Stavanger Private Safari and Fishing’s

The unusual part of this Stavanger outing is the boat itself. You leave Vågen aboard the Olav Ringdal Jr, a sturdy former North Sea and far-north rescue vessel, then fish among the islands instead of simply watching the fjords slide past. I like the mix of hands-on fishing and sightseeing, and I like having Captain Kjell-Morten and Boatswain Kim focused only on your group. The main tradeoff is weather: this is an open-water activity, and poor conditions can cancel it.

I also like the freedom built into the four-hour trip. The captain searches for fish on the sonar, and Kim tells you when and how to lower the gear, so you do not need much fishing experience. Still, this is a fairly expensive booking for a small party, and the fishing is never guaranteed. The scenery and boat may be the real prize.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to 12 people: Your group gets the vessel and crew without sharing the outing with strangers.
• Fishing down to 70 meters: The crew supplies gear for serious bottom fishing when the fish finder shows activity.
• A historic rescue vessel: The Olav Ringdal Jr adds character and comfort that a standard sightseeing boat may lack.
• Sheltered waters around Stavanger: The route focuses on the islands near town, with views and commentary along the way.
• Captain Kjell-Morten and Boatswain Kim: The crew handles the boat and fishing setup while you follow clear instructions.
• Food is simple but useful: Coffee, tea, water, and cookies are included; dinner can be arranged for an added fee.

Leaving Vågen for Stavanger’s island waters

The trip begins in Vågen, Stavanger’s central harbor. That makes the meeting point handy if you are already in town, though the information provided does not give a precise berth number. Plan to arrive with enough time to locate the boat at the harbor rather than cutting it close.

Once aboard, the outing combines two activities that work well together. You get a water-level view of Stavanger and the surrounding islands, then the boat shifts into fishing mode when the sonar finds a likely spot. This is a better fit for you if a standard fjord cruise feels too passive but a full day of offshore fishing sounds like too much.

The route stays in sheltered waters between the islands surrounding Stavanger. That matters. You are still on the sea, and conditions can change, but the trip is not presented as a long run into exposed North Sea waters. You can fish, sit back, and watch the scenery without needing to fill every minute with activity.

The advertised duration is approximately four hours and 15 minutes. The route description also refers to a four-hour trip, so allow roughly half a day. It ends back at the same harbor, which keeps the plan simple if you have other Stavanger arrangements later.

What makes the Olav Ringdal Jr part of the experience

The Olav Ringdal Jr is not a sleek modern sightseeing launch. It is described as a beautiful, historic workboat built for North Sea and far-north rescue work. That background gives the ride a practical feel: this is a vessel built for working on the water, not just posing beside it.

The boat has been described as spacious, comfortable, well maintained, and fitted for different types of outings. A covered area is especially useful in changeable Norwegian weather. You can enjoy the ride without assuming that every minute will be warm or dry.

That said, you should book this for the boat’s character, crew, and access to the water, not for luxury yacht polish. The appeal is being aboard a working vessel with a maritime past. If you prefer a glossy, highly scripted cruise, this may feel more down-to-earth than expected.

The vessel has also been used for longer sightseeing trips, group celebrations, a birthday outing, and even a wedding beneath Pulpit Rock. Those details show that the crew can handle more than a basic fishing run, and that the boat offers room for relaxed social time. For this particular booking, though, the focus remains the Stavanger archipelago and fishing.

How the fishing works at 70 meters

You do not need to arrive as an expert angler. The captain looks for fish on the fish finder, then Boatswain Kim helps you start when the screen shows a worthwhile area. The crew provides equipment for fishing as deep as 70 meters, or about 230 feet.

That depth is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing. You are not simply casting from a dock. The setup is designed for deeper fishing, and the crew controls the boat’s position while you follow instructions on deck. It is an easy arrangement for beginners, families, and mixed groups where only some people fish regularly.

The sensible expectation is possibility, not certainty. The boat may find fish, but no fishing trip can promise a large catch. You may spend part of the time watching the sonar, lowering the line, waiting, and enjoying the views. That is why the combined format works well: if the fish are quiet, the island scenery and commentary still give the trip a purpose.

A fresh catch may be part of the day. On one family outing, the crew cooked a fish on the spot so the group could taste it immediately. This is not listed as a standard inclusion, so do not count on an on-board meal, but it is worth asking the crew what can be done with a catch on your date.

