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

Reykjavik does ocean days better than most places. This 2.5 hour sea fishing boat trip pairs easy hands-on coaching with cold-water fishing off Faxaflói Bay, plus a warm onboard BBQ when you’re done. I especially like how the crew aims for action fast, even if you start with no experience.

Two things I’d put at the top of the list are the chance to learn from expert guides and the payoff of eating fish you helped catch, grilled onboard with potatoes. The boat setup also helps: you get protective clothing and fishing gear, so you can focus on casting instead of hunting for equipment.

The main consideration is weather. Iceland can be choppy, and if you are sensitive to motion sickness, you may want to plan ahead, because not everyone feels great when the sea picks up.

Key points before you go

• Reykjavik Old Harbor departure: A classic start point that keeps the whole experience feeling simple and central.
• Target species that actually matter: You fish for cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.
• Coaching built for first-timers: The crew helps you get lines in the water and off hooks safely.
• Your catch becomes dinner: BBQ happens onboard, served with potatoes.
• Wildlife sightings are common: Puffins, and sometimes whales or dolphins, can show up during the day.
• Your fish count can vary with conditions: Rougher days or fewer bites can happen, even with good guidance.

Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: the 2.5 hour rhythm

This tour is timed so you can fit it into a packed Reykjavik itinerary without feeling like you lost half your vacation to logistics. You start from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and head out toward Faxaflói Bay, where the crew looks for the right cold-water fishing spots.

The general flow is straightforward. You board, get your gear and protective clothing, learn how the fishing works, then you spend the middle chunk of the trip casting, reeling, and resetting. When you’re done fishing, the boat turns back toward the harbor and the BBQ comes out so you can eat while the day still feels fresh.

One small detail that matters more than people think is timing. Pickup begins about 60 minutes prior to departure, and a transfer has a small extra fee for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik. If you are doing this the same day as other activities, build in buffer time so you arrive ready and not rushed.

Gear, guides, and the real learning curve (fast)

The best part of this experience is how quickly the crew helps you get productive. You do not need to know knotwork or fishing jargon. You get fishing equipment and protective clothing, and your onboard guide shows you what to do so you can focus on one job at a time: put bait down, feel the bite, and reel in safely.

The vibe is family-friendly, even when the boat is full. In different outings, I’ve seen how the crew stays hands-on, helping people unhook fish and keeping the lines moving. A lot of the praise points to the same thing: the deckhands and captain manage the pace so beginners still catch.

Names that have come up in recent trips include Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, Oscar, George, and Julia. That mix tells you something important: this is not a one-person show. It’s a team that spreads attention across the boat, especially when kids or first-time anglers need extra help.

If you want a practical tip, it is this: show up dressed for the North Atlantic, not the Reykjavik morning forecast. Protective layers matter on deck, and staying warm helps you fish better, not just feel better.

What you’re actually fishing for in the cold water

This tour targets a real mix of fish you can taste and brag about later. You’ll cast for cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock, and the exact mix depends on what the crew finds that day.

From the way the day is run, it is designed for momentum. Multiple stops for fishing are common, and when the bite is strong, the experience can feel almost nonstop. I’ve seen reports of quick action after lines go in, and stories of people pulling up several fish within a short window.

That said, fish count is not a promise. A couple reports mention fewer catches during a trip, even with a good crew and a solid effort to get everyone bites. Your best bet is to treat this as a guided fishing lesson plus a meal plan, not as a guarantee of a specific number or species.

One more helpful note: if you are going because you love eating seafood, it helps to know that some people choose to take part of their catch home while others go straight to the onboard BBQ. The tour is set up to serve what you catch, but the day can also be a souvenir in a cooler if you want it to be.

Ocean views and wildlife, from puffins to whales

I love tours where the scenery and the activity are both worth your attention, and this is one of them. The route takes you out through Icelandic ocean views, and puffins are part of the story. In particular, you may spot puffins near a puffin island as you’re out on the water.

