Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is that the fish you catch in Faxaflói Bay can be cleaned, grilled, and served before you reach the harbor. You get a hands-on fishing trip, a boat ride, and a very fresh seafood lunch in one compact afternoon.

I like the beginner-friendly instruction and the chance to see how Icelandic cod, haddock, pollack, mackerel, and other fish are caught. I also like the personal crew, often including the friendly brothers Jakob and Vigfus, who help with rods, bait, tangles, and seasickness. The main caution is simple: this is wild ocean fishing, so rough water can spoil the ride, and no one can promise a catch every time.

Key points to know before you book

• Fresh fish on the return trip: Your catch may be cleaned and grilled aboard the boat, with potatoes and sauce sometimes served alongside it.
• No license or experience required: The crew supplies the equipment and gives a clear demonstration before fishing begins.
• Faxaflói Bay views: The three-hour trip combines open-water scenery with the chance to spot seabirds such as puffins and fulmars.
• Compact Reykjavik schedule: The tour begins and ends at Hlésgata 1, making it easy to fit around a morning in the city or an evening meal.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The boat can carry up to 20 people, though some outings have had about 12 anglers aboard.
• Weather matters: The trip can be canceled in poor conditions, and even a successful outing may include wind, swell, or motion sickness.

Fishing and lunch in one Reykjavik outing

Sea angling in Iceland is wonderfully direct. You are not sitting in a restaurant looking at a menu that says local cod. You are standing on a boat in Faxaflói Bay, lowering a line, feeling for the bite, and possibly eating that fish a short time later.

That makes this a good choice if you want an activity with a clear sense of place. The catch is not an abstract souvenir. It is part of the bay, the working waterfront, and Iceland’s strong connection to the sea.

The trip lasts about three hours, which is just long enough to feel like a proper outing without swallowing an entire day. You can spend the morning walking Reykjavik, fish in the afternoon, and still have the evening free. That timing is one of the tour’s best practical features.

The setting is Faxaflói, the broad bay outside Reykjavik. As the boat moves between fishing areas, you get views back toward the city and out across the water. Keep an eye on the sky and sea as well as your line. Puffins and fulmars have been seen during outings, and whale sightings are possible, though never promised.

What happens at Hlésgata 1

You meet at Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavik, and return to the same point after fishing. The location is near public transportation, so you do not need a complicated transfer plan.

Once aboard, the crew provides the fishing equipment and explains the basic technique. The supplied rods and rigs are designed for a wide range of ability levels. One detailed account described short, sturdy rods and simple commercial lures that were easy for beginners to use and resistant to tangles.

That setup tells you what kind of fishing to expect. This is not a quiet fly-fishing lesson or a specialized trip for bringing your own carefully selected tackle. It is practical boat fishing, built so that first-time anglers can get a line in the water quickly.

The crew speaks English and gives hands-on help throughout the outing. If you have never fished before, you will be shown how to hold the rod, release the line, feel the bottom, and bring the fish up. If you already fish, you may find the loan equipment fairly heavy and basic, but that is a sensible choice for a mixed group.

The boat has the amenities you need for a short trip, including a bathroom. Coffee and cookies have been offered when people board. Rain jackets are available, and boots may be borrowed if you need them, but you should still arrive dressed for Icelandic weather.

Finding fish in Faxaflói Bay

The crew takes you to several fishing areas rather than leaving you in one fixed spot. Accounts of the outing describe three or four different drifts, with the boat using a drogue to slow its movement while anglers fish.

You lower the lure toward the seafloor and work it as instructed. The crew keeps watch, helps remove fish, and shifts the group when conditions or fish activity call for it. This keeps the three-hour schedule active instead of turning the outing into a long wait.

The common catches include catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. Coalfish and whiting also appear, and larger cod are possible. Other catches have included wolf fish and halibut. The exact mix depends on conditions, season, and luck.

Fishing success can be impressive. Some outings produce multiple fish for nearly everyone, with catches sometimes coming only minutes apart. In particularly good conditions, fish may grab the lure as it drops. That can be exciting, especially if you have never felt a fish take a line before.

Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. The company describes its success rate as very high, but the sea remains unpredictable. No particular fish, number of fish, or catch at all can be guaranteed. One person might land several fish while another catches only one or two.

The crew may return smaller fish or species not intended for the meal. That is part of the practical side of the experience. You are not simply hauling everything aboard. The crew helps decide what is suitable for eating and what should go back into the water.

How beginner-friendly is the fishing?

Very. You do not need a fishing license or previous experience, and the crew teaches the method at the beginning. The gear is straightforward, and the fishing itself is active enough that you can learn by doing.

This works well for families and mixed groups. Outings have included children, teenagers, older adults, experienced anglers, and people holding a fishing rod for the first time. The crew has been praised for its patience with children and for giving extra help when someone has trouble with the equipment.

You should not expect a private lesson. With up to 20 people on board, the crew has to divide its attention. The boat may feel especially comfortable with a smaller group, and some outings have carried around 12 anglers. Even so, the simple rigs and active crew make this more approachable than a technical fishing charter.

If you already fish, you will probably understand the basics quickly. The supplied tackle is meant to be durable and easy for everyone, not light or highly specialized. You can ask questions and try to improve your technique, but the main point is catching fish and enjoying the bay rather than fine-tuning a personal fishing system.

The onboard BBQ is the real payoff

As the boat heads back toward Reykjavik, the crew cleans and cooks part of the catch. The fish is grilled on board, and the meal may include potatoes and sauce. Coffee and cookies are also part of the simple onboard hospitality at times.

