Reykjavik: Traditional Sea Fishing with BBQ Feast

The best part of this Reykjavik outing comes after the fishing: your fresh catch becomes lunch. You sail into the bay, try for cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock, then return to the harbor while the crew cleans and fillets the fish. Captain Snorri and assistants including Ana have been praised for friendly instruction and careful cooking.

I like the small group of up to 12 because you get room to fish and a better chance to ask for help. I also like the simple, local rhythm: boat, sea, fish, potatoes, sauce. The main caution is the weather. Cold and wind can make the three-hour trip feel much tougher, so dress warmly and expect the catch to vary.

Key Points at a Glance

• Your catch becomes lunch: The crew cleans, fillets, and cooks the fish back at the harbor.
• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You get more space and more personal help than on a large fishing vessel.
• Several Icelandic species are possible: Try for cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock.
• An easy walk from central Reykjavik: Board near the Víkin Maritime Museum in the old harbor.
• Fishing suits beginners: Equipment, protective clothing, and basic instruction are included.
• Weather shapes the day: Warm layers matter, and the amount of fish caught is not guaranteed.

Fishing Reykjavik Bay from the Old Harbor

You begin at Reykjavik’s old harbor, near the Víkin Maritime Museum. From the city center, the walk takes about five to 10 minutes, though the meeting point is not right at the first dock. Pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand, continue past the Reykjavík Marina Hotel, and look for the sign marked Hlésgata.

The boat is on the other side of the shipyard, where large vessels are hauled out for repair. Give yourself a few extra minutes to find it. This is a working harbor, not a polished sightseeing pier, and the meeting point can feel less obvious than a spot beside a major attraction.

Once aboard, you receive fishing equipment and waterproof clothing. You should still wear warm clothes suited to the forecast. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and standing or sitting on open water feels colder than walking through town.

The boat carries no more than 12 passengers. That number matters. Fishing is a hands-on activity, and a small group means you are less likely to wait while a large crowd gets instruction or handles equipment. You also have more room to relax and take in the bay and islands outside Reykjavik.

Simple Fishing for First Timers

You do not need fishing experience to take part. The guide explains the basic technique and helps you use the equipment. That makes this a good choice if you have never held a fishing rod before, or if you want a relaxed family activity rather than a serious angling expedition.

The target species include cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. The catch can vary with conditions, so you should treat the list as a possibility, not a promise. Some outings produce a strong haul, while other days may be quieter. The experience is still worthwhile for the views and the chance to learn, but the fishing itself is naturally dependent on the sea.

Several accounts describe beginners catching fish quickly, including cod and haddock. One particularly productive outing produced more than 20 fish for one person on each of two days. That is an unusually good result, not a sensible expectation for every departure.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Captain Snorri is named repeatedly in the feedback, along with his son or daughter depending on the trip, and an assistant named Ana. Another account praises Thor as an excellent guide. Since the crew can vary, do not book based on one specific staff member alone, but you can expect English or Icelandic instruction and practical help with the fishing.

A Three-Hour Route with Real Sea Views

The tour lasts about three hours from start to finish. After leaving the harbor, you head across the water outside Reykjavik, with views toward the bay and nearby islands. The outing is not only about pulling fish from the sea. You also get time to watch the coast, look for wildlife, and enjoy the open space around the capital.

One account specifically mentions seeing puffins. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the bay gives you a chance to see more than the city streets. The setting also helps explain Iceland’s fishing culture in a direct way. You are not simply looking at a harbor display or eating imported seafood in a restaurant. You are taking part in a small piece of working coastal life.

The boat gives every passenger space to relax. That is useful for people who want a slower morning or afternoon, but you should not mistake the trip for a covered luxury cruise. This is an active fishing outing, and the cold, wind, and movement of the boat are part of the deal.

If you are sensitive to rough water, think carefully before booking. The supplied information does not describe the boat’s motion or provide a seasickness policy, so bring only what is practical and be prepared for ordinary sea conditions. The tour does provide protective clothing, but that is not a substitute for warm base layers.

Returning to the Harbor for a Fresh Fish Lunch

The tour’s strongest feature is the meal. After fishing, you return to the meeting point, where the catch is cleaned and filleted. The crew then prepares the fish with potatoes and sauce, with the fish generally pan-fried or cooked on board as a BBQ-style lunch.

This is a simple meal, but the timing makes it special. You have just handled the fish, watched it being prepared, and then eaten it while it is exceptionally fresh. The cooking is not presented as a fancy restaurant service. Its appeal is the short distance from sea to plate.

Captain Snorri is praised for cooking cod particularly well. Other feedback highlights fish prepared perfectly, along with potatoes and sauce. Ana is also credited with cleaning the fish and explaining the filleting process. If you are curious about where food comes from, this part adds real value to the trip.

