Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik

Fish, scenery, and dinner from your own catch. This three-hour trip from Reykjavik heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the crew supplies the rods, bait, warm coveralls, and practical help you need. I especially like the chance to eat fish you have just caught, and the fact that first-timers receive hands-on guidance rather than being left to guess. The main catch is cod, though haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish are also possible.

The strongest part of the experience is the crew. Captains and deckhands help with tangled lines, remove fish from hooks, fillet the catch, and cook it on board with potatoes. I also like the chance of seeing puffins in summer, plus dolphins or whales at any time. The drawback is that fishing can be crowded, and rough seas, lost weights, or worn equipment may affect your day.

Key points to know before you book

• Fresh cod can become your lunch: The crew can grill your catch on board, often serving it with potatoes, or prepare it for you to take home.
• The 5:00 pm departure fits many sightseeing days: Meet at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik, then return to the same point after roughly three hours.
• No fishing kit is needed: Rods, bait, and protective clothing are supplied, making this easy to add to an Iceland trip.
• Summer brings a seabird bonus: From May through August, the boat passes Akurey and Lundey, known for puffin colonies.
• The trip works for beginners and families: The crew teaches the basics and helps bring in fish, including for children.
• Crowding and weather matter: The boat can carry up to 65 people, and some departures have felt shoulder to shoulder.

From Geirsgata 11 to Faxaflói Bay

Your day begins at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, at 5:00 pm. The activity ends back at this same meeting point. Hotel pickup is available for an extra fee if arranged directly with Special Tours Iceland, but it is not included in the listed price.

That central departure makes this a fairly simple outing to fit into a Reykjavik schedule. You can spend the morning and early afternoon on city sights, then head to the harbor for an evening on the water. The tour is offered in English, and the operator also provides a Special Tours App in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Once aboard, you meet the captain and crew and receive warm coveralls. This matters in Iceland, even on a bright day. Wind across open water can feel much colder than the temperature on shore, and several outings have included rain, wind, or rough seas.

The boat has indoor seating and toilets, and drinks are available on board according to the information provided. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated, so do not assume a full meal before the fish is prepared. The main meal comes later, if the fishing goes well and you choose to eat your catch.

What the three-hour trip feels like

The boat heads out through Reykjavik’s harbor and into Faxaflói Bay. The ride gives you broad views across the water and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the sea before fishing begins.

The exact fishing area can change. The crew searches for places where fish are holding, then sets up the equipment and explains how to use it. You drop a baited line toward the seabed and wait for the pull. When a fish takes the bait, the crew helps you bring it aboard.

This is not a quiet casting trip beside a river. It is active boat fishing, with lines dropping repeatedly and fish often coming up in quick succession. On strong days, people have caught cod by the dozens, and one especially successful outing produced more than 70 cod in about two hours. That kind of result cannot be promised, but it explains the excitement when conditions are right.

The crew plays a large part in the experience. Deckhands help with crossed lines, untangle gear, remove fish from hooks, and show beginners what to do. Several crew members have received warm praise by name, including Otsgir, Samuel, Captain Stefan, Vera, Kiljan, and Oscar. Names and crew assignments may change, but the pattern is clear: you should expect practical help rather than a hands-off boat ride.

Cod, haddock, and the chance of a big catch

Cod is the main prize. Haddock and pollock are also common possibilities, while halibut and rockfish may appear depending on the fishing area and conditions.

The catch can vary sharply from one departure to another. Some people catch several large cod, while others catch little or nothing. One person even described hauling up a dead fish, which became a comic moment rather than a serious complaint. Fishing has no guaranteed result, so you should book this for the activity itself, not only for a promised dinner.

The strongest days sound genuinely productive. People have reported catching nine good-sized cod, seeing fellow anglers bring in even more, and having nearly everyone aboard catch at least one fish. Families with children aged 10 and 13 have also had successful trips, with the crew working to make sure younger anglers get a turn.

There is a practical catch to bottom fishing. The boat may drift over rocky seabed where cod are found, and lines can snag. Some people have lost weights this way. One poor outing included broken rod tips and missing eyelets on some equipment, while replacement weights were not available. That appears to be an exception within a mostly positive record, but it is worth knowing if you fish often and expect top-condition tackle.

Eating your catch on the boat

The most satisfying part of this trip is the meal. The crew can fillet the fish you catch and grill it on board. Potatoes are often served alongside it, and several people have described the meal as one of the best parts of the outing.

There is a simple pleasure in eating cod that was swimming in Faxaflói Bay a short time earlier. You are not just ordering seafood at a Reykjavik restaurant. You helped bring it aboard, watched it get prepared, and then ate it with the people around you.

