Reykjavik: Sea Angling Tour & Barbecue on Fishing Boat

Summary

Reykjavik fishing trip with locals homemade barbecue at sea

You’ll step onto a classic Icelandic fishing boat in Reykjavik and head out with local fishermen for sea angling—no experience needed. Try your luck catching cod or haddock before enjoying your own fresh catch grilled onboard for lunch with potato salad and homemade sauce. There’s coffee, cookies, warm blankets if you want them—and plenty of stories from the crew along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided sea angling and barbecue

• Depart from Reykjavik harbor
• Enjoy coffee and home-made cookies
• Arrive at secret fishing spots
• Receive fishing equipment and instructions
• Fish for cod, haddock, and pollock
• Crew assists with fishing techniques
• Crew prepares and barbecues your catch
• Eat barbecue with potatoes and coleslaw
• Return to harbor

Top questions

Is fishing equipment provided on this Reykjavik sea angling tour?

Yes, all necessary fishing equipment is included but you can bring your own if you prefer.

Do I need previous fishing experience?

No experience is needed—the crew helps beginners and experienced anglers alike.

What kind of fish can you catch near Reykjavik?

You’ll likely catch cod, haddock, or pollock during this tour.

Is lunch included on this sea angling trip?

Yes—a barbecue lunch using your own catch is served onboard with potato salad and garlic or pepper sauce.

Are drinks or snacks provided?

Coffee and homemade cookies are served during the trip.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, Jóhanna has an indoor space with restroom facilities onboard.

Are warm blankets available if it's cold?

Yes—the crew provides warm blankets if needed during chilly weather.

Can children join this Reykjavik fishing tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Are service animals allowed onboard?

Yes—service animals are permitted on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes all fees and taxes covered, excellent quality fishing equipment (or bring your own), coffee and homemade cookies as you head to secret spots near Reykjavik, plus a barbecue lunch made from your own catch served onboard with potato salad and garlic or pepper sauce. There’s a cozy indoor cabin with restroom facilities and warm blankets available if it gets chilly at sea before returning to harbor.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the clatter of boots on Jóhanna’s wooden deck and the smell—fresh coffee mixing with that sharp Icelandic sea air. Our guide, Baldur, handed out mugs and grinned like he’d done this a thousand times (he probably has). I was still fumbling with my gloves when someone offered me a homemade cookie—oatmeal, maybe?—and honestly, it tasted better than any energy bar I’ve ever packed for a trip.

We motored out past Reykjavik’s harbor while the city faded behind us. The water looked almost metallic under the grey sky. Baldur pointed out where the puffins nest along the rocks (“not today—they’re smarter than us in this weather,” he joked). The boat rocked just enough to remind you you’re really out there. When we reached their favorite fishing spot, they passed around rods and showed us how to set up. I kept tangling my line but nobody seemed bothered; one of the crew just laughed and fixed it for me. Cod and haddock were biting—my hands smelled like fish for hours after but I didn’t mind.

I didn’t expect to actually eat what we caught, but sure enough, as we headed back toward Reykjavik, Baldur fired up a little grill right there on deck. He filleted our catch so fast it made me nervous about my own kitchen skills. Lunch was simple: fresh fish (still warm), potato salad, some kind of garlic sauce that I wish I could buy in jars back home. We ate standing up because it felt right, watching seabirds wheel over the water. It was cold but they had blankets if you wanted them—I mostly forgot about the chill by then.

It’s funny how quiet everyone got while eating—like we all knew this was something special even if nobody said it out loud. Sometimes I still think about that view back toward Reykjavik with salt on my lips and coffee in hand. If you’ve ever wondered what a real Icelandic sea angling tour feels like… well, this is pretty much it.