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

Reykjavík’s Old Harbor is your gateway to a very practical Icelandic adventure: you fish in Faxaflói Bay, then eat what you catch. Cod, haddock, pollock, rockfish, and halibut are all possible, and the crew cleans and grills the fish on board with potatoes.

I like the easy fishing setup and the way deckhands help beginners from the first cast to the final unhooking. I also like the extra wildlife potential, with puffins, dolphins, minke whales, and humpbacks sometimes appearing along the route. The main caution is the sea itself: rough water can make the ride uncomfortable, and some people have spent much of the trip below deck with seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Fish is cooked on board: Your catch can be grilled and served with potatoes, while some fish may be kept or released.
• Beginners are welcome: The crew supplies rods, tackle, and protective clothing, then helps you bait, cast, reel, and unhook.
• Wildlife adds a bonus: Puffins, dolphins, and whales have been spotted during past outings, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• The action can be quick: Some outings produce fish within 10 minutes, while others have slower spots and fewer bites.
• Expect a family-friendly boat: Children have caught fish with help from the crew, but the boat can feel full when more than 15 people are aboard.
• Plan for motion: Take seasickness precautions if you are prone to it, especially on windy or choppy days.

From Reykjavík’s Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay

The tour begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, a convenient departure point near the city center. If you arrange hotel or guesthouse pickup, collection begins about 60 minutes before departure and costs a small extra fee. Pickup is limited to registered Reykjavík hotels and guesthouses, so check the meeting details carefully if you are staying in a private apartment or outside the city.

Once on board, the crew provides fishing equipment and protective clothing. The setup is simple rather than technical. You do not need to bring your own rod, know how to read a fish finder, or have previous sea-fishing experience.

The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, the wide body of water in front of Reykjavík. The ride out gives you open views of Iceland’s coast and sea, but it can also be the roughest part of the outing. On calm days, it is an easy scenic cruise. On blustery days, waves can splash over the deck and the journey feels like part of the adventure.

I like that the fishing takes place in a real working marine setting rather than beside a small stocked pond. You are out on cold Icelandic water, using a straightforward rig and waiting for fish that live in the bay. That makes the meal at the end feel earned.

How the fishing works for first-timers

The crew’s main job is to get you fishing quickly. You are shown how to handle the line, lower the bait, and reel in your catch. When a fish comes up, deckhands help remove it from the hook and prepare it for the grill or for taking home.

This is not a specialist angling course. One of the few fair criticisms is that the instruction can remain fairly basic. If you already fish often, you may want more detail about water depth, the sea floor, sonar readings, fish behavior, and the exact level where fish are holding.

For most people, the simple approach is a benefit. You can arrive with no experience and still have a real chance of catching something. Children have managed it with help from the crew, and adults who came along without much interest in fishing have sometimes ended up trying for a catch themselves.

The line is lowered at selected fishing spots, and the captain moves the boat when needed. On strong days, the action can be nearly constant. Some people have caught several fish in a short period, including cod around 1.5 kilograms and larger fish near 3 kilograms. That is not a promise for every departure, but it shows how productive the bay can be.

The fishing is not always equally strong. One outing may produce only a few fish for the whole boat, especially when weather limits where the captain can go. The crew still grills the available catch, but you should book this as a sea adventure, not as a guaranteed seafood haul.

Cod, haddock, pollock, and the possible big catch

Cod is the fish most often associated with this trip, and it is commonly caught. Haddock and pollock are also regular possibilities. Rockfish, whiting, mackerel, scorpion fish, and halibut have appeared on different outings.

The variety gives the fishing some interest. You are not simply pulling up the same fish every time. The crew can help identify your catch, although the level of explanation may vary. If you want to remember exactly what you caught, ask before the fish is cleaned.

You may be able to keep some of your catch, depending on the arrangements on the boat. Excess fish can be released, and some people have taken a fish home to cook later. If keeping fish matters to you, confirm the current rules and procedure before departure rather than assuming every fish can be packed up.

There is also a small photographic opportunity worth considering. One person wished they had a picture with their fish before it was cut up, so ask the crew to take a quick photo while your catch is still intact. It is a simple way to save the memory, especially if you are fishing with children.

The onboard BBQ and the freshest meal in Reykjavík

The most distinctive part of the experience comes after the fishing. The crew cleans the catch, places it on the onboard grill, and serves it with potatoes. You eat the fish soon after catching it, usually in the covered part of the boat or on the return toward the harbor.

Freshness is the selling point. A cod or pollock that was swimming minutes earlier does not need a complicated treatment. The meal has a direct connection to the outing, and that makes it more memorable than a standard restaurant lunch.

The food has been praised many times, with particular affection for the potatoes and the freshly grilled fish. Seasoning can vary, and one person found the fish a little bland while another supplied extra spices and enjoyed it more. If you like strong flavors, bringing permitted personal seasoning may be worth considering, but the included meal itself is fish and potatoes.

The BBQ also gives non-fishers a reason to come along. You can enjoy the boat ride, views, and wildlife even if you are not keen to handle the rod. The only catch is that the meal depends on what the boat catches. On a slow day, the serving may be more modest.

Puffin Island and the wildlife bonus

The route often passes near a place known as puffin island, where puffins may be seen. Wildlife is not the main product here, and the captain cannot guarantee sightings, but it adds another reason to keep your eyes off the fishing line for a while.

Past outings have also included dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales. In some cases, the captain and crew have spent a little time tracking a whale or taking the boat past fishing areas to give people a better look.

