Reykjavik turns into a working fishing town for 3 hours. I love that this is hands-on sea angling with expert guidance, and I love the pay-off: BBQ on board using what you catch. You’ll sail out from the Hlésgata harbor area into the Faxaflói fishing grounds, where cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack are the point of the day. One thing to think about: you’ll be on open water, so if you’re prone to seasickness, plan for that reality before you go.

What makes the experience click for first-timers and repeat anglers is the way the crew runs the trip. You get gear and rain jackets on board, plus clear coaching so you’re not guessing while lines are in the water. Another plus is the setting: the boat Jóhanna departs right by the dry dock, and the focus stays where it should be, on finding fish in Faxaflói rather than making the cruise a long scenic detour.

The main drawback is weather and water motion. If conditions are rough, you can feel it, and you’ll want clothing that you don’t mind getting salty and a little dirty. If you know you’re sensitive on boats, bring your own plan for nausea comfort, even though the crew may help with remedies like ginger candy and peppermint tea if seas get choppy.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• You keep what you catch and the crew handles the prep for eating onboard
• BBQ with your catch served with potatoes and homemade sauce
• Guides teach the moves even if it’s your first time fishing at sea
• Small-group boat feel with a max of about 12 guests reported
• Faxaflói fishing grounds near Reykjavik keep the action close and focused
• Rain jackets and equipment provided so you can show up ready

Sea Angling in Faxaflói: The Iceland Taste Test

Iceland’s food culture makes a lot of sense once you’ve watched fish being pulled from the North Atlantic. This tour gives you that connection fast: you don’t just look at seafood, you help catch it, then you eat it immediately. It’s an Icelandic tradition in a modern, responsible way, centered on sustainable angling rather than a fast tourist photo stop.

You’re targeting familiar species like cod and haddock, plus favorites such as mackerel and pollack. The tour also lists catfish as part of what you may catch in these waters. That mix matters because it keeps the fishing interesting even if one species is slower that day.

For me, the real charm is how quickly the day becomes a story. You start with lines in the water and a salty sky overhead, you learn the technique from people who fish these grounds, and then you end with warm fish on a BBQ grill right on the boat. It’s simple, practical, and very Iceland.

From Hlésgata to the Jóhanna: Where the Day Starts

Meeting is on the water, not at a classroom table. You meet the crew onboard the boat Jóhanna at the Hlésgata harbour, right next to the dry dock. It’s a good idea to arrive early enough to find the right spot without stress, since harbors can look similar when you’re new to Reykjavik.

You’re not hauling much with you. The tour does not allow pets, and it restricts luggage or large bags. Comfortable shoes are the big footwear requirement, because you’ll likely be moving around the boat deck as the crew sets up fishing stations.

The boat ride out sets expectations. This is a small-boat style experience: the crew stays involved, lines get checked often, and you’re part of the action rather than watching from a distance. If you’re the type who gets antsy in long tours, the 3–3.5-hour timing keeps everything moving.

What You’ll Catch: Cod, Haddock, Mackerel, Pollack, and Catfish

The tour is built around fishing success in Faxaflói, the productive bay area west of Reykjavik. The captain and guide know the fishing grounds like you’d expect from working fishermen. That means the trip isn’t just “cast and hope.” You’ll be taken to multiple spots and you’ll fish where the day’s conditions make sense.

Here’s what the experience promises you can catch:

• Cod
• Haddock
• Mackerel
• Pollack
• Catfish (listed as part of what you may catch)

What I like about having a list like this is that it helps you plan your expectations. You’re not gambling on one single target species. And if you’re a first-timer, landing different fish types makes the learning curve more fun. You learn how to react when something bites, not just how to hold a rod.

One interesting detail from guest feedback: some people were surprised by the style of fishing. For at least one participant, it felt like fishing with little resemblance to what they expected from bait-and-wait angling. I can’t promise that will be your exact experience, but the point is consistent: you won’t be stuck figuring out a complicated method alone. The crew coaches the technique.

Also important: what you catch is yours. That turns the day into more than a guided activity. You can take fish home (when allowed by the crew’s process), which is a big part of the value if you like cooking real Icelandic fish.

The BBQ on Board: Your Catch Becomes Dinner

Let’s talk about the part that makes this tour feel different: the BBQ. After you fish, the crew cooks what you catch on the boat’s grill, and you get it served right there during the ride back. This isn’t a separate lunch stop off-site. The meal is part of the same experience, which keeps the day feeling tight and satisfying.

What you eat is described as fresh catches cooked with:

• homemade sauce
• potatoes

One of the best practical advantages is speed and freshness. Your fish doesn’t travel far before it hits heat. The smell of the BBQ becomes part of the onboard atmosphere, and you’ll likely feel that sense of completion right when the crew finishes grilling.

