Reykjavik: Traditional Sea Fishing with BBQ Feast

The best part of this Reykjavik fishing trip comes after the fish are caught. You return to the old harbor, where the crew cleans your catch and cooks it for lunch right on the boat. That simple meal of fresh fish, potatoes, and sauce gives the outing a fine Icelandic sense of place.

I like the small limit of 12 passengers, since fishing works better when you are not elbow to elbow. I also like that beginners get equipment, instruction, and waterproof clothing, so you need no fishing background. The main drawback is the weather: a cold, windy day can make three hours on the water feel much longer, so warm clothing matters.

Key points

• Fish from Reykjavik’s bay: Look for cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock in the waters outside the capital.
• Eat what you catch: The crew cleans and prepares the day’s fish after returning to the harbor.
• Small boat, small group: With no more than 12 passengers, you get more room and easier access to the fishing gear.
• Good for first-time anglers: The crew supplies rods, tackle, protective clothing, and hands-on guidance.
• Wildlife and island views: Keep watch across the bay, where you may see seabirds and puffins.
• Simple city logistics: The old harbor meeting point is a 5 to 10-minute walk from central Reykjavik.

Fishing Icelandic waters from Reykjavik’s old harbor

You meet the boat in Reykjavik’s old harbor, next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. From the city center, allow about 5 to 10 minutes on foot. The meeting point is beyond the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand, past the Reykjavik Marina Hotel, near a sign marked Hlésgata.

This is not a large harbor cruise with fishing added as an afterthought. The point is to get out into the bay, lower your line, and feel the pull of a real fish. The boat heads toward the waters and islands outside Reykjavik, giving you views of the coast while the crew gets everyone set up.

The meeting directions deserve attention because the boat is on the other side of the shipyard, where large vessels are hauled out for repair. You will not simply find it beside the first row of sightseeing boats. Give yourself a little extra time, especially if you are carrying children’s clothing or camera gear.

The tour lasts about three hours and ends at the same place. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, but the central harbor location makes this easy to add before or after time in downtown Reykjavik.

A practical introduction for complete beginners

You do not need to arrive knowing how to bait a hook or read the water. The guide supplies the fishing equipment and explains how to use it. Instruction and help continue during the trip, which matters when several people are fishing at once and lines need to be handled safely.

The setup is especially useful for families and first-time anglers. Children 12 and under must wear lifejackets, and those are provided. The trip is not recommended for children younger than four.

You may catch cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock. The catch can vary, so nobody should treat a particular species or a large haul as guaranteed. Still, the fishing has been productive enough for some outings to bring in many fish, with individual catches ranging from several fish to more than 20 on especially successful days.

That range tells you what kind of activity this is. It is not a quiet lesson in patience where you stare at an empty line for hours. The crew aims to get you fishing efficiently, and the small group makes it easier to receive help when you need it.

Why the group size matters on the water

A maximum of 12 passengers is one of the strongest features here. Fishing boats can feel cramped when too many people share the rail, particularly when lines cross or someone needs help removing a fish. A smaller party gives you more space to relax and a better chance to get direct attention from the crew.

The limited capacity also suits families and groups of friends. One family of 10 found the smaller boat more personal, with the father-daughter crew offering help throughout the trip. A party of that size nearly fills the boat, but it still remains within the advertised limit.

Crew members named in trip accounts include Captain Snorri, Thor, and Ana. Snorri is described as preparing the fish, while Ana has helped clean and fillet the catch. The exact crew may vary, but the useful point is that the people running the boat handle both the fishing and the meal, giving the outing a family-run feel rather than a factory-style tour.

The catch of the day becomes lunch

After fishing, the boat returns to the harbor and the crew prepares your catch. The fish is cleaned and filleted, then cooked with potatoes and sauce. Descriptions of the meal vary between pan-fried and grilled, so expect straightforward cooking rather than an elaborate restaurant service.

This is the moment that gives the tour its value. You are not just buying a short boat ride and a chance to pose with a fish. The meal connects the activity to Iceland’s fishing culture in a direct, tasty way. Fresh cod or haddock needs little decoration, and the crew’s simple preparation lets the fish do the work.

The timing can also make this an early lunch, depending on the starting time you choose. If you are hungry after fishing, that is a plus. If you prefer a late meal, check the available departure times before booking.

The crew keeps and prepares the fish caught during the outing for the included lunch. The tour also says you may keep what you catch, with the team filleting it for you. Ask the crew how this will work on your particular departure, since the supplied details focus mainly on eating the catch aboard the boat.

