Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

Godafoss gives this cruise-day outing a dramatic start, then the route moves into the strange volcanic world around Lake Myvatn. You’ll see a broad waterfall, steaming ground, bubbling mud, black lava shapes, and a cave cut into the rift between two continents.

I like the strong mix of scenery and the clean, modern van with a small group capped at 19 people. I also like the choice at Myvatn: soak in the Nature Baths or use that time for Grjótagjá Cave and the rift. The main caution is time. Long drives between stops, bad weather, or a late ship can turn this into a fast-paced day.

Key things to know before you book

• Godafoss comes first: You get about 30 minutes at one of Iceland’s most memorable waterfalls.
• Lake Myvatn packs in several sights: Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, and the Nature Baths all fit into one outing.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is ISK 7,400 per person and must be reserved before the tour.
• Driving takes real time: Some stretches between stops last 45 to 60 minutes, so this is a sightseeing circuit, not a lazy day in one place.
• Port flexibility matters: The tour can shift from Húsavík to Akureyri if rough seas prevent the ship from docking at Húsavík.
• The guide makes a difference: Norbert is one named guide associated with the experience, and his humor and clear explanations add warmth to the long van rides.

From Húsavík harbor to the Waterfall of the Gods

The meeting point is at Húsavíkurhöfn, the harbor in Húsavík. Pickup, transport, guiding, and drop-off are included, so you do not need to arrange a separate taxi or rental car for this excursion.

The route’s first major stop is Godafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods. You have about 30 minutes here, which is enough for photographs and a good look at the falls, but not enough for an unhurried walk through every viewpoint.

Godafoss is a good opening stop because it gives you instant scale. Water pours over a wide horseshoe-shaped drop, with Icelandic hills and open country around it. Snow-capped mountains may appear on the drive, while the waterfall itself offers a powerful contrast of white water and dark rock.

Keep your camera ready, but also allow time simply to look. Thirty minutes goes quickly once you have walked to the viewing area, taken pictures, and dealt with wind or rain. A miserable day can shorten your time outside, as happened on one particularly wet and windy outing.

The long road to Lake Myvatn

After Godafoss, the tour continues toward Lake Myvatn. The drive is part of the day, not just a transfer between attractions. Some stretches can last 45 to 60 minutes, so you should be comfortable spending a fair portion of the excursion in the van.

That driving time has two sides. You lose some time that could be spent walking, but you gain a changing view of northern Iceland, with open country, mountains, volcanic ground, and weather that can shift quickly. A guide can also make the road more interesting by explaining the places you are passing.

The tour lasts about five to six hours. That is a useful length for a port visit, but the schedule has little room for delays. A late-arriving ship caused one outing to feel rushed, and the Nature Baths were skipped so the group could spend time at the cave and tectonic rift instead.

For that reason, I would not treat every listed stop as guaranteed leisurely time. You are getting broad coverage of the Myvatn area, but the day works best if you accept that some stops will be brief.

Námaskarð and the Hverir mud pools

Námaskarð is one of the tour’s most unusual stops. At the Hverir geothermal area, the ground bubbles, steams, and releases heat through fumaroles. The mud pools look less like a peaceful spa and more like a working kitchen beneath the earth.

You have about 20 minutes at Námaskarð. That is enough to walk around the main viewing area, photograph the boiling mud, and watch steam rise from the vents. Stay on marked paths and pay attention to your guide, since this is active geothermal ground.

The colors and textures here are the point. Pale earth, orange and yellow mineral deposits, gray mud, and drifting steam create a scene unlike Godafoss. You are not coming for a long hike. You are coming to see the earth behaving in a very direct, noisy way.

Weather can affect the experience. Wind may scatter steam and rain may make the ground feel bleak rather than otherworldly. Still, Hverir is one of the best short stops on the route because you can see so much in a small area.

Dimmuborgir’s dark lava formations

Dimmuborgir means dark castles, a fitting name for the twisted lava formations found here. The rocks form arches, walls, and irregular shapes that make the area feel almost built rather than erupted.

The scheduled time is about 20 minutes. That gives you a taste of the formations, but not a long hike through every path. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground, and keep your expectations realistic: this is a short introduction, not a full walking tour.

I like this stop because it changes the mood again. Godafoss is open and watery. Hverir is hot and active. Dimmuborgir is dark, still, and sculptural. Putting all three together shows how varied the Myvatn area can be within a single afternoon.

If your group is moving on schedule, use the first few minutes for the main formations and the remaining time for photographs. The short stop rewards quick observation rather than a slow wander.

Grjótagjá Cave and the continental rift

Grjótagjá Cave adds a different kind of interest. This old bathing cave is part of the rift between the Eurasian and American continents. The cave and surrounding rock make the forces beneath Iceland easier to picture than any museum display could.

The visit lasts about 15 minutes. It is brief, but the cave is a useful alternative to the Nature Baths for anyone who does not want to pay for or spend time in a geothermal pool.

