REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Reykjavik’s Finest Catch: Guided Sea Angling Tour for All Levels
Book on Viator →Operated by Viggson sailing · Bookable on Viator
Iceland’s fishing trip with real food payoff. This Reykjavik sea angling tour takes you to local secret fishing spots and turns whatever you catch into an onboard meal. It’s set up for beginners and people who already fish, so you’re not stuck feeling lost on the water.
I love the small group size and the personal touch from the crew brothers, Jakob and Julian. I also love the warm start—coffee and cookies—before you head out and begin casting.
One thing to consider: it’s weather-dependent. Rougher seas can happen, and fishing (and grilling time) may shift if conditions get tough.
In This Review
- Key things I’d focus on
- Reykjavik Sea Angling That Feels Local, Not Like a Factory Tour
- Meeting at Hlésgata 1: Quick Setup, Then Out to the Water
- Coffee, Cookies, and Gear Help for All Levels
- What to expect when it’s your first time fishing
- Where You Fish: Secret Spots Around Reykjavik (and What You Might Catch)
- A note on variety and momentum
- The Onboard Meal: Grilling Your Catch With Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Skyr Sauce
- If weather gets rough, they still try to feed you
- Views You Don’t Have to Hunt For: Coastline, Islands, and a Brief Puffin Moment
- Weather Reality Check: Rough Seas, Messy Clothes, and How to Prepare
- I’d bring or wear
- Price and Value: What $181.02 Is Really Buying
- Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)
- Should You Book Reykjavik’s Finest Catch?
- FAQ
- How long is the sea angling tour?
- Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?
- What’s included in the tour price?
- What fish can you catch?
- Can I bring my own fishing equipment?
- What group size should I expect?
- What happens if weather is bad?
- Is the tour available in English?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things I’d focus on

- Secret spots you probably won’t find on your own in Reykjavik
- Jakob and Julian guiding everyone, from first-timers to regular anglers
- Coffee and cookies before you even start fishing
- Catch-to-cook: fish grilled onboard, then served with classic sides and skyr sauce
- Small boat, max 12 (great for attention, but you’ll feel the crowding at full capacity)
Reykjavik Sea Angling That Feels Local, Not Like a Factory Tour

There’s fishing tours where you mostly stand around and hope. Then there’s this one, where the whole point is getting you out to working spots and making sure you actually do something with your time.
What makes it work is the scale. You’re not in a huge group. The crew is run by two brothers, Jakob and Julian, and the vibe stays friendly and practical. Even if you’re brand-new to sea angling, you get real help while you’re on the water, not just a quick briefing and a life jacket.
The second big win is the food. This tour doesn’t treat the catch like a souvenir. They prep it and grill it, then serve it with sides like potatoes and coleslaw, plus a secret skyr sauce. That’s a lot of value baked into the experience: you’re not paying just for the activity, you’re paying for the whole ocean-to-plate moment.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Meeting at Hlésgata 1: Quick Setup, Then Out to the Water

You meet at Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The start is straightforward and the tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps logistics simple when you’re juggling other Reykjavik plans.
The tour runs about 3 hours. That time window matters. It’s long enough to learn, try your line in real fishing areas, and still have the catch cooked and served. It’s also short enough that you can realistically fit it between other sightseeing.
You’ll also see right away that they’re built for practicality. You get a mobile ticket, and the listing notes it’s near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, which is a helpful detail if you need that kind of accommodation.
Coffee, Cookies, and Gear Help for All Levels

The tour is designed for all levels, and the crew actually supports that goal. When you reach the fishing grounds, the staff explains how to get started, then helps you begin sea angling. If you’ve fished before, you’ll still get tips that can tighten up your chances. If you’re new, you won’t be left to figure it out alone.
Here’s what I like about this setup: they mention you can use excellent fishing equipment provided by the crew, and you’re also welcome to bring your own equipment. That gives you freedom. If you traveled with your gear, you won’t feel like you’re arriving with the wrong setup.
They also set a friendly tone early: coffee and cookies while you head out. That small comfort matters in Iceland, where the day can start cold and damp. It also helps you settle in and talk with the crew before you’re focused on casting.
What to expect when it’s your first time fishing
You’ll typically spend the early part learning how to handle the line, cast, and pay attention to what’s happening at the water. The crew is there for the details—getting fish off hooks, helping you adjust technique, and generally making sure everyone is included.
A family-friendly note from the experience: the captain and crew have been described as professional and friendly with kids, and they’ve helped with fileting, seasoning, and serving. So if you’re traveling with younger anglers, this is the kind of tour that tries to keep the experience moving rather than stalling the whole boat.
Where You Fish: Secret Spots Around Reykjavik (and What You Might Catch)

The tour’s core promise is getting you to fishing grounds with high success rates—in spots that are described as secret and unlikely to be found easily without local knowledge.
In terms of fish, you can reel in things like:
- cod
- haddock
- pollock
- and other varieties depending on what’s around
People also mention catches that go beyond the basic list, including whiting and a fish described as a flounder type, plus halibut in larger catches. That’s important: even if cod and haddock are your target, Iceland fishing can be variable, and having a guide who’s working multiple spots increases your odds.
A note on variety and momentum
One of the most common signs of a good fishing guide is momentum. When the crew can move you between spots and keep everyone engaged, you tend to get more fish and fewer long stretches of nothing. The experience is set up that way: you head out, try at favored locations, and keep it active so you’re not just waiting.
The Onboard Meal: Grilling Your Catch With Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Skyr Sauce

