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

Iceland’s sea fishing sounds wild, then it gets easy, with Reykjavik harbor departures and a cook-on-board BBQ waiting afterward. You’re out in the open water long enough to feel like you left the city, but the trip is short enough that it works even on a busy day.

I especially like the way the expert guides help you get fishing quickly, whether it’s your first cast or your hundredth. I also love that your effort turns into a hot meal, since the crew grills your catch onboard and serves it with potatoes.

One thing to consider is the sea itself. On choppier days, motion sickness is real, and the experience is better if you plan for that upfront.

Key Points at a Glance

• Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: a focused route aimed at productive cold-water fishing
• Hands-on coaching for all skill levels: the deckhands help you get bites and land fish
• Target species include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock: more variety in the catch
• BBQ cooked from your day’s catch with potatoes served onboard
• Wildlife sightings are common enough to watch for puffins, and sometimes whales and dolphins
• Multilingual support via app plus an English live guide for easier understanding

Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: what your 2.5 hours is really like

This tour is built around a simple idea: get you off Reykjavík’s docks and into the cold-water fishing zone fast. You depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, then head toward Faxaflói Bay where the guides know where to angle. The time on the water is about 2.5 hours (often described as roughly 2.5 to 3 hours), so you get real action without committing to a long full-day outing.

In terms of timing, there’s a pickup that starts 60 minutes before departure. If you want pickup, the transfer is only available for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík, and it comes with a small extra fee. In practice, that means you should plan to arrive early, not at the last minute.

Once you’re underway, the experience shifts from city to sea. You’ll get big ocean views, and the trip includes time where you can scan for wildlife. Puffins are a frequent sighting possibility, often mentioned around a puffin island in the area. And on some departures, the captain has gone out of the way to look for whales and dolphins while you’re out there waiting for your next fishing station.

A note on expectations

This is not a “sit back and watch” cruise. You’re on a working fishing boat, so the schedule feels like short bursts of effort: cast, reel, land, repeat. When the water is cooperative, it can feel almost nonstop. When conditions change, you’ll still be on the move, fishing in different spots.

Expert deckhands, provided gear, and fast learning at sea

The best part of this tour is how quickly you get help that actually matters. Even if you’ve never fished, the crew is there to teach you the basics in a way that gets you onto the fish sooner rather than later. The guides and deckhands are hands-on with the practical stuff, so you’re not stuck figuring out knots and bait while everyone else is catching.

You also don’t need to bring your own tackle. Fishing equipment and protective clothing are included, which is huge in Iceland where getting wet and cold happens fast if you’re unprepared. That “gear provided” detail is a value multiplier, because you avoid the extra shopping and you show up ready.

One of the names that pops up in past onboard experiences is Oddgeir, along with Stefan and Asgeir. Other crew names you might hear include Samuel and Oscar, plus George and Julia. The point isn’t who you’ll meet, it’s how the boat runs: the crew’s job is to get everyone fishing and landing fish, not just to hand out rods and hope.

If you’re traveling with kids or first-timers, this coaching style makes the biggest difference. It turns a “we’ll probably do it once” plan into something where even a new fisher feels capable by the first main stop.

Target fish in cold water, and how your odds shape the day

The tour targets a lineup of cold-water species: cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. That variety matters for your odds. If one species is quiet at a spot, the guides can move and fish another pocket, so the day doesn’t hinge on one single bite.

Cod is the star in many accounts. Several riders describe fast action once you hit the fishing grounds, with fish coming quickly enough that it feels like every cast has a chance. That kind of pace is what makes this outing a great “Iceland bucket list” activity, because you’re not just sightseeing. You’re participating.

That said, fishing is still fishing. Some days have consistent action, and some days are more uneven across different sites. One common pattern you’ll want to accept: the crew typically fishes multiple areas, and the catch rate can shift from spot to spot. You might get a run of bites at one stop, then have a slower patch at the next.

What about keeping fish?

The tour experience includes an onboard meal cooked from the catch. Some participants have also said they were able to take fish home. You may also see the crew handle the excess catch responsibly, with some fish being set free rather than cooked. Either way, your meal is the guaranteed payoff.

Onboard BBQ with potatoes: turning the catch into dinner while you’re still at sea

The BBQ part is not an afterthought. It’s the payoff that makes the whole outing feel like more than a sport. The crew grills your catch onboard and serves it with potatoes. You’ll eat while you’re heading back, so the “fresh from the sea” idea isn’t theoretical. It’s built into the flow of the trip.

In past experiences, the fish is often described as beyond fresh, and a lot of people seem genuinely surprised by how good a simple onboard grill meal can be. The potatoes are part of the included package, and in some cases sauces or seasoning are also available, adding comfort if you’re not used to eating fish plain.

One practical takeaway: the BBQ is only as good as what the crew has to cook that day. If you’re expecting the best flavor in the world every time, remember this is a working boat with an onboard grill. Some people have loved it. One rider did mention wanting more seasoning and said the fish tasted bland when cooked. If you’re picky about seasoning, plan for that by keeping your expectations grounded and your preferences in mind.

