Catch, cook, and eat in Reykjavik’s bay. You sail from the old harbor, try for cod, haddock, and pollock, and then enjoy a BBQ feast with the fish you kept. I love the small-group vibe (12 max) and the way the crew fillets and cooks your catch for you.

One thing to plan for is the weather and the cold. Even with waterproof gear, you still need warm layers, and you should know there is no hotel pickup.

Quick Key Points Before You Go

• Cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock are on the menu of possible catches
• Lunch comes from your catch: pan-fried fish, potatoes, and sauce
• Keep what you catch, and the team helps with fileting
• Small boat, up to 12 passengers, so you get real time with the crew
• Old Harbor meeting spot near Víkin Maritime Museum, walkable from downtown
• Warm-weather clothing is key since you’re outside for the whole experience

From Víkin Maritime Museum to Open Water in 3 Hours

This is one of those Reykjavik experiences that feels simple, in the best way. You meet at the old harbor, board the boat near the Víkin Maritime Museum, and you’re out on the water fast. The whole tour runs about 3 hours, so you get the action without losing your day to logistics.

The location is handy if you’re staying near downtown. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk from the city center, and the meeting point is on the other side of the shipyard where the larger ships sit for repairs. If you like walking and finding your bearings on foot, this part is easy.

The vibe on the dock is also part of the fun. This isn’t a huge cattle-call tour. It’s a small group ride, and you quickly understand what matters here: catching fish, staying warm, and then eating it while it’s fresh.

What You’ll Fish For: Cod, Haddock, Rockfish, and Pollock

The fishing targets are very Icelandic, and very edible. You’ll go after cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock, depending on what’s biting that day. You’re not just watching from the rail, either. This is hands-on fishing with the local crew.

What I like about this menu is that it sets expectations. You know what the tour is built around. You can plan your appetite around it, since lunch is made from the catch of the day.

Also, rockfish can sound intimidating if you don’t know it, but the important part for you is the practical outcome. The crew guides you through fishing, and when you’ve caught what you’re able to catch, the team handles the next step so you can eat like a pro.

The Bay Experience: Wildlife, Islands, and Real Sea Time

Once you sail out into the bay, the goal shifts from city sightseeing to ocean time. You’ll experience wildlife of the bay and islands outside Reykjavík, and that changes the mood in a big way. Reykjavik is dramatic from land, but being on the water gives it a different edge.

If you’re the type who enjoys spotting marine birds, you might get lucky. Some trips include sightings like puffins when conditions are right. Even if you don’t, the motion of the boat and the working rhythm of fishing make the trip feel alive.

The big benefit here is you’re not stuck in a “tourist zone” view. You’re out far enough to feel like you’re doing something genuine, not just taking a boat ride.

Casting Lessons Without the Lecture

You do not need fishing experience for this one. The guides provide fishing instruction and guidance, plus all the fishing equipment you need. They also provide protective waterproof clothing, which matters because this tour is time outside on open water.

In practice, that means you’ll be learning as you go. The crew helps you figure out how to handle the line and what to do when you get bites. Catching your first fish is a real moment here, and the tour is designed around making that happen.

You also have a safety-and-comfort framework. The tour is run for a small group, so you’re not lost in the shuffle. And if you’re traveling with kids, there’s an added layer of safety: children 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided.

Keep Your Catch, Then Watch It Become Lunch

This is where the whole experience clicks. You’re allowed to keep what you catch, and then the crew helps make it ready to eat. That means you get the payoff of catching fish, without ending up stuck with cleaning it yourself.

The fileting part is especially valuable. For many people, handling fish after the catch is the hardest unknown. Here, the team does the work, so you spend your energy on the fishing and the food, not the prep.

When you return to harbor, the BBQ happens onboard, and lunch is made from the catch of the day. You get pan-fried fish with potatoes and sauce, cooked after the fishing is done. It’s a simple meal, but it’s exactly the kind of Iceland “from sea to plate” lunch that tastes like it has a story behind it.

The BBQ Feast on the Way Back In

After the fishing, the return to harbor becomes part celebration. Fresh catches mean the meal feels immediate, not delayed. And because the cooking happens after you’ve been actively fishing, the food lands differently than if you just bought a dish at a restaurant.

A pan-fried fish lunch may sound basic, but it’s a smart move in Iceland. You’re tasting the fish itself, not hiding it under heavy sauces. The potatoes and sauce fill out the plate, so you leave properly fed, not just “snacked.”

