Rødne Fjord Cruise · Strandkaien, Stavanger
A 3.5-hour round trip on a fully electric catamaran from Strandkaien, out to the foot of the cliff and back. Pick it if hiking is off the table: it is wheelchair accessible and sails rain or shine.
This is the trip a lot of people mean when they say they saw Preikestolen. You sit on a stable electric catamaran with leather seats and panoramic windows while it sails into the Lysefjord and stops below the cliff, 604 m overhead. Rødne has run boats here since 1956, according to the listing.
Set your expectations. From the water the plateau is a small square ledge far above you. You won't stand on it, and you won't get the famous view down the fjord. For that you have to hike, and the guided hike from the port is the simple way.
The upside is real. No fitness needed, wheelchair access, close passes at Hengjanefossen, a waterfall of about 400 m, and a chance of mountain goats, sea eagles or porpoises. Rødne sails all year: three times a day in summer, Thursday to Sunday from October to March.
Look for the Rødne Fjord Cruise boat at Strandkaien, on Vågen in the city centre.
The boat threads between islands and passes under the Lysefjord bridge into the fjord.
The catamaran slows under the cliff so you can look up to the plateau, 604 m above.
Close passes at Hengjanefossen, and Fantahålå, a cave in the fjord wall where outlaws once hid.
The same way back to Strandkaien.
★★★★★I loved the fact that the [boat] was electric, no diesel fumes or loud motor.
★★★★★[...] the boat was very comfortable, plenty of seating inside.
★★★★★The scenic views from this trip included everything we expected from Norway and more.
★★★★★It was beautiful! We were lucky to have the sun throughout the ride.
Read next:
No. It shows Preikestolen from the water and turns back. To stand on top, book a hike or the RIB and hike combo.
Yes, the listing marks it as wheelchair accessible.
Yes. Rødne sails the Lysefjord all year, Thursday to Sunday from October to March and daily or more often from April to September.
Strandkaien is on Vågen, the central harbour. One guest called it "very close to the cruise port".
Ready to book
Look up at Preikestolen from a quiet electric catamaran, with close passes at the waterfalls. Any age, no hiking.
Lysefjord & Preikestolen Catamaran CruiseA 2.5-hour cruise with a live guide and audio in six languages. Wheelchair accessible, no hiking.★ 4.8 · 2.5 hours
RIB Boat Tour to Lysefjord & PreikestolenTwo fast hours in a RIB with floating suits, a short walk from the ship. Ages 6 and up, no hiking.★ 4.9 · 2 hours
RIB Safari & Pulpit Rock Hike ComboRIB under the cliff, then a guided hike to the top. Seven hours, max 12, for ships in port 8+ hours.★ 4.9 · 7 hours