Reykjavik’s Finest Catch: Guided Sea Angling Tour

Fish, fresh air, and dinner from your line. This three-hour sea angling trip from Reykjavík combines open-water fishing with a simple meal made from your catch. I like the easygoing feel and the chance to see the city from Faxaflói Bay, rather than from another bus window.

I especially like that all fishing gear is supplied and that the crew cleans, fillets, and barbecues the fish for you. The friendly crew and strong fishing action have earned this outing a 4.7 rating from 37 bookings. The main consideration is the price: at $188 per person, it makes the most sense if you want an active boat trip and a meal, not just a short sightseeing cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Fish soon after leaving Reykjavík: The boat reaches the fishing grounds after a 25-minute sightseeing cruise.
• Good for first-time anglers: Your English-speaking guide explains the basics and helps with rods, reels, and tackle.
• Faxaflói provides the setting: You fish with the open sea around you and may spot seabirds, including puffins or gulls.
• Your catch becomes lunch: The crew cleans and fillets the fish, then serves it barbecued with potatoes and coleslaw.
• Warm blankets are included: Coffee and sparkling water are also provided during the three-hour outing.
• The crew can move when the bite slows: One recent group found fish quickly, and the captain changed spots when needed.

Setting out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

The trip begins at Hlésgata 1, on the harbor between the Maritime Museum and the shipyard. Look for the fish and chips wagon. Your guide should be nearby in a black Viggson Sailing jacket or T-shirt.

That meeting point matters because the harbor is working waterfront, not a polished cruise terminal. Give yourself enough time to find the boat and identify the guide. The setting feels practical and local, with boats, shipyard activity, and the sea close at hand.

Viggson Sailing runs the outing with an English-speaking guide. The tone is friendly and informal. You do not need to arrive as an angler. The guide explains how the equipment works and stays available during the fishing session.

The boat ride begins with about 25 minutes of sightseeing. This is not a separate sightseeing cruise with a long commentary program. Think of it as a gentle introduction to the bay and a chance to settle into the boat before the fishing starts.

The 25-minute ride across Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói is the large bay in front of Reykjavík, and the sea gives you a different view of Iceland’s capital. From the water, the city becomes a shoreline rather than a collection of streets and buildings.

I like this opening because it gives the tour a little breathing room. You are not rushed straight from the dock to a rod. You can get comfortable, feel the rhythm of the boat, and watch the harbor recede.

The bay also adds a nature element to the trip. Seabirds may appear during the ride, including gulls and possibly puffins. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but keeping your eyes on the water and sky adds interest between bites.

The ride is short enough to keep the focus on fishing. If you want a full wildlife cruise or a long coastal sightseeing trip, this is not that. The main event is the fishing grounds, and the first 25 minutes serve as the route there.

Fishing for cod, haddock, and pollock

Once the boat reaches the fishing area, the guide gives a short orientation. You receive a rod, reel, and tackle, then learn the basic method for sea angling. The gear is included, so you do not need to pack fishing equipment or know which tackle to bring.

The fishing grounds around Reykjavík are known for good catches. Cod, haddock, and pollock are among the species you may catch. The exact catch can vary, but the trip is designed to give you a real chance of bringing fish aboard.

This is where the guide makes a difference. A first-time fisher may need help with casting, holding the rod, or handling a fish once it reaches the surface. The guide can offer tips and practical assistance rather than leaving you to figure everything out alone.

The strongest praise for this trip centers on the fishing itself and the crew’s response when conditions change. One group reported getting onto fish right away. When the action slowed, the captain moved to another stop, and the group continued catching enough fish that not all of it was cooked.

That detail gives you a useful idea of the day. This is not simply a rod-in-the-water photo opportunity. You might get steady action, and the crew appears willing to adjust the route when one fishing spot goes quiet.

Still, no fishing trip can promise a catch for every person. Fish move, sea conditions change, and the success of the group may not be evenly shared. I would book this for the pleasure of being out on the bay, with catching fish as a strong possibility rather than a guaranteed result.

A calm break between bites

Fishing has a natural stop-and-start rhythm. Some moments are busy, with lines being pulled in and fish handled. Other moments are quiet. That slower pace is part of the appeal.

You can use the pauses to enjoy the sea air, watch the boat work, and look for birds. Warm blankets are provided, which is a practical touch on an Icelandic boat. Coffee and sparkling water are included as well.

The blankets do not turn this into an indoor comfort experience. You are still on the North Atlantic, and the boat setting remains central. If you dislike wind, movement, or waiting between bites, the three-hour length may feel long. If you enjoy a slower outing with a clear activity, the pace should suit you well.

