Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik

Catching a cod in Faxaflói Bay is only half the fun. The best part comes when the crew cleans and grills it aboard the boat, often serving it with potatoes as you head back toward Reykjavík. You fish with supplied rods and bait, so you can arrive with curiosity rather than a suitcase full of gear.

I like the friendly hands-on crew, who help beginners, untangle lines, remove fish from hooks, and keep children involved. I also like the wildlife bonus: summer departures pass Akurey and Lundey, while dolphins and whales have sometimes appeared near the boat. The drawback is simple: fishing takes room, and a busy departure can feel shoulder to shoulder. Rough weather, tangled lines, or a slow bite can also change the mood quickly.

Key points to know before you book

• Fresh cod on the grill: You may eat fish caught during the trip, with potatoes often served alongside it.
• Good for first-timers: The crew explains the basic technique and supplies rods, bait, and protective clothing.
• A 5 pm departure: The three-hour timing fits neatly after daytime sightseeing in Reykjavík.
• Summer seabirds: From May through August, the route passes Akurey and Lundey, known for puffin colonies.
• A proper sea outing: You get open-water scenery, wind, waves, and the chance of dolphins or whales.
• Group size matters: The boat can carry up to 65 people, so ask yourself how comfortable you are fishing close to others.

Fishing for dinner in Faxaflói Bay

This is not a quiet freshwater session with one person sitting beside a river. You head out from Reykjavík into Faxaflói Bay, where the boat searches for productive fishing spots and you lower baited lines toward the seabed.

The usual prize is cod, though the possible catch includes haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish. Several people can catch fish in quick succession when the boat reaches a good area. On one especially successful outing, a family caught more than 70 cod in about two hours. That is not a promise for your departure, but it shows how fast the action can become when conditions line up.

You might also have a quieter day. One person described catching little, while still enjoying the trip and the meal. Fishing depends on weather, sea conditions, location, and luck. The crew can put you in a promising place, but no captain can guarantee a full cooler.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, though it is worth understanding before you pay for a fishing trip. If your priority is a guaranteed wildlife sighting or a guaranteed large catch, this is not the right product. If you like the idea of trying your luck and then eating whatever comes aboard, it offers a memorable change from Reykjavík’s museums, pools, and cafés.

From Geirsgata to the open water

You meet at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavík for the 5 pm departure. The activity returns to the same meeting point after about three hours, so you should have most of the day free for other plans.

Hotel pickup is available for an extra fee through the supplier, but it is not part of the standard price. Public transportation is nearby, which makes the central meeting point practical if you are staying in Reykjavík. Leave enough time to find the dock and check in without rushing.

Once aboard, the captain and deck crew provide warm coveralls. Take them seriously. Even if the city feels mild, conditions on open water can be colder, wetter, and windier. The supplied protective clothing is a useful part of the package, especially for children or anyone who packed for city walking rather than sea spray.

The boat has indoor seating and toilets, according to the trip details and onboard accounts. Drinks may be available for purchase, but food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Bring the right expectations: the catch is part of the experience, not a full restaurant service with a broad menu.

How the fishing session works

The crew provides fishing rods, bait, and the rest of the basic equipment. You do not need to bring your own rod, tackle, or bait. That keeps the trip easy for beginners and for people traveling light.

After the crew explains the essentials, you drop your line and wait for the pull. When a fish takes the bait, the crew can help you bring it up, remove it from the hook, and deal with crossed or tangled lines. This support matters more than fancy equipment on a first sea-fishing trip.

The crew’s approach has been a major strength of the experience. Names mentioned during successful outings include Captain Stefan, Vera, Kiljan, Oscar, Samuel, and a deckhand identified as Otsgir, though the exact crew can vary by departure. The important point is the role they play: they show you where to fish, teach the basics, work through tangles, and help children land their catches.

Families should find the format approachable. Children as young as 10 and 13 have taken part, and the crew has made a point of helping younger fishers. Most people can participate, but the boat can hold as many as 65 people. On a full departure, expect a social fishing setup rather than a private charter.

That leads to the main practical weakness. Fishing space can feel tight, especially when many lines are in the water at once. Tangles and hooks on the bottom are possible. One difficult outing involved lost weights and several rods with damaged tips or missing final eyelets. That appears to be an exception rather than the usual experience, but it is a fair reminder that this is a working group boat, not a luxury fishing vessel with custom gear for every person.

Cod, haddock, and the chance of a big catch

Cod is the fish you are most likely to hear about, and it is also the fish most often prepared aboard. Haddock and pollock are other common possibilities, while halibut and rockfish may also appear.

The fish can be large enough to make the catch feel substantial. People have landed several good-sized cod in one trip, including one angler who brought in nine. Another caught cod, haddock, and pollock and described the fish as a terrific onboard dinner.

