RIB boat tour Stavanger: Lysefjord, Preikestolen & Whisky Falls

Speed through a fjord most people only see from above

A 2-hour RIB boat tour departing from a historic boathouse in central Stavanger that takes you into Lysefjord at high speed to see Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) towering 604 meters above, Vagabond Cave, and Whisky Falls up close. Local captains share the geology and history as you pass seals, porpoises and sea eagles. The boat gets close enough to Whisky Falls that you can touch the spray. Warm suit, life jacket and goggles included. Children from age 6 welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

RIB adventure and fjord sightseeing

• Visit Stavanger’s historic boathouse
• Begin high-speed RIB adventure
• See The Pulpit Rock from water
• Explore Vagabond Cave area
• View Whisky Falls up close
• Spot wildlife like seals and eagles
• Enjoy scenic fjord landscapes

The experience

You start at Strandkaien 34, a 400-year-old sea house that sits at the heart of Stavanger's maritime quarter, just minutes from the city center. The boathouse itself carries the weight of the city's history (four centuries of fishing, trade and seafaring), and stepping into it before you board sets the tone for what comes next. The RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is built for speed and maneuverability, which is what lets you reach places a larger ferry cannot: narrow coves, the base of waterfalls, the angles where the light hits the rock face differently.

Once you're on the water, Lysefjord opens up in front of you with steep mountain walls on both sides. Preikestolen, The Pulpit Rock, appears as a flat-topped plateau hanging impossibly above the fjord, 604 meters up, and the scale of it only registers when you're directly beneath it. The tour passes Vagabond Cave, a sea cave carved into the mountainside, and then reaches Whisky Falls (Hengjanefossen), a 400-meter waterfall that drops straight into the fjord. The boat gets close enough that you feel the spray and can reach out toward it. Your captain, who knows the fjord's geology and wildlife, points out seals hauled on rocks, porpoises in the deeper channels, and white-tailed sea eagles hunting overhead. The whole thing moves fast (the RIB cuts through the water at speed), so the two hours compress a lot of landscape and light into one ride.

You wear a warm suit, life jacket and goggles for the journey. All three are included. The tour runs in English and Norwegian, and children from age 6 can come along. Public transportation stops are nearby if you're staying in the city without a car.

What’s included

• Warm suit, life jacket and goggles.
• 2-hour RIB boat ride through Lysefjord with close views of Preikestolen, Vagabond Cave and Whisky Falls.
• live guide in English or Norwegian sharing the fjord's geology, history and wildlife.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 14:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (6 to 14 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Audio guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boat Adventure Stavanger

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Strandkaien 34 in central Stavanger, a short walk or bus ride from the city center, so you don't need a car or a long transfer to get on the water. If you're staying in town without transportation, this is how you reach the fjord's most dramatic sights (Preikestolen, the waterfalls, the caves), in a single morning or afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 14 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Preikestolen and why does it matter on this tour?

Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) is a flat-topped mountain plateau that rises 604 meters straight up from Lysefjord. On this RIB tour, you approach it from the water, which shows you the full height and the sheer cliff face in a way the hiking trail from above does not. Most visitors only see it from the top or from a distance.

Can you actually get close to Whisky Falls, or do you just see it from far away?

The RIB boat gets close enough to Whisky Falls that you can feel the spray and reach toward it. The waterfall is 400 meters tall and drops directly into the fjord, so the boat can position itself near the base in a way a larger vessel cannot.

What wildlife might I see on the Lysefjord?

Seals, porpoises, and white-tailed sea eagles are common in the fjord. Your captain watches for them and points them out as you travel. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the region's wildlife is part of what makes the fjord distinctive.

Is this tour rough water or smooth?

The RIB is a high-speed boat designed for maneuverability, so the ride is active and you'll feel the motion of the water. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and pregnant travelers should not book it.

How do I get to the boathouse if I don't have a car?

The boathouse is located at Strandkaien 34 in central Stavanger, just minutes from the city center, and public transportation options are available nearby. You can reach it by bus or on foot depending on where you're staying.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a warm suit, life jacket and goggles. Entry to the fjord and the boat ride itself are included. Food and drinks are not.