Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik

Reviewed · FISHING

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik

4.5 · 110 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $147 Operated by Special Tours Iceland · Bookable on Viator
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Cold water, warm laughs, big cod energy.

This Reykjavik sea fishing trip takes you out from Geirsgata 11 at 5:00 pm and puts you on the line in Faxaflói Bay with pro help and all equipment handled. It is the kind of Iceland activity where you do not just watch nature, you pull fish from it.

I especially love how everything is provided: coveralls, rods, bait, and the know-how to help first-timers. I also love that the catch does not get left behind, you get to grill your fish on board or take it for later at your accommodation.

The main drawback to consider is that the fishing can feel close-up and weather-dependent. Some departures can be shoulder to shoulder on the line, and the whole plan depends on good conditions at sea.

Key highlights that matter in real life

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - Key highlights that matter in real life

  • Short 3-hour session starting at 5:00 pm, so you still have daytime for Reykjavik.
  • Pro gear plus bait included, so you can travel lighter and start fishing fast.
  • Faxaflói Bay fishing with crew help, including line untangling and beginner coaching.
  • Good chance at classic Iceland species, like cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish.
  • Summer wildlife bonus: on May to August days you pass Akurey and Lundey, known for seabirds and puffins.
  • Eat what you catch: grilled on board, with an option to take it back later.

Reykjavik fishing at 5:00 pm, right where you can actually get to

This tour runs in the late afternoon, with a start time of 5:00 pm and an end back at the meeting point. The meeting location is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, which is handy because it is near public transportation. If you are staying in central Reykjavik, you should not need a complicated plan to get there.

Plan for about 3 hours total on the water, including time to get geared up and settle in. That timing is smart for a Reykjavik trip. You avoid the early morning scramble and still get a proper ocean outing before dinner time.

If you want it easier, hotel transfers are available for an extra fee, but they are not automatically included. For most people who are already staying close to downtown, it is usually simplest to just make your own way to Geirsgata 11 and meet the boat there.

Dress for cold sea time: coveralls, comfort, and what to wear

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - Dress for cold sea time: coveralls, comfort, and what to wear
The tour provides protective clothing, and in practice that usually means warm coveralls so you can stay comfortable while the wind does its thing off Reykjavik. Even with good weather, sea fishing can feel colder than you expect once you are out in the bay and moving.

One of the small but important advantages here is that you do not need to pack heavy fishing outerwear or borrow gear. You also do not need to worry about buying a rod on arrival, the boat includes the fishing setup you need.

A tip that comes up in how people talk about the experience: plan for damp conditions. Rain can happen fast in Iceland. Having warm layers under the coveralls, plus something water resistant, is usually the difference between gritting your teeth and enjoying the ride.

If you get motion sensitive, keep it practical. This is a sea trip, and you should expect some pitching and rolling. The fishing itself is the point, but you will likely feel the boat first, before you feel the tug on your line.

Getting on the boat in Faxaflói Bay: how the crew keeps you fishing

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - Getting on the boat in Faxaflói Bay: how the crew keeps you fishing
Once you meet the captain and crew, you get geared up and head out across Faxaflói Bay. This bay is right by Reykjavik, so you get that quick jump from city to sea without a long transfer. You also get the classic Iceland reward, big open water and cold air with views that make even short rides feel like an event.

Here is what I think makes this tour work well: the crew is active, not passive. You are not left alone with a rod and a shrug. The guides and deck team teach the basics, help with common issues like tangled lines, and work to get everyone catching something.

That matters even if you are an experienced angler. Sea fishing has its own rhythm, weights, currents, and bottom conditions that you do not learn from a brochure. The crew’s role is to make those details understandable quickly, so you spend more time fishing and less time guessing.

On the boat, you may also hear the kind of names that show up again and again in how people describe the team, including captains and deckhands such as Stefan, Vera, Kiljan, Samuel, and Otsgir, plus Oscar in some accounts. What stays consistent is the mix of friendliness and hands-on coaching, including helping kids and first-timers.

One consideration: with a maximum of 65 people, the boat can feel busy while everyone is fishing. Some people even mention it as shoulder to shoulder. If you like lots of personal space, choose your mindset, focus on the activity, and keep expectations realistic.

What you might catch, and why cod is the star

The tour targets Iceland’s common species in this area, including cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish. In real terms, cod is the big headline fish for many people because it is what a lot of anglers come for. Even when the exact mix varies by day, you are fishing for solid, classic Iceland table fish.

What you should take from that list is this: you are not doing a one-note experience. You might land something different than the person beside you, and that makes the session feel like it has surprises even if you go with a simple goal of catching fish.

A big part of why people rate this trip so highly is that the crew helps you actually succeed. Sea fishing has quick learning moments. You need to feel what is happening on the line, and you need the right technique and weight for the bottom and current. The guides handle a lot of that, so even beginners can get a keeper.

One practical thing to keep in mind: there can be snagging if you are fishing over rocky or uneven bottom, and sometimes gear can get lost. If you care about keeping every weight or hook, assume you might not. The tour’s value is not about perfectly preserving tackle. It is about catching fish, learning the process, and turning it into a meal.

Other ways to spend the same day out of Reykjavik

Summer route near Akurey and Lundey: puffins and seabirds on the way

If you go in May through August, you are more likely to get a nature bonus. During that season, the boat passes the islands of Akurey and Lundey, which are known for seabirds and summertime puffin colonies.