That can make the trip feel broader than a simple fishing charter. Still, keep expectations sensible. The advertised purpose is sea angling, not whale watching, so you should not book it solely for a particular animal. Bring patience and watch the water when the line is quiet.

The scenery is especially useful for companions who are not fishing. You get open ocean views and a different angle on Reykjavík than you would from the city streets. On a rainy day, the covered area offers shelter, though the experience remains weather-dependent.

Boat space, crew help, and family appeal

The crew is a major part of the experience. Deckhands are expected to help with bait, tackle, tangles, fish removal, and the practical work that keeps the boat moving. That hands-on help matters when several lines are active at once.

Specific crew members praised by name include Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, and Oscar, though the team can vary by departure. One crew member even made a bait color combination for an eight-year-old’s favorite color, a small touch that shows how the staff can adapt the outing for children.

Families should find the format approachable. A ten-year-old boy was especially excited by the fishing, and a six-year-old received strong support on an earlier trip. You should still remember that the boat is an active marine environment, not a children’s attraction. Cold, spray, waves, and slippery surfaces are part of the setting.

Boat capacity can affect your experience. Some departures have had more than 15 people aboard. Everyone may still get a chance to fish, but space around the rail can feel busy, especially when several fish are being reeled in together. If you want a quieter, more technical fishing session, this may feel too social and tourist-oriented.

Weather, seasickness, and what to wear

I would treat seasickness as the biggest practical concern. The tour takes place in open water, and rough conditions have caused some people to remain in the cabin rather than fish. Even experienced sea travelers can feel unwell when the boat is rolling.

If you know you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual remedy before departure. One person who often gets sick used ginger tablets and managed well, while another companion found the conditions spoiled the outing. That is useful advice because the boat cannot remove the waves from the equation.

Protective clothing is included, but you should still dress for Icelandic weather. Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes. Bring waterproof outerwear if you have it, and avoid clothing that you would regret getting wet or fishy.

The covered lower area provides a warmer place to sit and eat. It is useful during rain, spray, and the meal, but if seasickness hits, staying below deck may not feel better for everyone. Fresh air and a fixed view of the horizon can help, so plan your position with care.

What the 2.5-hour schedule feels like

The stated duration is about 2.5 hours, with some descriptions allowing up to three hours on the water. That is enough time to travel out, fish several spots, prepare the catch, and return without consuming an entire day.

The timing works well in a Reykjavík itinerary. You can fit the tour around museums, a city walk, or an evening meal. I would avoid scheduling something with a strict start immediately afterward, since weather, fishing conditions, and the onboard meal can affect the return time.

Some outings reach a fishing area roughly 35 minutes after leaving the harbor. Others may begin catching fish within 10 minutes of casting. The captain may try several spots, and the quality can vary between them. One area may produce a fish for nearly everyone, while later stops are quieter.

That changing rhythm is normal for a short fishing trip. The length is enough for a satisfying taste of sea angling, but one person reasonably wished it lasted longer. Serious anglers may prefer a longer charter, while families and first-timers may appreciate the compact schedule.

Is the $141 price good value?

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap harbor cruise. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

You receive a guided boat trip, fishing equipment, protective clothing, the chance to catch several kinds of fish, and a meal cooked from the day’s catch. The wildlife possibilities and the open-water views add value, too. Compared with booking a fishing charter and then paying separately for seafood, the package is fairly easy to understand.

The price works best for someone who wants an activity rather than simply a meal. If you catch several cod or haddock and enjoy the process, the cost feels reasonable. If the sea is rough and the fish do not bite, the same price will feel harder to justify, even though the crew still provides the boat ride and grilled catch.

I would consider it good value for families, couples, and first-time fishers who want one memorable Reykjavík outing. Experienced anglers should compare it with longer or more technical charters, especially if they care about sonar readings, depths, tackle choice, and detailed instruction.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. The live guiding is in English, and an app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Who should book this fishing tour?

Book it if you want:

• A family-friendly introduction to ocean fishing
• A meal connected directly to the activity
• A short excursion from central Reykjavík
• Helpful crew support rather than a demanding technical lesson
• A chance to see puffins, dolphins, or whales along with the fishing
• An activity that gives non-fishers something to enjoy

Think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike cold or wet conditions, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. You may also want another option if your main goal is advanced fishing instruction or a quiet private boat.

Final call: a strong choice for a hands-on Reykjavík day

I would recommend this tour to most people who want to do more than look at Iceland from shore. The strongest parts are the friendly, patient crew, the real possibility of frequent bites, and the simple pleasure of eating fish that was caught minutes earlier.

The experience is not flawless. Fish numbers vary, the boat can be crowded, and the water may be rough. But if you prepare for motion, wear warm clothing, and accept that the catch is never guaranteed, the $141 price buys a distinctive half-day memory.

Families should book with confidence, especially if children are excited by fishing. First-timers will get plenty of help. Experienced anglers should book only if they value the social setting and fresh meal more than advanced technique.

FAQ

Where does the sea fishing tour depart from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 2.5 hours, with some information describing approximately 2.5 to 3 hours on the water.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Past outings have also caught whiting, mackerel, and scorpion fish.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The tour is suitable for first-time fishers and experienced anglers. The crew explains the basic process and helps with the equipment and catch.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and protective clothing are included.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. Your catch can be cleaned and grilled onboard, with potatoes served alongside it.

Can I keep my catch?

Some fish may be kept, while excess fish may be released. Confirm the current procedure with the crew before departure.

Are hotel pickups available?

Pickup is available from registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík. It begins about 60 minutes before departure and carries 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 now and pay later.