This is fishing you can actually learn fast. Sea angling on Reykjavik’s harbor water turns into a hands-on lesson, and I love that the crew teaches you while you’re out there. I also love that your BBQ lunch comes from the fish you catch, cleaned and cooked onboard. One drawback to plan for, though: it’s wild nature, so while the success rate is very high, you still can’t guarantee a catch every trip.

The trip runs about 3 hours, with a small group size (maximum 20), and it’s built for people who have never fished before. You’ll start at Hlésgata 1 and head to the best nearby grounds the crew can find, usually drifting and reeling in multiple species. If you’re sensitive to motion or cold spray, dress for it, because even good conditions can mean a choppy moment.

Key Points That Matter Before You Go

• No license or prior experience needed: the crew guides you step-by-step and makes the gear easy to use
• Faxaflói Bay fishing with real teaching time: you sail to productive areas and learn technique while fishing
• Onboard BBQ from your catch: fish is cleaned and cooked during the return to the harbor
• Gear and rain protection are included: fishing equipment plus rain jacket, with extra borrowing options if needed
• Small-group feel: max 20 travelers, and many sessions feel close to a dozen anglers on the boat
• Wildlife sightings are a bonus: puffins and seabirds are commonly spotted on these outings

Sea Angling in Faxaflói Bay, Where You Learn by Doing

Reykjavik sea angling like this is a smart choice if you want Iceland outdoors time without a steep learning curve. You are not watching from the dock. You are on the water, holding the rod, following the crew’s directions, and figuring out how to fish with the rhythm of the drift.

What makes this trip particularly appealing is the combination of instruction + outcome. The guides don’t just hand you gear and wish you luck. They show you how to operate the rod, then steer you toward the better fishing grounds in Faxaflói Bay. That matters, because in a place like Iceland, good fishing is partly skill and partly timing and location.

I also like that the trip is built around a clear payoff: you fish, then you eat what you caught. Reviews repeatedly mention how fast the whole process feels, with the fish cleaned and cooked while you’re still near the boat ride back. It turns the outing into a complete experience, not just “catch something if you can.”

Price and What You Actually Get for $160

At $160 per person for about 3 hours, this isn’t a budget activity in Reykjavik terms. But it also isn’t just a seat on a boat. You’re paying for a full set of things that would cost extra on your own: gear, coaching, and a meal made from fresh catch onboard.

Here’s the value angle I see:

• Fishing equipment is included, so you do not need to rent rods or tackle
• A rain jacket is included, and the crew can help with rain protection if you need it
• Lunch is included as a light BBQ of catch onboard, so you’re not buying food after you’re already cold and wet

Reykjavik food can be pricey, and this is the kind of meal that feels different from a restaurant plate. You’re eating fish that is still tied directly to the day’s action. Even if your catch is modest, you’re usually still set up for a proper meal because the crew manages what’s cooked and served.

Getting to the Boat: Hlésgata 1 and a Simple Start

Your meeting point is Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, and the trip ends back at the same place. That makes the logistics easy, especially if you’re using public transport. It’s also a practical start location if you’re planning a sightseeing day around Reykjavik’s center, since you can do a walk in the morning and keep the sea time for the afternoon.

The tour is designed so you can show up and get rolling without complicated prep. Confirmation happens at booking time, and you’ll want to come dressed for Icelandic weather rather than waiting for the forecast to fix your plans. The crew can help with rain gear, but you still need appropriate clothing and footwear that can handle getting dirty.

How the 3-Hour Trip Works on the Water

This outing is all about one main block: time fishing at sea in Faxaflói Bay. You’re out for roughly 3 hours, and the crew works like a small classroom with engines.

Onboard, you should expect:

• A practical setup for fishing, with gear provided
• Amenities on the boat, plus the option to borrow rain protection such as coats or boots if needed
• A mix of people, including beginners and kids, all learning the same basics in the same session

Stop: Faxaflói Bay (Your Fishing Time)

During the fishing stretch, you head toward what the crew calls the best fishing grounds available in that bay. Then you fish in a way that matches the conditions, often with a drift setup. One review described drift fishing with a drogue to slow things down, which helps keep your line working the way it’s supposed to.

The crew’s role is crucial here:

• They guide you while you cast, set, and retrieve
• They answer questions in real time
• They move or adjust where needed so you get more chances, not fewer

And yes, the views matter. You’re in the North Atlantic world right off Reykjavik, so even if the fishing slows for a moment, you’re still out with dramatic sky and water right around you.

The Fishing Lesson: No License, Real Technique, Quick Confidence

One of the biggest reasons people rate this tour so highly is how fast the learning curve feels. You do not need a fishing license. You do not need to know anything before you arrive. The guides teach you in plain language, with an emphasis on doing the action correctly rather than memorizing theory.