This is a great perk if you like wildlife but do not want to spend a whole day on a separate bird trip. You get both in one outing: fishing plus a chance to spot colorful seabirds as the boat cruises past.

Even if puffins are quiet on a particular day, the islands still give you that feeling of being close to real Iceland coastal life, not just out in open water. Keep your eyes up and your camera ready, but also remember this is a fishing session, so do not miss your moment on the line waiting for the perfect shot.

On-board meal time: grill your catch, or take it back

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - On-board meal time: grill your catch, or take it back
The tour includes cooking your catch, with a grill on board. This is one of those details that sounds simple until you experience how much it changes the trip. Fishing becomes a full circle activity. You are not just collecting memories. You are turning your work into food minutes later.

People often mention that the fish is prepared and cooked for everyone, and you may see simple sides like potatoes served alongside the catch. The exact format can vary by what you land, but the core idea stays the same: the boat becomes your kitchen.

You also have options. You can either eat it on board, or take the catch back to your hotel or apartment for later cooking, depending on what the trip offers that day. Either way, the meal is part of why the experience feels complete.

Do not assume drinks are included. The tour notes that food and drinks are not included unless specified. So if you like soda, coffee, or snacks, plan to handle that separately. That said, some accounts mention drinks are available on board, so it might not be totally dry, but it is not guaranteed as part of the base inclusions.

What I would do as a practical traveler: treat this as a meal built around your catch. Then plan a light pre-trip snack if you tend to get hungry. You will still want to stay focused on the fishing session, and steady energy helps.

Special Tours App: a small modern upgrade

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - Special Tours App: a small modern upgrade
This tour includes the Special Tours App, noted as available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. That matters if you like quick access to info while you travel, like reminders about what to bring, what to expect, and how the activity is organized.

It is not the star of the show, but it is a nice safety net. When you are dealing with cold conditions and a time-specific departure, a clear digital guide can help you avoid last-minute confusion.

Price and value: why $147.54 can make sense here

Sea Fishing Experience from Reykjavik - Price and value: why $147.54 can make sense here
At $147.54 per person for about 3 hours, the price is not cheap if you compare it to a simple city bus tour. But it becomes more reasonable when you look at what is included.

You are getting:

  • Expert guides and a crew that actively helps you fish
  • Protective clothing
  • All necessary fishing equipment, including rods and bait
  • Cooking on board, with a grill-your-catch format
  • A structured, time-based outing without DIY hassle

For many travelers, the biggest hidden cost of DIY sea fishing is not the rod. It is the whole package: gear, bait, local knowledge, and someone to keep you from making rookie mistakes that waste your time. This trip compresses all of that into one paid slot.

There is also the value of the meal. You are essentially paying for a guide-driven fishing lesson plus a cooked seafood experience in the same window. If you have ever paid for seafood dinners in Reykjavik, you know prices add up. Here, the catch is part of what you paid for.

The quality signals are strong too. The overall rating sits at 4.7 with a high recommendation rate of 91%, which usually means the experience hits its promises most of the time. For a fishing tour, that is a big deal, because results at sea can be variable. When a crew consistently helps people land fish and enjoy the food side, the whole outing feels worth it.

Who this tour fits best, and who should think twice

This trip is a great fit if you want a hands-on Reykjavik experience. You like seafood and you enjoy the idea of learning quickly, even if you have never fished at sea before. The crew guidance makes it workable for first-timers, and it also keeps experienced anglers from feeling like they are starting from scratch.

It is also a solid family choice. People describe kids catching fish, and the team working hard to help them succeed. A fishing boat can be chaotic in the wrong setup, but the energy here is focused on making sure people are not standing around.

Think twice if:

  • You hate cold wind and rougher sea moments, because coveralls help but you cannot control the ocean
  • You want quiet, wide spacing while fishing, because the boat can be crowded during active fishing
  • You are very sensitive to motion, since this is time on the water in the bay

A final note on expectations: fishing has ups and downs. Some days are better than others. The crew’s job is to maximize your odds, and they do it by positioning you well for the catch and staying involved when problems pop up.

Should you book the Reykjavik sea fishing trip?

I would book this if you want an easy, complete activity that turns Iceland’s sea into a real meal. The biggest reasons are gear included, crew help that actually gets you catching, and the chance to eat your catch right away on the grill on board or take it back for later.

If you are planning a short Reykjavik visit, the 5:00 pm start also makes it convenient. You get an afternoon outing that does not erase the rest of your day.

Just go in with the right mindset: dress warm, expect changing conditions, and understand that you share the space with other anglers while lines are out. If that fits your style, this tour is a strong pick for a first time in Iceland fishing, and it is also a fun way to end up with a story you can eat.

FAQ

Where does the sea fishing tour in Reykjavik start?

It starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

How long is the Reykjavik sea fishing experience?

The duration is about 3 hours.

What fishing equipment is provided?

You get all necessary professional equipment on board, including fishing rods and bait, plus fishing tour support from expert guides.

What clothing does the tour include?

Protective clothing is included, and you also get warm coveralls for the trip.

Do I get to eat what I catch?

Yes. The tour includes grilling the catch on board. You may also be able to take your catch back to your hotel or apartment for later.

What species might I catch?

Possible species include cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, and rockfish.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified. The catch is cooked on board as part of the included experience.