There are few things more Iceland than fishing off a Reykjavik harbor and eating what you catch. You get hands-on sea fishing in Faxaflói Bay with guides who help you learn quickly, and you end with a BBQ on board using the day’s catch—cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock are all in the mix. One watch-out: the North Atlantic can be choppy, and that can mean a rougher ride.

The biggest motion-sickness consideration is real. If you know you get sick at sea, plan for it ahead of time so you can still enjoy the fishing and the meal afterward.

Key things I’d bank on before you go

• Fishing help that works fast: you’re taught the basics so first-timers can fish, not just watch
• Faxaflói Bay is the target area: you head out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and fish where the action is
• BBQ right after the catch: your fish gets grilled onboard with potatoes while the trip is still fresh
• You might spot puffins and more: guests often notice puffins along the way, and some report whale or dolphin sightings
• Weather affects comfort more than fishing: even rough days can still mean nonstop bites thanks to guide support

Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: where the fish story starts

This tour is built around a simple Iceland idea: get you onto the water near Reykjavik, aim for productive fishing grounds in Faxaflói Bay, then turn your catch into dinner before you’re even back in port.

Most tours leave from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, and the timing matters. In about 2.5 to 3 hours total on the water, the day is designed so you don’t just spend time traveling—you fish, you adjust, and you keep moving until the deck is busy with lines going down and fish coming up.

The water views here are part of the point. You’ll be out looking at Iceland’s ocean and coastline, and along the way guests often mention spotting puffins on a nearby puffin island. On some trips, the boat has even shifted plans enough for wildlife spotting while you’re waiting for the meal moment.

The 2.5-hour fishing rhythm: learn the ropes, then reel

The heart of this experience is straightforward: cast for cold-water fish and learn how to do it well enough that you can catch something on your own line.

Your guide team directs you to the best places to angle, and they coach you through the process even if you’ve never fished before. The tour promises cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock as the main targets, and the reviews back that up with people catching multiple species during the same outing. One of the consistent themes is that the action can feel almost nonstop once the boat finds a strong spot.

Here’s what I like about the fishing flow for practical reasons:

• It’s short enough that you stay focused. You don’t get stuck in a long lesson.
• You’re not left alone with a rod. Guides handle the important moments, from helping you get going to assisting if something feels awkward at first.
• Even when the boat is full, the crew is described as hands-on—patient with kids, quick to respond when someone catches a fish, and ready to help you keep fishing.

What happens when you catch fish (and how the crew keeps it fun)

Fishing tours can vary a lot in how they treat first-timers. This one is set up so you’re part of the action.

Several comments describe exactly what that looks like in practice: guides encourage people who are new, they help manage the line and the catch, and they keep things organized so you’re not waiting around while other people fish. If you’re with a child, that hands-on attention is often the difference between a fun day and a frustrating one.

A few names come up repeatedly in feedback, including Oddgeir, Stefan, and Asgeir (and other crew members like Samuel, Oscar, Julia, and George). Even if your exact team varies by departure, the pattern is clear: the crew is trained to help you get results, not just to provide gear.

One real-world tip from the reviews: in rougher weather, some people choose to stay inside or keep warm and out of the wind during portions of the trip. The tour experience still supports you—just plan where you’ll want to sit if the sea is active.

The on-board BBQ: how your catch turns into a meal

The BBQ is not a side note here. It’s the finish line.

After fishing, you can have your catch grilled on board and served with potatoes. The timing is part of why this feels special: you’re still in the middle of the adventure when the food appears, so it doesn’t turn into an awkward wait after the best part is over.

In reviews, the meal is repeatedly described as fresh and excellent, with people saying they doubted they’d taste fish that good at home. Most mention potatoes as the standard side, and multiple people call out how quickly and efficiently the crew cooks once the fishing wraps.

One detail to keep in mind: the fish is prepared and served onboard, which means you shouldn’t expect a long plating ritual. You should expect a warm, practical meal that matches the day’s weather and keeps you from freezing while you enjoy what you just caught.

If you have strong opinions about seasoning

A small number of reviews mention the fish tasting a bit bland when cooked. That doesn’t mean the BBQ is bad—just that seasoning preferences vary. If you’re the kind of person who adds salt to everything, you might want to bring your own small condiment pack if allowed by your group, or just plan on pairing with sauces that the kitchen offers (some reviews mention people getting their own preferences onboard).