The catch is not only for lunch. You can keep what you catch, and the team will filet it for you. That gives you the option of taking fish home, subject to your own travel plans and food-handling needs. The activity information does not specify packaging or transport arrangements, so ask the crew if you intend to carry your fish onward.

The early meal can be a benefit or a small inconvenience. Since the food is served when the boat returns, lunch may not line up with your usual schedule. Plan around the tour rather than expecting a standard midday restaurant sitting.

Why the Small Group Matters

A maximum of 12 passengers is one of the clearest reasons to choose this outing over a large fishing boat. You get more direct contact with the crew, and beginners can ask for help without feeling lost in a crowd.

The smaller scale also suits families. Children can take part in the fishing, and accounts describe kids catching sizeable fish. All children aged 12 and under must wear lifejackets, which are provided. The tour is not recommended for children under four.

For a family, the activity has a useful mix of structure and surprise. The crew supplies the equipment, gives instruction, and handles the fish preparation, while the actual catch remains uncertain. You can share the excitement without needing to plan a fishing trip from scratch.

Couples and solo visitors can enjoy it too. The limited capacity makes it easier to speak with the crew and other people on board. One person even returned for a second day after enjoying the first outing. That says more about the hands-on format than a standard sightseeing cruise would.

Still, the small boat will not suit everyone. If you want a warm, quiet, highly predictable activity, choose a museum or city tour instead. This experience asks you to accept wind, cold, fishing pauses, and the chance of a modest catch.

Is the $170 Price Fair?

At $170 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. The price includes the local guide, fishing equipment, waterproof clothing, instruction, and lunch made from the day’s catch. It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and a food-focused experience. You are also paying for a small group, direct guidance, and the unusual chance to eat fish you have just caught. For someone who wants a standard harbor cruise, the price may feel high. For someone who wants an active, memorable outing with food built into it, the cost is easier to justify.

The absence of hotel transport is not a serious problem if you are staying in central Reykjavik. The harbor is a short walk from the center, but you need to follow the directions carefully because the boat is beyond the first dock and across from the shipyard.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still changing, though they do not remove the need to check the weather and choose suitable clothing.

Who Should Book This Fishing Trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an activity that feels connected to Iceland rather than a quick photo stop. It suits:

• First-time fishers who want clear help
• Families with children aged four and older
• Couples looking for a shared meal and an outdoor activity
• Seafood lovers who value freshness
• People who prefer small groups to large sightseeing boats
• Visitors with a free three-hour block in Reykjavik

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold weather, boat movement, or uncertainty. The crew can provide equipment and waterproof clothing, but they cannot control the forecast or guarantee a large catch.

You should also consider your plans after the tour. The activity ends back at the harbor, so it is easy to continue into central Reykjavik. If you are booking a tightly timed excursion or airport transfer, leave extra space around the three-hour duration rather than arranging an immediate connection.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Wear warm layers even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave your hotel. Bring clothing that can handle wind and spray, and follow the advice to dress for the weather.

Arrive early enough to locate Hlésgata and the shipyard-side meeting point. The old harbor is walkable from central Reykjavik, but the final approach is easy to miss if you stop at the first dock.

Keep your expectations flexible. You may catch cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock, and you may catch several fish. You may also spend part of the trip waiting for the right conditions. The crew’s preparation of the catch gives the tour a satisfying finish, but the fishing remains real, not staged.

If you are bringing children, remember that lifejackets are required for ages 12 and under. Children under four are not recommended for the activity.

Should You Book It?

Book this Reykjavik fishing tour if you want fresh food, open water, and a personal introduction to Icelandic fishing. The strongest reasons are the small group, beginner-friendly instruction, and the meal prepared from your own catch. The crew’s warm service and careful cooking add plenty to the experience.

Skip it if you need a warm indoor activity or a guaranteed catch. For everyone else, the $170 price is reasonable when you value the full package: equipment, guidance, a boat ride, fishing, and a fresh fish lunch in one compact outing.

FAQ

Where does the fishing tour begin?

The boat leaves from Reykjavik’s old harbor near the Víkin Maritime Museum. From the city center, the meeting point is about a five to 10-minute walk.

How do I find the exact meeting point?

Pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand. Continue past the Reykjavík Marina Hotel and look for the Hlésgata sign. The meeting point is on the other side of the shipyard, near the area where large ships are on land for repairs.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the same harbor meeting point.

What fish might I catch?

The possible catches include cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares lunch from the catch of the day, with fish served alongside potatoes and sauce.

Can children join the tour?

Children under four are not recommended for the activity. Children aged 12 and under must wear lifejackets, which are provided.