Reykjavik: 3-Hour Sea Angling Gourmet Experience Tour

Catching a cod in Faxaflói is only half the fun. The best part comes later, when the crew cleans your fish and grills it on the boat as you sail back to Reykjavik. Fresh North Atlantic fish does not get much fresher than this.

I like the friendly, hands-on help from Captain Jakob and deckhand Vigfoss, and I like that beginners can join without bringing any gear. The small boat keeps the fishing personal, too. The main catch is the sea itself: rough weather can make the trip uncomfortable, especially if you are prone to seasickness.

Five things worth knowing before you go

• Your fish becomes lunch: The crew cleans and cooks the catch on board with potatoes, sauces, and other simple accompaniments.
• Faxaflói offers varied fishing: You might pull up cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, or catfish.
• Beginners get real help: The guides show you how to handle the equipment and improve your fishing technique.
• The boat holds up to 12 people: A smaller group feels comfortable, while a full boat may feel crowded around the fishing spots.
• Weather matters: Rain jackets are supplied, but you should wear warm, comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

Fishing the Faxaflói grounds from Reykjavik

This three-hour sea angling trip gives you a direct taste of Iceland’s working relationship with the ocean. You leave from Hlésgata harbour, next to the dry dock, aboard the boat Jóhanna, and head into Faxaflói, the broad bay that opens out from Reykjavik.

The setting is simple and appealing. You are not watching Icelandic fishing from a museum window or hearing a guide describe an old tradition from shore. You are holding a line, waiting for a bite, and learning a small part of the skill that has supported Icelandic communities for generations.

The trip usually lasts about three to three and a half hours. That is long enough to reach several fishing areas without turning the outing into a full-day commitment. You still have much of the day available for Reykjavik sights, a meal, or another activity.

The captain knows the local fishing grounds and may move the boat when one area is quiet. That matters because the experience is built around active fishing, not simply sitting at sea. In good conditions, you may catch several fish at different spots.

What happens once Jóhanna leaves the harbour

At the start, the crew provides fishing equipment and explains how to use it. You do not need previous sea fishing experience, and you do not need to pack rods, lines, or tackle. The guides help you with the practical parts, including the best way to work the line and bring a fish up safely.

The atmosphere is informal. Captain Jakob and deckhand Vigfoss are often described as an attentive team, helping people one at a time and answering questions as the boat moves between spots. That personal help is particularly useful if you have never fished before, or if children and teenagers in your group need a little extra support.

The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 people. That is a useful number to keep in mind. With only seven people aboard, there is plenty of room to fish and receive individual help. With a full boat, the space around the rails can feel tighter, especially when several people hook fish at once.

You should arrive early enough to find the boat without a rush. The meeting point is by Hlésgata harbour, beside the dry dock, but one person found the location confusing. Comfortable shoes are important, and you should avoid bringing luggage or large bags. Space on a fishing boat is better saved for people, rods, and fish.

The catch: cod, haddock, mackerel, and more

The main targets are cod, haddock, mackerel, pollack, and catfish. Cod is the fish most often associated with this outing, and you might bring up anything from smaller fish to notably large cod. Some groups have caught many fish in a single trip, while others have had to work around less friendly conditions.

The fishing method can feel surprisingly direct. You may not use bait in the usual way, which makes the moment a fish takes the line feel even more sudden. It is a hands-on activity, and the crew helps with lifting, unhooking, cleaning, and sorting the catch.

You do not need to be an angler to enjoy this. The pleasure comes from several small victories: getting the line down, feeling movement below the boat, reeling steadily, and seeing the fish appear beside the hull. If you already fish, the knowledgeable local crew and changing fishing spots give the outing enough substance to keep it interesting.

The phrase what you catch is yours is meant in a practical way. The crew prepares the fish for the barbecue, and some people have also taken extra fish back for another meal. The exact amount of fish depends on the conditions and the day, so you should not book this as a guaranteed haul. Book it for the experience of fishing at sea, with fresh food as a very good reward.

A barbecue lunch on the return trip

The final part is the real signature of the tour. Once fishing ends, the crew cleans and cuts the catch, then cooks it on the boat’s barbecue. The meal has included fresh grilled fish with potatoes, sauces, onion, and coleslaw or potato salad.

There is a pleasing logic to the meal. You catch the fish, watch it being prepared, and eat it before returning to the harbour. That short gap between sea and plate gives the outing a sense of place that a standard restaurant meal cannot match.

Cod is mild and firm, while mackerel has a stronger, richer taste. Haddock and pollack bring their own texture to the plate. Since the menu depends on what is caught, the barbecue is part of the adventure rather than a fixed restaurant-style offering.

The meal is not formal. You are still on a working boat, and your clothes may pick up fish smells or a little grime. That is why the advice to wear clothing you do not mind getting dirty is worth taking seriously. Pack a change of clothes if you want to continue sightseeing afterward in fresh gear.

