Lysefjord RIB boat tour from Stavanger: Pulpit Rock by water

Pulpit Rock from the water, caves tucked into cliffs, a towering waterfall at arm's reach

A two-hour RIB boat tour of Lysefjord departing from Stavanger harbor takes you past Pulpit Rock, into the Vagabond Cave, and to the base of Hengjanefossen waterfall on a high-speed guided run through one of Norway's most famous fjords. Your captain navigates the boat close to each landmark, shares the stories behind them, and watches for seals, porpoises and sea eagles along the way. The tour runs in English or Norwegian. Children from age 6 are welcome. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup and drop-off at Sandnes port are available options at checkout.

Options for this experience

5 options

From US$ 151 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Private tour for up to 12 passengers 9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 15:00 Guide in English or Norwegian Have the whole boat to yourselves: Set off on a Lysefjord tour with your own chartered RIB. As many as 12 people can travel in the same boat.

Cruiseship Pick-up 08:30 and 09:30 Guide in English or Norwegian Pick-up at the cruise terminal: Your captain will meet you at the cruise terminal and guide you to your boat. This is only available for ships docking in Stavanger.

Standard Meeting Point 9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 15:00 Guide in English or Norwegian Meet at the harbor: You'll find us right beside the floating dock where we park our boats in the central Stavanger city harbor.

See 2 more options

Pick-up from Sandnes Cruise Port Available from 21 Oct 2027 Guide in English or Norwegian Pick-up at Sandnes Cruise Port: We will collect you from the Sandnes cruise terminal, take you on a Lysefjord adventure, and then bring you back to Stavanger city.

Drop-off at Sandnes Cruise Port Available from 21 Oct 2027 Guide in English or Norwegian We will collect you in Stavanger city, take you on a Lysefjord adventure, and then drop you off at the Sandnes cruise terminal.

None of these options right for you? See 5 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Lysefjord RIB-Safari from Stavanger

• Get equipment and safety briefing
• Pass Stavanger harbor sights
• Skim across open waters at 35 knots
• Spot wildlife and fjord scenery
• Explore Vagabond Cave
• View Pulpit Rock cliff
• Approach Hengjanefossen waterfall

What’s included

• Two-hour guided RIB boat tour of Lysefjord with a seasoned captain.
• all necessary safety equipment including lifejacket and floatation suit in your size.
• protective goggles and gloves for colder days.
• close-up views of Pulpit Rock, the Vagabond Cave, and Hengjanefossen waterfall.
• wildlife spotting opportunities for seals, porpoises and sea eagles.

Times

• Monday 10:00 12:00 14:00
• Tuesday 08:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00
• Wednesday 12:00
• Thursday 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00
• Friday 10:00 10:30 12:00 14:00
• Saturday 09:30 10:00 12:00 14:00
• Sunday 12:00 14:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 12

Live guide English and Norwegian

Audio guide Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 2 with pickup ›

Book up to Start time

Ages Adult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years): free · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Stavanger RIB

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by email›

Traveler reviews

4.93 ★★★★★ Exceptional 493 verified traveler reviews 96% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 471

4 ★ 16

3 ★ 3

2 ★ 1

1 ★ 2

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The tour starts in central Stavanger harbor, where you get your safety briefing and protective gear from your captain before heading out. As you leave the city astern, the boat accelerates to 35 knots across open water, and the landscape shifts from the waterfront (with its old city, Valgberg tower and Norwegian Oil Museum visible from the seaside), to the raw fjord itself. The speed stays controlled enough that you can take in the view: islets, skerries, salmon farms, and the cozy cabins scattered along the shore as you move deeper into the water.

Lysefjord stretches 42 kilometers and was carved by ice ages into a corridor of steep mountains, emerald forests and cascading waterfalls. Your captain will steer you into the Vagabond Cave (a hidden recess in the mountainside where local legend says a band of tramps once held off the sheriff with stones), and position the boat so you're looking straight up at the cliff face. Then comes Pulpit Rock, the gravity-defying cliff that sits at the heart of why people come here. The boat holds position so you get the front-row view most hikers never see, and your captain tells you the stories: the first ascent over a hundred years ago, the stunt from Mission Impossible that made it famous worldwide. The waterfall comes last: Hengjanefossen, also called Whisky Falls, drops 75 meters in a tangle of cascading streams that create mist shrouding the mountainside. The boat takes you right to the base, close enough that you can see the runoff is crystal clear (and taste it if you want, though the moonshine-distillery nickname is just history now).

The boat itself is high-end RIB with two four-stroke engines, and the ride is exhilarating without being extreme. You get a lifejacket and floatation suit in your size, plus goggles and gloves if the day is cold. Your captain is a seasoned seafarer who knows the fjord and watches for wildlife: seals, porpoises, sea eagles show up on good days. The tour runs two hours total. If you're on a cruise ship, you can arrange pickup at Sandnes port and a guaranteed return time so you won't miss your departure. The standard option meets at the Stavanger harbor.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years): free. 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's the boat like on a RIB tour of Lysefjord?

The RIB is a high-end speedboat with two four-stroke engines that cruises at 35 knots. You wear a lifejacket and floatation suit provided in your size, plus goggles and gloves on colder days. The ride is fast and exhilarating but not extreme: your captain maintains constant oversight to make sure everyone onboard is comfortable and having a good time.

Can I see Pulpit Rock up close on this tour?

Yes. The boat positions itself for a front-row view of Pulpit Rock's cliff face from the water, which is the perspective most hikers never get. Your captain will tell you the stories of its discovery and the famous stunt filmed there, and you'll have time to take in the sight without the hike.

Will we see wildlife on the Lysefjord tour?

On a good day, you'll spot seals, porpoises, and sea eagles as you move through the fjord. Your captain watches for them throughout the voyage, though sightings depend on the day and conditions.

How close does the boat get to Hengjanefossen waterfall?

The captain takes you right to the base of the 75-meter waterfall, close enough to feel the power of the cascading streams and see the mist shrouding the mountainside. The water runoff is crystal clear, and you can even grab a drink if you want.

If I'm arriving by cruise ship, can I do this tour?

Yes. You can arrange pickup at Sandnes Cruise Port at checkout, and the captain will time the return so you won't miss your ship's departure. If the standard Stavanger harbor meeting point works better for you, that option is also available.