Review · ICELAND · DAY TRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK
Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik
Cod fishing starts with warm coveralls. This 3-hour Reykjavik sea fishing trip puts you out in Faxaflói Bay with professional equipment and cozy protection, so you can focus on the good part, catching fish. I especially like that you get all the gear and bait, so there is no scrambling to rent tackle at the last minute. I also like the finish, the crew can grill your catch on board or prep it so you can take it back to cook later.
The one drawback to keep in mind is space. Some folks note it can feel shoulder to shoulder while everyone is fishing, so if you want lots of personal room, this probably is not your best match.
In This Review
- Key things I would bank on before you go
- Why Reykjavik sea fishing works so well (even if you have never fished at sea)
- Getting on board at Geirsgata 11, 5:00 pm, and what happens first
- The boat ride on Faxaflói Bay: views, wind, and why timing matters
- How sea fishing actually plays out: dropping lines, staying patient, and handling tangles
- What you might catch: cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish
- Summer sightings on the route: Akurey and Lundey, plus puffins and seabirds
- The human factor: crew help, real names, and making sure you actually fish
- Grilling your catch: onboard dinner or take-home fish, the best part of the value
- Comfort on deck: clothing, rain gear, and what to do with the cold
- Price and value: why $147.54 can make sense for Iceland (if you want the full package)
- Who should book this Reykjavik sea fishing trip?
- Quick heads-up on weather and when the tour might change
- Should you book Sea Fishing from Reykjavik?
- FAQ
- How long is the sea fishing trip from Reykjavik?
- What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?
- Is fishing equipment provided?
- What should I wear?
- Do you grill the fish you catch?
- What fish species might I catch?
- Are hotel transfers included?
Key things I would bank on before you go

- All equipment provided, including fishing rods and bait, plus protective coveralls
- Crew-led fishing spots, with help for first-timers and kids
- Catch-to-meal flexibility, grill on board or pack it for later
- Real chances at big Iceland species, cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish
- Summer sightseeing window, Akurey and Lundey islands with seabirds and puffins
- Nice “bonus wildlife” potential, with reports of whales and dolphins near the boat
Why Reykjavik sea fishing works so well (even if you have never fished at sea)

If you have ever tried shore fishing, you know the limits fast. A sea trip changes the whole game. Here, you are not just standing around waiting, you are out on the water with a crew that knows where the fish are biting, and they adjust as conditions change.
This trip is also built for normal humans, not just hardcore anglers. You get practical guidance throughout, and the staff work to help people who are brand new. That matters in Iceland, because the sea can be rough, the wind can cut, and the water is cold enough that comfort affects your stamina.
And then there is the big payoff. You do not simply catch fish and walk away. Your catch becomes dinner, either cooked right there on the boat or prepared so you can bring it back.
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Getting on board at Geirsgata 11, 5:00 pm, and what happens first
Your afternoon starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavík, and the boat leaves at 5:00 pm. The whole experience runs about 3 hours and ends back at the same meeting point.
When you arrive, you will meet the captain and crew, then get into warm coveralls. That is a real comfort win. It also means you do not have to guess what to wear, or bring layers that are right for the weather but wrong for salt spray and wind.
Once you are dressed and sorted, you cruise out into Faxaflói Bay. This is when the trip shifts from waiting to doing. You will see the coastline pass by, feel the cold air on your face, and get the first chance to take in Iceland from the water.
Early on, the crew shows you the basics of handling gear on a drifting or moving boat. If you have never cast at sea, do not panic. The process is taught, and you get enough help to get your line working. And if you have fished before, you still benefit because they are aiming you at real fishing spots, not just generic instructions.
The boat ride on Faxaflói Bay: views, wind, and why timing matters

Even if you care only about fish, the ride out is half the experience. Reykjavik’s harbor and bay area gives you that classic Iceland feel, cold air, dramatic sky, and water that looks different every few minutes.
The timing, late-day start at 5:00 pm, also changes the vibe. The light can be softer, and the water conditions can feel more active as temperatures drop and wind patterns shift. In Iceland, that is part of the deal. Some people report rougher conditions, and the boat will still head out when it is safe to fish.
What I like is that this trip does not pretend the sea will be calm. It prepares you for the practical reality. The crew is managing both the fishing and the boat, so you are not stuck trying to figure everything out yourself while the deck is pitching.
How sea fishing actually plays out: dropping lines, staying patient, and handling tangles