This is the part that turns it from a fishing trip into a full Reykjavik experience.
Once you’ve had time to fish, the crew prepares your catch and grills it—and the cooked fish is served as part of lunch on the way back to the harbor. The meal includes potatoes and coleslaw, plus their secret skyr sauce. That skyr sauce detail is the kind of local touch that makes the meal feel like it belongs in Iceland, not just a generic side offering.
People describe the fish as fresh, straight from the ocean to the grill. There are also mentions of different cooking styles, like steamed cod in one case, alongside grilled fish in others. Either way, the point is the same: you’re eating what you caught.
If weather gets rough, they still try to feed you
I’ll be honest: the ocean doesn’t always cooperate. One account describes grilling being impacted near the end due to weather, and the crew switching to fish and chips from a local dockside option. That matters, because it shows the crew is thinking about your day, not just the plan.
So go in with realistic expectations: the meal is a big part of the value, and the crew will do what they can to make sure you still get fed well.
Views You Don’t Have to Hunt For: Coastline, Islands, and a Brief Puffin Moment

You’ll be out on the water, which means you’re also moving along the coastline and past smaller islands. The ride itself gets mentioned as a highlight, with people describing the scenery as breathtaking and the return cruise into Reykjavik as a memorable moment.
There’s also a brief puffin connection. Some descriptions say the crew takes you by puffin island briefly. Another detail shows that sightings can include puffers (puffer fish). If wildlife is on your wish list, this is the kind of tour where you might get small surprises without turning the day into a wildlife-only outing.
Weather Reality Check: Rough Seas, Messy Clothes, and How to Prepare

This is sea angling, not a spa boat. Iceland weather can change fast, and the tour is described as requiring good weather. When conditions are bad, the experience can be canceled and you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
Even on good days, plan for a bit of real weather. Reviews mention rain and rough seas, and the crew handling it well, but you’ll still feel the conditions.
And yes, you should dress for the job. One practical note: you can end up with blood on clothes from handling fish. So skip your nicer outfit. Wear something you can rinse or toss afterward.
I’d bring or wear
- waterproof jacket and layers you don’t mind getting a little fishy
- grippy shoes (not slick soles)
- a small towel (for hands or weather)
- if you’re sensitive to motion, consider medication you already know works for you
Price and Value: What $181.02 Is Really Buying

At $181.02 per person for about 3 hours, this isn’t a bargain basement activity. But it doesn’t feel overpriced when you look at what’s included.
You’re paying for:
- guided fishing with a small team (max 12)
- gear support (with the option to use your own equipment)
- multiple fishing locations with local knowledge
- the catch getting prepared and cooked onboard
- a full meal on the way back: fish plus potatoes, coleslaw, and skyr sauce
That’s a lot more than a basic “rent a line and good luck” situation. The cooking and meal alone add real value, especially in Iceland where food costs can add up quickly.
The small-company touch likely matters too. People highlight the experience as more personable than big operators, which usually translates to more attention when someone needs help with casting, hooks, or simply understanding what’s happening.
Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Think Twice)
This works well for:
- beginners who want hands-on instruction without feeling awkward
- families with kids, because the crew has been described as accommodating and patient
- people who care about eating what they catch
- anglers who like a friendly boat atmosphere over a crowded production line
It might not be ideal if:
- you hate any chance of mess or handling fish (even with staff help, there’s always some cleanup risk)
- you’re the type who gets irritated in a small crowded boat. At max capacity, some mention it can feel tight for the boat size.
- you’re visiting outside the fishing season. The operator responses state their season runs from 1 May to 1 October, and bookings can be affected outside that window.
Should You Book Reykjavik’s Finest Catch?
If you want a Reykjavik activity that feels genuinely local, puts you in real fishing spots, and gives you a fresh onboard meal that’s part of the core experience, I’d book this.
This is also a smart choice if you’re unsure of your fishing skills. The crew structure is set up for learning while you’re doing it, with Jakob and Julian providing real guidance and support. The coffee-and-cookies start and the catch-to-cook ending make it feel like more than a single-note activity.
My only caution is to be flexible with timing and expectations. Weather can affect fishing, and in rough conditions grilling or the exact flow of the day can change. If that kind of variability doesn’t bother you, you’ll likely love this tour.
FAQ
How long is the sea angling tour?
It lasts about 3 hours.
Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?
The meeting point is Hlésgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
What’s included in the tour price?
The tour includes guided sea angling, fishing equipment support, coffee and cookies, and cooking your catch on the barbecue with lunch served with potatoes and coleslaw and the secret skyr sauce.
What fish can you catch?
You can catch cod, haddock, pollock, and other fish varieties that are available at the fishing spots.
Can I bring my own fishing equipment?
Yes. Guests are welcome to bring their own equipment, though the crew also provides excellent fishing equipment.
What group size should I expect?
There is a maximum of 12 travelers.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Is the tour available in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.













