Stavanger Private Safari and Fishing’s

The best part of this Stavanger outing is that it gives you two very different experiences in one: quiet island sightseeing from the water and hands-on fishing in sheltered coastal waters. Captain Kjell-Morten searches for fish with the fish-finder while Boatswain Kim gets you set up and explains what to do.

I like the private format, especially for families or small groups who want the boat and crew to themselves. I also like the vessel itself, the historic Olav Ringdal Jr., a sturdy former North Sea search-and-rescue boat with room to sit under cover. The main thing to consider is the price: at $1,725.99 per group, it is good value for a full group of 12, but costly for only two or three people.

Key points to know before you book

• Fish to 70 meters: The supplied gear lets you fish down to about 230 feet when the captain spots fish below.
• Depart from central Vågen: You meet in Stavanger harbor and return to the same place after the trip.
• A private boat for up to 12: Your group gets the crew’s attention rather than sharing the outing with strangers.
• Captain Kjell-Morten and Boatswain Kim: They handle the boat, explain the local waters, and help you fish.
• A historic working vessel: Olav Ringdal Jr. was built for North Sea and far-north rescue work, not just for looking pretty at the dock.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.

What this Stavanger boat trip is really about

This is not a standard fjord cruise where you sit back, take photographs, and hear a set script through a speaker. You get a more active four hours on the water, with the freedom to fish, relax, ask questions, and enjoy the islands around Stavanger at a slower pace.

The trip begins in Vågen, the harbor at the center of Stavanger. From there, the boat heads into sheltered waters among the islands surrounding the city. That setting matters. You are not immediately sent out into open, rough water, and the protected channels give the outing a calmer feel when the weather cooperates.

The exact route depends on conditions and where the captain finds fish. You might spend more time fishing on one outing and more time looking at islands, boats, and coastal scenery on another. That flexibility is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a fixed sightseeing route with guaranteed landmarks.

The advertised duration is approximately four hours and 15 minutes, while the itinerary describes four hours on the water. Treat it as a roughly half-day activity rather than a precisely timed cruise. The meeting information gives a 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. operating window, so confirm your exact departure time when booking.

Fishing down to 70 meters

The fishing is organized in a simple way. The captain watches the fish-finder and searches for promising areas. When he sees fish, Boatswain Kim helps you lower the line and gives instructions from the deck.

You do not need to arrive as an expert angler. The crew provides fishing gear designed for depths down to 70 meters, or about 230 feet. The point is not to wander around guessing where to cast. You wait for the captain to locate fish, then follow the deckhand’s directions.

That setup makes the trip suitable for mixed groups. One person can fish while another watches the scenery, and younger children can take part with help. A family with children as young as four months and 18 months was accommodated on an earlier outing, and fresh fish was even cooked onboard for them to taste. That does not guarantee the same menu or catch on your trip, but it shows the outing can work for families with very young children.

Fishing success is never guaranteed. The captain can search carefully, but the fish still decide what happens. If you need a sure catch, this is the wrong kind of activity. If you enjoy the process, the waiting, the sudden tug, and the chance of bringing up a fish from serious depth, it has much more appeal.

Meeting the crew aboard Olav Ringdal Jr.

The boat is a major part of the experience. Olav Ringdal Jr. is described as a historic search-and-rescue vessel built for demanding North Sea and far-north work. It is sturdy, comfortable, and spacious enough for sightseeing, fishing, food, and small celebrations.

That background gives the boat a more practical character than a sleek sightseeing launch. You are stepping aboard a working vessel with a story, and the crew can connect what you see with local maritime life, Stavanger’s oil industry, and the business of handling boats in these waters.

Captain Kjell-Morten leads the trip, while Boatswain Kim works on deck and helps with fishing. Their roles are clear and useful: the captain concentrates on the route and fish-finder, while the boatswain helps you handle the equipment and points out what is around you.

The crew has also handled customized outings. Past trips have included celebrations, a retirement gathering, a birthday, a journey through Lysefjord to Flørli, and even a wedding beneath Pulpit Rock. Those examples show that the vessel can be more than a fishing platform, but this particular booking is built around the Stavanger archipelago and fishing.

Island views instead of a standard fjord cruise

The waters around Stavanger offer a different kind of scenery from the dramatic cliffs of Lysefjord. Here, you get islands, channels, coastal homes, working boats, and open views across the archipelago. The scenery changes as the boat moves between sheltered stretches.

The captain and deckhand provide commentary about what you see, including local waters and the oil industry. That personal explanation is worth more than a generic audio track because you can ask about a place as it comes into view.

You should keep your expectations in the right place. This is not presented as a dedicated Pulpit Rock or Lysefjord sightseeing cruise. The outing may include views toward those areas only if you arrange a different or customized route, and the supplied trip description focuses on the islands surrounding Stavanger.

That is good news if you want a less formal day close to the city. It is less ideal if your main goal is to tick off one famous fjord landmark. Before booking, tell the operator what scenery matters most to you and ask if the route can include it.

