Reykjavik: Sea Fishing Boat Tour & BBQ with the Day’s Catch

The best part of this Reykjavík sea-fishing trip is the quick reward: you lower your line in Faxaflói Bay, and you may soon be hauling up cod or haddock for dinner. I like the friendly, hands-on crew, especially for first-time fishers, and I like that your catch can go straight onto the onboard grill with potatoes. The main thing to weigh is the sea itself. Rough weather and motion sickness can turn a happy outing into a long afternoon.

I also like the mix of fishing and wildlife watching. Puffins often gather near their island, and sightings can include dolphins, humpback whales, minke whales, and jellyfish. At $141 per person, the price is fair if you value the boat ride, equipment, guide help, and fresh meal, though a slow fishing day can make it feel less generous.

Key points before you book

• Fast action is possible: Some outings begin catching fish within 10 minutes, and strong days can produce several fish per person.
• Beginners get real help: The deckhands bait lines, help you handle the gear, remove fish from hooks, and keep the fishing moving.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is grilled onboard and served with potatoes, while you may also keep some of your catch.
• Faxaflói brings more than fish: Look for puffins, dolphins, humpback whales, minke whales, and broad ocean views.
• Weather matters: Rain, wind, and choppy water are part of Icelandic sea fishing, so motion-sickness preparation is sensible.
• Expect a tourist-friendly trip: It is easy and social, but not a technical fishing lesson about sonar readings, water depth, or fish behavior.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor for Faxaflói Bay

The trip begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, a convenient departure point near the city center. From there, the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the crew looks for cold-water fish including cod, haddock, halibut, rockfish, and pollock.

The journey out is part of the experience. You get open views across the bay and a different look at Reykjavík from the water. On clear days, the setting feels calm and spacious. On windy days, the same crossing can be wet and bumpy, so dress for changing conditions rather than trusting a sunny view from the harbor.

The boat carries fishing equipment and protective clothing, which keeps the tour simple for visitors who do not want to pack specialist gear. You still need warm layers and sensible footwear, but you are not expected to arrive as a seasoned angler.

The fishing area is selected by the captain and crew. That matters because you are not simply dropped at one fixed point and left to hope for a bite. The boat may move between fishing spots, and the crew adjusts the plan to give the group a fair chance at catching something.

How the fishing works for beginners

Once the boat reaches a fishing area, the guides explain the basic technique and tell you when to lower your line. This is straightforward sea angling, not a quiet solo session with long periods of waiting. The aim is to get lines in the water and keep the group involved.

You can expect the crew to help with bait, tackle, and the practical parts of handling a fish. That support is especially useful when several people get bites at once. The deckhands react quickly, help unhook the fish, and prepare it for cooking or taking home.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the tour for a family. An eight-year-old can take part with patient assistance, and children may get small personal touches from the crew, such as colorful bait combinations. The fishing is also simple enough for adults who have never held a sea-fishing rod.

On productive days, the action can be remarkably quick. People have reported catching cod two at a time, landing more than five fish each, or bringing up ten or more fish during a strong outing. One particularly successful session produced 17 fish for a single person in about 40 minutes before the angler decided that reeling had become tiring.

That kind of result is possible, not guaranteed. One outing produced only three or four fish for the entire boat. The captain works to find fish, but no fishing trip can control tides, weather, or the movements of the fish. Book this for the pleasure of being on the water, with a catch as the bonus, rather than as a sure way to fill a freezer.

The fish you may catch in Icelandic waters

Cod is the fish most often associated with this trip, and it appears frequently in the catch. Several outings produced cod weighing around 1.5 kilograms, with bigger fish reaching roughly 3 kilograms. Haddock and pollock are also common, while some groups have caught whiting, mackerel, rockfish, and scorpion fish.

Halibut is listed among the possible catches, but you should not assume you will land one. The same goes for larger specimens. The fish may be plentiful, but the size and mix can change from one departure to the next.

The crew handles the fish after you bring it aboard. If you want to remember your catch, take a photo before it is cleaned or cut up. That small step is worth planning, since the fish may go quickly from hook to preparation.

You can choose to have your catch grilled onboard or keep some of it. The exact amount you take home depends on the catch and the arrangements on the boat, so do not treat the outing as a guaranteed fish-delivery service. The main pleasure is catching and eating it right away.

Grilled fish, potatoes, and a very fresh lunch

After the fishing, the crew grills the catch onboard and serves it with potatoes. The meal is a major part of the value. You are not only paying for a boat ride and a rod, you are also getting a simple meal made from fish caught minutes earlier.

The meal is served in the covered part of the boat, a welcome spot if the wind has picked up. Eating together gives the trip a social finish, and it lets you warm up while the boat returns toward Reykjavík.

Most comments about the food are strongly positive, with the fish described as fresh, well cooked, and delicious. The potatoes receive their own share of praise. Seasoning can be a personal matter, though. One person found the fish bland and suggested butter or extra seasoning, while another brought personal spices and enjoyed the result. If you prefer bold flavors, carrying a small permitted seasoning packet may be useful, but the supplied details do not promise a particular sauce or spice mix.

You can also eat less if you are feeling the motion. This is worth remembering if you are prone to seasickness. A meal on a moving boat sounds appealing, but the best lunch in Iceland will not help much if you have spent the fishing session feeling unwell.

Puffin Island and possible whale sightings

Fishing is the main purpose, but the bay can bring wildlife surprises. The boat often passes a place known as puffin island, where you may see puffins gathered near the water.

Dolphins and whales have also appeared during outings. Sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins, with the captain sometimes taking the boat past the usual fishing areas to look for them. A whale may be tracked while the group waits for the meal, adding a memorable pause to the cooking period.

These sightings are possible rather than promised. The tour is not sold as a dedicated whale-watching cruise, and fishing remains the priority. You should bring your camera, but do not judge the trip only by whether a whale appears. The open-water views and changing activity on deck are part of its appeal.

For families, this mix works well. A child who loses interest in fishing may enjoy looking for puffins or dolphins. Adults can switch between casting, watching the sea, and taking photographs. It gives the outing more variety than a fishing session alone.

Crew support, group size, and the feel onboard

The crew is a major strength. Names connected with the trip include Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, Oscar, Julia, and others, though the exact team can vary by departure. Their role is practical: they help you fish, keep the deck organized, prepare the catch, and create a relaxed mood.

The assistance is especially valuable when you are new. You are not left to work out the tackle alone, and the crew makes an effort to help everyone get a bite. Several outings had full boats with more than 15 people, yet the deckhands still worked through the group and helped children and beginners.

A fuller boat can mean less room and more waiting when many lines need attention at once. It can also make the meal feel like a shared table rather than a private fishing charter. If you want a quiet, highly personal fishing lesson, this is probably not the right format.

The tour is aimed at an accessible, social experience. Experienced fishers can still enjoy the action, but the crew’s approach is built around getting ordinary visitors catching fish quickly. A four-star assessment of the experience pointed to this tradeoff: the outing was fun and well supported, but it did not offer much detail about water depth, sonar readings, the seabed, or why a specific fish was holding at a certain level.

What the 2.5-hour schedule feels like

Allow about 2.5 hours for the tour, with the activity information also noting that time on the water may run to about three hours. Check the departure time when booking, since starting times vary by availability.

The first section is the ride from the Old Harbor toward the fishing grounds. Depending on weather and conditions, this can be the roughest part. After the boat reaches a productive area, the crew sets everyone up and the fishing begins.

The middle section is the main fishing period. The boat may use several spots. Some have produced fish for nearly everyone, while others have been slower. This changing pace is normal, but it means you should not expect nonstop action from the first cast to the last.

The final part includes cleaning and grilling the fish, eating with potatoes, and returning toward the harbor. You may have time for more views or wildlife spotting while the meal is prepared. The schedule is compact, which makes this easy to fit into a Reykjavík day, but one person wished the fishing lasted longer. Experienced fishers may share that feeling.

Weather, clothing, and seasickness

I would take the weather warning seriously. Iceland can offer sunshine, rain, wind, and sharp waves within the same short outing. Protective clothing is provided, but warm layers still make sense, and you should be ready for spray and cold air on deck.

Motion sickness is the clearest practical concern. Some people have felt very sick and could not return to the deck, while others who are usually prone to seasickness managed well after taking ginger pills beforehand. If you know you react badly on boats, consider your usual prevention method before departure and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you need medical advice.

The boat has a covered lower area where you can get out of the wind and eat. That does not remove the motion, but it gives you a warmer place to sit. Rough conditions have not always stopped the fishing, yet they can limit how far the boat goes and how comfortable you feel.

Is $141 a good value in Reykjavík?

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it can represent good value for a half-day city activity. The price includes an experienced English-speaking guide, fishing gear, protective clothing, and the grilled catch with potatoes. You also get the boat trip, harbor views, and a chance at wildlife sightings.

The value is strongest when the boat finds fish quickly and you enjoy the meal. A productive outing can give you several fish per person, making the experience feel generous compared with booking a private fishing charter. It is also a useful choice for a family group because beginners and children can take part without buying equipment.

The value is weaker if you need a technical fishing course, a guaranteed large catch, or a private boat. A slow day can produce very little fish, and the 2.5-hour format may feel short to serious anglers. You also pay a small extra fee if you use the pickup transfer from a registered Reykjavík hotel or guesthouse.

Pickup begins 60 minutes before departure, so be ready early if you arrange it. The transfer is available only from registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík. The live guide speaks English, while an app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still shifting, but they do not change the need to check the actual departure time and pickup details.

Who will enjoy this sea-fishing trip most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, first-time fishers, and anyone who wants a hands-on activity close to Reykjavík. It works particularly well for a child who wants to catch a real fish, eat it onboard, and tell the story afterward.

It also suits you if you enjoy shared experiences. The crew encourages participation, the catch is prepared for the whole group, and the boat may offer wildlife moments along the way. You do not need prior fishing experience.

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike cold or wet weather, or want a quiet boat with plenty of personal space. Serious anglers may enjoy the catch but want more information about technique and fish location than this short, tourist-friendly trip provides.

Should you book the Reykjavík sea-fishing tour?

Book it if you want an easy introduction to Icelandic sea fishing, a good chance of catching cod or haddock, and a fresh meal made onboard. The crew support, family appeal, and possible puffin, dolphin, and whale sightings give it more range than a basic fishing charter.

Skip it if your main goal is a long, technical fishing session or if rough water would ruin your day. For everyone else, I would put this high on a Reykjavík activity list, especially on a trip with children or nonfishers. Pack warm layers, prepare for motion sickness, and take a photo of your fish before it becomes lunch.

FAQ

Where does the sea-fishing tour depart from?

The boat leaves from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor and travels into Faxaflói Bay.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 2.5 hours. The activity details also describe time on the water as about 2.5 to 3 hours, so check the departure information when booking.

What fish can I catch?

Possible catches include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Outings have also produced whiting, mackerel, and scorpion fish.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The English-speaking crew teaches the basic process and helps with the fishing equipment, bait, hooks, and caught fish.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and protective clothing are included.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The crew can grill the catch onboard and serve it with potatoes. You may also keep some of your catch.

Is food included?

Yes. Your catch is grilled onboard and served with potatoes.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík. It begins 60 minutes before departure and costs a small extra fee.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English. An app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve the activity and pay later.