From Stavanger: RIB Tour to Lysefjord

The best part of this Stavanger outing is the change in viewpoint. Instead of admiring Lysefjord from a large, steady sightseeing boat or from the top of Preikestolen, you skim the water at cliff level in a fast RIB boat, looking up at the rock walls and waterfalls. The run beneath the 600-meter-high Pulpit Rock is the main event, but the smaller stops give the trip its character.

I like the mix of speed and storytelling. Skippers such as Simon, Eirik, Gian, Alex, Axel, and Arne have been praised for making the ride fun while keeping safety first. I also like the practical gear: a warm floating suit, gloves, goggles, and lifejacket make a cold, wet trip much easier to enjoy. The main consideration is value. At $131 per person for two hours, it is not a cheap boat ride, and the trip can feel short if weather or timing cuts the fjord portion down.

Key points at a glance

• Preikestolen from below: See the famous 600-meter cliff from the water, a very different view from hiking to its summit.
• Fast but guided: Expect open-water speed, sharp turns, and several stops for photos and stories.
• Waterfall shower: Get close to Hengjanefossen, also called Whisky Falls, and fill your bottle with fresh water.
• Wildlife watch: Keep an eye out for seals, porpoises, sea eagles, goats, dolphins, and other fjord life.
• Cold-weather gear included: Floating suits, gloves, goggles, and lifejackets are supplied.
• Best for active sightseers: The ride suits adults, families with children six and older, and cruise passengers who want more action than a standard fjord cruise.

Why this RIB ride feels different from a standard fjord cruise

A large fjord boat gives you a broad, calm view. This RIB gives you motion, spray, and a much closer look at the rock walls. You sit low on the water, so the cliffs rise sharply around you. That makes Lysefjord feel less like scenery passing by and more like a place you are entering.

The boat first leaves Stavanger after a 15-minute safety briefing. That briefing matters. The ride is intentionally lively, and the crew explains how to sit, hold on, and use the supplied gear before the boat picks up speed.

The exact feel depends on the skipper and the weather. Simon has been praised for his calm safety focus and amusing presentation. Eirik is known for mixing facts, humor, and music. Gian has been singled out for making large family groups feel secure, while Alex and Axel have also earned strong praise for combining energy with care.

You are not simply handed a lifejacket and sent off. The dock team helps fit the floating suits and other equipment. One useful tip from the experience is not to pile on too many clothes. The suits are warm, and extra layers can leave you sweating during the faster stretches.

Leaving Stavanger at RIB speed

The first 30 minutes are largely about reaching Lysefjord. This is where the RIB earns its keep. You get the thrill of speed rather than a slow transfer, with the boat cutting across the water and taking corners that make the journey part of the attraction.

The ride can be bumpy. One review described the cold and jolts honestly, even while praising the supplied suit and goggles. If you want a perfectly smooth boat outing, choose a larger cruise vessel instead. If you enjoy a bit of spray and movement, the rougher ride is part of the fun.

Music may be part of the mood, depending on your skipper. Eirik has been praised for selecting good music, and other skippers have used music to give the trip a more playful feel. It is a small touch, but it helps keep the transfer from feeling like dead time.

The 2-hour schedule is compact. The published plan includes the safety briefing, outward and return speedboat sections, fjord sightseeing, and short photo stops. Some departures have felt closer to 1 hour 40 minutes, so I would not book this expecting a long, leisurely cruise deep into every corner of Lysefjord.

Lysefjord and the cliffs shaped by ice

Once you reach Lysefjord, the pace becomes more varied. The boat slows for sightseeing, giving you time to look upward and take pictures. The fjord was shaped by the last Ice Age, and the guide explains how moving ice carved the steep rock walls and long waterway.

This geology is not presented as a classroom lecture. It is easier to understand when you are looking directly at the cliff faces. From the water, you can see how sharply the sides rise and why the fjord has become one of the defining sights around Stavanger.

Weather can change the mood. On a clear day, you get clean views of the cliffs and open water. On a gray or rainy day, the fjord may look darker and more severe, but the supplied suit lets you stay outside rather than retreating immediately. Several departures have been enjoyed in poor weather, though you should bring clothing suited to the forecast.

Your camera should be ready, but protect it from spray. The RIB stops for photographs, yet the most memorable pictures may come from the ride itself: cliffs, white water, and waterfalls appearing quickly around a bend.

Fantahala and the story of Vagabond Cave

The stop at Fantahala is brief, about five minutes, but it adds a human story to the scenery. The area is linked with Vagabond Cave, where criminals once hid. Your skipper explains the tale as part of the route, giving you something to look for beyond cliffs and water.

This is one reason the guide makes a real difference. Without local stories, the cave could pass as another dark opening in the rock. With the explanation, you begin to notice how the fjord offered shelter, concealment, and difficult routes for people who knew the area well.

Do not expect a long walk or an extended visit. The stop is made from the boat, and the timing is designed to keep the tour moving. Think of it as a quick look and a good story, not a separate cave tour.

Preikestolen from the water

The boat then pauses below Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock. The famous plateau rises about 600 meters above Lysefjord, and viewing it from the water gives you a strong sense of scale.

From the top, the classic view is outward across the fjord. From below, you look up at the sheer rock face and understand how high the plateau sits above the water. The two experiences complement each other, but they are not substitutes. This RIB tour does not take you to the summit, and it is a good choice if you want to see Preikestolen without committing to a hike.

The photo stop lasts about five minutes. That is enough for several pictures, but not enough for a slow photo session. If you want a particular angle, have your phone or camera ready before the boat stops.

The sight is especially useful for cruise passengers with limited time in Stavanger. The meeting point is close to the cruise pier, and the tour returns to the same area. You still need to allow time for check-in, suit fitting, and getting back to your ship or next activity.

Hengjanefossen and the fresh-water stop

Hengjanefossen is one of the most hands-on parts of the trip. The 75-meter waterfall is also known as Whisky Falls, a name linked to an old moonshine distillery beneath the falls.

The boat gets close enough for spray, and you may receive a natural shower. The experience is playful, but it also shows the scale and force of the water better than a distant photograph can. You can fill your water bottle with fresh waterfall water, though food and drinks are not included in the booking.

This is a good moment to use the goggles supplied by the operator. They protect your eyes during the faster ride and are useful when the boat approaches the falls. You may want a waterproof phone case, although that is not supplied.

The stop is short, roughly five minutes. It is enough to see the waterfall, hear the story, and take pictures, but do not expect time for a long break beside the water.

Wildlife depends on timing and luck

The crew keeps watch for wildlife along the route. Possible sightings include seals, porpoises, sea eagles, goats, and dolphins. One departure had an encounter with three orcas, but that is an unusual bonus rather than something you should expect.

Porpoises have been seen in family groups, and dolphins have also appeared during stops. Seals and goats are more grounded possibilities around the fjord, while sea eagles may be spotted overhead. None of these sightings is guaranteed, so enjoy them as extras rather than the main reason to book.

The RIB format helps because you can cover water quickly and stop when the skipper sees something worth watching. A large boat may offer more stable viewing, but the smaller, faster craft can react more easily to wildlife activity.

Is $131 a fair price for two hours?

At $131 per person, this is a premium short outing. You are paying for the RIB, skipper, safety equipment, floating suit, gloves, goggles, and a guided route from Stavanger into one of Norway’s most famous fjords.

The value is strongest if you want three things in one package: high-speed boating, close views of major sights, and local stories. A standard fjord cruise may give you more time on the water for less money, but it will not provide the same acceleration, spray, or low-level view beneath Preikestolen.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet sightseeing trip. The ride is bumpy at times, can feel cold, and may finish sooner than expected. One family felt that a longer 2.5 to 3-hour version would have been better for the price.

Booking ahead is sensible if your schedule is fixed, especially on a cruise day. The operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That flexibility is useful when your plans depend on ship timing or changing weather.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this for active adults, families with children aged six and up, and anyone who wants more excitement than a conventional sightseeing boat. Children six and eight have enjoyed the speed with their parents, and larger family groups ranging from teenagers to older adults have also managed the ride well.

You should be comfortable with cold, spray, and movement. The operator does not recommend the activity for children under six, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Alcohol is not permitted in the vehicle.

The supplied gear makes the tour more accessible in cool weather, but it does not turn the boat into a warm, smooth cruise. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and avoid overdressing under the floating suit. Bring a camera, and keep your hands free enough to hold on when the skipper increases speed.

Practical details before you go

Check in at the small red wooden house on the pier, close to the floating dock. The English-speaking skipper leads the tour, and audio support is listed in German, Italian, and French.

The activity lasts two hours, including the briefing and return journey. The route includes Stavanger, the run into Lysefjord, Fantahala, Preikestolen, Hengjanefossen, and the return to FjordEvents.

The boat has a safety-first approach, but this is still an adventure ride. Listen during the briefing, follow the skipper’s instructions, and keep your camera secure. The warm floating suit, lifejacket, gloves, and goggles are included, while food and drinks are not.

Should you book the Stavanger RIB tour?

Book it if you want to feel Lysefjord rather than simply look at it. The combination of speed, waterfall spray, Preikestolen from below, and engaging skippers such as Eirik, Simon, Gian, Alex, and Axel gives the outing real personality.

Skip it if you want a long, quiet cruise or if back discomfort makes a bumpy boat ride a poor match. At $131, the tour needs to deliver more than transport, and it does, but the two-hour format leaves little spare time.

For most active visitors with a free morning or afternoon in Stavanger, I think it is a strong choice. Just bring a camera, dress for the weather, and keep your expectations focused on a lively fjord safari rather than a slow, full-day exploration.

FAQ

How long is the RIB tour from Stavanger to Lysefjord?

The advertised duration is two hours. This includes a 15-minute safety briefing, the outward and return speedboat sections, fjord sightseeing, and short stops at Fantahala, Preikestolen, and Hengjanefossen.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $131 per person.

Where does the tour meet in Stavanger?

Check in at the small red wooden house on the pier, close to the floating dock at FjordEvents.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under six are not permitted. Children aged six and older can take part, provided they are comfortable with a fast and sometimes bumpy boat ride.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a skipper and guide, RIB boat ride, warm floating suit, lifejacket, gloves, and goggles.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera and clothing suitable for the weather. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The live tour guide speaks English. Audio guide support is listed in German, Italian, and French.

Can I see Preikestolen on this tour?

Yes. The boat stops below Preikestolen, the famous 600-meter-high plateau, for sightseeing and photographs. The tour does not include a hike to the top.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.