The tour is also a pleasant break from Reykjavík’s city center. You are close to the capital but far enough away from traffic, shops, and schedules to focus on the water.

Cleaning and barbecuing your own catch

After about two hours of guided fishing, the trip moves into its final half hour. The crew cleans and fillets the fish, then barbecues it onboard.

Your meal includes the fish you caught, along with potatoes and coleslaw. Coffee and sparkling water are included too. This meal gives the outing a clear payoff. You are not just carrying a fishing story back to the harbor. You get to taste part of the catch soon after it comes out of the water.

I like that the crew handles the messy work. Cleaning and filleting fish can be unfamiliar for beginners, and you do not need to manage that task yourself. You can watch the process and then sit down to eat.

The freshest part of the meal is also the most memorable. One recent group found that eating the fish almost immediately was a highlight, and the crew cooked only part of the large catch because there was more fish than the group could eat during the return.

That also reveals a small limitation. The meal is based on the catch, so its scale depends on the fishing. The supplied information confirms fish with potatoes and coleslaw, but it does not promise a particular portion size or a set menu beyond that.

What $188 buys you

At $188 per person, this is a substantial activity cost. You are paying for a three-hour boat outing, fishing equipment, an English-speaking guide, the meal, coffee, sparkling water, and warm blankets.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book separate activities. You get time on the water, instruction, active fishing, a chance to see seabirds, and a meal made from the catch. The crew’s willingness to move fishing spots also helps the trip feel like a genuine angling outing rather than a fixed harbor ride.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a cheap boat tour. You may not catch a large fish, and you may spend part of the trip waiting. Someone who wants only coastal views could find a less expensive sightseeing option more suitable.

For families, couples, and small groups who enjoy doing something together, the price can make sense. Fishing creates a shared task, and the meal gives everyone a common finish. The outing also works for mixed groups because experienced anglers can fish independently while beginners receive help.

Who should book this sea angling trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an active Reykjavík excursion that does not require previous fishing experience. The guide supplies the gear and explains the basics, so beginners can take part without buying equipment or studying fishing techniques in advance.

It is also a good match for anyone who likes food with a clear connection to place. The fish is not an abstract restaurant dish. You catch it in Faxaflói, watch it get prepared, and eat it onboard.

Families may enjoy the shared activity, especially if children are interested in boats and animals. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so you should confirm age rules before booking for young children.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the chance to fish for cod, haddock, and pollock in a bay known for good catches. Just keep expectations sensible. The trip is three hours, not a full-day expedition, and the catch can vary.

This may not suit you if you get seasick, dislike open-water movement, or want a quiet luxury cruise. The description focuses on fishing, practical comfort, and a friendly crew rather than polished dining or formal sightseeing.

Practical details before you go

The duration is three hours from departure to return at Hlésgata 1. The fishing portion lasts about two hours, with roughly 25 minutes for the outward sightseeing ride and 30 minutes for the meal onboard.

The meeting point is easy to describe but may require attention once you reach the harbor. Go to the area between the Maritime Museum and the shipyard, then look near the fish and chips wagon for the guide wearing black Viggson Sailing clothing.

The tour operates in English. Fishing gear is included, so bring yourself rather than a tackle box. Warm blankets are supplied, but you should still dress for time on the sea. The supplied information does not specify clothing requirements, so practical layers are a sensible choice without assuming a particular weather policy.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

My verdict on Viggson Sailing’s fishing trip

I would book this if you want to do more than look at Reykjavík from shore. The best parts are the helpful crew, the strong chance of fishing action, and the simple pleasure of eating your own catch with potatoes and coleslaw.

The price is not minor, and the sea cannot promise a full bucket of fish. But the package includes the boat, gear, instruction, drinks, blankets, and a hot meal. For an active three-hour outing from the Old Harbor, that gives the cost a reasonable basis.

Choose it for the fishing and the shared experience. Skip it if you only want scenery or a guaranteed restaurant meal. If casting a line in Faxaflói sounds more appealing than another standard city tour, this is a friendly, practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the sea angling tour begin?

It begins at Hlésgata 1 in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. The meeting point is between the Maritime Museum and the shipyard, near the fish and chips wagon.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts three hours, including the boat ride, fishing, meal, and return to the harbor.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes fishing rods, reels, tackle, and other necessary fishing gear.

What fish might I catch?

You may catch cod, haddock, and pollock in Faxaflói Bay.

Is food included?

Yes. The crew cleans and fillets the catch, then barbecues it with potatoes and coleslaw. Coffee and sparkling water are also included.

Are warm blankets provided?

Yes. Warm blankets are included for the boat trip.

How long is the fishing portion?

The guided fishing portion lasts about two hours.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book your place without paying immediately.