Reykjavik: Traditional Sea Fishing with BBQ Feast

Reykjavik’s best lunch may begin with a fishing rod. This three-hour trip takes you into the bay to catch cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock, then brings you back to the harbor to cook the catch. I like the small group of no more than 12 and the fact that you eat fish you helped bring in. I also like that beginners get patient instruction and all the gear.

The main catch is the weather. Cold wind can make the boat ride feel much longer, even when the fishing is good. You should dress warmly, expect an early lunch, and remember that the quantity of fish depends on the sea and the day.

Key Points Before You Book

• Your fish becomes lunch: Keep what you catch, have it cleaned and filleted, then eat it cooked with potatoes and sauce.
• A genuinely small boat group: With a maximum of 12 passengers, you get more room and easier access to the crew than on a crowded fishing vessel.
• Good for first-time anglers: The crew supplies fishing equipment, protective clothing, and step-by-step guidance.
• A short walk from central Reykjavik: The boat leaves from the old harbor beside the Víkin Maritime Museum.
• Wildlife and island views: The route gives you time on the bay, with possible views of seabirds and puffins.
• Weather matters: Warm clothing is strongly recommended, and children 12 and under must wear provided lifejackets.

Fishing for Lunch in Reykjavik Bay

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fishing rod added as an afterthought. Fishing is the point. You board at Reykjavik’s old harbor, head out across the bay, and lower your line in search of cod, haddock, rockfish, or pollock.

The crew supplies the fishing equipment and explains how to use it. That matters if you have never fished before. You do not need to arrive knowing how to bait a hook, handle a line, or spot a bite. The instruction is part of the experience, and the setup is simple enough for families and beginners.

The fishing itself can be surprisingly active. Some outings produce a good number of fish, and several people have caught more than one. One particularly enthusiastic angler reported catching more than 20 fish on each of two trips. That is not a promise for your departure, but it gives you an idea of how quickly the action can build when the fish are cooperating.

You can catch cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. The catch may also include whiting. The type and number of fish will depend on conditions, so do not book this as a guaranteed haul. Book it as a hands-on way to experience Iceland’s fishing culture, with lunch as the delicious payoff.

Why the Small Group Makes a Difference

A maximum of 12 passengers is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Small groups make practical sense on a fishing boat. You have more space to work with your line, less waiting for help, and a better chance to speak with the crew.

The experience has a personal, family-run feel. Departures have included Captain Snorri and his son, as well as crew members such as Ana and Thor. The exact crew may vary, but the important point is the direct contact. You are not being moved through a large group with a microphone and a fixed script.

That personal service helps when you catch a fish. The crew can show you how to handle it, clean it, and prepare it. Ana has assisted with cleaning and explaining the process, while Captain Snorri has been praised for cooking the catch after the boat returns. Those details turn the trip into more than a simple attempt to catch something.

There is also room to relax. The trip promises space for all passengers, so you can take in the bay and islands even when your line is quiet. Fishing requires patience. A smaller boat makes that waiting time easier.

What Happens at the Old Harbor

The meeting point is in Reykjavik’s old harbor, next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. From the city center, allow about 5 to 10 minutes on foot.

The directions are useful because the harbor has several docks and boatyards. If you walk from the center, pass the first dock and the Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar hamburger stand. Continue past the Reykjavík Marina Hotel until you see a sign marked Hlésgata. The meeting point is on the other side of the shipyard, where large ships are hauled out for repairs.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to make your own way there. That is easy if you are staying in central Reykjavik, but it is worth leaving extra time to find the correct side of the shipyard. The boat returns to this same meeting point at the end.

Once aboard, you receive the necessary fishing equipment and waterproof clothing. Still, bring warm layers beneath the provided outerwear. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the bay may feel cold even on a bright day.

Out on the Bay: Fishing, Views, and Weather

The boat heads into the waters outside Reykjavik, where you fish with the city and nearby islands in view. The trip gives you a different angle on the capital. Instead of looking at the harbor from land, you see the working waterfront and the surrounding bay from the water.

Wildlife is part of the setting. Puffin sightings have been possible, along with other birdlife around the bay and islands. No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed, and the fishing remains the main activity, but it is worth keeping your eyes up between casts.

The boat ride is not a passive cruise. You will be handling fishing gear, watching the line, and responding when you feel a bite. That makes the outing especially satisfying for families. Children can take part rather than simply sit and watch an adult fish.

The sea can also be cold and windy. A sunny day helps, but even good weather does not make Icelandic water feel warm. Wear a hat, warm layers, and sturdy clothing suited to outdoor conditions. The supplied waterproof clothing helps protect you, but it does not replace a warm base layer.

Children under four are not recommended for this activity. Children aged 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided. Families should also consider the three-hour duration and the possibility of a cold, windy start.

Turning the Catch Into Lunch

The best part of the outing comes after the boat returns to the harbor. The crew cleans and fillets the fish, then cooks it on board. The meal is made from the catch of the day and is served with potatoes and sauce.