If you prefer to cook later, the crew can prepare your catch for you to take back to your hotel or apartment. This option is useful if you have access to a kitchen and would rather make a private meal. The information does not specify how much fish each person can take, so ask the crew on the day.

Do not expect a polished restaurant service. This is a working fishing boat, and the meal depends on the day’s catch, the weather, and how busy the crew is. Still, fresh grilled cod and potatoes can turn an ordinary fishing trip into a memorable Icelandic meal.

Puffins, dolphins, and the open-water scenery

From May through August, the boat passes Akurey and Lundey. These small islands are known for seabirds and summer puffin colonies. Keep your eyes on the shoreline and water, but remember that wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Puffins are a particular treat because they add a clear Icelandic touch to the outing. You may also spot dolphins or whales. Several successful trips included sightings of both, with whales swimming close to the boat on the return journey.

The scenery is part of the value, even when the fish are slow. You get time on the water, views across the bay, and a different angle on Reykjavik than you get from land. Rough conditions can make the ride uncomfortable, though. Some people have described cold, rain, wind, and choppy seas while still enjoying the trip. If you are sensitive to motion or dislike wet weather, think carefully before booking.

Is $147.54 a fair price?

At $147.54 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend three hours. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: the boat trip, fishing instruction, rod, bait, warm protective clothing, crew assistance, fish cleaning, and the option of grilling your catch.

You also avoid the expense and trouble of bringing fishing gear to Iceland. For a first-time angler, the supplied equipment and crew support are especially useful. You can arrive with normal travel clothing and take part without buying a rod, tackle, or bait.

The value is strongest when the fishing is good and you eat fresh fish on board. It is weaker if the sea is rough, the boat is crowded, or the fish are not biting. A maximum of 65 people is allowed, and one outing was described as shoulder to shoulder. Other departures have felt smaller and more comfortable, so the atmosphere can vary.

The current rating is 4.7 from 110 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong result, but it should not hide the occasional cancellation or equipment problem. I would see this as a special activity rather than a guaranteed bargain.

Family appeal and the crowding question

This is a good fit for families with older children. The crew helps young anglers, celebrates each catch, and handles the less pleasant jobs such as removing hooks and cleaning fish. A three-hour duration is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough for children who may not want a full day at sea.

It can also suit couples, solo visitors, and experienced anglers. Experienced fishers may enjoy the chance to catch cod, haddock, and pollock in Icelandic waters without organizing a private charter. Beginners get a useful introduction without needing to know fishing terms or techniques before boarding.

The group size is the main concern. A boat carrying up to 65 people can feel busy around the rail, especially when fish are biting and lines cross. You may have to share space and wait for help during a rush of catches. If you want a quiet, private fishing session, this is not the right format. A private charter would be a different product, but it is not what this experience offers.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. One planned departure was canceled because of weather, but notice was given early enough for the people booked to adjust their day.

For your own booking, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 5:00 pm start time. Cancel later than that and you are not eligible for a refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the cut-off uses local Iceland time.

Wear layers even though coveralls are provided. Waterproof clothing is sensible, since the reviews include rainy outings and rough seas. The operator supplies protective clothing, but you still want comfortable shoes and clothes suited to a wet boat.

If you are prone to seasickness, the possibility of wind and waves deserves serious thought. The tour takes place in open water, not on a sheltered lake. Conditions can make the ride part of the adventure or the hardest part of the day.

Who should book this Reykjavik fishing trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a hands-on activity, enjoy seafood, or need something different from museums, pools, and city walks. It is especially appealing if you like the idea of catching dinner rather than simply photographing Icelandic scenery.

Families with children, first-time anglers, and couples who enjoy shared activities are likely to get the most from it. The crew does much of the technical work, so you can focus on dropping the line, feeling the tug, and bringing up the fish.

I would hesitate if you need quiet space, dislike uncertain weather, or expect a private guide and flawless equipment. The fishing can be excellent, but no sea trip controls the catch. The boat may be busy, and one poor departure had complaints about tackle and lost weights.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you can accept the basic rule of fishing: the best parts are never guaranteed. The crew, warm clothing, supplied equipment, catch-and-cook meal, and chance of puffins, dolphins, or whales give the trip real value at $147.54.

I would choose it for a family afternoon, a seafood-loving couple, or anyone who wants an active Reykjavik excursion. I would skip it only if rough water or shared fishing space would spoil the day. For most people who enjoy the sea, catching a cod in Faxaflói Bay and eating it aboard the boat is a memorable use of an evening.

FAQ

Where does the sea fishing experience begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 5:00 pm.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the listed price. It can be arranged directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing rods, bait, and the necessary fishing equipment are provided.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The crew can grill your catch on board, or prepare it for you to take back to your accommodation.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.