Space, shelter, and comfort on the water

The boat has covered space, which is important in western Norway. Weather can change, and being able to sit under a roof makes the trip more practical than an outing that leaves everyone exposed on an open deck.

Coffee, tea, water, and cookies are included. That is enough for a light snack, but not a full meal. Dinner can be arranged for an extra charge, and alcohol is not supplied. You may bring your own alcohol, subject to the crew’s onboard rules and safe boating requirements.

If food is important to your group, arrange it ahead of time. A birthday or team outing can become much easier when the meal plan is settled before departure. For the basic fishing trip, you should eat beforehand and think of the included drinks and cookies as refreshments rather than lunch.

The boat has also been used for meals and celebrations, with space at the back under a tent. That makes it possible to create a more festive outing, though those arrangements are separate from the standard booking.

Is the $1,725.99 group price good value?

The price is $1,725.99 for up to 12 people. Full, that works out to about $144 per person, which is reasonable for a private boat, a crew, fishing equipment, sightseeing, and more than four hours on the water.

For six people, the cost rises to about $288 per person. For two people, it is more than $863 each, making the trip hard to justify unless having a private boat is central to your plans.

This is a group purchase, not a cheap individual excursion. Families sharing the cost, corporate groups, birthday parties, and friends who want privacy will get the strongest value. A solo fisher or couple on a tight budget should compare it with a shared fishing trip or regular fjord cruise.

The private format also buys you flexibility. You are not tied to the pace of a large boat, and the guide can give direct help when you need it. You can fish, sit under cover, ask questions, and enjoy the views without negotiating deck space with a busload of strangers.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for a group that wants an active day but does not want a hard physical excursion. Fishing requires some handling of gear, yet the crew gives instructions and does the searching. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

It suits families because the boat offers shelter, the water is described as sheltered, and the fishing can be adapted with help. It also suits people who have already seen Stavanger’s main sights and want a more personal look at the city from the sea.

It is a strong choice for people interested in boats. Olav Ringdal Jr. is not just transport, and the crew’s experience with rescue vessels, boat handling, local waters, and the oil industry adds substance to the ride.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone who dislikes uncertainty. The catch may be small or nonexistent, the route can change with weather and fish location, and the trip depends on conditions. You are buying time on the water with a chance to fish, not a guaranteed seafood meal.

Practical details that affect your day

You meet at Vågen in central Stavanger, and the tour ends back at the same harbor. That makes the outing easy to pair with time in the city before or after, though you should leave enough room around the booking because the stated duration is approximate.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is private, so only your own group takes part.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is available throughout the stated operating period, from January 15, 2021, through January 3, 2027, with departure information listed between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Because those dates and hours cover a long period, confirm the exact time and availability for your chosen day.

What makes this more personal than a cruise?

The difference is the crew’s attention. On a typical sightseeing boat, you follow a set route and listen from your seat. Here, Captain Kjell-Morten can search for fish, adjust the outing, and answer questions about the water around you.

Boatswain Kim’s help is just as important. Fishing from a boat can be confusing if nobody explains when to lower the line, how deep to fish, or what to do when something bites. Having a deckhand right there makes the activity approachable for beginners.

The crew’s past flexibility is another plus. They have helped shape trips for birthdays, retirement celebrations, wedding parties, and longer fjord outings. You should not assume every custom request is included, but it is worth asking if you have a particular plan.

Small service details also matter. A forgotten jacket was mailed back to its owner in the Netherlands. That does not change the route or the fishing, but it suggests the operator takes care with the practical side of hosting people onboard.

Should you book the Stavanger private fishing tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want more than a standard fjord cruise. You will get a private boat, direct help from Captain Kjell-Morten and Boatswain Kim, coastal views, and a real chance to fish to 70 meters.

I would especially recommend it for families, friend groups, celebrations, and anyone curious about working boats and Stavanger’s maritime setting. The historic Olav Ringdal Jr. gives the trip character, while the sheltered island waters keep the outing relaxed.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, need a guaranteed catch, or mainly want a fixed visit to Pulpit Rock or Lysefjord. In that case, a shared sightseeing cruise or a dedicated landmark tour may fit better.

For the right group, this is a memorable half-day on the water: part fishing trip, part harbor and island tour, and part conversation with a crew that knows the boat and the coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Vågen in Stavanger, in the city center harbor.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Vågen.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 15 minutes. The itinerary also describes the boat portion as four hours, so allow roughly half a day.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing gear is provided for fishing down to 70 meters, or about 230 feet.

Who helps with the fishing?

Captain Kjell-Morten searches for fish using the fish-finder, and Boatswain Kim gives instructions and helps you on deck.

What refreshments are included?

Coffee, tea, water, and cookies are included.

Can dinner or alcohol be provided?

Dinner can be arranged at an extra cost. Alcohol is not included, but you may bring your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.