Preparation has been described as pan-fried or grilled, with the captain handling the cooking. The meal is simple, which is exactly right here. Fresh cod or haddock needs little decoration. You get to taste the fish soon after catching it, rather than carrying it through town or waiting for a restaurant meal.

This is also a practical benefit of being able to keep your catch. The crew can filet the fish for you, and the fish you catch becomes part of the lunch. The wording about keeping the catch should not be read as a guarantee that every fish will be taken home. The supplied experience specifically includes eating the catch as lunch and having the team fillet it. Ask the crew on the day if you want to clarify what happens to any remaining fish.

The lunch is likely to come earlier than your normal midday meal, since it follows the fishing portion of a three-hour trip. That is worth knowing if you are planning a late breakfast or another major activity right afterward. For most people, the timing works well because the meal feels like the natural finish to the outing.

The Crew and the Feel of the Experience

The crew’s attitude is central to this tour. Fishing can be frustrating if nobody explains what to do, but the available information points to an active, friendly style of guiding. The captain and assistants provide instruction, help with the equipment, and take care of the catch afterward.

Names such as Snorri, Ana, and Thor appear in accounts of especially well-received departures. Snorri has been praised for preparing the fish, while Ana has helped passengers learn how fish are cleaned. A father and daughter crew has also operated the trip, adding to its family-business character. Crew assignments can change, so treat these names as useful context rather than a fixed guarantee.

The atmosphere suits people who want participation rather than a polished performance. You can ask about fishing methods, watch the fish being prepared, and share the small boat with a limited number of other passengers. That makes the experience feel connected to Reykjavik’s maritime character.

It is not the right choice if you want a quiet boat ride with no mess, no cold, and no waiting for fish. Lines, hooks, wet equipment, and changing weather are part of the deal. The reward is a meal and a story that you helped create.

Is $170 a Good Value?

At $170 per person, this is not a cheap way to get lunch. You are paying for a three-hour boat outing, a local guide, fishing equipment, protective clothing, instruction, and the cooked meal. There is no hotel transportation included.

The price makes better sense if you value the full activity. A standard restaurant meal gives you fish, but not the time on the bay, the instruction, the chance to catch your own food, or the small-group setting. The trip combines several costs into one booking, including the boat and equipment.

The small group is particularly important to the value. A larger, cheaper boat might offer a similar basic fishing setup, but it could feel less personal and give you less room. Here, the crew can spend more time helping individual passengers and preparing the fish directly.

I would book this for someone who wants an active Iceland experience and enjoys seafood. I would hesitate if you are mainly looking for the lowest-cost way to see Reykjavik from the water. The value depends on taking part, not simply riding along.

Who Should Book This Fishing Trip?

This outing is a strong fit for families with children old enough to manage a three-hour boat activity. Children can fish alongside adults, and the small group makes it easier for the crew to help. Lifejackets are provided for children 12 and under.

It also works well for couples and solo visitors. You do not need fishing experience, and the format makes it easy to meet a few other people without being placed in a very large group.

Food lovers have a clear reason to go. The fish is cooked soon after it is caught, with potatoes and sauce. If you enjoy simple food prepared close to its source, this is more memorable than another meal in the city center.

You should think twice if you dislike cold weather, boat movement, or the uncertainty of outdoor activities. A good catch is common enough to make the trip exciting, but fishing never works on a guaranteed schedule. The trip is best approached with the right expectation: you are going out to fish, not ordering a fixed menu at sea.

Timing, Clothing, and Booking Details

The activity lasts approximately three hours, but starting times vary. Check the available times when booking and leave enough time to walk from central Reykjavik to the old harbor.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Iceland schedule is still shifting.

English and Icelandic are the available guide languages. Hotel pickup is not included, and the tour begins and ends at the old harbor meeting point.

Warm clothing is the most important preparation. Wear layers and follow the weather forecast, but plan for the boat to feel colder than the city streets. Waterproof outerwear is supplied, and fishing equipment is included, so you do not need to bring specialist gear.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want to do something active in Reykjavik, enjoy fresh fish, and like the idea of turning a catch into lunch. The strongest features are the small group, beginner-friendly instruction, family-run feel, and freshly cooked cod, haddock, or similar fish.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed schedule, dislike cold or wind, or want a purely scenic boat ride. For everyone else, $170 buys more than a meal. It buys a short, practical connection to Iceland’s fishing culture, with a good chance of a memorable lunch at the end.

FAQ

Where does the fishing tour leave from?

The boat leaves from Reykjavik’s old harbor next to the Víkin Maritime Museum. From the city center, the meeting point is about a 5 to 10-minute walk.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the schedule on your chosen date.

What fish can I catch?

The target fish include cod, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. Whiting may also be caught.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes fishing equipment, waterproof clothing, fishing instruction, and guidance from the crew.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is made from the catch of the day. The fish is cleaned and filleted, then cooked with potatoes and sauce after the boat returns to the harbor.

Can children join the tour?

Children under four are not recommended for the activity. Children aged 12 and younger must wear lifejackets, which are provided.