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

Fish, fire, and Faxaflói Bay make a fine afternoon. This 2.5-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor combines easy sea fishing, wide ocean views, and a meal cooked from the day’s catch. I especially like the patient crew and the chance to eat fish that was swimming only minutes earlier. The main catch is cod, but you might also bring up haddock, pollock, rockfish, or halibut.

I also like that beginners are treated as properly welcome, not as extra baggage for experienced anglers. Children have done well here, too. The main caution is the sea itself: choppy water can make the ride uncomfortable, and one passenger found the motion too much without seasickness medicine. At $141 per person, it is good value for a hands-on outing, though less so if you dislike boats or want a serious, technical fishing lesson.

Key points before you cast off

• Fishing starts in Faxaflói Bay: The boat heads from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to known fishing areas where cod and haddock are common catches.
• Beginners can fish successfully: The crew helps with equipment, bait, casting, reeling, and removing fish from the hook.
• The catch becomes lunch: Fish can be grilled onboard and served with potatoes, or you can keep some of your catch.
• Puffins and whales add variety: The route can include views of puffin island, and sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and jellyfish.
• The ride is short but active: The listed time is 2.5 hours, with some trips lasting close to three hours on the water.
• Sea conditions matter: Wind, rain, and large waves can affect comfort and may limit where the boat fishes.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for Faxaflói Bay

The trip begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, a convenient starting point for a morning or afternoon on the water. You may arrange hotel pickup if you are staying at a registered hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavik, but pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure and costs a small additional fee. For many people, walking to the harbor will be simpler.

Once aboard, you receive fishing gear and protective clothing. The boat has a covered lower area, useful when Iceland’s weather turns cold or wet, and past trips have included Wi-Fi onboard. Still, this is not a sightseeing cruise with fishing as a minor extra. The central activity is standing at the rail, lowering your line, and waiting for the bite.

The run out to the fishing grounds is part of the experience. Faxaflói Bay opens into broad views of the Icelandic coast and surrounding sea. On a clear day, the scenery gives you something to enjoy between fishing spots. On a rough day, the same stretch of water can feel much more serious.

The boat may pass near the area known as puffin island. Puffins are not guaranteed, but the location gives the outing a wildlife element beyond the fish. Some trips have also produced sightings of dolphins and whales, including humpback and minke whales. These sightings are fortunate extras, not a promise, so book this for the fishing first.

Getting the line down and the fish up

You do not need previous sea-fishing experience. The crew explains the basic method, helps set up the tackle, and gives instructions when it is time to lower your line. Once a fish bites, deckhands help you reel it in and deal with the hook.

This simple format works well for families and mixed groups. An eight-year-old girl received a bait color combination made in her favorite color, a small gesture that shows the crew pays attention to individual passengers. A 10-year-old boy called the outing the highlight of his Iceland trip, and several first-time fishers caught multiple fish.

The fishing can be surprisingly active. At productive spots, you may lower the line and get a bite almost at once. Some people have caught more than five fish, and one particularly energetic passenger reported bringing up 17 fish in about 40 minutes before getting tired of reeling.

Of course, those results are not guaranteed. One trip produced only three or four fish for the whole boat, while other outings had nearly nonstop action. Fishing depends on weather, location, and the movement of the fish. The captain may shift between several spots to improve the odds. One trip visited three areas, with the first producing plenty and the later spots being quieter.

The usual catch includes cod, haddock, pollock, rockfish, and occasionally other cold-water species. Cod is the fish most often mentioned, with some weighing around 1.5 kilograms and the largest reaching about 3 kilograms. You may catch fish two at a time if the action is strong.

What the crew does well

The strongest part of this outing is the human side. The guides and deckhands work directly with the people who need help, rather than giving a short introduction and leaving everyone to figure it out. That matters when a fish is twisting at the surface, your line tangles, or you are not sure how hard to reel.

Several crew members have earned special praise over the years, including Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, Oscar, Julia, and George. The names may vary by departure, but the pattern is consistent: the crew aims to keep the mood friendly and make sure beginners get a fair chance.

This is also useful for people in a group who are unsure about fishing. Some passengers have boarded mainly to spend time with family or friends and ended up catching fish themselves. The atmosphere is social, with music on some trips, plenty of encouragement, and a shared sense of excitement when someone hooks a large fish.

The crew may also pause to track a whale or point out marine life. That can make waiting between fishing spots more rewarding. Still, assistance has a practical limit. This is a popular excursion, and one trip carried more than 15 people. When the boat is fairly full, you may need to share rail space and wait briefly for help.

Grilling the catch with potatoes

After the fishing, the crew prepares part of the catch on an onboard grill. The fish is served with potatoes, and the meal is about as fresh as a seafood lunch can get. You catch the fish, watch the crew prepare it, and eat it during the return or later part of the trip.

The meal is a major reason the price feels fair. Reykjavik is not a cheap city, and a seafood meal in town can cost a good deal on its own. Here, the $141 price includes the boat ride, equipment, protective clothing, guide service, and grilled fish with potatoes. You are also paying for the activity and the setting, not simply a plate of food.

Most people find the fish excellent, but taste is partly personal and partly dependent on preparation. One passenger found the fish bland and suggested more butter or seasoning. Another brought extra spices onboard and preferred the result. The meal is served simply, so do not expect a full restaurant menu or elaborate presentation.

