Fishing turns into dinner on open water. From Reykjavik you sail the Faxaflói fishing grounds, learn the technique from the crew, and reel in cod, haddock, mackerel, and more—then they grill it on board as BBQ with homemade sauce and potatoes.

The one thing to think about is choppy seas; if you get motion sick easily, plan for that. Dress for dirty clothes and wear grippy, comfortable shoes, because this is a working boat and you’ll be moving around.

Key Points Worth Getting Excited About

• Faxaflói fishing grounds with an experienced crew who knows where the fish are
• A real lesson, not just a try-it-once setup, with all equipment provided
• You keep what you catch, including catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack
• On-board BBQ right after fishing, with potatoes and homemade sauce
• Wildlife sightings are possible, with whales and puffins noted on some trips
• Small-group feel (one key detail: the boat max is 12), so you’re not stuck watching

Sailing Out of Hlésgata: Finding the Jóhanna and Getting Ready

Your trip starts in Reykjavik at the Hlésgata harbour. Meet the crew onboard the boat Jóhanna, right next to the dry dock. This matters more than it sounds. If you show up at the exact start time, you’ll be rushed. If you arrive a bit early, you can get oriented fast and avoid the little stress that kills good vibes.

Once you’re on board, you’ll get what you need to fish. Rain jackets are provided, and all fishing equipment is included. That removes a big chunk of hassle for first-timers, because you don’t have to guess what to bring for sea spray and wind. You still should bring comfortable shoes—ones you can trust on a wet deck.

What you wear is the other practical point. The tour notes you should wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. That’s not code for fashion advice. It’s a working-boat heads-up: you’ll likely be handling gear, moving around near spray, and spending time on deck when the weather isn’t “nice and clean.”

Small but useful: pets aren’t allowed, and there’s no room for luggage or large bags. If you’re touring Iceland and have a daypack, keep it small and easy. You want to move without constantly worrying about where to stash things.

Faxaflói Fishing Grounds: The Icelandic Tradition Behind the Trip

Faxaflói is the fishing area near Reykjavik, and it’s the reason this part of Iceland has been feeding people for centuries. That long connection shows up in how the crew talks about the water and how they plan the fishing. You’re not just taking a boat ride; you’re joining a living tradition.

The tour is designed as a responsible, sustainable angling experience. The big takeaway for you is that the focus stays on fishing with proper handling and a keep-what-you-catch setup. The end goal isn’t throwing gear back into the sea and forgetting about it. It’s catching fish and turning it into a meal—fresh, local, and very “this is why people go.”

Also, the trip runs long enough to feel like an actual fishing outing. You’re out for about 3 to 3.5 hours, so there’s time to learn the basics, move to more than one fishing spot, and still end with a proper onboard BBQ.

This is a great tour whether you’re brand-new or you’ve fished before. The tour description is clear that there’s no need to have sea skills. The captain and guide teach you the best fishing moves if you’re new, and the structure keeps more experienced anglers from feeling like they’re just along for the ride.

Casting Lines and Catching Cod: What the Fishing Lesson Feels Like

Here’s what I’d expect you to care about most: will you actually catch fish, or is it mostly “good effort”? This tour is built for action.

You’re fishing for catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. That variety matters. If one species is slow on the day, the crew can still steer you toward other opportunities in the Faxaflói area. It also makes the experience feel broader than just chasing one fish.

The crew is the secret sauce. Captains and guides know the grounds like they’ve spent their whole lives out there, and they don’t waste time working areas that aren’t producing. That shows up in the way the trip is paced. You’ll likely start with instruction and hands-on help, then get into the rhythm of casting, reeling, and resetting lines.

One fun detail from the experience style: for some people, the fishing technique can feel unusual—almost like there’s not much bait involved. The effect is the same either way: lines can go busy quickly, and the moment you feel the pull of a fish is the “okay, this is real” part of the day.

If you’re worried about not knowing what you’re doing, take comfort in the basic promise: equipment is provided, and you’ll be taught. On top of that, the boat is small enough that you’re not just staring at the horizon. You should have enough time for individual questions and help when you need it.

One more practical tip: listen carefully during the early teaching phase. Even if you’ve fished before, the “how they do it on this boat” matters. Get your stance right, pay attention to how they want you to manage the rod and line, and you’ll catch more—and stress less.

Keeping What You Catch, Then Eating It: The Boat BBQ Meal

This is where the tour becomes memorable in a way most fishing trips can’t match.

The rules are simple: what you catch is yours. And then the crew cooks it on board. The BBQ happens right there on the boat, so you’re not waiting hours for dinner or wondering if the fish was handled well after it came off the line.

The meal is built around freshness and simplicity. Expect homemade sauce and potatoes as part of the BBQ experience. Some groups have seen the crew cut and slice cod quickly and prep it right in front of them, then grill it as the fishing day wraps up. That direct-to-grill workflow is part of the charm—food doesn’t leave the story halfway.

There’s also variety in what can show up with the fish. You might get potato salad, sauces, and coleslaw alongside the grilled catch. The common thread is that it’s immediate and hot—exactly what you want after salt air and a few hours of line work.

A note on the emotional value: eating your own catch while you’re still on the water is a big part of why people rate this tour so highly. It turns a “sport activity” into an actual meal with meaning. If you like food tied to place, this is the kind of experience that sticks.

Wildlife You Might Spot (Whales and Puffins)

You’re sailing out in the open waters near Reykjavik, so you’re in a prime position for wildlife moments. Some trips include sightings of whales and puffins, and those sightings are a bonus rather than the main promise.

The practical way to approach this: don’t book the tour expecting a guaranteed wildlife checklist. Instead, treat it as a nice extra if the ocean cooperates. When it happens, it makes the whole outing feel even more Iceland.

If you want to maximize your odds of seeing something, spend time on deck at the right moments—especially during travel between fishing spots or as you head back toward harbour.

Weather, Seasickness, and Clothing: Small Details That Matter

Iceland weather doesn’t ask permission. Even when it’s not stormy, you can get motion. This tour is a boat experience on the North Atlantic, so plan for movement.

The key warning here is seasickness. One passenger mentioned almost being sick when the sea got rough. Another detail that matters: the crew has ways to help people feel better, including ginger candy and peppermint tea for queasiness. That’s a real reassurance, but you shouldn’t count on “they’ll fix it” if you know you’re sensitive.

So what should you do?

• Dress in layers you don’t mind getting dirty. You’ll have rain gear, but you still need to manage temperature.
• Wear comfortable, grippy shoes. Slipping on a wet deck ruins the day.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your preferred remedy. The tour doesn’t claim to provide medication, but it does show they can offer ginger and peppermint support.

And keep weather reality in mind when you decide what to do that day. If you’re also trying to cram in a long waterfall tour, surfing-level confidence in your schedule isn’t the best plan. This is a 3-hour experience that asks you to enjoy it as it comes.

Who This Tour Fits Best (First-Timers, Anglers, and Families)

This is one of those Reykjavik activities that works across experience levels.

If you’re new to fishing, the teaching-focused approach is the main draw. You don’t need sea skills. The guide and captain help you with the technique and gear so you can actually participate rather than just watch other people cast.

If you already fish, the value is in local expertise. The crew knows the Faxaflói grounds, and the trip is structured to get you to spots where fishing is active. You’ll still have help onboard, but you won’t feel patronized.

For families, the age note matters. The tour isn’t suitable for children under 2, which implies it can work well for older kids who can handle time on a boat and being on the deck. One parent-style detail you should notice: the boat is small, with room that allows personal help, which is great when kids have questions or want support.

One more fit factor: no pets. If you’re traveling with an animal, you’ll need a different plan for this day.

Price and Value for a 3-Hour Reykjavik Tour

At $176 per person for a 3-hour outing, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But it’s not just a boat ride either.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• a guided fishing experience on Faxaflói
• all fishing equipment and rain jackets
• instruction if you don’t know what you’re doing
• fish you keep
• a cooked BBQ meal on board (with homemade sauce and potatoes)

When you add those pieces together, the price starts making sense. A private charter plus gear rental plus food would usually cost far more. Even compared to a basic tour where you might get snacks, this is a meal with a direct connection to your catch.

Still, weather affects comfort. If the sea is rough, you may feel it. So the best value comes when you go in with the right expectations: you’re choosing a working fishing outing, not a smooth luxury cruise.

Also, the tour is small-group by design (max 12), which often improves the experience. You get more hands-on attention and less waiting.

If you want one “Iceland food + ocean + activity” booking that isn’t contrived, this is strong.

Should You Book This Sea Angling Experience?

Book it if you want an Iceland activity that mixes hands-on fishing with a meal that feels truly earned. It’s a smart choice for first-timers because instruction is part of the package. It’s also a good choice for experienced anglers who want local guidance in the Faxaflói area and an enjoyable way to end the day.

Skip or rethink if:

• you’re very prone to seasickness and the idea of a boat on open water makes you uncomfortable
• you’re expecting a purely scenic cruise with no practical work
• you can’t deal with dirty deck conditions and wet weather gear

My advice: if you’re in Reykjavik with a morning or afternoon window and you can wear layers you don’t mind getting salt-sticky, this is the kind of trip that turns into a story. Catch, cook, eat. That sequence is the whole point.

FAQ

What fish can I catch on the Reykjavik sea angling tour?

The tour lists catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack in the Faxaflói fishing grounds. You keep what you catch.

How long is the sea angling cruise from Reykjavik?

The duration is about 3 hours, with some departures running around 3 to 3.5 hours. Check available starting times for exact schedules.

What is included in the price?

You get rain jackets on board, all fishing equipment, crew guidance, and a BBQ meal using what you catch. What you catch is yours to take as well.

Where do I meet the crew in Reykjavik?

Meet onboard the boat Jóhanna by the Hlésgata harbour, right next to the dry dock.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring comfortable shoes. Wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, since you’ll be on a deck and out in sea air conditions.

Is the tour refundable if plans change?

Yes. There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.