RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord, Norway (Guide and Review)

Friends in the know had raved about how Geiranger was THE “do not miss and/or prettiest place in Norway” so it had been on my wanderlist for some time and was actually the reason I booked a specific itinerary for our family cruise. This is a place so renowned for its beauty, that Norway’s own Princess Märtha Louise chose this location for the site of her nuptials in 2024!

The question would be would this place live up to that hype? I decided the only way to accurately judge this would be to see it from all of the angles. So come along as we explore Geirangerfjord on a thrilling RIB boat excursion. Find out what it is like to get up close to waterfalls like Seven Sisters, Suitor & Bridal Veil etc as well as FAQs, tips, what to expect.

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Choosing the Right Tour and Tour Company

Always read reviews of the company/tour (plus post like this one 😉 to help you make informed decisions. I’ll walk you through my thinking with booking this activity.

Why take a boat ride when we had literally sailed in on a boat in Geirangerfjord? It is a completely different experience on a cruise ship vs being on a RIB boat. Another important consideration was that I knew that most of the group would not be awake for the sail-in.

The reviews of the boat ride on Viator were highly rated and I loved the flexibility of booking with the ability with the ability to cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. This was important here as an earlier NCL sailing had their ports switched from Geiranger to Flam earlier in the summer). Of course there was a travel hacking aspect to why I booked with Viator that I go into more detail at the end =)

I also checked reviews out on the company Fjordguiding and those were very positive as well. There are many reasons that made me extremely happy that we booked with them but one important one is in regards to the full body cold weather thermal suits/coveralls provided. They allow you to book for children as young as three (which my young niece was at the time) but as importantly, they had gear available in her size as well as for the 6 and 8 year olds. We saw kids with other providers that were in rolled up adult sized suits (perhaps they ran out but something a few of us noticed).

What to Expect on the RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord During Different Times of The Year

RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord

Tour Details

• Overview: Exploring the deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is a highlight of any trip to Norway but this tour offers the added bonus of getting closer than most typical tours. In a small-group travel in an open high-speed RIB that can access places others can’t reach, including the waterfalls.
• Details: Duration of 1 hour
• Important Notes:
  • Not wheelchair accessible
• Includes:
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers Note: if you have a party larger than this, you will be split up as the boat can only accommodate 12 passengers
  • Gear is provided including insulated dry suit with sunglasses recommended
• Not recommended for:
  • Travelers with back problems / pregnant travelers / No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Note that we had my parents opt out and I am really glad that we did because the bumpiness would have been too much for their backs

My Experience on the RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord

Meet Up

This tour does not include pick up but the meetup point is very close. The walk to the boathouse/meeting point from the cruise ship was about 5 minutes. As you can see from the map above that Geiranger is very compact and easy to navigate and also that Fjordguiding does a great job with communicating!

Safety Information / Get Into Gear

• You have the choice to don full body cold weather thermal suits/coveralls – which I would suggest as being on the water and the speed of the RIB can make it chilly.
  • We all opted to not wear jackets under – those that tend to get colder, wore sweater or fleeces while others opted to wear thin base layers or tees and we were all comfortable during the boat ride. Some opted to use the hoods and zip up during parts of the ride.
• Fjordguiding has many different sizes including for kids as you can book for children as young as three. That was how old my youngest niece was at the time and you can tell that her gear as well as for the 6 and 8 year olds fit. Haha yes I am tiny and happen to be drowning in my size small suit (there was only one extra small left and I gave that to my other niece)
• Life jackets are mandatory and we were instructed on how to put them on over the suits but as importantly they were checked as we were heading to the boat area.
• Note that most of the boats have saddle like seating but since we had young kids, we were put into a boat that had row seating

Why Book the RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord especially if you have sailed in on a cruise ship?

I did get some grief about this booking from some of the family for that exact question but their tune changed after we finished this excursion. To start with, only 4 out of 15 in the group came to see the sailing through the fjord in the morning but we all agreed that they are very different experiences. So for most of the group, the RIB boat was their only chance to see Geirangerfjord up close.

The Prima is a 981 ft (299 meter) long with a 132 ft 10 inch (40.5 m) beam cruise ship weighing 143,535 gross tonnage and is built for ocean cruising. It just cannot physically get you very close.

A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is built for high maneuverability and speed which is perfect for what we were doing – having some fun by going full throttle on the high-octane RIB boat along with being to get close enough to the waterfalls to be splashed.

Geirangerfjord

The first part of the boat ride is pretty peaceful as the boat is speed restricted – how do I know that? Welp, we found out since the little one kept asking when we were going to go fast like I told her we would! Here we were given information about fjords and Geiranger as we cruised along.

“Fjord, a word of Norwegian origin, refers to a long, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.” Geirangerfjord is an impressive 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) long and 853 feet (260 meters) deep and is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, 2,600 feet (800-meter) high cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most iconic natural wonders, carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Sheer rock faces rise more than 1,000 meters from the water, while snowmelt feeds countless waterfalls throughout the summer season.

Seven Sisters (De Syv Søstrene)

One of the most photographed waterfalls in Norway, the Seven Sisters consists of seven separate streams tumbling dramatically down the mountainside. During peak melt season (late spring and early summer), they are especially powerful.

The Suitor (Friaren)

This sole waterfall is known as The Suitor – who is directly across from the Seven Sisters…perpetually and unsuccessfully in wooing of the siblings

The Bridal Veil (Brudesløret)

Delicate and misty, the Bridal Veil waterfall shimmers as sunlight passes through the water, resembling a sheer, white wedding veil drifting down the cliff (ya know to keep with theme)

Abandoned Fjord Farms: We did pass by a historic abandoned mountain farm as the guide explained how these were once accessible only by rope ladders or boats. These remote homesteads offer a fascinating glimpse into how families survived in extreme isolation. I was too slow to capture a photo but do you see what I saw in this photo I was able to capture?

Good to Know/Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord

• What is the RIB boat ride like? It will be a combination of scenic cruising and thrilling bursts
• What should I wear? Wear flat, secure shoes and opt for layers – some of us wore just our thin base layers and others in the group wore their sweaters/fleece as they get colder.
• Is the RIB boat ride safe? Yes. RIB tours are operated by licensed professionals, and all safety equipment is provided. Boats are extremely stable and designed for rough conditions.
• Will I get wet during the tour? Occasionally, yes especially during high-speed sections or windy conditions. Waterproof suits are provided to keep you warm and dry.
• Are RIB tours physically demanding? Passengers should be comfortable holding onto hand grips and seated securely. It’s an active experience but manageable for most travelers in good health. Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious back/neck issues
• Can I take photos during the ride? Absolutely as RIB tours include slow scenic sections and stops near waterfalls specifically for photos.
• How cold is it on the fjord? Even in summer, fjord temperatures can feel cool due to wind and spray but the full body cold weather thermal suits/coveralls ensures comfort.

Final Thoughts – Seeing Geirangerfjord’s Beauty Up Close

If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Geiranger, Norway, a RIB boat excursion delivers unmatched access, excitement, and scenery. From roaring waterfalls to silent cliff-lined waters, it’s an unforgettable way to experience the heart of Norway’s fjord country.

Perfect for adventure seekers, photographers, and cruise travelers alike, this tour offers a powerful connection to Geirangerfjord’s dramatic landscape—up close and unforgettable.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord (along with Nærøyfjord) according to UNESCO itself “are exceptional in scale and grandeur in a country of spectacular fjords” and are “among the most scenically outstanding landscapes in the world”. 

Yes, Geirangerfjord really is that beautiful – it is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have been in the world!

Why I Chose to Book This Tour Via Viator

• Tour: $67.08/ adults + $38.12/Children (remember that this was in 2023!)
• TOTAL SPENT: $141.99

I booked via Viator as stated because of the cancellation policy but also because I was able to triple stack on this spend: #1 – getting rewards on my credit card, #2 – getting Viator rewards (when I booked this was when it was 10% on the booking that can be used towards a future booking! Now that has been changed to 5%) and honestly, #3 – getting miles (using the AA shopping portal at 12 Miles/$1) was the biggest reason I used Viator!

If You Want to Book This Tour Via GetYourGuide Instead?

Note that you book the RIB Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord through GetYourGuide, the activity provider is also Fjord Guiding.

Why You Should Choose to Book Via GetYourGuide