Reykjavik: 3-Hour Sea Angling Gourmet Experience Tour

The best part of this Reykjavik boat trip is simple: you catch your lunch in Faxaflói, then eat it while the boat heads back to port. Captain Jakob and deckhand Vigfoss have helped beginners and experienced anglers alike, and the fishing can be lively, with cod and haddock sometimes coming up in quick succession. On some outings, you might also spot whales or puffins.

I like the hands-on feel and the meal cooked from your own catch. I also like that you do not need to bring rods, tackle, or foul-weather gear. The main drawback is the sea itself: rough water can make this a miserable three hours if you are prone to seasickness, and a full boat may feel crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Fresh fish on the return trip: The crew cleans your catch and cooks it on the onboard barbecue with potatoes, sauce, and sometimes salad or coleslaw.
• Beginner-friendly fishing: The captain and guides show you how to fish, so you do not need previous sea angling experience.
• Faxaflói fishing grounds: You may catch cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, or catfish as the boat works several spots.
• Small boat atmosphere: The boat has been described as comfortable with a maximum of about 12 people, though fewer passengers give you more elbow room.
• Wildlife bonus: Whales and puffins have been spotted during some trips, but wildlife is not guaranteed.
• Dress for spray and fish scales: Rain jackets are supplied, but bring comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

Fishing Faxaflói from Reykjavik

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fishing rod added as a side activity. Fishing is the reason you leave the harbor, and the open water sets the pace for the whole outing.

You meet the crew aboard the boat Jóhanna at Hlésgata harbor, beside the dry dock. The meeting point can be a little confusing, so I would arrive early and allow time to find the correct berth. Do not bring large bags or luggage. Space on a working fishing boat is better used for tackle, catch, and people moving around the rail.

The trip lasts about three to three and a half hours. That is long enough to get out to the fishing grounds, try several spots, and enjoy a proper meal without consuming an entire day in Reykjavik. It also fits well into a city break, especially if you want one activity that feels different from museums, geothermal pools, and coach excursions.

Once underway, you get salty air, harbor views, and the broad waters of Faxaflói. The bay has supported Icelandic fishing for centuries, and the point of this trip is to let you take part in that living tradition rather than simply look at fishing boats from shore.

How the fishing works for first-timers

The crew supplies the fishing equipment and explains the basic technique. You do not need to know how to cast, bait a hook, or read a fish finder before boarding.

This is a vertical sea angling experience rather than a quiet freshwater session. You work your line down into the water, then lift and handle it as the crew directs. The guides help with the practical parts, including bringing fish aboard and dealing with the line when several people catch at once.

Some people catch their first sea fish here. That makes the trip a good fit for families with older children, couples, and mixed groups where one person fishes regularly and another has never held a rod. The stated minimum age is two, but very young children may not get much from the activity and still need close supervision around the rail.

The fishing can be surprisingly productive. Catch records from individual outings include cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, and catfish. Several people have described catching many fish, while one older outing produced around 25 cod among the group. That does not mean every departure will be the same. Fish, wind, current, and luck all matter.

The captain moves between spots rather than wasting time where the fish are not biting. That matters on a three-hour trip. You are not left staring at an idle line for the entire morning or afternoon, though quiet spells are always possible.

The fish you may catch in Faxaflói

Cod is the star catch. It is a familiar Icelandic fish, and it cooks beautifully on a barbecue. Haddock is also common, with mackerel and pollack adding variety. Catfish is listed among the possible catches, although it may not appear on every trip.

Do not expect a trophy-fishing charter built around one huge fish. The pleasure comes from steady action, the changing species, and the shared excitement when several lines pull at once. If you care more about catching something than landing a record fish, this format makes sense.

You also get a direct connection between the water and the plate. The crew keeps what is caught, cleans it onboard, and prepares it for lunch. The food is not an afterthought. It is the payoff for the fishing, and it gives the trip a strong Icelandic character.

The catch is commonly served with potatoes and homemade sauce. Individual meals have also included onion, potato salad, sauces, and coleslaw. Since the crew prepares the fish right on the boat, you eat it at its freshest, often on the way back to Reykjavik.

The onboard barbecue is half the experience

After the fishing ends, the boat changes mood. Rods are put away, the catch is prepared, and the crew starts cooking.

You may see the fish cleaned and cut in front of you before it goes onto the grill. That is useful if you have never handled a fresh catch, and it makes the meal feel earned rather than simply served. The result is a basic seafood lunch, but basic is exactly right here: fresh fish, potatoes, sauce, and the sea around you.

I like this part because it turns a short fishing trip into a complete outing. You are not returning to Reykjavik hungry and then paying again for lunch. The food is included, and the meal gives non-anglers in your group something to look forward to as well.