Wildlife and the open-water setting

Fishing is the main purpose, but the bay may provide extra rewards. Sightings have included whales and puffins, and some outings have stopped near an island for a closer look at puffins. These sightings are not promised, so you should treat them as a bonus rather than a second tour.

The open water also gives you a different view of Reykjavik and the surrounding coast. You get salty air, a broad horizon, and the changing mood of Faxaflói. On a calm day, the setting can feel gentle and spacious. On a windy day, the same openness makes the boat’s movement much more noticeable.

This is where the weather becomes part of your decision. One party had an excellent fishing trip but wished for better weather. Another person found rough seas so unpleasant that seasickness nearly ruined the outing. Rain jackets are available, but the supplied gear cannot remove the movement of the boat or the chill of an Icelandic day.

If you know you are sensitive to motion, bring whatever remedy you normally use, although the tour information does not promise medication or special seasickness equipment. At minimum, eat sensibly beforehand, dress in layers, and do not assume a calm Reykjavik morning means calm water farther out in the bay.

Is the $176 price fair?

At $176 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend three hours in Reykjavik. You are paying for the boat trip, equipment, crew assistance, rain jackets, fishing time, and a cooked meal made from the catch. You also get an activity that combines transport, instruction, food, and time on the water.

I see the value most clearly if you would otherwise pay for a fishing charter and a seafood lunch separately. The guides handle the equipment and preparation, so you do not need to buy or carry anything beyond suitable clothing. The meal is not an add-on from a nearby restaurant. It is part of the catch you helped bring aboard.

The value is weaker if you dislike boats, are mainly interested in whale watching, or want a polished sightseeing cruise. You could spend the whole trip dealing with weather and fishing without seeing wildlife. A person who expects a guaranteed large catch may also feel the price more sharply.

One practical point is that booking directly with the provider, Viggson Sailing, may cost less than booking through an intermediary. Compare the final prices, cancellation terms, and meeting instructions before paying. The boat and experience described here are associated with Elding Adventure at Sea, while the provider name connected with the crew is Viggson Sailing, so check your confirmation carefully.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most?

I would recommend it first to people who want an active Iceland experience rather than another bus tour. You get involved immediately, and the activity works for complete beginners as well as people who already know how to fish.

It also suits families with older children. Children under two are not permitted, and the boat environment requires attention around rails, lines, hooks, and moving fish. Older children and teenagers can enjoy the clear goal of catching something, then eating it a short time later.

The trip works well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who do not mind sharing a boat. The maximum group size is 12, but a smaller departure will give you more room and more direct help. If you can choose among departure times, ask about group size when possible.

I would think twice if you need a completely dry, stable, quiet outing. This is a working sea activity, not a luxury cruise. You may get wet, smell like fish, or feel queasy. You also need to accept that the catch and wildlife sightings vary.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear comfortable shoes with good footing. Avoid large bags and luggage, and choose clothes that can get dirty. The crew provides rain jackets, but warm layers are still sensible for time on the open water.

The meeting point is aboard Jóhanna at Hlésgata harbour, next to the dry dock. Check the start time when booking because several departure times may be available. Give yourself extra time to find the harbour area, especially if you are walking from central Reykjavik.

English and Icelandic are spoken. The crew supplies all fishing equipment and provides guidance throughout the trip. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 141 ratings, and 86 percent of people gave the transport a perfect score. Those numbers fit the main strengths of the outing: helpful crew, plenty of fishing action on many departures, and a fresh barbecue at the end.

Should you book the Jóhanna sea angling tour?

Book it if you want to fish, eat what you catch, and spend a few salty hours on Faxaflói with a crew that helps you along. The barbecue is the tour’s strongest feature, and the chance to see whales or puffins adds a welcome surprise.

I would choose this over a passive harbour cruise if you enjoy practical, slightly messy activities. I would skip it if seasickness is a serious concern, if you want a guaranteed wildlife tour, or if $176 feels too high for an outing shaped by weather and luck.

For the best chance of enjoying it, bring sturdy shoes, dress for wind and rain, keep your bag small, and arrive early at the dry dock. Go with the right expectations: you are not buying a guaranteed trophy catch. You are buying time at sea, expert help, and the rare pleasure of eating a fish you helped catch that same afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the sea angling tour last?

The tour lasts about three to three and a half hours. Check the available start times when booking.

Where does the boat depart from?

Meet the crew aboard Jóhanna at Hlésgata harbour in Reykjavik, right next to the dry dock.

What fish might I catch?

The fishing grounds can produce catfish, cod, haddock, mackerel, and pollack. The exact catch depends on the conditions and fishing spots that day.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. All fishing equipment is provided, and the crew gives guidance if you are new to sea fishing.

Do I get to eat the fish I catch?

Yes. The crew cleans and cooks the catch on the boat’s barbecue, serving it with accompaniments such as potatoes and sauces. What you catch is yours.

What should I bring, and who cannot join?

Bring comfortable shoes and wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Pets and large bags are not allowed, and children under two cannot take part.