Still, do not measure the trip only by numbers. A good session might mean one fish, several fish, or none. You also need to account for sea conditions. Rain, cold, wind, and rough water have all been part of the experience for some departures. The protective clothing helps, but you should still dress in warm layers and wear sturdy, comfortable footwear.

If you get seasick, be realistic. The boat heads into open water, and rough seas can make the outing tiring. The supplied information does not describe a specific seasickness policy or medication service, so bring any personal remedies you normally use. You may also want to avoid a heavy meal just before departure.

Grilling your own catch on the way home

The meal gives this trip its strongest sense of place. After fishing, the crew can fillet the catch and grill it onboard, or prepare it for you to take back to your hotel or apartment.

When the catch is cooked aboard, it has traveled only a few minutes from the sea to the grill. Potatoes have been served with the fish on several departures, and the meal can become a shared buffet as the boat returns. You can eat what you caught rather than simply taking a photograph and moving on.

The crew’s cooking has received especially strong praise. Cod has been described as delicious, well-seasoned, and filling. One group still had food left after everyone had eaten. That makes the meal a real part of the value, not a minor extra.

You should clarify your preference with the crew if you want to take the fish away instead of eating it aboard. The trip offers both options, but food and drinks beyond the prepared catch are not included. If you are staying in an apartment with cooking facilities, taking the fish back gives you a second Icelandic meal later.

Puffins, dolphins, and the ride itself

The fishing is the main event, but keep looking up from your line. Between May and August, the boat passes Akurey and Lundey, two islands known for seabirds and summer puffin colonies. You may see puffins nesting along the shores during the right season.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Dolphins and whales have appeared beside the boat on some trips, adding a memorable surprise to the return ride. You should treat these as possible bonuses rather than promises built into the price.

The ride itself gives you a different view of Reykjavík and the surrounding water. The appeal is not polished sightseeing commentary. It is the feeling of leaving the harbor, cutting through cold water, and watching the city recede while the crew searches for fish.

In poor weather, the scenery can feel less inviting. Some departures have involved rain and rough seas, while others have had beautiful calm conditions. The operator may cancel if the weather is unsafe. In that case, you can accept another date or request a full refund.

Is $147.54 a fair price?

At about $147.54 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Reykjavík. It becomes better value if you use the full package: boat trip, protective clothing, rod, bait, crew help, the fishing session, and a meal made from your catch.

You are also paying for access to open water without arranging a private boat, buying equipment, or learning the local fishing spots yourself. For a first sea-fishing experience, that convenience matters. The trip can also replace an ordinary restaurant meal with something you helped provide.

The value is weaker if you dislike group activities, need guaranteed comfort, or care mainly about catching a very large fish. A boat that can carry up to 65 people may mean limited personal space, and the amount of fish depends on nature rather than a fixed itinerary.

I would see it as a strong choice for families, couples, and curious first-timers who want an active half-day addition to a Reykjavík stay. Dedicated anglers should read the practical details more carefully. The shared equipment and occasional tackle problems may frustrate someone accustomed to bringing a preferred rod and carefully selected weights.

The 5 pm start helps the price make sense for many itineraries. You can spend the morning and early afternoon on other activities, then head to Geirsgata for an evening on the bay. The total time is about three hours, so you are not giving up an entire day.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you fit one of these groups:

• You have never fished at sea and want clear help from the crew.
• You are traveling with children who will enjoy catching and eating their own fish.
• You want an activity that feels connected to Iceland’s working waters.
• You like flexible results and do not need a guaranteed catch.
• You enjoy wildlife sightings but are happy to treat them as a bonus.
• You want a meal that comes directly from the activity.

You may want another option if you strongly dislike cold, wind, rough water, or crowded fishing space. The boat has indoor seating and toilets, but this remains a sea trip, not a sheltered sightseeing cruise.

English is offered, and a Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Confirmation arrives at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted. If the minimum number is not reached, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Reykjavík sea-fishing experience?

Book it if you want to do more than look at Iceland from shore. The strongest version of this outing gives you a helpful crew, plenty of cod, a few hours on Faxaflói Bay, and a hot plate of fish you helped catch. Families have found it especially rewarding, and beginners are not left to guess what to do.

Go in prepared for the less polished side of the trip. Lines can tangle, gear can show wear, fishing space can be tight, and the sea may be rough. If that sounds like part of the adventure rather than a deal breaker, the combination of fishing, local food, and possible puffins, dolphins, or whales makes this one of Reykjavík’s more distinctive short excursions.

FAQ

Where does the sea-fishing trip start?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 5:00 pm. The trip lasts about three hours.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes fishing rods, bait, protective clothing, and the other necessary fishing equipment.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish. Cod is commonly prepared onboard when conditions allow.

Can I eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The crew can grill your catch onboard, or prepare it for you to take back to your hotel or apartment. Food and drinks apart from the prepared catch are not included unless specified.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A full refund is also available if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels.