Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is wonderfully simple: you catch fish in Faxaflói, then the crew cleans and cooks it before you reach the harbor. The boat ride becomes lunch, with cod, haddock, potatoes, and sauce made from the day’s catch.

I like the easy beginner setup and the personal help from the crew, including Captain Jakob and his brother. I also like the good value: in expensive Reykjavik, a fishing trip with equipment, instruction, and a fresh seafood meal for $160 is a fair package.

The main caution is the sea itself. This is an outdoor trip in wild water, so fish are not guaranteed, and rough conditions can cause seasickness or a weather cancellation. Bring sturdy shoes, warm layers, and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

Key points to know before booking

• Fresh fish becomes lunch: The crew cleans and grills part of your catch aboard the boat on the way back.
• No fishing license or experience is needed: You receive a short lesson and all fishing equipment.
• Faxaflói offers changing scenery: You fish several areas of the bay and may see puffins, fulmars, seabirds, or occasionally whales.
• The crew keeps things personal: Captain Jakob, his brother, and the deckhand help with rods, tangles, catches, and cooking.
• The trip lasts about three hours: It fits neatly into a Reykjavik day, especially as an afternoon activity.
• Weather matters: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours ahead, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Fishing Faxaflói from Reykjavik harbor

This is not a long expedition to some remote fishing camp. It is a compact sea angling trip from central Reykjavik, using the waters of Faxaflói Bay. That makes it easy to fit into a short Iceland visit, a cruise stop, or a day when you want something different from museums and geothermal pools.

You meet at Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavik, and return there after roughly three hours. The trip is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 20. In practice, some departures have had around 12 people aboard, which gives the crew room to help without making the boat feel packed.

Once underway, the crew supplies the rods, reels, and tackle. The equipment is built for easy use rather than delicate sport fishing. One detailed account described short, sturdy rods with simple commercial lures that resist tangles. That is good news if you have never held a fishing rod before, though experienced anglers may find the loan gear heavier and less refined than their own equipment.

The crew gives you a quick demonstration, then helps you get your line down. You do not need a license or any previous experience. The fishing is active enough to keep you involved, but the crew is close by to help remove fish, sort catches, and deal with the occasional knot.

What you actually do on the three-hour trip

The main stop is Faxaflói itself, but you will fish in several parts of the bay rather than sit in one fixed place. The boat drifts with a drogue to slow its movement, and the crew moves to areas where the fish are feeding.

That matters because the experience can change quickly. In one area you may work near the bottom for cod and haddock. In another, pollack or coalfish may grab the lure before it reaches the seafloor. Some outings have produced fish every few minutes, while other accounts describe a more modest catch. The company reports a high success rate, but no responsible operator can promise fish on a particular departure.

The most common catches are catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. People have also caught whiting, coalfish, wolffish, and halibut. You may pull up one fish at a time, or occasionally two at once. The size can vary, but sizable cod and haddock are a real possibility.

You are not expected to keep everything. Smaller fish and species set aside by the crew may be returned, while enough suitable fish is kept for the meal. If you stay near Reykjavik afterward and have access to a kitchen, the crew may be able to send some cleaned fish home with you. That is not the main promise of the tour, but it can be a nice extra when practical.

The crew makes this work for beginners

The fishing itself is only half the reason to book. The crew’s role matters just as much, particularly if your party includes children or someone who has never fished.

Captain Jakob and his brother are frequently identified as the core crew, and Vigfus is also named as one of the patient guides. Their job is not simply to point the boat toward a fishing ground. They explain how to hold the rod, release the line, and work the lure. They also help when a fish comes aboard, which keeps first-timers from feeling lost.

This is a good setup for mixed groups. An experienced angler can enjoy the steady action, while a complete beginner can learn quickly without buying gear or studying technique in advance. An 11-year-old and a 78-year-old have both managed to enjoy the trip, and families with children have received patient help from the crew.

The social side is part of the appeal. You share the rail with people from different places, and sometimes with Icelanders who are out for the same reason you are. The group is small enough for conversation, but the activity gives everyone something to do.

From catch to BBQ before the harbor

The meal is the detail that gives this outing its name and its strongest sense of place. Instead of returning with a story about the fish you caught, you eat it while still at sea.

The crew cleans and fillets a selection of the catch, then cooks it on a barbecue aboard the boat. The meal has included fresh cod and haddock with potatoes, sauces, and sometimes potato salad. It is not a formal restaurant service, and you should not expect a long menu. The point is freshness and simplicity.

This is seafood at its most direct. The fish may have been swimming in Faxaflói only a short time earlier, and the crew handles it from catch to preparation to plate. Several accounts singled out the cod as especially good, while others praised the haddock and the sauces.

You also get a pleasant change of pace. The first part of the trip is hands-on fishing, often with frequent catches and plenty of activity around the rail. The ride back becomes a relaxed meal, with the harbor approaching and the boat’s catch turned into lunch.

Views, puffins, and the possibility of whales

Keep your eyes up between casts. Faxaflói gives you open water, coastal views, and a different look at Reykjavik than you get from the streets. The bay is also home to plenty of birdlife.

Puffins and fulmars have been seen during the trip, along with other seabirds. Whale sightings are possible but not guaranteed. This is a fishing outing first, not a dedicated whale-watching cruise, so you should not book it expecting a wildlife show.

That distinction helps set the right expectations. If you see a whale, it is a welcome bonus. If the sea gives you only birds, fishing, and views, the trip still has its main purpose.

Boat comfort and what to wear

The boat has the basic amenities needed for a three-hour outing, including a bathroom. Coffee and cookies may be offered when you board. Rain jackets are available, and boots may be borrowed if needed, although sturdy footwear is not included as part of your personal packing list.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. The deck can be wet, and flimsy sneakers are a poor choice. Choose warm, weatherproof layers and clothing that can get dirty or fishy. Even on a pleasant day, conditions on the bay can change.

Bring a practical attitude toward weather. Icelandic sunshine does not guarantee calm water, and a stormy sea can make the trip uncomfortable for anyone prone to motion sickness. The crew has helped sick passengers and has offered complimentary anti-nausea medicine, but it is still sensible to prepare before boarding if you know you are susceptible.

The boat is described as solid, clean, and well equipped for the activity. Still, this is a working fishing boat, not a luxury yacht. You should expect spray, shared space, fishing odors, and a straightforward onboard meal.

Is $160 a fair price?

At $160 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Reykjavik. It is also not merely a boat ride. The price includes the fishing equipment, instruction, crew assistance, rain jacket, about three hours on the water, and a BBQ lunch from the catch.

I see the value most clearly when you compare it with Reykjavik dining prices. A fresh seafood meal can be costly in Iceland, and here the meal is tied to an activity rather than added as a separate restaurant bill. You also get the memory of catching the fish yourself, which makes the food more meaningful than a standard plate of cod.

The value is strongest if you want an active outing and expect to eat the catch. It is weaker if you dislike fishing, do not want to handle bait or fish, or mainly want a quiet sightseeing cruise. The meal is a bonus to the fishing, not a substitute for a full restaurant experience.

The trip is generally booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of about 51 days. That suggests planning ahead is sensible during busy periods, though the information also indicates that some people have arranged it at the last minute.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to families, couples, first-time anglers, and anyone who wants an easy outdoor activity close to Reykjavik. It is especially suitable for a mixed group where one person fishes regularly and another has never tried it.

Children can take part, and the maximum group size of 20 keeps the outing manageable. The crew’s patient instruction also means you do not need to arrive with technical skills. If you are an experienced angler, you can still enjoy the quality of the fishing, but you may wish to bring your own lighter equipment only if the operator permits it.

This is also a good choice for a free afternoon. You can spend the morning walking around Reykjavik, board the boat for three hours, then have the evening available for dinner or another activity. The compact schedule is one of the tour’s practical strengths.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to motion, dislike unpredictable weather, or need a guaranteed catch. The crew has a strong record of finding fish, but Faxaflói is not an aquarium. Nature gets the final say.

Practical booking advice for Reykjavik

The meeting point and return point are both Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavik. The location is near public transportation, and most people can take part, though you should be comfortable standing and working a fishing rod on a moving boat.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Weather-related communication deserves attention. One cancelled departure led to late notification through the booking channel, which left little time to arrange a replacement plan. I would check your messages and contact details carefully before the outing, especially if your Reykjavik stay is short.

My take: should you book the Sea Angling Gourmet?

Book it if you want to do something active, local, and pleasantly uncomplicated. The strong points are clear: friendly English-speaking help, easy equipment, a realistic chance of catching several kinds of fish, and a fresh BBQ before you return to shore.

The tour is not polished entertainment, and the sea may be rough. It also cannot promise a particular species, size, or number of fish. But if you bring sensible clothing and accept those limits, the combination of fishing and lunch gives you a memorable three-hour use of your time in Reykjavik.

For a beginner, I consider it one of the safer ways to try sea angling without buying gear or committing to a full-day charter. For an experienced fisher, it offers good action and an excellent meal, though the supplied tackle is designed for broad public use rather than specialist technique. At $160, it earns its price best when you value both the catch and the experience of eating it aboard the boat.

FAQ

Do I need fishing experience or a license?

No. Previous fishing experience and a fishing license are not needed. The crew provides instruction and helps you learn the basic techniques.

What fish might I catch?

Common catches include catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. Other catches reported on the trip include whiting, coalfish, wolffish, and halibut.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares a BBQ lunch from part of the fish caught during the trip. The meal may include fresh cod or haddock, potatoes, and sauces.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that can get dirty. Dress appropriately for changing Icelandic weather. Rain jackets are available, and boots may be borrowed if needed.

How long is the experience and where does it start?

The trip lasts about three hours. It starts and ends at Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavik, and takes place in Faxaflói Bay.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.