Bay views, islands, and a chance of puffins

Fishing takes place in the bay outside Reykjavik, so you get more than a view of the city from the water. The route brings you near the islands and open sea, and you can watch the coastline change as the boat moves away from the harbor.

Wildlife is another pleasant extra. Puffins have been spotted during the trip, though sightings are not promised. Keep your eyes open for seabirds and take binoculars if you already have a compact pair, but do not let wildlife watching distract you from the fishing. The main activity remains the line in your hands.

Weather will shape the experience. Several outings have had bright, calm conditions, while others began cold and windy before ending with a hot meal. Icelandic weather can change quickly, so wear warm layers and dress for the forecast. Waterproof clothing is supplied, but that does not replace a warm base layer, hat, and gloves.

The boat provides plenty of room to relax, according to the tour details. Even so, this is an outdoor fishing trip, not a heated indoor attraction. If you are sensitive to cold or motion on the sea, choose your day carefully and avoid treating the protective clothing as your only defense.

What the $170 price includes

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. The price makes more sense when you count what comes with it: a local guide, fishing equipment, fishing instruction, waterproof clothing, the boat trip, and lunch made from the catch.

A separate fishing excursion followed by a seafood meal could easily become a more complicated and costly plan. Here, the activity and meal are tied together, and the crew does the less glamorous work of cleaning and preparing the fish.

The value is strongest for people who want to participate. If you only want a short boat ride with coastal views, a sightseeing cruise may suit you better. If you want to catch your own lunch, learn the basics, and spend time with a small local crew, the price is easier to justify.

The included lunch also removes one decision from your day. You do not need to rush back into central Reykjavik to find food after the boat returns. The meal is part of the experience, not an add-on.

The weather question you should take seriously

A good catch cannot fully rescue a miserable day at sea. One outing began cold and windy, although the meal at the end made a strong finish. Another had perfect weather and a particularly enjoyable group. The contrast is a reminder that conditions are part of the deal.

Check the forecast and dress more warmly than you think you need. Use layers rather than one bulky item, since you may want to adjust as the boat moves between harbor and open water. The supplied waterproof clothing helps with spray and wet conditions, but you should still arrive dressed for Iceland.

If you are booking several days ahead, keep the free cancellation policy in mind. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Reykjavik schedule is still shifting.

Starting times depend on availability, so check the exact departure when planning lunch or another attraction. Since the trip ends back at the harbor, it is simple to combine with a walk around the waterfront.

Who should book this fishing trip?

I would point this tour toward families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants an active outing without committing to a full fishing holiday. You get enough instruction to begin from scratch, and the crew does the technical work of cleaning and cooking the fish.

It also works well for a group that values personal attention. The 12-person maximum is small enough to keep the boat from feeling anonymous, and several crew members have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic.

This is less suitable for very young children, since those under four are not recommended. It may also disappoint you if you need a guaranteed catch, a guaranteed species, or calm weather. Fishing is fishing, and the sea gets the final say.

The experience is a particularly good choice for people who enjoy food with a story. Cod caught in the bay, cleaned by the crew, and cooked at the harbor has more meaning than another standard restaurant lunch. The meal is modest, but the freshness and setting make it memorable.

Should you book the Reykjavik sea fishing tour?

Book it if you want a hands-on half-day activity, enjoy fresh fish, and are willing to accept Iceland’s weather as part of the bargain. The small group, supplied equipment, patient instruction, and cooked catch make this a strong choice for beginners.

Skip it if you want a warm, fully sheltered excursion or if three hours outdoors sounds tiring. At $170, the value depends on using the whole package: fishing, harbor views, crew guidance, and lunch.

For the best chance of enjoying it, dress warmly, arrive early enough to find the boat at Hlésgata, and keep your schedule flexible around the weather. If you do, this can be one of the most personal ways to spend time on the water near Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long does the traditional sea fishing tour last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?

You board the boat in Reykjavik’s old harbor, next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. The meeting point is near Hlésgata, on the other side of the shipyard where large ships are repaired.

How far is the meeting point from central Reykjavik?

The harbor meeting point is about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the city center.

What kinds of fish can I catch?

The possible catch includes cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment, waterproof clothing, instruction, and guidance are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares lunch from the catch of the day, with the fish served alongside potatoes and sauce.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under four. Children aged 12 and under must wear lifejackets, which are provided.