Reykjavik: Traditional Sea Fishing with BBQ Feast

The best part of this Reykjavik outing comes after the fishing: your catch returns to the harbor with you, gets cleaned and filleted, then becomes lunch on board. You are not simply watching Iceland’s fishing life from a boat. You are handling the rod, feeling the pull, and eating what came from the bay.

I like the small group of no more than 12 and the practical, friendly crew. I also like that beginners can join in, with guides such as Snorri, Thor, and Ana offering hands-on help rather than leaving you to guess what to do. The main consideration is the weather. A cold, windy day can make the three-hour trip feel much tougher than a calm one.

Key points to know before you book

• Fresh fish becomes lunch: Your catch is cleaned and cooked after the boat returns to the harbor, usually with potatoes and sauce.
• A real beginner-friendly fishing trip: The crew supplies rods, tackle, instruction, and waterproof clothing, so you do not need fishing experience.
• Small boat, personal service: With a maximum of 12 passengers, the crew can spend more time helping each person.
• Several Icelandic fish species: You may catch cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock, with whiting also reported on some trips.
• Walkable from central Reykjavik: The boat leaves from the old harbor near the Víkin Maritime Museum, about 5 to 10 minutes from the city center.
• Weather matters: Warm clothing is strongly recommended, even though protective gear is provided.

Fishing Reykjavik Bay from the old harbor

This tour begins at Reykjavik’s old harbor, beside the Víkin Maritime Museum. From central Reykjavik, the walk takes about 5 to 10 minutes, though finding the exact boat requires a little attention.

Pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand, then continue past the Reykjavik Marina Hotel. Look for a sign marked Hlésgata. The meeting point sits on the other side of the shipyard, near the large ships hauled out for repairs.

That setting gives you a useful glimpse of Reykjavik’s working waterfront before you even leave shore. This is not a polished marina-only departure. You meet near a shipyard and fishing harbor, in a part of town tied to Iceland’s long relationship with the sea.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. For most people staying in central Reykjavik, that is simple. If you are staying farther out, allow extra time for transportation and locating the boat.

The activity lasts about three hours and ends back at the same meeting point. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book.

What the first hour on board is like

Once aboard, the crew provides the fishing equipment and explains how to use it. You do not need to bring a rod or know how to handle one. The instruction is aimed at beginners, and the small passenger limit gives the crew room to help you directly.

The boat sails out across the bay toward the fishing grounds. You get views of the water, the islands outside Reykjavik, and the surrounding coast. The exact feel of the ride depends heavily on the day. Some departures have calm conditions and excellent visibility. Others begin with cold wind, which is why warm layers matter so much.

The crew provides waterproof clothing for comfort and protection, but I would still dress for Iceland’s weather rather than relying on the outer gear alone. Wear warm clothes underneath, and choose footwear and layers that you do not mind getting damp.

Fishing here is active rather than technical. You lower the line, wait, and respond when you feel a bite. The crew helps with the basic process, so first-time fishers can take part without a long lesson or complicated equipment.

The first catch often becomes the emotional high point of the trip. Pulling up a cod or haddock is a simple thing, but it feels personal because you have done the work. Some passengers catch several fish, while the total catch naturally depends on the conditions and the day.

Catching cod, haddock, pollock, and rockfish

The target species include cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Whiting has also been caught on some trips. You cannot choose which species takes the bait, and the number of fish will vary, so do not book this as a guaranteed trophy-fishing expedition.

The appeal is the range of possible catches and the speed with which beginners can become involved. Families have reported children catching sizable fish, and first-time fishers have managed to land cod with crew assistance.

The crew can explain the fishing technique as you go. That makes the trip suitable for someone who wants more than a scenic cruise but does not want a demanding, specialized fishing charter.

Wildlife is another possible bonus. Puffins have been seen around the bay and islands on some outings, but sightings are not guaranteed. Keep your eyes on the water and shore while you wait for a bite.

The boat also provides space to relax between catches. That matters on a three-hour trip, especially for family groups or anyone who does not want constant physical activity. You can take in the views, watch the crew work, and enjoy the changing feel of the bay.

Returning to the harbor for a fresh fish lunch

The trip’s most memorable feature is the meal at the end. After returning to the harbor, the fish is cleaned and filleted, then cooked on board. The meal includes the catch of the day with potatoes and sauce.

This is not a separate restaurant stop or a prepared meal brought from town. The fish on your plate came from the water you have just crossed. That short distance from catch to cooking gives the lunch its appeal.

Past departures have included Captain Snorri preparing cod, while Ana helped clean the fish and explain the process. Other outings have involved a guide named Thor. The exact crew may vary, but the format is consistent: the local team handles the cleaning and cooking while you see how the fish is prepared.

The food is simple, which suits the experience. Fresh fish, cooked well, with potatoes and sauce does not need much decoration. For many people, it becomes one of the more satisfying meals of an Iceland visit because the meal is tied directly to the activity.