Wildlife sightings: puffins, whales, and the timing of patience

The tour’s main mission is fishing, but the ocean has its own agenda.

Often, guests spot puffins on a puffin island during the trip. That’s a nice add-on if you’re traveling with family or if not everyone in your group is equally obsessed with fishing rods.

Some reviews go further: there are mentions of whale spotting, including humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins on certain departures. What’s important is not to bank on big wildlife every time. What you can bank on is that the crew looks for opportunities while you’re on the water, and that downtime while waiting to eat can still turn into something memorable.

Comfort on a choppy day: what to do so the ride doesn’t ruin it

Icelandic sea conditions are unpredictable, and this tour is out on open water. Even though the guides work hard to keep things organized and productive, you should treat weather as a comfort variable.

What I’d do if you’re prone to motion sickness:

• Take prevention seriously before you board. One review directly recommends remedies like ginger beforehand and notes it helped.
• Decide in advance how you’ll handle rough moments. A few people said they stayed in the cabin to feel better and catch what they could without pushing through nausea.
• Dress for cold spray. Protective clothing is provided, but you’ll still want layers that keep you warm and dry enough to focus on fishing.

Also, there’s at least one review mentioning a warm, covered lower deck area and WiFi onboard on some departures. Even if you don’t care about WiFi, knowing there’s a place to get out of the wind helps your planning.

Price and value: what $141 buys you in real terms

At $141 per person for about 2.5 hours, this tour sits in the “you get your money’s worth” category, mainly because you’re paying for three things at once:

1) a boat trip onto productive water,

2) guided fishing gear and tutoring, and

3) an onboard meal made from your catch.

A few reviews compare the total experience cost to what it would cost back home, with one person saying it felt closer to a much higher price if you priced the boat, food, and fish meal separately. That’s subjective, but it matches the value logic here: you’re not just buying a lesson. You’re buying a full loop from catch to BBQ.

There’s also practical value if you’re traveling as a family. The guides are described as patient and encouraging, and kids are often reported catching fish rather than only watching. That makes it less of a “group compromise activity” and more of an experience everyone can participate in.

Who this tour is best for (and who might want a Plan B)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a Reykjavik activity that feels active, not just scenic
• a tour where first-timers can actually catch fish
• a meal that’s part of the adventure, not an afterthought
• something you can do in a short window of time (about 2.5 hours)

It may be less ideal if you:

• get sick at sea easily, and you can’t manage it with medication or coping strategies
• want a long, highly technical fishing workshop with lots of depth on sonar, depths, and measuring fish (a couple of reviews mention they’d have liked more detailed fishing instruction)

If you fall into the first-timer category, this tour is usually the best kind of first try: it gives you support while you learn and then puts food on the table from the results.

Should you book this Reykjavik sea fishing and BBQ tour?

If you like hands-on activities, short and satisfying tours, and the idea of BBQ made from the day’s catch, I think you should book it. This one is at its best when you treat the day like a mix of fishing practice and outdoor fun, not a classroom lesson.

I’d especially lean in if your group includes kids or people who are unsure about fishing. The crew’s job, based on consistent feedback, is to get everyone catching, not just handing out rods and hoping for luck.

If you’re worried about sea sickness, don’t ignore it. Plan for it, dress warm, and consider where you’ll retreat on rough moments. Do that, and you’ll give yourself the best chance to enjoy both the fishing and the BBQ.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik sea fishing tour?

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours on the water (listed as 2.5–3 hours depending on conditions).

Where does the boat depart and where do you fish?

You depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and head to Faxaflói Bay to fish in the cold-water areas.

What kinds of fish are you trying to catch?

The main targets include cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.

What’s included with the tour?

You get an experienced guide on board, use of fishing equipment and protective clothing, and you can grill your catch onboard (served with potatoes).

Is there a BBQ after fishing?

Yes. Your catch is grilled onboard and served with potatoes after the fishing portion.

Is pickup available in Reykjavik?

Pickup starts about 60 minutes prior to departure, but the transfer (with a small extra fee) is only available for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik.