Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet

The best part of this Reykjavík outing is wonderfully simple: you catch fish in Faxaflói Bay, then the crew cleans and grills it before you reach the harbor. Cod, haddock, pollack, mackerel, and catfish are common possibilities, with the occasional larger or less familiar catch.

I like the easy introduction to sea angling, since the crew supplies the equipment and shows you exactly what to do. I also like the fresh onboard meal, especially in an expensive city where a $160 experience that includes lunch can make solid financial sense.

The main caution is the sea itself. This is a real boat trip in open water, not a guaranteed catch or a sheltered harbor activity. Weather can cancel the outing, and rough conditions may cause motion sickness, so bring sensible clothing and consider the conditions before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Your catch becomes lunch: The crew cleans and cooks a sampling of the fish onboard as the boat returns to Reykjavík.
• No fishing license or experience is needed: Instruction is provided, and the tackle is set up for beginners.
• Captain Jacob and his crew keep things practical: Expect clear demonstrations, help with removing fish, and friendly English-language guidance.
• Faxaflói can produce a varied catch: Cod, haddock, pollack, coalfish, mackerel, whiting, catfish, and sometimes halibut are possible.
• The three-hour length fits a city break: You can fish in the afternoon and still have your evening free.
• Weather matters: Rain gear is supplied, but sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty are your responsibility.

From Hlésgata to the fishing grounds

You meet at Hlésgata 1 in Reykjavík, close to public transportation. The activity returns to the same point, which keeps the outing easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.

Once aboard, the crew provides fishing equipment and a short explanation of how to hold the rod, release the line, and work the tackle. You do not need a license or prior fishing experience. The setup is designed to be forgiving, with sturdy loan rods and simple commercial lures that are fairly resistant to tangling.

That matters because sea angling can look more complicated than it is. You are not expected to arrive knowing knots, bait choices, or local waters. The crew takes you through the basic movements, then helps when a fish takes the lure or the line needs attention.

The boat has the practical amenities you need for a short trip, including a bathroom. Coffee and cookies have also been offered when passengers board. The group size can reach 20 people, although several departures described by passengers carried about 12 anglers, a more comfortable number for working around the rails.

Faxaflói Bay, three hours on the water

The main outing takes place in Faxaflói, the broad bay outside Reykjavík. The crew moves among productive fishing areas rather than staying in one fixed spot. Depending on sea conditions and the fish, you may drift over several locations while the crew searches for the best action.

Fishing is generally done on the drift, with a drogue used to slow the boat. You lower the lure and work the line as instructed. The action can be steady, and the fishing style allows you to do much of the work yourself instead of simply waiting for a crew member to hand you a fish.

Some outings produce frequent catches, occasionally with two fish on one rig. Other trips are quieter. The operator reports a strong success rate, but no honest fishing trip can promise a particular species or a fish for every person. That uncertainty is part of the deal, and it is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly for the meal.

The usual possibilities include cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, coalfish, whiting, and catfish. Halibut and wolf fish have also been caught, and larger cod can make the trip especially memorable. Smaller fish or less suitable species may be returned to the water, while enough of the catch is kept for the meal.

The bay also gives you something to watch between bites. You may see seabirds such as fulmars and puffins. Whale sightings are possible but not guaranteed, so treat wildlife as a bonus rather than the purpose of the trip.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is the reason this works for complete beginners. Captain Jacob is described as an experienced sailor and fisherman, and the brothers who operate the boat are known for offering patient help. You can expect them to explain the rod, show you how to release the line, help remove fish, and answer questions in English.

The tone is hands-on rather than formal. You are not simply taken out for a scenic ride while the crew does the fishing. The goal is to get you involved quickly, then let you enjoy the satisfaction of feeling a fish strike and bringing it up yourself.

That approach also helps mixed groups. An experienced angler can enjoy the steady action, while a first-timer, child, or older passenger can receive extra help. An 11-year-old and a 78-year-old have both been able to take part, and the crew has been praised for being patient with children.

If you become seasick, tell the crew early. The boat has provided help and complimentary antiemetics on previous trips, though you should not treat that as a substitute for preparing sensibly. Eat lightly beforehand, bring layers, and consider your own tolerance for open-water motion.

The onboard BBQ is the real payoff

The fishing turns into lunch while the boat heads back toward the harbor. The crew cleans part of the catch and cooks it on the onboard barbecue. Depending on the outing, the meal may include cod or haddock with potatoes and sauce.

This is not a polished restaurant service, and that is part of its charm. You are eating fish caught earlier the same day, prepared only minutes before serving, with Faxaflói around you. The meal is simple, fresh, and tied directly to what you did on the boat.

