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

Fish, feast, and watch for whales. This Reykjavik sea fishing trip takes you from the Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay, where you can catch cod, haddock, pollock, rockfish, and sometimes halibut. I especially like the patient crew, who help complete beginners get a line in the water quickly, and the simple pleasure of eating fish caught only minutes earlier.

I also like the mix of fishing and wildlife watching. Puffins may appear near the island known locally for its puffin colonies, while whales and dolphins have sometimes been spotted from the boat. The main thing to consider is the sea itself: choppy conditions can make the ride uncomfortable, and some people have needed to retreat to the cabin with seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Fresh fish on the grill: Your catch can be cleaned and cooked onboard with potatoes while you are still returning to Reykjavik.
• A strong choice for beginners: Guides help with bait, tackle, casting, reeling, and removing fish from the hook.
• Fishing in Faxaflói Bay: The boat works several fishing areas, with cod often providing the fastest action.
• Wildlife beyond the fishing: Puffins, humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and jellyfish have all been seen on different outings.
• Family-friendly setup: Children as young as six, eight, and ten have enjoyed the trip with help from the crew.
• Plan for Icelandic weather: Protective clothing is provided, but bring motion-sickness remedies if you are prone to feeling ill at sea.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbor

The trip begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, a convenient starting point for a short outing on the water. You do not spend half the day reaching the fishing grounds. The ride out to Faxaflói Bay forms part of the experience, with views across the open water and back toward Reykjavik.

The advertised duration is 2.5 hours, with the on-water time described elsewhere as roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. That makes this easy to fit around other city plans. You can fish in the morning, visit a museum afterward, or schedule it during a free afternoon without sacrificing a full day.

Hotel pickup may be available in Reykjavik, beginning about 60 minutes before departure. It applies only to registered hotels and guesthouses, and the transfer costs a small additional fee. If you use pickup, be ready early. Otherwise, confirm the harbor meeting point and allow enough time to get there.

The boat ride can be calm, but Icelandic weather does not sign a contract. Several outings have included large waves, rain, wind, or a cold ride to the fishing grounds. The boat has a covered lower area where you can warm up, but this is still a sea trip, not a sheltered harbor cruise.

Learning the ropes on the first fishing spot

You do not need fishing experience. The crew supplies the fishing equipment and protective clothing, then shows you how to use the gear. The basic rhythm is simple: lower the line, wait for a bite, and reel in when the crew tells you to do so.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. They watch the lines, react quickly when someone hooks a fish, and help with unhooking and handling the catch. Children receive the same attention as adults. On one family outing, the crew even prepared bait in a child’s favorite color, a small touch that helped make the day feel special.

The fishing itself is designed to give you a fair chance. The captain searches for productive water, and the crew may move between several spots. In good conditions, you might feel a bite almost every time you lower the line. Some outings have produced several fish per person, while a less productive trip yielded only three or four fish for the entire boat.

That variation matters. This is not a private fishing charter with a promise of a particular species or catch. It is a shared tourist fishing trip, and the ocean decides how generous it will be. The crew works hard to put you over fish, but no captain can guarantee nonstop action.

Cod is the fish most often associated with the trip, and catches have also included haddock, pollock, whiting, mackerel, and scorpion fish. Halibut and rockfish are listed among the possible catches. Fish can vary in size, too. Cod around 1.5 kilograms have been caught, with some reaching about 3 kilograms.

What the fishing feels like for beginners

The setup is active rather than technical. You are not expected to study tides, tie complicated knots, or work out the sonar. The crew handles the difficult parts so you can focus on the satisfying bit: feeling the weight on the line and bringing the fish up.

That makes this a good choice for a family group with mixed interests. People who arrived mainly to watch have sometimes ended up fishing themselves. The crew’s hands-on approach also helps children and first-timers avoid the usual frustration of tangled line and uncertain technique.

Experienced anglers may find the trip less detailed than a specialist charter. You may not receive a full explanation of water depth, seabed conditions, sonar readings, fish behavior, or the reason for each location. The emphasis is on catching fish and having fun, not on a technical lesson in Icelandic sea angling.

If you want a relaxed introduction, that is a fair trade. If you already spend your holidays chasing specific species with specialized tackle, you may want a longer and more focused charter instead.

Faxaflói Bay, puffin island, and open-water views

The fishing areas lie in Faxaflói Bay, a broad stretch of water just outside Reykjavik. The scenery gives the outing more variety than a simple trip from one fishing point to another. You can watch the coast recede, scan the water, and enjoy the wide Icelandic views while the crew searches for the next productive area.

Puffins may be seen around the island often called puffin island. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a welcome bonus when they happen. On different outings, people have also seen humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and jellyfish.

The crew has sometimes taken a little extra time to follow whales or pass areas where wildlife could be spotted. Do not book the trip as a dedicated whale-watching cruise, though. Fishing remains the main purpose, and wildlife viewing depends on the day, the weather, and what appears near the boat.