The tour description gives you a choice here. Some people use the Myvatn Nature Baths while others visit Grjótagjá Cave and the rift. This makes the outing more flexible than a fixed spa stop, though the exact choice depends on timing and the group’s schedule.

You should not expect a long underground exploration. The value is in seeing the cave, the old bathing site, and the visible break in the earth. A short stop can still feel memorable because it connects the area’s geology with its human use.

The Myvatn Nature Baths option

The Nature Baths are the most relaxing part of the day, but they require planning. Admission is not included, and the listed price is ISK 7,400 per person. You must reserve your entry in advance, with a booking about three hours after the tour begins recommended.

The tour allows about one hour at the baths, including time at the café. That is enough for a pleasant soak if the schedule is running well, but it is not a full spa day. You will need to factor in changing time as well as time in the water.

This stop is best for you if warm geothermal bathing sounds like the right ending to a cold, windy day. It can also make the tour feel less rushed, since you get a chance to slow down after several quick photo stops.

The risk is timing. If the ship arrives late, weather delays the drive, or the group spends longer at earlier sights, you may not have enough time to enjoy the baths properly. One practical choice is to decide in advance which matters more to you: the soak or Grjótagjá Cave and the rift.

Do not reserve the baths casually and assume the rest of the day will fit around them. Use the recommended booking time, listen for updates from the guide, and be ready for the possibility that conditions may force a faster schedule.

A small-group vehicle and guide-led day

Transport is by van, with a maximum of 19 people. That is small enough to make boarding and short stops fairly manageable, though it is not a private tour. You should expect to share the pace and decisions with the group.

The vehicle has been described as clean and modern, an important detail when you may spend several hours on the road. Good transport matters here because the sights are spread out. A cramped or unreliable vehicle would make the long drives much harder.

Norbert is one guide associated with this outing. He has been described as informative, professional, humorous, and easy to find at the port. Those qualities matter more than they might on a simple transfer because the route includes geology, local history, volcanic activity, and several short stops.

A good guide also helps when plans change. If the ship is late, weather turns bad, or the port changes, you need someone who can explain the new plan without wasting time.

The tour has previously shifted from Húsavík to Akureyri when high wind and rough seas prevented a ship from docking at Húsavík. Imagine Iceland Travel moved the arrangements to the new port. That flexibility is especially useful for cruise passengers, since port conditions are beyond your control.

Price, timing, and the value of the day

At $306.40 per person, this is not a cheap shore excursion. Its value comes from the amount of ground covered and the convenience of having transport, pickup, drop-off, and a guide arranged for you.

You are paying to connect several places that would be awkward to visit independently during a port call. Godafoss, Lake Myvatn, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, and the Nature Baths are spread across northern Iceland. A rental car would add driving responsibility, navigation, fuel, and the risk of misjudging your return to the ship.

The price looks more reasonable if you want variety in a single day. It looks less attractive if your priority is a long, quiet visit at one site. You should also add the ISK 7,400 Nature Baths admission if you choose to soak.

The group limit of 19 keeps the outing smaller than a large coach tour, but the schedule remains fixed by the ship’s arrival and departure. If you need a slow pace, long walks, or lots of time for every stop, this may feel too compressed.

Weather, ship timing, and what to pack

Northern Iceland does not promise gentle sightseeing weather. Rain, wind, and cold can limit how long you want to stay outside. One outing took place in miserable rain and high wind, and the weather shortened time at several sights.

Bring waterproof outer clothing, warm layers, and shoes that can handle uneven ground. The information provided does not list a specific equipment requirement, but practical clothing will make the waterfall, geothermal area, and lava formations much more enjoyable.

Build your expectations around a real five to six hour port excursion. If the ship docks late, the guide may need to shorten stops or remove the Nature Baths from the plan. The route includes enough driving that even a small delay can affect the final hour.

The weather policy is also important. The experience requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Myvatn excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several of northern Iceland’s best-known sights without arranging a car. It suits cruise passengers who value variety, guided transport, and the security of a planned return to the harbor.

It is also a good fit if you want a choice between a geothermal soak and a geological stop. That flexibility lets you shape the last part of the day around your interests.

I would be cautious if you dislike long van rides or need plenty of free time at each attraction. The waterfall, Hverir, Dimmuborgir, and Grjótagjá visits are short, and the route can feel rushed when a ship arrives late or weather slows the group.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if your priority is maximum variety in one cruise day. You will see Godafoss, volcanic formations, active geothermal ground, and the option of a warm bath, all with transport and a guide.

Skip it if you want a slow spa visit or a deep walk through one site. For most cruise passengers, though, the combination of scenery, port flexibility, and a small modern van makes the $306.40 price easier to justify. Reserve the Nature Baths early only if that soak is central to your plan, and leave room for Iceland’s weather to rewrite the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Húsavíkurhöfn, Húsavík, and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

What is included in the price?

Guided touring, transport, pickup, and drop-off are included.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission costs ISK 7,400 per person and must be reserved in advance.

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 travelers.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.