For many people, this is the strongest value in the tour. Reykjavík dining is costly, and the $160 price includes the boat ride, instruction, equipment, rain jacket, and a cooked sample of your catch. If you already planned to eat seafood, the meal helps justify the cost. If your main goal is serious sport fishing or bringing home a large quantity of fish, the value is less certain.

The crew may offer some fresh fillets to take home if you have access to a kitchen. That will depend on the catch and your own arrangements. If you are staying on a cruise ship or have no cooking facilities, plan to enjoy the meal onboard rather than count on taking fish away.

Gear, clothing, and the small practical details

The equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a rod, tackle, or fishing license. The loan rods are sturdy and suited to a wide range of ability levels. Experienced anglers may find them heavier and less refined than their own gear, but that is a reasonable compromise for equipment shared by beginners and regular fishers.

A rain jacket is available, and boots may be borrowed if needed. Still, you should wear sturdy footwear and clothing that can get dirty. Fish, bait, deck water, and barbecue preparation are not ideal companions for your best travel clothes.

Dress for Icelandic weather rather than the forecast alone. The bay may be calm and sunny, but conditions can change. Layers give you more control, and firm shoes matter when you are moving around a working boat.

The crew supplies the useful basics, but you remain responsible for showing up dressed for a wet, cool deck. This is one area where a little preparation can make the difference between a pleasant afternoon and three uncomfortable hours.

How the $160 price compares

At $160 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend an afternoon. Iceland activities add up quickly, and you should compare it with what you want from the day.

The price looks stronger if you value several parts at once:

• A three-hour boat trip from central Reykjavík
• Instruction for complete beginners
• Fishing equipment and tackle
• Rain jacket use
• Access to productive fishing grounds
• A freshly cooked BBQ of the catch
• A small-group feel on departures carrying around 12 people

The meal is more than a snack, but it is still a light onboard lunch rather than a full restaurant dinner. The catch also varies. One outing may produce cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack in steady numbers. Another may deliver only a couple of fish per person.

I would book it for the combination of fishing and food, not as a guaranteed seafood feast. You are paying for the entire activity, including the crew’s local knowledge, the boat, the equipment, and the chance to catch your own lunch.

The ideal place in your Reykjavík schedule

The short format is one of the tour’s practical strengths. At about three hours, it can fit neatly into an afternoon. You can spend the morning walking around Reykjavík, fish after lunch, then still have the evening for dinner or another activity.

The meeting point and return point are both Hlésgata 1, making the plan straightforward. Since the activity is near public transportation, you do not need to build a complicated transfer into your day.

I would allow extra flexibility around the booking if your Iceland visit is short. Poor weather can force a cancellation, and the replacement option may be another date or a full refund. The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

This is especially important if you have only one free afternoon. Check messages before leaving for the meeting point, and avoid placing an important timed attraction immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits you if you want an active but approachable way to get on the water. You do not need to be a fisher, and the crew can help children and beginners get started quickly.

It is also a good choice for couples or families with mixed interests. One person can arrive as the keen angler, while the other may come for the scenery, wildlife, social atmosphere, or meal. The hands-on format gives non-fishers something to do rather than leaving them as spectators.

Experienced fishers may enjoy the number of catches and the chance to try Icelandic waters, but should keep expectations realistic. The provided tackle is built for broad use, not for a specialist seeking light gear or a carefully targeted species.

You should think twice if you strongly dislike boat motion, cannot tolerate wet weather, or need guaranteed plans. Faxaflói is wild water, and even a successful day can feel rough. One passenger caught only two fish and still enjoyed the outing, but found the stormy sea difficult.

Should you book Reykjavik Sea Angling Gourmet?

I would book this if you want a relaxed introduction to Icelandic sea angling and like the idea of eating what you catch. The combination is unusually satisfying: a short trip, approachable instruction, local scenery, and a very fresh meal before you return to Reykjavík.

The tour is especially good for beginners, families, and anyone who wants an afternoon activity rather than a full-day fishing charter. Captain Jacob and the crew bring the practical help that makes the outing accessible, while the compact schedule protects the rest of your day.

I would skip it if you need calm water, guaranteed fish, or specialist fishing equipment. For everyone else, the chance to pull up a cod or haddock in Faxaflói and eat it on the return journey makes this one of Reykjavík’s more memorable food-and-outdoors combinations.

FAQ

Where does the sea angling tour start?

The meeting point is Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, Hlésgata 1.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately three hours, all spent on the water in Faxaflói Bay.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The crew provides instruction, and no previous fishing experience or fishing license is needed.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment is provided as part of the experience.

Is rain protection included?

A rain jacket is included, and boots may be available to borrow if needed.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy footwear and clothing that can get dirty. Appropriate clothing for Icelandic weather is recommended.

What fish might I catch?

Common catches include catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. Whiting, coalfish, halibut, and wolf fish have also been caught.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares a light BBQ lunch from part of the catch onboard.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.