Lysefjord speedboat tour from Stavanger: 604-meter Pulpit Rock

Thirty knots into a fjord carved by glaciers, then face to face with Norway's most famous cliff.

A 2.5-hour speedboat tour from Stavanger harbor into Lysefjord, where you accelerate to thrilling speeds past islands and fish farms before reaching Vagabond's cave, Whiskey Falls, and Pulpit Rock: a 604-meter cliff that dominates the fjord. You wear a floating suit and life jacket. The captain briefs you on safety before departure. A free minibus upgrade is sometimes available, swapping one stretch of the boat ride for a scenic drive and a stop at a seaside restaurant with complimentary snacks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lysefjord speedboat safari tour

• Meet captain at boathouse
• Put on safety equipment
• Safety briefing
• Glide out of Stavanger harbour
• Pass city landmarks and bridge
• Accelerate to 25-35 knots
• Cruise through Lysefjord
• Spot wildlife and scenery
• Visit Vagabond's cave
• View Pulpit Rock and learn history
• See Whiskey Falls and hear story
• Return to harbour

The experience

The tour starts at the boathouse in Stavanger harbor, where you'll put on your floating suit and life jacket while the captain runs through the safety brief. You board a brand new adventure boat designed for comfort (spacious decks and seating areas instead of the cramped feel of a traditional RIB), and glide slowly out past cruise ships and the city center before the captain opens the throttle to 25–35 knots. The acceleration is the point: you're not sightseeing from a distance, you're cutting across open water toward the Lysefjord's narrow corridor.

The fjord itself spans 42 kilometers, carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age, and the landscape shifts as you travel deeper. You'll pass idyllic islands, fish farms, and small villages before the scenery transforms into massive rock formations. Vagabond's cave comes first: a stop to learn the story of the shady people who hid there from the sheriff and to study the spectacular rock formations up close. Then you approach Pulpit Rock, the world-renowned flat-topped cliff that rises 604 meters straight up from the water. The captain explains how the fjord and the rock were formed and shares the legends attached to them. Whiskey Falls, a 75-meter waterfall, is next. It's not a single cascade but a complex system of streams weaving together, and the captain might steer the boat into the mist so you feel and taste the spray.

In some cases, you'll receive a free upgrade: one stretch of the tour switches from speedboat to minibus, giving you a break at a seaside restaurant at the fjord entrance (complimentary snacks included) and then a drive to a viewpoint where you can take in the full sweep of Lysefjord and its sheer cliffs without a hike. If that upgrade applies, you'll also travel through Ryfast, the world's longest underwater tunnel. Either way, you don't repeat the same route twice.

What’s included

• Visit to Vagabond's cave and the spectacular rock formations there.
• behold Pulpit Rock and learn how the fjord and cliff were formed.
• experience Whiskey Falls and feel the waterspray.
• experienced captain guiding you in English or Norwegian.
• seat on a brand new adventure boat with spacious decks and seating areas.
• floating suit for warmth and safety.
• inflatable life jacket.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lysefjord SafariGuide in English or Norwegian · 12:00 and 13:15Meeting point: Gather at our central base in Stavanger harbour (Strandkaien 34), only a 3 to 10 minute walk from the Stavanger cruise ports.

Lysefjord Safari, which includes pickupGuide in English or Norwegian · 12:00 and 13:15Hassle-free option: This choice includes the Guided Lysefjord Safari on Speedboat and pickup straight from the cruise ship dock. Sandnes (Somaneset): Best suited for guests arriving at Sandnes Cruise Terminal, as that port is NOT within walking distance. Stavanger: Because the Stavanger cruise ports are a short walk from our base, pickup is usually unnecessary but can be arranged on request. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDepartures at 12:00 and 13:15

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (9 to 14 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Audio guideEnglish, German and Norwegian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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 with heart problems

Operated by Fjord Xplore

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want speed and close-up views of Lysefjord's landmarks without a long hike. The speedboat format gets you to Pulpit Rock and Whiskey Falls in 2.5 hours. If a minibus upgrade is available on your date, you'll trade part of the boat ride for a scenic drive and a restaurant stop, which suits travelers who prefer a mix of motion and stillness.

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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: Youth (9 to 14 years); Child (3 to 8 years). Children under 3 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.

How fast does the speedboat actually go on this tour?

The boat accelerates to 25–35 knots once you clear Stavanger harbor and head into the open fjord. You start slowly gliding past the city and cruise ships, then the captain opens the throttle for the thrilling part of the ride.

What is Pulpit Rock and why is it so famous?

Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is a flat-topped cliff that rises 604 meters straight up from Lysefjord, making it one of Norway's most iconic landmarks. The captain explains how the fjord and the rock were carved by glaciers and shares the legends surrounding it. You see it from the water, not from a hiking trail.

Will I get wet on this speedboat tour?

You wear a floating suit and an inflatable life jacket for warmth and safety. At Whiskey Falls, the captain may steer into the mist so you feel and taste the waterspray, but the boat's design and your gear are built for that.

What happens if I book the tour with the minibus upgrade?

On some departures, a free upgrade is available where one stretch of the speedboat ride is replaced by a minibus journey. You'll stop at a seaside restaurant at the fjord entrance for complimentary snacks, then drive to a viewpoint overlooking Lysefjord and its cliffs, and travel through Ryfast, the world's longest underwater tunnel. This means you see different scenery and don't repeat the same route by boat.

Do I need to be fit or athletic to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You do need to be able to climb a couple of steps between the boat and the dock, and it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but otherwise there's no strenuous activity involved.