This is not a formal seafood dinner. It is a fresh, unfussy meal prepared in a working boat after a morning or afternoon of fishing. That simplicity suits the experience. A piece of cod that was swimming in the bay earlier feels more memorable than a polished restaurant plate.

The freshness also gives the $160 price some context. Reykjavik is an expensive city for eating out, and a meal of fresh local fish can quickly add to your daily budget. Here, the seafood meal is included along with the boat trip, equipment, instruction, and rain jacket. The value is strongest if you enjoy both fishing and seafood.

The portion and menu will depend on the catch. You should not book this as an all-you-can-eat seafood cruise. The crew prepares a sampling of the fish caught by the group, and the amount served depends on what comes aboard and what is kept for eating.

In some cases, fresh fillets may be offered to take away if you have access to a kitchen. That option is not useful for everyone, particularly if you are leaving Iceland or staying somewhere without cooking facilities, but it can be a welcome bonus for some visitors.

Weather, wind, and motion sickness

Iceland’s sea conditions deserve attention. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. That protects you from being sent out when the bay is unsafe or unpleasant.

Good weather does not always mean a perfectly calm sea. One outing was described as stormy enough to cause motion sickness, while another had calm water and near-perfect conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully and tell the crew as soon as you feel unwell.

The crew has helped people who became seasick and has offered complimentary antiemetics. That care is useful, but it does not make the boat immune to movement. If motion sickness is a serious concern, choose a calm-weather day when possible and avoid arriving tired or hungry.

Wear warm layers and clothing that can get dirty. Fish, bait, spray, and the BBQ are not a good match for your best Iceland outfit. Good sturdy shoes are required, and those are not included. Rain jackets are supplied, and boots may be available to borrow, but your footwear should still be practical.

How the group size affects the experience

The listed maximum is 20 people, which is a reasonable size for a short public boat trip but not the same as a private charter. You may fish alongside families, couples, solo visitors, local people, and experienced anglers.

A smaller group gives the crew more time to help each person, and some departures have had about 12 anglers. A full departure can feel busier when several lines need attention at once, especially during a strong run of fish. On the other hand, shared excitement is part of the fun when several people bring up cod or haddock together.

The crew’s attitude matters here, and that has been one of the strongest parts of the experience. The brothers are described as friendly, patient, and willing to talk about Iceland. Their help extends beyond showing you how to fish. They remove fish from hooks, solve tangles, check on anyone who feels ill, and prepare lunch while the boat returns.

Is $160 a fair price?

At $160 per person, this is not a budget activity. Iceland prices can add up quickly, so you should compare it with what you would otherwise spend on a boat trip, a meal, and a separate paid activity.

The package includes the boat ride, fishing instruction, rod and tackle, rain jacket, crew guidance, and a BBQ of the catch. There is no separate fishing license to buy. For anyone who likes seafood and wants an active outing, the bundle is reasonable.

The value is less convincing if you dislike fishing, feel uncomfortable on boats, or mainly want a wildlife cruise. You might see birds and possibly a whale, but wildlife is not the main purpose. You are paying for hands-on angling and the meal that follows, not guaranteed sightings.

The tour is also a good fit for a short Reykjavik stay. You can book a three-hour block without giving up a full day of sightseeing. Since the outing starts and finishes at the same central meeting point, planning around it is fairly easy.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this trip for:

• First-time anglers who want simple instruction and a good chance to catch something.
• Families with children or teenagers who enjoy active experiences.
• Couples looking for a meal with a story behind it.
• Seafood fans who want fish cooked minutes after it leaves the water.
• Experienced anglers who are happy to use sturdy shared equipment.
• Visitors with only one free afternoon in Reykjavik.

I would think twice if you strongly dislike cold, wind, or boat movement. I would also skip it if you want a quiet sightseeing cruise or a private, highly technical fishing charter.

The three-hour length is especially useful for families. It is long enough to hold attention, but short enough that a child or first-time angler is not committed to an all-day trip. The crew’s patience with young people is another reason this works for family groups.

Practical booking advice

The price is $160 per person, and the experience is offered in English. It is commonly booked about 51 days ahead, so you should reserve early if your Reykjavik schedule is tight.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Check your email and booking messages before heading to Hlésgata, especially if the forecast is poor. A past cancellation problem involved late notification through a booking intermediary, so direct attention to updates is wise. The weather decision belongs to the operator, not to individual passengers.

Should you book the Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet?

Book it if you want a practical Iceland experience that combines fishing, scenery, and lunch without taking all day. The lack of a license requirement, easy loan equipment, and attentive crew make it unusually welcoming to beginners.

The strongest reason to go is the meal. Fresh cod or haddock grilled aboard the boat, with potatoes and sauce, is a fine reward after working the line. Add the chance of puffins, fulmars, big cod, and views across Faxaflói Bay, and you have a memorable half-day activity.

Just accept the terms of the sea. Your catch is not guaranteed, the water may be rough, and the weather can change the plan. If those conditions sound like part of the adventure rather than a problem, this is one of the better ways to get out of central Reykjavik and taste Iceland directly.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet tour start?

The tour starts at Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point, Hlésgata 1.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

Do I need fishing experience?

No. Previous fishing experience is not required, and the crew teaches you the basic techniques.

Do I need a fishing license?

No fishing license is needed for this activity.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and instruction are included.

What fish might I catch?

Common catches include catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. Whiting, coalfish, wolf fish, and halibut have also been caught.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares a light BBQ lunch from the catch aboard the boat.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that can get dirty, along with suitable clothing for Icelandic weather. Rain jackets are provided, and boots may be available to borrow.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled in poor weather. You will then be offered a different date or a full refund.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not refunded.