Iceland · Geological Wonders

(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss

7 Hours Round trip from Akureyri Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Goðafoss, the famous Waterfall of the Gods
  • 02 Explore the volcanic landscapes around Lake Mývatn
  • 03 See the pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar
  • 04 Walk among the lava formations of Dimmuborgir
  • 05 Visit Grjótagjá, a lava cave with a thermal spring
  • 06 Experience the steaming geothermal area at Hverir
  • 07 Travel with shared minibus transport and an English-speaking guide
  • 08 Optional visit to Forest Lagoon, depending on docking times

Discover some of North Iceland’s most striking natural highlights on this shore excursion from Akureyri. Travel through the landscapes around Lake Mývatn and visit a mix of waterfalls, volcanic formations, lava caves, pseudocraters, and geothermal areas, all within a single day.

Along the way, you’ll stop at the spectacular Goðafoss waterfall, explore the dramatic lava scenery of Dimmuborgir, see the pseudocraters at Skútustaðagígar, visit Grjótagjá cave, and experience the steaming ground and bubbling mud pots of Hverir. With shared minibus transport and an English-speaking guide included, this tour offers a comfortable way to experience the geological wonders of the region.

Depending on your cruise schedule, there may also be an option to add a visit to Forest Lagoon, giving you extra time to relax before returning to Akureyri.

You can see many smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots, surrounded by sulphur crystals of many different colours.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Akureyri, Mývatn
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Goðafoss

Goðafoss Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Nicknamed the Waterfall of the Gods due to its history. In the year 1000, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made Christianity the official religion of Iceland and proceeded with throwing his statues of gods into the waterfall.

The water falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.

Skútustaðagígar

Pseudo craters are geological formations that are rare nationally as well as globally. Pseudo craters are rare lava formations formed by steam explosions where thin-flowing lava flows over lakes and swamps. The craters are among the most significant natural monuments in Iceland and by Lake Mývatn they are particularly beautiful in shape and form the framework of the lake.

Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir was formed in an eruption that occurred

in the area 2,300 years ago.

As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam.

As such, many have compared Dimmuborgir to a medieval castle, with its many hidden chambers and its rising towers.

Grjótagjá

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave near Lake Mývatn in Iceland. It has a thermal spring inside. In the early 18th century the outlaw Jón Markússon lived there and used the cave for bathing. Until the 1970s Grjótagjá was a popular bathing site.

Hverir

Hverir Geothermal Area is located in Northeast Iceland.

You can see many smoking fumaroles and boiling mud pots, surrounded by sulphur crystals of many different colours. Sulphur gives the area an overwhelming smell.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Akureyri 2 cities · 7 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

This tour includes comfortable transportation in a minibus and English-speaking guide to enhance your experience.

What's Not Included

Entry to the Forest Lagoon is not included in the tour price. However, you can easily add it during the booking process or by contacting us.

Know before you go

  • Please note that the tour schedule may vary depending on your cruise ship's docking times. For some cruise arrivals, there may not be sufficient time to include a visit to Forest Lagoon.
  • The tour is scheduled according to your ship's docking and departure times.
  • If you choose to visit Forest Lagoon, you will typically have approximately 1.5 hours to enjoy the lagoon, although this may vary depending on docking times. Guests who prefer not to bathe will be transferred to Akureyri earlier, allowing additional time to explore the town at their leisure.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Akureyri, IS
Tour start
Akureyri, IS
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 hours finish where they began, in Akureyri.

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