A tip for the taste factor

If you like flavor, eat your fish while it’s hot and fresh, right away. That freshness is repeatedly mentioned as part of why people remember the meal.

Views, wildlife, and when the captain goes looking beyond fishing

Even though the core of the tour is fishing, the sea trip often adds wildlife surprises. Puffins are a frequent mention, and several past outings include sightings of whales and dolphins. One person described humpbacks, another mentioned minkes, and multiple accounts include dolphins. There are also occasional sightings like jellyfish, which sounds random until you realize how much you’ll notice once you’re looking at the water.

What makes this useful for you as a decision-maker is this: if you’re not the world’s most enthusiastic fisherman, you still have a reason to enjoy the time out there. You can spend the ride scanning for birds and spouts, and you’re still part of the action with your rod in hand.

The captain and crew can also change plans based on what they find around the fishing grounds and where marine life appears. So the day doesn’t feel like one fixed loop.

Weather, clothing, and motion sickness: the practical stuff you can control

Iceland’s weather can turn quickly. Even if the forecast looks fine, you can still get wind, spray, and choppy water once you’re out. The good news is that protective clothing is provided, which takes the edge off the cold and wet.

Still, you should dress like you’ll be outside and damp for much of the trip. Your best bet is warm layers and things you can move in. Gloves and a warm hat tend to help even if you’re not the coldest traveler in your group.

Motion sickness is the big caution

Multiple participants note that sea sickness can be an issue. One rider specifically said it is not suitable for those who easily get sea sick and recommended taking remedies like ginger pills beforehand. That’s a practical reminder: if you’re prone to motion sickness, don’t wing it. Bring the remedy you know works for you.

Also, consider where you stand during the ride. If you start feeling off, the covered parts of the boat can help you ride out the waves and still participate when conditions improve.

Price and value: what you get for $141 per person

At $141 per person, you’re paying for a short, high-effort boat outing that includes more than just a ticket. The tour includes an experienced guide on board, fishing equipment, and protective clothing. Then it includes the main meal, since the crew grills your catch onboard and serves it with potatoes.

That “activity plus meal plus gear” combo is why the value feels strong. Many travel activities either charge for equipment separately or leave you to find food later. Here, your fish becomes dinner. Even if you don’t land the biggest fish, you still get a complete experience: learn something, try your luck, and eat what comes out of the sea.

You also get extra support for comprehension. There’s an English live guide, and an app is available in multiple languages including English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. So if English is not your first language, you’re less likely to feel lost.

A balanced view on cost versus outcomes

Fishing outcomes are never fully predictable. Some people catch quickly and in high numbers, while others have fewer fish. But because the crew’s goal is to get everyone fishing and cooking, the day still tends to deliver, not just technically, but emotionally. The onboard BBQ is the equalizer.

Who should book this sea fishing BBQ tour, and who should think twice

This tour is a strong match for:

• Families who want an outdoor activity that doesn’t require prior skills
• First-time fishers who want coaching and a decent chance to land something
• People who care about food as part of the experience, not just a souvenir meal

It can be less of a fit if:

• You are extremely sensitive to motion sickness and don’t have a plan
• You want a deep technical fishing lecture, because this experience focuses on getting you fishing and catching, not on sonar data and gear engineering
• You need a longer trip, since 2.5 hours can feel short if you’re having nonstop action

In at least one account, a rider wanted more in-depth fishing explanations like depth, sonar readouts, and measurement. So if you’re an advanced angler looking for that level of detail, you might leave feeling like you got the basics and the fun, not the full technical workshop.

Should you book the Reykjavik sea fishing boat and BBQ?

If your idea of a great day in Reykjavík includes two things, hands-on fun and a satisfying payoff meal, then this tour belongs on your shortlist. It’s not just a boat ride, and it’s not just dinner. You’re actively fishing with provided gear and real instruction, then you’re eating a hot BBQ made from what you caught.

Book it if you can handle a boat day outdoors, and especially if you’re traveling with kids or someone who’s never fished. It’s also a smart choice if you want a chance at wildlife sightings like puffins, and possibly whales or dolphins depending on conditions.

Think twice if sea sickness is a deal-breaker for you. If you’re even mildly prone, plan ahead with the remedy that works for you, dress for spray and wind, and know you may need some covered time out on the water.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik sea fishing and BBQ tour?

The duration is about 2.5 hours, with availability varying by starting time. Many descriptions put it around 2.5 to 3 hours on the water.

Where does the tour depart from, and is pickup offered?

The tour sets out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Pickup starts about 60 minutes prior to departure, and pickup is available only for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík, with a small extra transfer fee.

What kinds of fish are you targeting?

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

Is the BBQ cooked from the fish you catch?

Yes. The crew grills your catch onboard, and it’s served with potatoes.

Do you need fishing experience?

No. The guides help you learn the ropes quickly, and the equipment plus protective clothing are included.

Is there free cancellation or a pay-later option?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There’s also a reserve now, pay later option, so you can book and pay nothing today.