Names that show up in the experience include Captain Jacob and Vigfus. In reviews, these guides get praised for being patient, friendly, and clear, especially when it comes to beginners and families. One person even noted that the instruction made it easy enough that their group was catching fish soon after dropping lines.

What you can catch (and why that matters)

The tour information highlights common catches like catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. Reviews add more detail based on actual days at sea, including whiting, coalfish, wolf fish, and sometimes halibut.

It’s useful to think of this as multi-species fishing. You are not betting everything on one outcome. Even if one species is slow, you might still get bites from others. That’s a big part of why people leave satisfied, even when they don’t land a “trophy.”

The Best Part for Many People: Catch and Eat Onboard

The tour payoff is the BBQ meal served while you’re still on the way back to harbor. The idea is simple and powerful: fish comes up, is cleaned onboard, then cooked and served.

This is the part that keeps showing up in top reviews, and for good reason:

• You eat something extremely fresh
• The crew turns a messy job into a smooth operation
• Your catch becomes part of the story of the day, not just a souvenir photo

Reviews describe the meal as a light lunch, sometimes with sauces and potato salad served alongside. Some reviewers also mention coffee and cookies when boarding, which is a small detail but a welcome one when you’re heading out in cool weather.

If you have dietary concerns

The provided info does not list a full dietary policy, so if you have strict needs, it’s smart to ask before booking. What the tour clearly does offer is a BBQ of catch onboard, so your menu will be connected to whatever fish is being cooked that day.

Weather, Motion, and What to Wear (So You Enjoy It)

This experience depends on good weather. Tours can be canceled due to poor weather, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if that happens. On the water, conditions can change quickly, even when the day starts decent.

That brings me to the practical stuff that actually affects your enjoyment.

What to bring and wear

The tour recommends:

• Good sturdy shoes
• Clothing that can get dirty
• Appropriate weather clothing

Rain gear is covered in part. You’ll receive a rain jacket, and the crew may lend rain coats or boots if you need them. Still, you should assume you will get wet or damp at some point. Iceland sea trips are not dry, polished experiences.

Motion sickness reality check

One review response indicates the crew can provide complimentary antiemetics for sea sickness. If you know you’re sensitive, plan ahead and consider asking staff on board. Also bring layers so you are not shivering while you’re trying to fish.

Group Size and Boat Comfort: Not Crowded, Built for Learning

The maximum group size is 20, which keeps it from turning into a crowded free-for-all. Reviews often describe around a dozen anglers on board, which fits the feel of a small fishing class.

You can also expect:

• A clean, well-equipped boat for the task
• Help from the crew handling fish and line issues
• Onboard access to a bathroom (a head), mentioned in reviews

This matters because it keeps focus on the core goals: learn, catch, and eat. If a tour is too large, the coaching suffers and the meal becomes chaotic. Here, the format seems designed to keep the process manageable.

Wildlife You May Spot While You Fish

Fishing trips in Reykjavik often include more than fish, and this one can include wildlife sightings. Reviews mention seabirds such as fulmars and puffins, with puffins frequently called out as a highlight.

Whale sightings are not guaranteed, but one review notes that sightings are not unusual. So, if you love the idea of nature plus fishing, this is a good match even on days when the fish action is slower.

Who Should Book This Sea Angling Gourmet Trip

You should book if:

• You want a hands-on Iceland activity that works even with zero experience
• You like the idea of catching fish and eating it fresh the same day
• You want a small-group boat outing from Reykjavik with a straightforward, fun rhythm
• You’re traveling with kids or multi-age groups and need an activity that can handle different comfort levels

You might skip it if:

• You hate being on boats or you get motion sick easily, even with support
• You only want guaranteed fishing success, because there is always a chance of a slow bite in wild conditions
• You have strict dietary needs, since the BBQ is tied to whatever catch is being cooked that day

Final Call: Should You Book Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet?

If you want value, this is one of the better deals in Reykjavik for a 3-hour outdoor experience with a real meal included. The combination of gear + instruction + onboard BBQ is what sells it, and the repeated praise for friendly teaching and steady fish-catching makes it feel built for normal people, not just hardcore anglers.

My advice is to book it if you’re flexible on the fishing result and you dress for weather. Go in expecting an authentic North Atlantic day, not a guarantee. If that sounds like your kind of trip, this one is an easy yes, especially as an afternoon plan when you want to end the day fed and happy in Reykjavik.

FAQ

Do I need a fishing license or prior experience?

No. You do not need a fishing license and you do not need prior experience. The crew provides guidance and instruction while you fish.

How long is the sea angling trip?

The experience runs about 3 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes excellent guidance, a rain jacket, fishing equipment, and a BBQ lunch of your catch onboard.

What fish might I catch?

The most commonly caught fish listed are catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. In practice, other species may be caught depending on the day.

Is a catch guaranteed?

No. The success rate is described as very high, but tours run in wild nature, so they cannot guarantee a catch on a particular tour.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.