Finnafjord Safari by RIB, Balestrand

4.9 (12 reviews)
Explore the Sognefjord's secluded arms on a thrilling RIB boat adventure, with an expert guide.
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J
James M.
Aug 07, 2024
Quick trip with amazing views
Jared
Jared B.
Jun 13, 2024
Amazing tour with a great tour guide. This is a must do experience.
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Overview

Enjoy a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) ride through Finnafjord, the most remote arm of the Sognefjord. Accompanied by a local guide and fellow speed enthusiasts, you'll zip across the widest and deepest parts of the fjord, admiring views of the mountains, waterfalls, and a medieval stone church on a lone island. Next, you'll veer into Finnafjord, passing through its narrowest section before returning to Balestrand, a fun and scenic that takes you across the most secluded section of the Sognefjord.

Highlights

  • Explore the remote beauty of Finnafjord on a thrilling rigid inflatable boat ride
  • Cruise through the narrowest and shallowest sections of the Sognefjord
  • Discover the geological formations of Finnabotn, a fjord within a fjord
  • Learn about the area's culture and history from a local guide

Know before you go

Duration
2 hours
Recommended for
5 years old & up
Group
Small group, 12 people or less

What you'll do

Begin your journey in the storybook setting of Balestrand's historic harbor, where you'll meet your guide and board a sturdy and comfortable RIB. After a thorough safety briefing, you'll set off on your adventure, engaging with your guide as they provide captivating stories and insights about the area. Your first stop is at a medieval stone church nestled on one of the isolated islands in the Sognefjord.

Continue to the smallest arm of the Sognefjord, Finnafjord. This part of the excursion takes you through a narrow, shallow passage where the only sounds are cascading waterfalls. As you reach the end of Finnafjord, you'll enter Finnabotn—a fjord within a fjord. Here, you can marvel at the distinctive geological formations. Afterward, sit back and relax during the ride back to Balestrand harbor. 

Start times

  • Daily
    10:00 am

What's included

  • Guide
  • Flotation suit
  • Life jacket
  • Goggles

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Traveler photos
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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Great Tour Guide

Multiple reviews mentioned the tour guide being knowledgeable, pleasant, and providing a great experience with storytelling. (5 mentions)

Jared
“Amazing tour with a great tour guide.”  — Jared B.
S
“Very pleasant guide and experience.”  — Shant H.
J
“guide was great; clearly knowledgeable.”  — Jim J.
Beautiful Scenery

The scenery was frequently highlighted, including spectacular beauty of mountains, fjords, waterfalls, and farms along the shoreline. (4 mentions)

Sullivan
“spectacular beauty between the mountains and fjords”  — Sullivan S.
D
“We were able to get in deep into the fjords and see some magnificent waterfalls as we were there in May when the snow was melting.”  — Dianne W.
B
“It's just amazing to see the clouds off the mountains and the farms along the shoreline.”  — Bayard T.
Historical Intrigue

One review highlighted the historical intrigue provided by the tour guide, adding to the overall experience. (2 mentions)

Sullivan
“historically intriguing with the tour guide”  — Sullivan S.
J
“Liked the storytelling.”  — Jim J.
Fun and Thrilling

Several reviews noted the tour being fun and thrilling, especially with the boat ride and rougher waters. (2 mentions)

Sullivan
“Fun and thrilling with the boat ride”  — Sullivan S.
D
“It was rougher water the day we went, which made it even more exciting.”  — Dianne W.

Traveler reviews

12 total ratings, 10 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.9
J
James M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2024
Quick trip with amazing views Read more

Quick trip with amazing views

Tips for future travelers

Dress light, they provide a warm suite

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
David
David H.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2024
This was a very nice tour and the folks running it were knowledgeable and very nice. I thought I read that we were supposed to bring layers for this tour, but they provided a whole insulated waterproof suit to wear--so all those layers I brought were not needed. My 6-year old was scared by the suits and the prospect of going really fast, so she and my wife had to bail. I'd suggest 8 years old may be the min age you might want to consider taking on this trip, depending on how adventurous your... Read more

This was a very nice tour and the folks running it were knowledgeable and very nice. I thought I read that we were supposed to bring layers for this tour, but they provided a whole insulated waterproof suit to wear--so all those layers I brought were not needed. My 6-year old was scared by the suits and the prospect of going really fast, so she and my wife had to bail. I'd suggest 8 years old may be the min age you might want to consider taking on this trip, depending on how adventurous your kid is. The boats go 40-50 mph and the water was pretty choppy on the day we went, so a fair amount of bumps, but nothing crazy. The seats are tall and her feet would not have touched the ground, which would have been okay, just adds a bit to the uncertainty factor. Some 6-year olds would probably have a blast--but not for all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jared
Jared B.
Ann Arbor, MI | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024
Amazing tour with a great tour guide. This is a must do experience. Read more

Amazing tour with a great tour guide. This is a must do experience.

Tips for future travelers

Your guide will explain sitting in the front versus the rear of the boat. Despite my lower back issues we sat up front and I highly recommend the front. Use your legs to help absorb the waves (another recommendation the guide gave us). Wear goggles. Get a phone case with a neck strap.

Quality of Experience
Safe and fun. Our guide was very knowledgeable and even pointed out his farm!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Perfect for first timer introduction to RIB.
Transport
S
Susan S.
Moraga, CA | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023
So fun! Lars was a great guide - the boat was comfortable and he made sure we all wore giant coveralls to keep us warm! Beautiful scenery. Read more

So fun! Lars was a great guide - the boat was comfortable and he made sure we all wore giant coveralls to keep us warm! Beautiful scenery.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sullivan
Sullivan S.
Broomfield, CO | Reviewed on Jul 11, 2023
This tour was unbelievable. Fun and thrilling with the boat ride, historically intriguing with the tour guide, spectacular beauty between the mountains and fjords. Read more

This tour was unbelievable. Fun and thrilling with the boat ride, historically intriguing with the tour guide, spectacular beauty between the mountains and fjords.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
D
Dianne W.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
So fun!! It was rougher water the day we went, which made it even more exciting. You could tell the driver knew what he was doing, so no concerns. We were able to get in deep into the fjords and see some magnificent waterfalls as we were there in May when the snow was melting. I was looking for something adventurous to do with my 20 year old daughter.
It was perfect. Highly recommend! Read more

So fun!! It was rougher water the day we went, which made it even more exciting. You could tell the driver knew what he was doing, so no concerns. We were able to get in deep into the fjords and see some magnificent waterfalls as we were there in May when the snow was melting. I was looking for something adventurous to do with my 20 year old daughter.
It was perfect. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
B
Bayard T.
Tilton, NH | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2022

This was great fun even on a rainy day. It's just amazing to see the clouds off the mountains and the farms along the shoreline.

C
Charles K.
Parole, MD | Reviewed on Aug 30, 2022

Beautiful, peaceful,

S
Shant H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2022
Very pleasant guide and experience. The vessel was solid and comfortable. Read more

Very pleasant guide and experience. The vessel was solid and comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
J
Jim J.
Live Oak, TX | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2022
guide was great; clearly knowledgeable. Appropriate length. Liked the storytelling. Read more

guide was great; clearly knowledgeable. Appropriate length. Liked the storytelling.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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