RIB Boat Safari into Finnafjord
Most visitors see the Sognefjord from the shore; a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) safari with Balestrand Adventure takes you deep into Finnafjord — the most remote and dramatic arm of the world's second-longest fjord — where sheer mountain walls close in overhead and waterfalls crash directly into the water beside you.
The route into Finnafjord
Finnafjord is accessible only by boat, and the passage through the narrow sound at Finden — where steep, high mountain sides press in from both sides — is the kind of scenery that makes grown adults go quiet. The RIB's speed and open design mean you feel the spray, the cold air and the sheer scale of the landscape in a way no enclosed ferry can match.
The two-hour guided tour departs from Balestrand harbour and is run by local operators who know every waterfall, every hidden inlet and every story attached to the remote farmsteads clinging to the valley sides. Guides share the region's history and ecology throughout, so the experience is as informative as it is thrilling.
Wildlife and waterfalls
The Sognefjord is over 1,100 metres deep outside Balestrand, and its cold, nutrient-rich waters support abundant marine life. Porpoise sightings are common on the open fjord sections, and the occasional whale has been spotted in the deeper channels. Seabirds wheel above the waterfalls that tumble directly into the fjord from the surrounding peaks.
In summer the light on the water changes constantly — golden in the morning, silver-white at midday, amber and rose in the long Nordic evening. Photographers should bring a wide-angle lens and a waterproof bag for their gear.
Other on-water adventures from Balestrand
If you prefer a quieter pace, guided kayak tours of the Sognefjord are another outstanding option — paddling at water level makes the surrounding mountains feel even more monumental. Local company Balestrand Adventure offers RIB safaris, fishing trips and kayak tours, often combinable into a half-day package.
For a longer excursion, a private boat trip to Fjærland — passing remote homesteads and the tongue of the Bøyabreen Glacier — is one of the classic Sognefjord journeys, easily arranged from Balestrand's pier.
RIB Boat Safari into Finnafjord on video
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