Fishing from a boat is not like fishing from a dock. Your line moves with the drift, and the boat’s position matters. The crew helps you get set up with rods and bait, and they guide you to locations where different species may be feeding.
You can expect an active session. The best trips feel like a rhythm: line down, wait, feel for a tug, then get help reeling in and handling the catch properly. Many trips like this are built around keeping everyone fishing rather than letting people sit out. That is something you can feel in how the crew moves around the group.
A couple of helpful details from real experiences stand out:
- The staff help untangle lines when things get tangled, which can happen when you are fishing close to others.
- They work hard to make sure kids and first-timers get bites and feel successful.
And yes, it can happen that you get a snag and lose some gear or weights if you are drifting over rocky bottom. When that kind of snag happens, the crew’s job is to keep the group fishing instead of letting one problem shut down the whole trip.
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What you might catch: cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish

The species list is your roadmap for expectations: cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish. Cod and haddock are the most commonly talked about catches from these kinds of trips, but the important thing is that the crew is targeting conditions where multiple species are possible.
A good sea fishing trip is not just about big fish, it is about frequent action. Many people come away feeling like the bites were constant. There are reports of very fast success, including moments where multiple fish are landed in a short window.
Still, keep your mindset flexible. Fishing is fishing. Some trips produce an early flurry of cod, some days are slower. The difference here is that the crew is actively guiding you and adjusting the workflow so you are not standing there discouraged.
If you care about learning, this is also where you get useful feedback. Watch how the crew handles the line, how they respond when you get a snag, and how they help you keep your setup consistent.
Summer sightings on the route: Akurey and Lundey, plus puffins and seabirds

If you go in the summer months, roughly May to August, you may pass Akurey and Lundey during your trip. Those islands are known for seabirds and summer puffin colonies, so this can add a whole extra layer to your 3 hours.
Even if you are not a dedicated bird watcher, puffins are easy to get excited about. Seeing them from the water tends to feel more immediate than spotting them from shore.
And if you are into wildlife, the boat ride itself is where you might notice other species. Some people mention whales and dolphins seen while heading back, swimming close enough to spot clearly from the deck. You should not treat that as a guarantee, but it is the kind of bonus that can make a good day turn into a story you keep repeating.
The human factor: crew help, real names, and making sure you actually fish
I have found that the best fishing tours share a trait, the crew treats the trip like a job with a purpose: get you fishing, keep you safe, and help you land fish.
On this tour, real experiences highlight specific crew members by name. People talk about helpers such as Oscar, deck and teaching roles including Kiljan, and crew members like Vera and Samuel. Some reviews also mention Captain Stefan and staff working hard to help everyone, including kids.
What that means for you on deck:
- If you are new, you get the basics quickly and then practical help when you need it.
- If your line gets crossed or tangled, someone handles it instead of letting you struggle alone.
- If you are traveling as a family, the crew keeps momentum so the day does not turn into a long wait.
This also helps with the “shoulder to shoulder” reality. When space is tight, you want a crew that can manage movement and keep lines from becoming a mess. The better crews treat that like a constant task.
Grilling your catch: onboard dinner or take-home fish, the best part of the value
Here is what makes this tour feel different from the typical fishing excursion: your catch is part of the meal.
After the fishing session, you can choose how it ends:
- The crew can prepare and grill the catch on board.
- Or they can prepare it so you can take it back to your accommodation to cook later.
Either way, the value is in the conversion of catch into a real, fresh meal. You are not just bringing home a bag of fish and hoping you can cook it perfectly. The crew handles cleaning and cooking prep, and the meal is made with the fish you just caught.
Many people mention potatoes as part of the onboard food experience. Also, the seasoning and cooking style gets positive notes, which matters because fish can taste bland if it is not cooked well. If you are eating on the boat, you get a fun, Iceland-on-the-water dinner while the rest of your trip is still fresh in your mind.
If you prefer to take it back, it still saves you time and work. You can keep your evening flexible, cook when you want, and avoid the “what do we do now” problem when you get back to town.
Comfort on deck: clothing, rain gear, and what to do with the cold
Protective coveralls are included, which is huge. You do not have to gamble on the weather with the wrong outer layer.
Reviews also mention rainjackets available when the weather turns. That lines up with Iceland conditions. Even if it is not raining when you meet, it can change quickly on the water. Bring a small mindset shift: you are going outside into wind and spray, and the goal is to stay warm enough to fish actively.
Other comfort points you might be glad to have:
- Inside seating is available on a large boat, which helps when conditions shift.
- Toilets are on board.
What about food and drinks? The tour listing says food and drinks are not included unless specified. The grilling of your catch is part of the experience, but if you have specific expectations for drinks, it is smart to plan based on what is actually included in the moment or what might be available for purchase.
Price and value: why $147.54 can make sense for Iceland (if you want the full package)
At $147.54 per person for about 3 hours, this is not a bargain-basement activity. But it also includes the things that usually cost money and time when you do not have a guide.
Your value comes from:
- Gear and bait included, so you do not rent or buy tackle.
- Protective clothing included, so you do not need to solve winter layering on short notice.
- A meal payoff, because your catch becomes food, grilled on board or prepared to take back.
In other words, you are paying for convenience plus the “catch-to-dinner” workflow. That is the real reason it feels worth it. If you love fishing, you also get the benefit of crew knowledge, which is harder to replicate on your own.
Also, this tour is popular, often booked about 68 days in advance on average. If your dates are fixed, plan early rather than assuming you can decide at the last minute.
Who should book this Reykjavik sea fishing trip?
This is a great fit if you want:
- hands-on fishing with a crew who helps you get started
- a family-friendly outing with support for kids and teens
- a real Iceland experience that ends with something you can taste
It is also a strong pick if you hate logistics. You show up, get gear and clothing, fish, then eat what you catch.
It may be less ideal if you:
- need lots of personal space on deck (some mention tight spacing)
- want a totally quiet nature experience, because it is a working fishing setup with everyone casting and handling lines
- are looking for a long sightseeing cruise. This is a fishing trip first, views second.
Quick heads-up on weather and when the tour might change
This is a weather-dependent activity. If conditions are not right for fishing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. In practice, that matters for planning your Reykjavík schedule. Keep one evening flexible if you can, or be ready to shift your fishing slot if the forecast turns rough.
The good news is that the tour is designed for real sea conditions. People report catching fish even when the sea was choppy and the weather was windy and cold. So the trip is not about perfect weather, it is about being prepared and going with the flow.
Should you book Sea Fishing from Reykjavik?
If you like fish, want a guide to handle the hard parts, and you enjoy the idea of eating what you caught, I think this is a smart book in Reykjavík.
I would especially recommend it if:
- you are new to sea fishing and want instruction without embarrassment
- you are traveling with kids or teens and want the crew to keep them engaged
- you want maximum value from a 3-hour window, fishing plus dinner
Hold off if personal space is a must, or if you already know you will hate deck-level cold and salt spray. In that case, you might prefer something more relaxed.
But for most people who come to Iceland hungry for hands-on moments, this is one of the most satisfying ways to spend an evening.
FAQ
How long is the sea fishing trip from Reykjavik?
The tour runs for approximately 3 hours.
What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?
It starts at 5:00 pm. The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is fishing equipment provided?
Yes. All necessary equipment is provided, including fishing rods and bait.
What should I wear?
You will be given protective clothing, including warm coveralls. The crew also provides rain protection when needed, such as rainjackets mentioned in experiences.
Do you grill the fish you catch?
Yes. The tour includes grilling the catch on board, or preparing it so you can take it back to your accommodation.
What fish species might I catch?
The species you may catch include cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish.
Are hotel transfers included?
No. Hotel transfers are not included, but pick up may be available for an additional fee if you book through the supplier.
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