When the boat leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, it quickly turns into a hands-on family adventure. You’re out in Faxaflói Bay chasing cod, haddock, halibut, rockfish, and pollock, then getting your reward as onboard BBQ cooked right after you fish.

I love how this tour is built for real beginners and still keeps experienced anglers interested. The guides work close, help you learn the basics fast, and the boat crew is set up to keep the action going when fish are biting. One thing to consider: the North Atlantic can be choppy, and a few people have noted motion sickness, so it’s worth preparing for that.

What makes it different from a typical Reykjavik activity

This isn’t a sit-and-watch outing. You cast, you reel, and your catch becomes your meal—plus you’re still in Iceland where sea birds, dramatic water color, and big wildlife moments can pop up from the deck. It runs about 2.5 hours on the water (give or take by conditions), so it’s a good use of a short Reykjavík window without feeling rushed.

And yes, people rave about the crew. Names like Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, Oscar, and George show up often in feedback, and the common theme is simple: they keep helping until everyone is having a good time.

Key things I’d circle in the fine print

• Faxaflói Bay targeting: You’re guided straight to productive cold-water grounds rather than drifting around.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: You get help with bait and technique so you’re not stuck figuring it out alone.
• You can eat what you catch: BBQ happens onboard, served with potatoes, right after fishing.
• Real time on the water: It’s about 2.5–3 hours total, so you get enough casting time to matter.
• Wildlife adds surprise value: Puffins and even whales/dolphins are commonly spotted from the boat.
• Cold-weather setup: You’ll use protective clothing and you can use covered areas if it turns rough.

Reykjavík Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: what 2.5 hours at sea actually feels like

This tour is short enough to fit into a busy Iceland plan, but long enough that you’ll remember it as a real sea day. Most trips start from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, then head into Faxaflói Bay where the fishing is the point.

The pace tends to be “cast, adjust, cast again.” Depending on the day and how the fish respond, you might find the action fast—some boats report lots of bites soon after the first fishing stop. Other days can be slower, but the guiding style is still about moving you to productive spots rather than hoping luck does the work.

Onboard, there’s a practical rhythm: gearing up with protective clothing, a quick learning stage with the crew, then repeated fishing rounds at multiple spots. That matters because it gives you time to improve your technique mid-tour instead of learning for only the last 20 minutes.

The fishing lesson: how you’ll actually catch fish (even if you’ve never fished)

I like that the crew doesn’t treat this as an “advanced anglers only” experience. You’re given fishing equipment and protective clothing, and you learn the ropes with guidance on bait and line handling.

In feedback, the pattern is consistent: the guides stay hands-on, unhooking help and stepping in when needed, so you’re not left wrestling with gear while everyone else is reeling. Even on full boats, the crew’s job is to keep the learning wheels on—especially important if you’re bringing kids.

Also, the tour is designed around the idea that everyone should get chances. People describe action that feels almost nonstop when the captain finds a good pocket, and even when that doesn’t happen, you’re still fishing for multiple rounds rather than one quick attempt.

One practical tip: if you’re prone to seasickness, don’t “tough it out.” A few people specifically recommend bringing motion sickness remedies (one couple mentioned ginger pills beforehand). Plan for comfort so you can stay on deck and fish.

What fish you can expect off the Icelandic coast

The headline species are cod, halibut, haddock, rockfish, and pollock. That mix is one reason the trip is so popular: you’re not fishing for just one type of result, so the day has more variety.

Cod tends to get the most attention in feedback, with people describing frequent cod catches and large specimens on some days. Haddock and pollock show up too, and even when you don’t land the biggest fish, the overall experience is still fun because the water is productive and the crew works to keep lines active.

Important reality check: fishing outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Weather, currents, and fish behavior affect everything at sea. That’s why I’d judge this tour on effort and guidance as much as catch counts—this one’s built to make the process rewarding even when the ocean isn’t cooperating.

Puffins, whales, and the Iceland ocean show from your deck

Even if you’re focused on fishing, you’re in a place where the scenery keeps interrupting your concentration—in a good way. On many departures, puffins appear near what’s often described as a puffin island area while you’re out on the bay.

Then there’s the wildlife bonus. Several feedback notes mention whales and dolphins being spotted from the boat, including humpbacks and minkes. It’s not a “sure thing,” but it’s enough of a recurring possibility that I’d treat it as an extra reward if you’re lucky.

What you should take seriously is weather exposure. Choppy water can make the deck feel more dynamic than most people expect. The tour helps here with protective clothing and the ability to get out of the wind into covered areas when conditions get rough.

If your priority is comfort, dress in layers and plan to stay warm enough to actually fish. The best fishing time is when you’re willing to be out there casting, not when you’re retreating every few minutes.

Onboard BBQ with your catch: the meal is part of the show

This is one of those Iceland activities where the food isn’t just included—it’s connected to the main event. After fishing, the crew grills your catch onboard and serves it with potatoes.

Feedback is strong here. People describe the fish as very fresh, cooked aboard, and tasting like it can’t possibly be from the same day you were hauling it out of the sea. The meal timing also helps the whole tour land well: you finish fishing, warm up with hot food, and then share the outcome while the sea day is still fresh.