Bring your camera, but keep it secure. Spray and wind are part of being on the water, especially when the boat is moving between fishing areas. The most memorable moments may be brief: a whale surfacing, a dolphin near the boat, or a puffin flashing past before you can frame the shot.

Grilling the catch with potatoes

The best part of the outing may come after the lines are brought in. The crew cleans and prepares some of the fish, then grills it onboard with potatoes. You eat your catch while the boat is making its way back toward Reykjavik or while the group gathers in the covered area.

Freshness does not get more direct. A fish caught during the trip becomes lunch or dinner soon after, rather than something transported through several stages before reaching your plate. Cod, haddock, and pollock have all been praised for their taste when cooked onboard.

Seasoning can vary. Some people have found the meal delicious as served, while one person wished for more butter or seasoning. If you have strong preferences, you may want to bring a small personal seasoning option, as long as it is allowed by the operator. The supplied meal includes potatoes, but do not expect a full restaurant menu.

You may also be able to keep part of your catch. The amount you take home depends on the catch and the arrangements onboard. Extra fish has sometimes been released after enough was set aside for the meal. Ask the crew early if taking fish home matters to you, especially if you need to plan how to transport or cook it.

There is a small emotional wrinkle for children: a fish caught by a young angler may be prepared for the meal rather than becoming a souvenir. Explain the keep-or-grill choice before departure so nobody is surprised later.

Boat comfort, group size, and the weather question

The boat has a covered lower deck, which gives you a place to warm up and eat. The fishing area can feel busy when more than 15 people are onboard, especially when several lines need attention at once. Even so, the crew has generally kept the fishing organized and made sure people receive help.

Protective clothing and fishing equipment are included. Dress in warm layers anyway. Iceland’s summer can be bright and mild in town but cold and wet offshore. Gloves that allow you to handle a fishing rod may also be useful, though the supplied clothing covers the basic protection.

Motion sickness is the main practical concern. The trip can be rough on windy days, and one person who was prone to seasickness spent much of the outing inside and missed the fishing. If you know you get sick on boats, take a remedy before departure and eat lightly. Ginger tablets helped one person who already knew they were susceptible, though you should choose medication based on your own needs.

The captain may decide to stay in shallower water when conditions are rough. That can reduce the fishing range, but it may also make the trip more manageable. A rainy day does not automatically cancel the fun, but you should accept that the ride may be wet, cold, and bumpy.

Is $141 a good value?

At $141 per person, the price is not cheap for a 2.5-hour activity. It becomes easier to justify when you count what is included: the boat trip, guide support, fishing equipment, protective clothing, and a cooked meal with potatoes.

You are also paying for a low-pressure activity that works for a whole family. A specialist fishing charter could offer more time and more technical instruction, but it may not suit someone who has never held a rod. This trip spreads the cost across the boat, the crew, the gear, and the meal.

The strongest value comes when everyone in your group wants to participate. If half the party dislikes boats or has no interest in fishing, the price may feel high for a short ride with an uncertain catch. On the other hand, an active family can get several hours of entertainment, fresh food, scenery, and the chance to see marine life.

Flexible booking also helps. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the exact departure time and pickup cost before booking, since availability changes.

Who should book this fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time anglers, families, couples looking for something beyond museums, and anyone who likes the idea of eating what they catch. It is also a good choice if you want a short activity near central Reykjavik rather than a full-day trip into the countryside.

Children can enjoy it, but you should judge your child’s patience and comfort on a moving boat. The crew can help with the fishing, yet younger children may still find the cold, wind, and waiting between bites tiring.

Experienced anglers should set expectations correctly. You may catch plenty of fish, but you will not necessarily receive detailed instruction about technique or local marine ecology. The trip is built around accessible action, friendly assistance, and a shared meal.

The guide language is English. A companion app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, but the live tour guide is listed as English-speaking.

My verdict: book it for the people and the meal

I would book this trip if I wanted an easy, social fishing outing with a real payoff at the end. The strongest parts are the crew’s patience, the high chance of catching at least something on a productive day, and the simple pleasure of fresh fish grilled onboard.

I would skip it if rough water makes you miserable, if you need a guaranteed large catch, or if you want a serious fishing lesson. For everyone else, this is one of Reykjavik’s more memorable short activities. Pack warm layers, prepare for motion sickness, and keep your schedule flexible enough to enjoy the fish even if the puffins or whales stay out of sight.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip depart from?

The boat leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and heads into Faxaflói Bay.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 2.5 hours. The time on the water may be described as roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, pollock, whiting, mackerel, and scorpion fish.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The crew provides instruction and helps with the equipment, bait, reeling, and handling the fish.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment and protective clothing are provided.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The catch can be grilled onboard and served with potatoes.

Can I take my catch home?

You may be able to keep some of your fish. Ask the crew about the arrangements and how much can be taken home.

Could I see puffins or whales?

You might see puffins near puffin island. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and jellyfish have also been seen, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

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 extra fee.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English. The available app includes 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.