The 12 Akureyri Shore Excursions That Earn Their Price

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

From Akureyri’s cruise pier, a guide takes you to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn in about six hours. You’ll see steam vents at Námaskarð, Dimmuborgir’s lava towers, Grjótagjá cave, and the Mývatn Nature Baths. Bath admission costs extra and must be booked in advance. Compact minibus groups hold up to 19 people.

“Small bus. Holds 16 cramped. Bus felt unsafe…rear of bus needs to be checked Driver was entertaining but full of himself. Tour was supposed to be 5 1/2- 6 hours but lasted 7 hours…we were exhausted at end No WiFi on bus which was upsetting”

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2.Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Cruise Ship Day-Trip

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

This six-hour Akureyri shore excursion follows Eyjafjörður to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, and Grjótagjá. You travel in an 11 to 19-seat minibus with an English-speaking local guide. The Mývatn Nature Baths are optional and cost extra, while non-bathers visit Grjótagjá or nearby lava fields.

“A wonderful day touring out of Akureyri. Small group tour is the way to go. Our guide Johannes was exceptional. He timed stopping at all of the tour points to arrive ahead of the large bus tours to beat the crowds. If you have a short time in Akureyri this is the tour to take. Unfortunately our cruise schedule was a bit off with a 6:00 AM arrival and departure at 3:00 PM. The thermal baths at Lake Mývatn did not open until noon leaving not enough time to enjoy them. Not the fault of the tour operator. Many tour operators tried to arrange for an earlier opening but were…”

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3.Whale Watching Shore Excursions

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

Sail from Akureyri into Eyjafjörður on a fast catamaran in search of humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Guides such as Massimiliano and Dominique explain whale behavior and local waters. Warm coveralls, heated seating, Wi-Fi, a café, and a second-chance ticket help make this a comfortable 2.5-hour outing.

“Our tour guide and crew were amazing. Their skill and knowledge of the fjords allowed us many opportunities to see whales very close up! We were educated on whale behaviors and general history of the area. The view was breathtaking. The boat accommodations were also very good. They even offer full weather suit to keep you warm, if you would like. Very much would recommend again!”

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4.Myvatn Nature Baths & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri Shore Excursion

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

From Akureyri, you’ll visit Goðafoss, pause above Lake Mývatn’s volcanic scenery, and spend about two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths. Guides such as Niko, Petra, Victoria, and Nicole add local stories, while cruise-friendly scheduling aims to return you to port on time. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and confirm the pickup point carefully.

“The Nature Bath was beautiful but the place where you change well I am not one to take my clothes off in front of alot of people and walk around naked but there are no stalls to change so if your not comfortable with this do not take this tour”

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5.Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shared Shore Excursions

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $200

Spend 6 to 7 hours touring North Iceland from Akureyri by air-conditioned minibus. Visit Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Námaskarð, Lake Mývatn, and the Mývatn Nature Baths. Guides such as Johanna, Siggi, Hilli, and Reynir may lead the day, with time adjusted around cruise schedules.

“Very good tour. Our guide was good and the locations were beautiful. It is a group tour, but it's small and comfortable.”

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6.Godafoss Waterfall Tour for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Ride from Akureyri to Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, with an English-speaking guide who adds Icelandic history, folklore, and local stories along the way. You’ll also stop at an Akureyri viewpoint for views over Eyjafjordur Bay. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and returns to the starting point.

“What a great tour! Thank you! The trip to the waterfalls was nice, and the falls were spectacular. Excellent experience!”

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7.Godafoss Waterfall Shore Excursion From Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $84Best value

From Akureyri Cruise Terminal, you’ll ride in private transport to Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, with an English-speaking guide. You get about 40 minutes at the falls for paths, rocks, and photos, then return to port. Guides such as Johannes and Sigurlaug have added local stories and scenic stops when time allows.

“The waterfall was spectacular. Our driver was funny and very personable. It was cold, windy and some rain. Wear warm clothing and good shoes. You will be walking over rocks and dirt.”

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8.Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

From Akureyri’s port, visit Goðafoss, the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá Cave, and Námaskarð’s boiling mud. The excursion lasts about 5 to 7 hours, includes pickup, WiFi, and all entrance fees, and is planned for a small group, with capacity details listed as up to 8 and up to 19.

“Great and informative small group tour. Pick up from cruise port was very easy. Guide was very knowledgeable of the area, and could answer our questions easily. He gave us time to explore, and was in no hurry. We stopped many times, and saw more than was expected.”

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9.Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanic Garden Shared Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $166

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Akureyri to Goðafoss, then see the town’s Old Town, stroll the northernmost botanical gardens, and stop at a fjord viewpoint. An English-speaking driver-guide leads the 3.5-hour trip for groups of up to 18. Cruise pickup is available at either Akureyri port.

“Listen carefully to pick up instructions. Driver lost people twice! First time, van moved 1/4 mile away and driver left, making it difficult to find correct pickup spot. Second stop, driver locked vehicle and went to chit-chat with other drivers, leaving passengers waiting in the cold. The falls were amazing. The botanical garden was a free city park.”

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10.Lake Myvatn Private Day Tour Mývatn, Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) Top rated

From Akureyri Port, your private guide takes you to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn’s bubbling Hverir mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava fields, Grjotagja Cave, and the Myvatn Nature Baths. Guides such as Daniel and Laurent have led this route. Baths cost extra, and the 5 to 6 hour schedule requires good timing.

“Superb in every way! Fabulous guide Laurent made it come alive!! Great details and folklore tales and history!”

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11.Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $306

Travel by clean, modern van from Húsavík to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn with a guide such as Norbert. See bubbling Hverir mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá Cave, and the Myvatn Nature Baths. The tour lasts about 5 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 19 people. Bath admission costs extra and must be reserved ahead.

“A beautiful tour with knowledgeable tour guide. You get to see several different landscapes including snow capped mountains to bubbling mud pools. The waterfall was beautiful and there was enough time to take pictures. The geothermal pool/lagoon was a wonderful end of the tour.”

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12.German-speaking shore excursion Góðafoss & Mývatn from Akureyri in a small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $180

From Akureyri’s cruise port, you’ll travel in a small bus with a German-speaking local guide to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn. The day includes lava fields, pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, boiling mud at Hverir, Krafla, and a break in Reykjahlíð. The schedule is matched to your ship’s berth.

“Sehr schöner Kleinbus mit einem sehr gut deutsch sprechendem Guide. Es war an jedem Stopp ausreichend Zeit und es wurde versucht, den großen Reisebussen aus dem Weg zu gehen. Absolute Empfehlung.”

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