FjordEvents · Stavanger harbour
FjordEvents zips you into a flotation suit by the Maritime Museum and runs a high-speed RIB into the Lysefjord, past the cave and under Pulpit Rock to the Whisky Falls, in two hours flat. Pick it for the ride itself and for the skipper's stories, with a schedule built round cruise-ship days.
FjordEvents runs this from the harbour in front of the Stavanger Maritime Museum, about five minutes on foot from the cruise terminal. Staff in yellow vests check you in and hand out a flotation suit, life vest, goggles and gloves. Then you climb aboard the open RIB and the skipper opens the throttle. The big catamarans take up to an hour to reach the Lysefjord Bridge; a RIB gets there in about half an hour.
Inside the fjord the RIB does what the big boats can't: it slows right down and slides in close. The skipper tells the stories of Vagabond's Cave, where outlaws hid, of the ice-age glaciers that cut the walls, and of the moonshine still behind the Whisky Falls. Pulpit Rock sits 604 m above you. Porpoises, seals and sea eagles turn up on some trips, never on cue. The live commentary is in English and Norwegian, with an audio guide in German, Italian, French, Spanish and English.
The fine print matters more on a RIB. The listing rules out children under 6, pregnant travellers and anyone with back problems, because the boat slams on choppy water. You turn at Hengjanefossen, roughly a third of the way in, so there's no Kjerag or Lysebotn, and in cloud you may barely see Preikestolen. Guests report good trips in rain; the suit keeps you dry. It's from $127, the cheapest of the RIBs here, and the listing says it runs whatever the group size.
Look for staff in yellow vests in front of the Stavanger Maritime Museum. Suits, life vests, goggles and gloves are handed out here.
Out through the islands at speed and under the Lysefjord Bridge. Hold on and keep your phone zipped away.
Vagabond's Cave, Preikestolen, the Whisky Falls, with stops while the skipper talks. Wildlife if you're lucky.
A last fast run home and out of the suit on the quay.
★★★★★Guide Gian was absolutely fantastic. It was a fast-paced ride. Highly recommended.
★★★★★The tour and guide were great. We saw a lot, despite the rain. Absolutely recommended.
★★★★★Seeing Preikestolen from the water was a particular highlight
★★★★★It was really picturesque! Nice guide, fast and cool ride, and beautiful scenes that you may never see again.
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6 or older. The listing also rules out pregnant travellers and anyone with back problems, because the boat bounces at speed.
A little spray on the face, but the flotation suit goes over your clothes and keeps the rest dry. Guests report good trips even in rain.
In front of the Stavanger Maritime Museum, about five minutes on foot from the cruise terminal. Look for staff in yellow vests.
A RIB is faster, closer and colder; a catamaran is warm, slow and suits any age. Same turning point either way. Our RIB or catamaran guide goes boat by boat.
Ready to book
Two fast hours on a RIB to Pulpit Rock, the cave and the Whisky Falls, with flotation suits and a skipper-guide.
Small-Group RIB Safari to Pulpit RockTwelve seats at most on a high-end RIB, the captain as guide, about 45 minutes inside the Lysefjord. Ages 5+.★ 4.9 · 2 hours · from $147
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
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