The barbecue is also a practical reason to wear old or washable clothes. The operator provides rain jackets, but fish handling, spray, and cooking can still leave you wet or messy. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended.

Wildlife sightings are a welcome extra

The main event is fishing, but the bay can add wildlife to the day. Whales and puffins have been seen during past departures, and some trips have stopped near an island for puffin watching.

Treat this as a bonus, not a promise. The tour is not marketed as a dedicated whale-watching cruise, and the crew’s job is to find fish. If you see a whale or puffin, it adds a memorable layer to the trip. If you do not, the fishing and barbecue still form the core experience.

The open-water setting also gives you a different view of Reykjavik and the surrounding coast. It is less about dramatic sightseeing stops and more about the feeling of being offshore, with the harbor gradually shrinking behind you and the fishing grounds opening ahead.

Group size affects your comfort

The boat has been described as carrying up to 12 people. That is a manageable number for a fishing vessel, but the difference between seven people and a full boat is noticeable.

With fewer people aboard, you have more space at the rail and more time for individual help. That matters if you are new to fishing or want to ask questions. On a full departure, you should expect a livelier, tighter setup, especially when lines cross or several fish come aboard together.

The guides have earned strong praise for being helpful and cheerful. Jakob and Vigfoss are named in several accounts, with people particularly appreciating their help with fishing, cleaning, and cooking. Names and crew assignments can change, so book this for the format and service rather than expecting a specific individual.

The trip is conducted in English and Icelandic. That makes instructions accessible to international visitors, and fishing demonstrations are easy to follow even when language is not your first concern.

Weather and seasickness deserve serious thought

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the ocean does not care if your holiday schedule is tight. Rain jackets are available onboard, but you should still dress in layers and choose clothing that can take spray, fish scales, and cooking smells.

The most important warning is seasickness. One person described being nearly overwhelmed by it, while another older trip had rough water serious enough for the crew to offer ginger candy and peppermint tea. Those details tell you what to expect: the crew may help, but they cannot make rough seas calm.

If you know you get sick on boats, this may not be a wise choice. If you are uncertain, prepare before boarding and avoid arriving tired or hungry. The tour data only specifically requires comfortable shoes, but practical clothing choices matter more than looking polished.

Calm weather can make the trip wonderfully easy. On a quiet day, you can concentrate on the line, talk with the guides, watch the coast, and enjoy the meal without fighting the boat’s movement. On a windy day, the same trip becomes more physical and less comfortable.

Is $176 a fair price?

At $176 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. You are paying for a boat outing, equipment, crew help, rain jackets, the catch, and the cooked meal.

The value is strongest if you will actually fish. You are not simply paying for transport across the bay. You receive instruction, several hours on the water, the chance to catch multiple species, and food prepared from that catch. A separate fishing charter and seafood lunch could easily cost more, though this is not a private charter.

The price is harder to justify if you dislike boats, do not eat fish, or mainly want wildlife watching. A whale-watching trip would better match that last goal. This tour is also less appealing if you need a guaranteed calm ride or a polished restaurant-style meal.

One practical point: booking directly with the provider, Elding Adventure at Sea, may sometimes cost less than booking through a third-party platform. The direct price can change, so compare the two options before paying. A third-party booking may offer useful cancellation terms or reserve-now, pay-later flexibility, but check the final price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for you if you want a hands-on Iceland activity and are happy to trade a little comfort for a real day on the water. It works particularly well for:

• First-time sea anglers who want clear help from the crew
• Families with children old enough to handle a fishing rod and boat setting
• Couples who like food with a story behind it
• Experienced fishers who want to try Faxaflói
• People looking for a break from standard city sightseeing
• Small groups that enjoy shared activities and casual meals

I would hesitate if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike getting dirty, or want a quiet sightseeing cruise. A full boat can feel crowded, and the weather can shape the experience more than any guidebook description can.

Should you book the Faxaflói fishing tour?

Book it if the idea of catching a cod in Iceland and eating it minutes later sounds better than another standard excursion. The combination of fishing, open water, helpful instruction, and a fresh barbecue gives you a genuine connection to the place.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, calm seas, or luxury comfort. For everyone else, this is one of the more distinctive short activities from Reykjavik, especially when the fish are biting and the weather cooperates.

FAQ

How long is the sea angling tour?

The trip lasts about three to three and a half hours.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet the crew aboard Jóhanna at Hlésgata harbor, next to the dry dock in Reykjavik.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. All fishing equipment is included, and the crew provides guidance during the trip.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The catch is yours, and the crew cooks it onboard on the barbecue with potatoes and homemade sauce.

Are rain jackets provided?

Yes. Rain jackets are available on the boat.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you do not mind getting dirty.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under two are not permitted. The supplied information does not give a detailed age range beyond that restriction, so consider your child’s comfort around boats and fishing equipment before booking.