Helgøy Skyssbåt · Strandkaien, Stavanger
A family firm from Ryfylke runs this modern catamaran from Strandkaien to Pulpit Rock and the Whisky Falls, an hour quicker than the big electric boat. Pick it when you want the comfort of a lounge but only have half a day, or when someone in your group wants the commentary in French, German, Italian or Spanish.
Helgøy Skyssbåt is a family-owned boat company from Ryfylke, and it holds the Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) certificate, Norway's environmental standard for businesses. The listing describes fast, modern catamarans with a heated lounge, large windows and an outdoor deck, run on AdBlue to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. It isn't electric. It is quieter and cleaner than an old diesel, and guests often mention how spacious it feels, with room outside and more seats downstairs.
The route is the standard one, done briskly: out past Ådnøy, under the Lysefjord Bridge, then Fantahålå, Preikestolen and the Whiskey Waterfall (Hengjanefossen), where guests report the captain going close enough to feel the spray. The audio guide runs in English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian and Spanish. Ask for your language when you book or as you board.
Two caveats. This trip turns at Hengjanefossen like every sightseeing cruise from Stavanger, so the inner fjord, Kjerag and Lysebotn are not on it, and Pulpit Rock is seen from far below. And the listing mentions hotel pickup and drop-off while giving the harbour as the meeting point, so confirm before you count on it. It's from $90 on GetYourGuide; Fjord Norway lists the direct price at NOK 800 for adults and NOK 400 for children.
Go to Strandkaien in the main harbour and look for a boat whose name starts with "Helgøy", by the small houses. Crew help you aboard.
Across the open water past Ådnøy and under the Lysefjord Bridge at Forsand.
Fantahålå, Preikestolen high on the north wall, then up close to Hengjanefossen. Mountain goats sometimes appear along the shore.
The boat turns at the falls and runs back to Strandkaien.
★★★★★We really enjoyed the cruise. It felt very safe, there was enough space outside for everyone and even more downstairs.
★★★★★The 2.5 hour trip was amazing with stunning views, Pulpit Rock, waterfalls, mountain goats, pirates cave
★★★★★It was a great trip in beautiful weather. It was very impressive how close the captain sailed to the waterfall.
★★★★★The activity was very well organized, with an audio guide in various languages, including Italian.
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2.5 hours from Strandkaien and back, an hour shorter than the electric and hybrid boats on the same route.
No. The listing calls it low-emission: a modern catamaran that uses AdBlue to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. For a fully electric boat, take Rødne's electric cruise.
English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian and Spanish, by audio guide. Ask for yours when you book or as you board.
To Hengjanefossen, the Whisky Falls, about a third of the way in. Kjerag and Lysebotn are further in and only reached by the local ferry; our ferry guide explains how.
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The same route to Pulpit Rock in 2.5 hours on a low-emission boat, with an audio guide in six languages.
Electric Fjord Cruise to PreikestolenThe big, quiet default: 3.5 hours on an electric catamaran with a lounge, a kiosk and a stop where goats come down.★ 4.6 · 3.5 hours · from $94
Lysefjord Cruise by Hybrid ShipA live English guide on a quiet hybrid ship, three outdoor decks and the lowest price on the fjord. Summer only.★ 4.7 · 3.5 hours · from $83
Guided Speedboat Cruise to Pulpit RockA small covered speedboat with a live guide in English or German, close to the falls. Children from 3.★ 4.9 · 2.5 to 3 hours · from $169