The electric cruise to Preikestolen

About this experience

Rødne has run boats out of Stavanger since 1956, and this is its main sightseeing trip. The boat is normally the MS Rygerelektra, a fully electric catamaran, though Fjord Norway's listing and the GetYourGuide page both warn that the vessel can change. You board at Strandkaien in Vågen, the old harbour, a few minutes' walk from the cruise berths. The first part is open water among the islands. Then you pass under the Lysefjord Bridge at Forsand and the walls close in.

Inside the fjord the route is the classic one: Fantahålå (Vagabond's Cave), Preikestolen 604 m overhead, and Hengjanefossen, the waterfall people call the Whisky Falls. The listing also promises a stop to visit the goats that come down the rocks to meet the boat. Indoors you get leather seats, panoramic windows, Wi-Fi and a kiosk with locally baked goods; outside there's a sun deck. The audio guide runs in English and Norwegian, and the listing marks the boat as wheelchair accessible.

Know what you're buying. The boat turns at Hengjanefossen, roughly a third of the way into the 42 km fjord, so there's no Flørli, no Kjerag and no Lysebotn (for those, see our full-length fjord guide). Pulpit Rock is a ledge far above you and looks small from the deck. Low cloud can hide it altogether, and the boat sails anyway. Booked directly, Rødne charges NOK 890 for adults and NOK 445 for children aged 4 to 15; on GetYourGuide it's from $94, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

• Fully electric catamaran: no engine roar under Preikestolen
• Indoor lounge with leather seats and panoramic windows, plus a sun deck
• Vagabond's Cave, Pulpit Rock from below and the Whisky Falls
• A stop where goats come down to the boat
• Step-free and listed as wheelchair accessible
• Sails all year, rain or shine

How the day runs

1. 15 min beforeFind the Rødne boat

   Walk to Strandkaien on the west side of Vågen and look for the Rødne Fjord Cruise boat. From the cruise berths it's a few minutes on foot.

2. Up to 1 hourOut through the islands

   Open water first, then under the Lysefjord Bridge at Forsand, 50 m above the water. Grab a coffee before the fjord starts.

3. The middle hourCave, cliff and falls

   Fantahålå, then Preikestolen high on the north wall, then close to Hengjanefossen. Go out on deck here, even in drizzle.

4. A few minutesThe goat stop

   The boat noses in to the shore and goats often scramble down to meet it. Wildlife is never certain, goats included.

5. Last hourBack to Stavanger

   The boat turns at the falls and heads home more directly, back to the same quay.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Sit on the left side going in: Preikestolen and Hengjanefossen are both on the north shore.
• The kiosk is handy but not cheap, guests report. Eat breakfast first or bring a snack.
• Bring a windproof layer even in July. The sun deck is several degrees colder than the quay.
• Low cloud is the real risk, not rain. With flexible dates, check the forecast and book a day or two out.
• The October sailing on Fjord Norway's calendar runs 11:00 to 14:30; check your own date, as winter has fewer sailings.

Read next:

• Best Lysefjord cruise
• Pulpit Rock by boat
• From a cruise ship

Frequently asked questions

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