Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger

A RIB safari is the quickest way to feel the scale of Lysefjord. You step into a thermal flotation suit, take a seat on a rigid inflatable boat and speed east from Stavanger, then slow down as the walls close in, rising hundreds of metres on both sides. The skipper stops beneath Preikestolen, so you look up at the plateau that hikers are standing on far above you, and passes waterfalls, tiny farms perched on shelves and goats on impossible ledges. Because the boat is small and fast you cover far more of the fjord than an ordinary cruise in the same time, and the commentary tends to be relaxed and funny. It is a high-energy alternative for people who prefer wind in the face to a quiet deck.

The sheltered fjord water is usually calmer than the open sea, but the first stretch out of Stavanger harbour can be bumpy, and you will feel the speed. Expect spray, so keep cameras in waterproof pouches and wear the clothing you are given over a warm base layer.

Operators supply suits, life jackets and often gloves and goggles, but you should bring a hat, sunglasses and sensible shoes that can get wet. People with back problems, neck injuries, pregnancy or serious health conditions should read the operator conditions carefully, because rapid acceleration and bouncing can be uncomfortable.

Lysefjord is around forty kilometres long and is cut into steep granite walls. The cliffs are the star, but you will also learn the stories of the farms and the dramatic walls above the water, hear about the legends of the area and pass the cliff called Kjerag that attracts base jumpers. On quiet stretches the skipper cuts the engine so that you can listen to waterfalls, and there may be a stop at a small waterfall where you can fill a bottle with fresh water.

The seat in the boat matters less than you might think, though the front rows feel the bounces more and the back rows get a little less spray. Departure times vary by season, with the longest schedule in summer, and the tour typically lasts around three hours. Late spring and summer are the most pleasant, but a safari also runs on cool, bright days, and the suits make it comfortable in most weather. The cloud base can hide the tops of the cliffs, so choose a day with decent visibility when you can.

This is a good choice for teenagers, adults and thrill-seekers who want to see Lysefjord from the water without committing to a full day of hiking. It pairs well with a Preikestolen hike on another day so that you see the same cliff from both below and above. Minimum age and height rules apply, so check these before you travel with younger children, and book early for July and August, when departures fill.