Lunch may come earlier than your usual midday meal, depending on the starting time. Plan around that rather than expecting a standard restaurant schedule. If you are hungry before the boat leaves, eat something light first.

You can also keep what you catch, with the crew filleting it for you. The supplied information does not specify the exact amount or packaging method for taking fish away, so ask the crew on the day if keeping part of your catch is important to you.

Why the small group makes a difference

A maximum of 12 passengers is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Fishing requires small bits of help at the right moment: showing you how to hold the rod, explaining when to reel, untangling gear, or helping bring a fish aboard.

On a large boat, beginners can end up waiting for attention. Here, the crew has a better chance of seeing when you need help. That is especially useful for families, couples, and anyone who has never fished before.

The smaller scale also gives the outing a more personal feel. Families of up to 10 have taken the trip together, and the father-and-daughter crew on one departure was described as especially attentive. That kind of family operation can make the boat feel more relaxed and direct than a big sightseeing vessel.

Still, a small boat is not automatically better for everyone. If you want a broad range of onboard facilities or a very stable ride, you should consider the boat setting carefully. The description promises room to relax, but it is still a fishing boat operating on open water.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

I would treat the weather forecast as part of your booking decision. Iceland’s conditions can change quickly, and even a pleasant day in Reykjavik may feel cold on the water.

Wear warm layers and dress for the forecast. Waterproof clothing is provided, but it is there to add protection, not replace a proper base layer and warm mid-layer. A hat and gloves may also make the waiting periods more comfortable, though the supplied information does not list specific personal items.

The tour is approximately three hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to fit around other Reykjavik plans. You will spend time sailing, fishing, handling the catch, and eating, so the pace is varied.

Children under 4 are not recommended for this activity. Children aged 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided. Families should also consider the cold, wind, and the need to remain on a boat for the full duration.

The trip is offered with instruction in English and Icelandic. Fishing guidance and equipment are included, so you can arrive without specialist preparation.

Is the $170 price good value?

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

You are paying for a local guide, boat trip, fishing equipment, protective clothing, instruction, the fishing experience, and lunch made from the catch. The combination matters. A standard boat ride gives you the water views, but not the hands-on fishing or meal. A meal in town gives you fish, but not the process of catching it.

I think the price is strongest for people who want an activity with a clear beginning, middle, and end: sail out, fish, return, and eat the result. It is also good value for families and first-time fishers because equipment and teaching are included.

The value is less certain if you mainly want guaranteed calm weather, a large catch, or a long technical fishing session. Fish numbers and comfort depend on nature, and the boat returns after three hours.

The high overall rating of 4.8 from 74 ratings reflects strong satisfaction, especially with the food, crew, family atmosphere, and chance to catch several fish. You should still read that rating in context: weather can change the feel of the trip, and fishing itself always includes some uncertainty.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time fishers who want clear instruction and supplied equipment
• Families with children old enough to handle a three-hour boat outing
• Couples looking for a meal connected to a real local activity
• People who enjoy small-group tours rather than large boats
• Anyone curious about Iceland’s fishing culture and working harbor
• Visitors who like seafood and want to know where lunch came from

It is less suitable if you dislike cold or windy conditions, do not want to handle fish, or need hotel transportation included. It may also be a poor fit for someone seeking a quiet sightseeing cruise, since fishing is the central activity.

The trip suits a flexible itinerary. You can fit it into a Reykjavik day without giving up a full day to the countryside, and you finish where you started at the old harbor.

Booking and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately, which can help while you arrange the rest of an Iceland itinerary.

The departure point is not difficult to reach from central Reykjavik, but follow the directions carefully. The meeting point is past the first dock and beyond the marina hotel, near Hlésgata and the shipyard. It is not simply any entrance to the old harbor.

Bring warm clothing, arrive ready for changing conditions, and leave room in your schedule for an early lunch. Since there is no hotel pickup, plan the walk or transport yourself.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want to take part in the whole process, from fishing in Reykjavik Bay to eating a freshly cooked catch with the people who helped you land it. The small group, friendly instruction, and simple onboard meal give the outing a personal feel that a large boat trip cannot easily match.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed weather, guaranteed fish, or a warm indoor activity. For everyone else, especially families and beginners, this is a memorable way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. The fish may be the headline, but the real value is the connection between the harbor, the bay, the crew, and your lunch.

FAQ

Where does the fishing tour begin?

It begins at the old harbor in Reykjavik, next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. The boat is about a 5 to 10-minute walk from the city center.

How do I find the exact meeting point?

From the city center, pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand. Continue past the Reykjavik Marina Hotel, look for a sign marked Hlésgata, and go to the other side of the shipyard where large ships are on land for repairs.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in the old harbor.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure options.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Whiting has also been caught on some trips.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is made from the catch of the day after the boat returns to the harbor. The meal includes freshly cooked fish with potatoes and sauce.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 4. Children aged 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided.