatn, a geothermal area with boiling mud, and ends at the Nature Baths for a soak in geothermal water. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with pickup and drop-off at the port, flexible departure times to match cruise arrivals, and a guarantee you return before the ship leaves. Guides speak English and drive a comfortable minibus; WiFi is available on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Godafoss and Myvatn area

• Travel along Eyjafjörður fjord
• Visit Goðafoss waterfall
• Explore Lake Mývatn and pseudo craters
• Discover lava formations at Dimmuborgir
• Visit Grjótagjá cave and hot blue river
• See fumaroles and mud pots at Hverir
• Relax at Mývatn Nature Baths

The Experience

Godafoss waterfall is the first stop, reached by driving north along Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland's longest fjords. The guide will help you frame shots if a rainbow appears — the light and water angle shift through the morning, so timing matters here. From there the route turns inland toward Lake Mývatn, where the landscape changes into something otherworldly: pseudo craters (Skútustaðagígar) rise from the lakeshore, a rare formation found only in a handful of places on Earth, including Hawaii and Mars.

The tour then moves through Dimmuborgir, a sprawl of black lava formations stacked and twisted into shapes that drew Game of Thrones filming crews. You walk among them and the guide points out the scale and the forces that shaped them. Next is Grjótagjá cave, where a hot blue river runs underground and adventurous travelers can stand on the continental rift between the European and American tectonic plates to photograph it. The geothermal area of Hverir comes next — smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots visible from a boardwalk, the ground itself releasing heat and sulfur smell.

The tour ends at Mývatn Nature Baths, where you soak in geothermal water surrounded by the same volcanic landscape you've been driving through. Bring swimwear and a towel. The entry fee to the baths is separate from the tour price and can be added at checkout. The remaining time in the 7 to 8 hour window is travel between stops.

What’s included

• Fully guided tour in English.
• transport by comfortable minibus.
• pickup and drop-off at Akureyri port.
• WiFi on board.
• access to five natural attractions (Godafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá cave, and Hverir geothermal area).
• and a Cruise Ship Return Guarantee so you're back before departure.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fox Adventure

Is this one for you?Choose your departure time to align with your ship's schedule, then head straight from the port to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn without coordinating transport separately.

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Top questions

What is Godafoss waterfall and why does the guide stop there first?

Godafoss is a major waterfall on the route north from Akureyri, significant in Iceland's history. It is the first destination because the drive there follows Eyjafjörður fjord, and the guide uses the stop to frame photographs and explain the landscape you'll see for the rest of the day.

What are the pseudo craters at Lake Mývatn?

Pseudo craters (Skútustaðagígar) are cone-shaped formations that rise from the lakeshore and look like volcanic craters but formed differently — they are rare worldwide, found only in Iceland, Hawaii, the Azores, and on Mars. The tour includes time to see them from the lakeshore.

Can I swim in the geothermal water at the end of the tour?

Yes, the tour ends at Mývatn Nature Baths, where you can bathe in geothermal water. You'll need to bring swimwear and a towel. The entry fee to the baths is optional and added at checkout if you want it; the tour price covers transport and the guide to that point.

How do departure times work if my cruise ship arrives late?

The tour offers a wide range of departure times to match cruise schedules, so you can book a slot that aligns with when you expect to clear the port. The operator guarantees you return to the Akureyri port before your ship departs.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a fully guided experience in English, transport by comfortable minibus, pickup and drop-off at the port, and WiFi on board. Meals and beverages are not included, and the entry fee to Mývatn Nature Baths is separate.