If you’re picky or you don’t eat fish, the data you have is still fish-centered, so I’d treat this as a seafood experience first. That said, even people who weren’t initially obsessed with fishing often ended up enjoying the onboard BBQ because it’s hot, simple, and tied to what you caught.

Also note this detail: people mention asking for or using sauces and seasoning onboard. One review suggested that fish could use more butter or extra seasoning. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a sign that seasoning preferences vary—so if you love rich flavors, you might want to bring a small personal condiment snack where allowed by the crew.

The crew matters: hands-on guiding from people like Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, and George

A sea fishing tour lives or dies with the crew. Here, feedback consistently highlights that deckhands and captains are welcoming, patient, and willing to help everyone get a catch.

Names come up often—Oddgeir, Stefan, Asgeir, Samuel, Oscar, George, and even Julia in older comments. You shouldn’t expect every guide to be the same person every time, but the important part is the style: instruction that’s practical and continuous, not a one-time lecture.

That hands-on approach shows up in small moments that matter:

• Getting help when you need to unhook a fish
• Adjusting technique so you can cast again quickly
• Moving to spots that produce, so beginners aren’t stuck waiting for action

For families, it can be a huge difference. One feedback note mentions a child feeling extra special when the crew made a cute bait color combination. It’s not a “fishing technique” detail, but it tells you the crew is paying attention to kids’ experience, not just measuring how many fish come onboard.

Price and value: is $141 per person worth it?

At $141 per person for about 2.5 hours, this sits in the “pay for convenience and results” category. You’re not just buying time on a boat—you’re buying a guided fishing setup with equipment, protective clothing, and an onboard meal using your catch.

Here’s why I think the value can be strong:

• You’re not self-guiding. Someone puts you on productive water and teaches you.
• The meal is included and linked to your catch. You’re not paying extra for a restaurant dinner after.
• You get real time on the water. Two and a half hours is long enough to learn and actually fish.

Now the fairness part: on rougher days, the fishing might be slower for everyone, and catch results can vary. A couple of comments mention choppier conditions limiting how long or how well people could fish at deeper stops. That’s the ocean’s influence, not a crew failure.

Still, with a rating around 4.5 from hundreds of reviews, the theme stays consistent: the combination of catch + BBQ + hands-on guidance tends to land as a good bargain compared with trying to arrange fishing gear, lessons, and a meal on your own.

Logistics that affect your experience (pickup, timing, and what to plan for)

The trip is timed, and the boat isn’t waiting for late arrivals. Pickup starts about 60 minutes before departure for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík (there’s an extra fee for the transfer).

If you’re staying somewhere in Reykjavík, plan to be ready at the pickup window so you don’t lose fishing time. If you’re arriving on your own to the Old Harbor area, give yourself buffer time for weather and walking.

Also, check the departure schedule because the duration is listed as 2.5–3 hours depending on availability and conditions. In Iceland, conditions can change quickly, and on-the-water time is a practical variable.

One more small planning note: the tour includes an app available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. If you like having instructions or helpful info on your phone during activities, that multilingual support can be a comfort.

Who should book this sea fishing & BBQ tour—and who should reconsider

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want a hands-on Iceland activity instead of a purely scenic one
• Have beginners in the group and want them supported
• Like the idea of fishing plus an included hot meal
• Want a short sea outing that still feels like a full experience

It may be a tougher fit if you:

• Are highly sensitive to motion sickness and haven’t planned for it
• Expect a guaranteed specific number of fish every time
• Don’t like being out on deck during wind and waves (even with protective clothing)

For families, it’s especially appealing because multiple feedback notes say kids and non-fishers still ended up catching something and enjoying the BBQ. For couples, it’s also a fun shared activity: you’re both engaged, and then you get the meal immediately afterward.

Should you book it? My honest take

If your Iceland trip includes Reykjavík and you want one experience that mixes action, learning, and food, I’d book this. The strongest reasons are simple: the guides focus on getting people involved, and the onboard BBQ turns the catch into a memorable meal while you’re still warm from the sea.

I’d also book it if you’re traveling with mixed experience levels, because the crew attention is the point. Just go in with the right mindset: it’s fishing, not a factory, so weather and fish behavior can shift your results—but the tour is set up to keep the day fun either way.

If you’re worried about choppy water, dress for warmth, plan for seasickness prevention, and use the covered areas when you need a break. That’s how you make sure the experience stays focused on catching, not discomfort.

FAQ

How long is the sea fishing tour?

The duration is about 2.5 hours (often listed as 2.5–3 hours depending on availability and conditions).

Where does the tour depart from?

It leaves from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor.

What types of fish might you catch?

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

Is the BBQ included, and what is served?

Yes. Your catch is grilled onboard and served with potatoes.

What gear and clothing do you get?

You get fishing equipment and protective clothing.

Is pickup available in Reykjavík?

Pickup starts about 60 minutes before departure for registered hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavík, and the transfer has a small extra fee.

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If you tell me your travel month and whether anyone in your group gets seasick, I can suggest how to plan clothing and timing to make this as comfortable (and productive) as possible.