Wildlife sightings can go beyond birds. Several trips include luck with whales and dolphins, with reports of humpbacks and other marine life showing up during the waiting time or while the boat moves between fishing areas. In one case, the crew even went looking while people waited to eat.

This matters because it reduces the risk of a slower fishing period. If bites slow down, you still have something happening in front of you, which keeps the trip feeling like a full Iceland experience, not just a fishing lesson.

Onboard BBQ with the day’s catch: warm food beats cold wind

The onboard BBQ is not an afterthought. It is part of why this tour feels like good value, because you get a fresh meal right where the action happens. The crew grills your catch onboard and serves it with potatoes.

In many trips, the meal is described as beyond fresh, hot, and genuinely delicious, especially when you’re still thinking about the fish you reeled in. That fresh factor is easy to overlook when you are deciding between tours, but it makes a difference on the water. You are cold, you’re hungry, and then you get hot food that tastes like the sea.

If you are a picky eater, keep this in mind. The tour cooks the fish you catch, and you might not be able to choose exactly what lands in your portion. A couple people also mentioned seasoning preferences, so if you love bold flavors, you might plan to bring small add-ons like salt or your own mild sauce if that’s allowed for you.

One practical comfort point: you do not have to freeze the whole time. The boat has a covered area, and riders mention using sheltered space when it got cold. That warmth keeps the day enjoyable even if the wind gets serious.

Price and value at about $141 per person

At $141 per person, this tour is priced like a full activity day, not a cheap sampler. The value comes from what is included: an onboard experienced guide, fishing equipment and protective clothing, plus a grilled BBQ meal using your catch.

If you compare what you’d spend in Reykjavik to do these pieces separately, the meal component makes a big difference. You are not just paying for boat time. You’re paying for coaching, gear, safety support, and a real meal at the end.

It also helps that the experience scales across skill levels. The crew makes it work for beginners and still stays engaged for experienced anglers. When the boat is full, you might worry the attention gets spread thin, but the feedback consistently says the crew keeps helping so people keep catching.

Weather is the only wildcard that can change how it feels. When the sea is unfriendly, the trip still runs, but you might feel it more. If you are flexible about that, the overall value stays strong.

Who should book this Iceland fishing-and-BBQ trip

This is a strong match if you want an Iceland day that mixes hands-on fun with food and scenery. It works especially well for families because kids can get involved quickly, and the crew often helps them feel successful.

It is also a good choice if you’re a true beginner. The tour is set up for learning the basics fast, and you do not need prior gear or experience to have a good outcome. Even people who came along more for the adventure than fishing still end up catching fish in many cases.

The main group to think twice is people prone to motion sickness. At least one report specifically warns that the trip is not suitable for those who get sea sick easily, and another suggests taking remedies like ginger pills. If you know your body reacts badly to boats, bring your plan and consider whether a sea-angling session is your kind of risk.

Should you book this Reykjavik sea fishing tour?

If you want a Reykjavik activity that delivers on three things at once, I’d book it. You get guided fishing, a real chance of catching dinner, and a day out on the bay with wildlife possibilities.

Book it if you care about authenticity and hands-on participation. This is not a sit-and-watch tour. You cast, you reel, and then you eat what you catch, right after.

Skip it or choose another option if you know you are very sensitive to choppy water. Otherwise, dress for wind and cold, and go in with the right mindset, guided fishing plus a BBQ meal is the point, not a guarantee of huge numbers.

If you’re comparing tours, this one is worth a spot on your list because the “meal with the day’s catch” part is doing heavy lifting for your value.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from in Reykjavik?

The tour departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

How long is the sea fishing and BBQ tour?

The duration is about 2.5 hours, with starting times varying by availability.

What fish are you likely to catch?

The tour targets cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.

What’s included in the price?

Included are an experienced onboard guide, use of fishing equipment and protective clothing, and a grill onboard of what you catch served with potatoes.

Do you get pickup?

Pickup starts about 60 minutes prior to departure, and transfers are available for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik, with a small extra fee.

What food do you eat on the boat?

You grill your catch onboard, and it’s served with potatoes.