If you’re trying this because you love food, this is one of the more direct ways to do it. Many tours promise local flavors, but this one connects flavor to action: you caught the fish, and then you eat it while the boat is still moving. It’s a short loop from water to plate.

If you’re worried about the cooking process or whether fish needs extra time, don’t. The crew handles the on-board preparation so you can focus on fishing and staying warm.

Wildlife Over the Water: Whales and Puffins Possible

You can’t count on wildlife every day, but the waters around Reykjavik are known for it, and sightings show up on this kind of outing. Guests have reported seeing whales and puffins, and at least one account included time around an island where puffins were visible.

Why this matters: the wildlife sightings aren’t a separate “tour within the tour.” They happen because you’re actually out there fishing in the right water. So when you get a surprise, it feels earned, not staged.

If you’re a birder or a marine-life fan, this bonus can tip the day into “best day in Iceland” territory. If you’re not, no stress. The core experience is still fishing and eating what you catch.

Price and Value: Is $176 Worth It?

At $176 per person for a 3-hour tour (often running to about 3–3.5 hours), this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But value here isn’t just the length or the scenery. It’s the combo:

1) Guided fishing with equipment provided

2) Small-boat access where you get help and don’t feel lost

3) You keep what you catch

4) A cooked meal on board using your catch, not a packaged alternative

When tours are expensive, I ask two questions: do you get something tangible, and do you feel taken care of? This trip checks both. Tangible means fish and food. Taken care of means coaching, gear, and the BBQ handling done for you. Guests consistently praise the crew’s help and the way they cook and serve the catch as the trip wraps up.

There’s also a practical cost-of-doing-it factor. If you tried to replicate this on your own, you’d still need a boat, fishing equipment, and local knowledge to find the productive spots. You’re paying for that built-in advantage.

So is it worth it? If you like fishing, sea time, and fresh food you can trace directly back to your line, yes. If you mainly want a casual cruise with no responsibility, you might prefer a different style of sightseeing.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This experience is a strong match for:

• First-timers who want teaching and equipment included
• Food lovers who want fresh BBQ made from their catch
• People who like small-group travel and don’t want a crowded deck
• Anglers who enjoy fishing with experienced captains and want variety in species

It’s less ideal if:

• You have a serious seasickness risk. One guest described feeling extremely unwell in rougher conditions. You might still be fine, but you should plan rather than hope.
• You expect a long sightseeing cruise. This is focused on fishing grounds and lines in the water.

Kids can join, but with a limit. It’s not suitable for children under 2 years. If you’re traveling with small kids, plan carefully around boat time and deck movement.

Pets and large bags are not allowed, so don’t build the day around bringing extra gear or animals.

Tips for Your Day on the Water

A few practical things will make a noticeable difference:

• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and salty. Salt air and deck spray are part of the deal.
• Bring comfortable shoes. You’ll be on a deck, and footing matters.
• Layer up. Even in good weather, sea breeze can cool you off quickly.
• Expect guidance, not a solo test. The crew teaches the best fishing moves if you don’t know them already.
• Don’t rely on luck alone. The captain takes you to good spots around Faxaflói, and that’s where consistent fishing happens.

If you’re sensitive to motion, think ahead. Some guests have noted help like ginger candy and peppermint tea when seas got rough. That’s a comfort option, not a guarantee, so bringing your own seasickness plan is smart.

Also, arrive with a mindset that you’ll do something physical in the fresh air. This isn’t just looking at the ocean. You’ll be hands-on, moving between fishing stations and listening for instructions.

Should You Book This Sea Angling Gourmet Tour?

Book it if you want one of the most Iceland-feeling experiences in Reykjavik: fishing in working waters, learning from the people who know those grounds, and ending with BBQ made from your catch. The value is strongest when you care about the whole loop from sea to plate.

Skip or choose something else if you’re mainly after a calm boat ride and you’re very worried about motion sickness. The open water is part of the experience, and the day can feel tough in bad conditions.

If you’re on the fence, consider your priorities. If food + fishing + a small-group boat are your kind of day, this tour is a very solid bet.

FAQ

Where do I meet the tour crew?

You meet the crew onboard the boat Jóhanna by the Hlésgata harbour, right next to the dry dock.

How long is the sea angling experience?

The duration is about 3 hours, and it may run up to 3.5 hours depending on timing.

What kinds of fish can I catch?

The tour focuses on cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, and it also lists catfish among the fish you may catch in Faxaflói.

Do I need fishing experience?

No. The captain and guide teach the best fishing moves if you don’t already know how to fish.

Is the BBQ included, and do I eat what I catch?

Yes. The crew cooks what you catch on board, and the BBQ is served with homemade sauce and potatoes.

Is this tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 2 years.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes. Also, bring clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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