If you’re traveling with people who need a guaranteed “reward,” this format helps. You may not control how much you catch, but you can control that you’ll eat what you catch, cooked onboard, without extra steps.

Small Group, Real Interaction, Better Views

This tour caps at no more than 12 passengers. That sounds like a detail until you’re standing on a moving boat in cool weather and you need to get attention when you have a question.

A smaller group usually means:

• More room to relax and shift positions
• More time with the crew for instruction
• Less crowding around the fishing process

That matters because the tour is hands-on. It’s not just about watching. With 12 people, you can actually learn the basics and still enjoy the bay and islands you’re passing.

There’s also a practical comfort angle. On a boat, space and movement count. If you’ve done bigger boat tours before, you know the difference between feeling part of an experience and feeling stuck in a long line.

Price and Value: What $170 Includes (and Why It’s Not Just a Boat Ride)

At $170 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement activity. But it’s also not priced like a sightseeing cruise. You’re paying for a full half of the cycle: fishing instruction, gear, waterproof clothing, a small boat, and lunch made from what you catch.

Let’s break down the value you get inside that price:

• Fishing equipment and protective waterproof clothing are provided
• Local guide and hands-on instruction
• You keep your catch, and the crew helps prepare it
• Lunch is included, made from the catch of the day

So you’re not only buying sea time. You’re buying the chance to fish, the coaching to help you do it, and a meal that ties directly to your day.

If you like authentic activities where the reward is physical (food on your plate) rather than just photos, the price starts to make sense. If you only want a boat ride with scenery, you might find a cheaper option. But if you want the fishing part plus the BBQ, this is one of the more complete ways to do it around Reykjavik.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is best for people who like hands-on experiences and don’t want complicated travel days. You’re active outdoors for about three hours, then you’re rewarded with a cooked lunch.

It also fits well for families, with an important condition. The tour is not recommended for children under 4 years old. For kids 12 and younger, lifejackets are required and provided.

If you’re traveling with non-fishers, the structure still works. Even if someone doesn’t love fishing, they’re still part of the group activity, the crew helps with instruction, and the day ends with a shared meal.

If you dislike cold weather or you hate being outside on a boat, consider carefully. This is an outdoors experience even though waterproof clothing is provided.

The Main Practical Tips Before You Book

Go in dressed for cold and wind. The tour strongly recommends warm clothes and clothing according to weather. That’s the single most important preparation tip because the boat time is real.

Also plan your timing around the fact there is no hotel pick-up. You’ll need to walk to the old harbor meeting point near Víkin Maritime Museum. If you’re okay with walking a few minutes in town, that’s not a problem. If you want door-to-door convenience, this may feel less ideal.

Finally, choose your expectations wisely. Fishing depends on conditions. Your goal is to enjoy the experience, get hands-on instruction, and catch what you can.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Sea Fishing and BBQ Tour?

Yes, if you want an Iceland activity that ends with a meal tied directly to your day. The combination of small group fishing, provided gear, and a BBQ lunch made from the catch of the day is a rare “complete package.”

Book it if:

• You want cod and haddock style fishing in a traditional format
• You like small groups where the crew can actually help you
• You care about eating fresh food with a clear origin

Skip it if:

• You’re not comfortable being outside in the cold weather
• You want hotel pick-up and zero walking
• You mainly want scenery, not hands-on participation

If you match that first group, this is the kind of tour that turns Reykjavik from a place you visit into a place you actually do something on the water.

FAQ

What time of day does the tour run?

The tour duration is about 3 hours, and you’ll need to check availability to see the starting times.

Where exactly do I meet the boat?

You board the boat in the old harbor of Reykjavik, next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. The boat is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the city center. The meeting point is on the other side of the shipyard where large ships are on land for repairs.

How do I get to the meeting point from downtown?

From the city center, pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand, then continue past the Reykjavík Marina Hotel until you see a sign marked Hlésgata. The meeting point is on the other side of the shipyard.

What kinds of fish can I catch?

The tour targets cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock.

Do I get to keep the fish I catch?

Yes. You keep what you catch, and the team will filet it for you.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and it’s made from the catch of the day. You’ll have pan-fried fish with potatoes and sauce.

What is included besides lunch?

You get a local guide, fishing equipment, waterproof clothing, fishing instruction and guidance, and lunch made from the catch of the day.

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.

Is this tour good for kids?

It’s not recommended for children under 4 years old. Children 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided.

What languages do the guides speak, and can I cancel?

The guide speaks English and Icelandic. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You may also be able to reserve now and pay later.