You may also choose to keep some of your catch. The amount you can take home depends on what you catch and how the crew handles the fish, so it is wise to ask onboard if taking fish away matters to you. Some people have taken cod home for a later dinner, while others have chosen to eat everything with the group.

The shared meal creates a pleasant ending. People who were strangers at the start are comparing catches, tasting the fish, and talking about the largest one. If you like food experiences tied to place, this is more memorable than simply ordering cod in a Reykjavik restaurant.

Weather, waves, and seasickness

Icelandic weather deserves real attention here. The trip can run in rain, wind, and cold temperatures, and the boat may encounter sizable waves on the way to the fishing grounds. One passenger described a severe, intimidating ride with waves splashing over the deck, while others found rough conditions part of the fun.

Protective clothing is included, but you should still dress sensibly in warm layers. A covered section provides shelter, especially during the meal, but you will want to spend time outside if you intend to fish. Wet or cold hands make the simple task of reeling feel less enjoyable.

Seasickness is the most important practical concern. One experienced passenger still became sick on a rough trip, while another person who is prone to motion sickness managed well after taking ginger pills. This is not medical advice, but if you know boats bother you, plan ahead with a remedy you already trust.

The fishing grounds can sometimes be kept in shallower water when conditions are rough. That may improve comfort, but it can also reduce the quality of the fishing. If you need calm water, this is a risky choice. If you accept that the sea controls the day, the weather becomes part of the story rather than a flaw in the plan.

Is 2.5 hours enough?

The listed duration is 2.5 hours, though the time on the water may reach two and a half to three hours. That makes this a manageable addition to a Reykjavik schedule. You can fish, eat, and return without giving up a full day of sightseeing.

I think the length suits first-time fishers particularly well. You get enough time to learn the routine and catch several fish without committing to a long offshore expedition. Families with children also benefit from the shorter format, since even an enthusiastic young angler can lose focus after several rounds of reeling.

Experienced anglers may wish it lasted longer. One passenger enjoyed the trip but wanted more fishing time. The format is aimed at a broad tourist audience, so it focuses on accessible action rather than detailed instruction about tides, seabed depth, sonar readings, species behavior, or specialized techniques.

If you want a technical lesson, this may feel basic. At each spot, the practical goal is usually to get lines in the water and keep the action moving. You may not always be told the exact depth or the type of seabed below. For most families, that is a benefit. For serious fishers, it is a limitation.

What the $141 price really buys

At $141 per person, this is not a bargain-bin harbor activity. It is, however, a strong value if you use the full package: boat time, equipment, warm clothing, guide assistance, fish preparation, potatoes, and the chance to see marine wildlife.

The value improves when several people in your group want to participate. A family can fish together, share the meal, and enjoy the views without booking separate activities. Children can take part under the crew’s guidance, and adults do not need to bring fishing equipment.

The value drops if you are mainly interested in sightseeing. Wildlife sightings are possible but not assured, and a day with poor fishing may leave you feeling that the cost was high for a boat ride and a small meal. The strongest reason to book is the combination of catching your own food and eating it onboard.

Flexible booking terms help reduce the risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Pickup costs extra, so include that in your budget if you do not plan to reach the Old Harbor on your own.

Who should book this Reykjavik fishing tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, first-time fishers, couples who enjoy hands-on activities, and anyone who wants a break from driving around Iceland. It also works well for a group with mixed interests because the outing includes scenery, wildlife possibilities, fishing, and food.

Children can do well here, but the sea and weather are the deciding factors. A child who enjoys practical activities may remember this more fondly than another museum visit. A child who dislikes cold, wind, or waiting may prefer a calmer indoor plan.

Experienced fishers should book with realistic expectations. You may catch plenty of cod and haddock, but the instruction is geared toward tourist-friendly fishing rather than advanced angling. The crew will help you catch fish, not necessarily teach a full course in Icelandic sea fishing.

I would skip it if you are highly prone to seasickness, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or want a quiet cruise. I would also avoid scheduling it immediately before another important activity if you are sensitive to weather delays or need time to recover from a rough ride.

Final verdict: book it for the catch and the meal

This Reykjavik sea-fishing trip earns its strong 4.5 rating because it delivers the basics unusually well: friendly help, frequent chances to catch fish, beautiful bay views, and a fresh grilled meal. The crew’s patience is the biggest strength, especially for children and people holding a fishing rod for the first time.

Book it if you want an active, family-friendly outing with a real Icelandic food moment at the end. Take seasickness precautions, dress for rough weather, and remember that fishing is never guaranteed. If you can accept those conditions, the chance to reel in a cod and eat it aboard the boat makes this one of Reykjavik’s more distinctive short excursions.

FAQ

Where does the sea-fishing tour depart from?

The tour departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and heads into Faxaflói Bay.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The listed duration is 2.5 hours. Time on the water may run approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Cod is commonly caught, but the exact species and quantity depend on conditions.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The experienced crew teaches you the basic technique and helps with the fishing equipment, bait, reeling, and removing fish from the hook.

Is the fish cooked during the tour?

Yes. Part of the catch can be grilled onboard and served with potatoes. You may also be able to keep some of your catch.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available only from registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik. It starts about 60 minutes before departure and costs a small additional fee.

What languages are available?

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