Reykjavik: Sea Fishing Boat Tour & BBQ with the Day's Catch

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Reykjavik: Sea Fishing Boat Tour & BBQ with the Day's Catch

★ 4.7(272 reviews)

• Guide works in English
• Duration per the operator: 2.5 hours

from $149

See dates, price and what is included at the operator

A Working Harbour Trip with Your Dinner on Board

This is a 2.5-hour sea fishing excursion that leaves from Reykjavik and puts a rod in your hand within sight of the city. You head out into the bay with Special Tours Iceland, fish for whatever is running that day, and then eat what you caught. The crew cooks the day's catch on board, so the trip ends with a barbecue rather than a simple return to port. It runs in English, with a guide along for the whole outing. The tour suits travellers who want an actual activity rather than a sightseeing cruise, and it is short enough to fit around a day of other plans. At from 149 USD, it sits in the cheaper half of the boat tour category in Reykjavik, though the price reflects the fishing and the meal, not just the boat ride. You do not need to have fished before; the crew handles the setup and the cooking. The itinerary names two places, Reykjavik and Vik í Mýrdal, though the sailing itself stays in the bay near the capital.

Photographs from the operator Special Tours Iceland. They show the listing, not your day.

What the 149 USD Covers and What It Does Not

The entry price of from 149 USD covers the boat trip, the guiding in English, the fishing gear, and the barbecue meal prepared from the day's catch. The operator states that the guide is in English, so you can expect instructions and commentary in that language throughout. Free cancellation is offered, though no deadline is given. The price ranks 10th of 31 boat tours in the catalogue, meaning it is among the cheapest third of its group, which ranges from 96 to 1,810 USD. No additional fees apply at any point on this tour. There is no admission charge and no parking fee at any of the places involved, so the figure you see is the figure you pay. The operator does not list any optional extras for sale, and no add-on is mentioned for the trip. The meal is part of the base price, not something you buy separately on the day. If you are comparing against other boat tours in Reykjavik, note that this one includes food, which most of the shorter cruises do not.

What 272 Reviews Actually Tell You

The tour holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on 272 reviews. That number of ratings is what gives the score its weight. With 272 votes, this is not a handful of opinions; it is a solid sample of travellers who have taken the trip. In the boat tour category of 31 listings, this tour ranks 4th by number of reviews, which puts it among the most-tested options in its group. The score itself is high, but the ranking by review count matters more. A 4.7 from 272 people is more reliable than a 5.0 from a dozen. The two northern lights cruises in the same category, with 1,340 and 453 reviews respectively, have more feedback but lower scores of 4.4 and 4.3. This fishing tour has fewer reviews than those but a better rating. The 4.7 figure is consistent across the sample, and the fourth-place rank by review volume means you are not relying on an outlier. The operator is not wheelchair accessible, which is stated, so travellers with mobility needs should look elsewhere.

When the Fishing Works Best

The bay near Reykjavik is fishable year-round, but the comfort of the trip changes sharply with the seasons. From June through August, average highs sit between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius, with lows around 7 to 9 degrees. That is the warmest window, and the one where a 2.5-hour stint on deck is pleasant without heavy layers. May and September are transitional, with highs of 10 and 11 degrees respectively, still workable but cooler on the water. From October to April, highs range from 3 to 8 degrees, and the wind across the bay makes it feel colder. The trip runs regardless of the calendar, but the experience differs. In summer, the daylight hours are long, so a departure in the late afternoon still has full light for the whole trip. In winter, the short days mean the tour operates in the middle of the day to catch whatever daylight exists. The barbecue on board is a warm counterpoint to the cold air in the darker months. For a first visit, the June to August window gives you the mildest conditions and the most forgiving sea.

Meeting the Boat and What Happens On Board

You join the tour at the harbour in Reykjavik, where the Special Tours Iceland crew operates. The boat departs from the city's working harbour, so you are close to the centre and can walk to the meeting point from most hotels. Once on board, the crew hands out the fishing gear and explains the basics. The trip lasts 2.5 hours, which includes sailing time to the fishing grounds, the fishing itself, and the barbecue. The crew cleans and cooks the fish you catch, so there is no gap between the catch and the meal. The tour is guided in English, so the crew's instructions about handling the rod and reeling in are given in that language. The boat returns to the same harbour it left from. There is no separate entrance or gate to manage; you board directly at the dock. The weather in the bay can change quickly, and the crew makes the call on how far out to go. The trip is not wheelchair accessible, so you need to manage the step onto the boat on your own.

Who Should Book This Trip

This tour suits travellers who want to do something on the water rather than just look at it. It works for first-time fishers, since the crew handles the gear and the cooking. Families with older children, couples, and solo travellers all fit the profile. The 2.5-hour length is short enough that you are not committing a full day, and the meal on board means you do not need to plan lunch or dinner around the trip. It does not suit anyone who has trouble with the physical step onto a boat, since the operator states it is not wheelchair accessible. If you want a calmer, purely scenic outing, the Northern Lights Yacht Tour at 2 hours and from 107 USD is the alternative, though it has a lower rating of 4.4 from 1,340 reviews. That tour runs in the evening and involves no fishing and no meal. If you prefer a longer day with more variety, the Small Group Golden Circle from Cruise Terminal runs 6.5 hours and costs from 162 USD, rated 4.3 from 632 reviews. For a full-day commitment, the Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride and Diamond Beach Day Tour takes 14 hours at from 288 USD with a 4.6 rating from 268 reviews. This fishing trip is the one to book when you want a hands-on experience with a meal included, not just a ride past the scenery.

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Reykjavik: Sea Fishing Boat Tour & BBQ with the Day's Catch

Dates, remaining places and the current version of what is included are at the operator. This page reflects the state of the catalogue, not the state of this morning.

from $149

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