Sightseeing with a captain who knows the water

The sightseeing portion is not just background scenery while the boat moves to a fishing spot. Captain Kjell-Morten and Kim provide commentary about what you see, including local waters, boats, Stavanger’s maritime setting, and the oil industry.

That kind of commentary can give the trip more shape than a quiet transfer from one fishing area to another. You will see the islands from a low, moving viewpoint, with the boat crew pointing out features as you go. The sheltered archipelago also gives the captain room to adjust the outing around conditions and your group’s interests.

Past trips on this boat have included views in Ryfylke and Lysefjord, as well as runs to Flørli and the area beneath Pulpit Rock. Those destinations are not part of the stated four-hour fishing itinerary, so do not assume you will visit them. They do show the boat’s broader range and the crew’s ability to shape private trips.

For this booking, the strongest value is the combination of access and flexibility. You are not locked into a large vessel’s fixed route or forced to follow a group schedule. Your time is spent among Stavanger’s nearby islands, with the option to fish or simply enjoy the water.

A private group changes the value equation

The price is $1,725.99 per group of up to 12 people. At a full group of 12, that works out to about $144 per person. For two people, the same booking is roughly $863 each, which is a far harder price to justify.

This is the kind of tour that makes financial sense for a family, wedding party, group of friends, or company team. The private format means you are paying for the boat, captain, deckhand, and four-hour-plus block of time rather than buying individual seats. You also avoid sharing fishing gear, deck space, and the crew’s attention with another party.

I would be more cautious if you are a solo visitor or a couple traveling on a tight budget. A regular fjord cruise will usually be a better value for simple sightseeing. This option earns its price when you want privacy, fishing, personal attention, and a more unusual vessel.

The group limit of 12 is also useful for planning. A large family can stay together, and a mixed group can split its time between fishing and relaxing without losing sight of one another. The crew is at your disposal, which makes the outing feel less like a packaged ride and more like a private water day.

What is included, and what you should plan yourself

Coffee, tea, water, and cookies are included. That is enough for a light refreshment during the trip, but it is not a full lunch or dinner.

Dinner food can be provided for an extra charge. Arrange that ahead of time if you want something more substantial, since the standard booking does not include a meal. Alcohol is not supplied, but you may bring your own.

This setup gives you some control, especially for a private group. You can keep the food simple, request an added meal, or bring suitable drinks for your party. Follow any instructions from the crew about safe storage and serving aboard the boat.

Wear practical clothing for a boat, even if the forecast looks kind. The supplied information does not list a clothing requirement, but Norwegian weather can make a covered area feel very welcome. Bring layers and shoes suitable for a working deck. The boat is comfortable, yet this remains a fishing trip, not a formal harbor cruise.

Families, children, and less mobile participants

The experience can work for families. A very young family group, including children aged one and four months, took part in an earlier outing, and the crew cooked a fish for them. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation.

The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility specifications for boarding, deck surfaces, toilets, or wheelchair access. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, contact North Sea and Fjord Safari before booking and ask about the exact boarding setup.

Small children still need close adult supervision around the water, fishing lines, and deck equipment. The crew can assist with the activity, but parents remain responsible for children. If some members of your group do not want to fish, the private format lets them sit back and enjoy the views.

Weather, timing, and the practical fine print

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is important when planning a short stay in Stavanger, since a canceled water trip may be difficult to replace at the last minute.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Stavanger time.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. It operates daily within the stated season, with start times listed between 9:00 and 10:00 in the supplied schedule. Confirm your exact start time before you build the rest of your day around it.

Because the tour leaves and returns to Vågen, you do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a distant marina. The meeting point is in Stavanger, Norway, and the same place serves as the end point.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would choose this for a group that wants more than a view from a large cruise ship. It is especially well suited to:

• Families looking for a shared activity with simple fishing instruction
• Friends who want a private half-day on the water
• Anglers who like the chance to fish at substantial depth
• Small company groups seeking a relaxed team outing
• Visitors who enjoy historic boats and local maritime stories
• Anyone who values a flexible pace over a fixed sightseeing script

I would skip it if your main goal is to guarantee a big catch, visit a specific fjord such as Lysefjord, or spend as little as possible. Those aims do not match what is promised here.

The strongest praise attached to the experience centers on the crew’s service, the vessel, and the personal attention. The boat has hosted everything from family outings to a wedding, and the crew has gone out of its way to help, including mailing a forgotten jacket back to the Netherlands. That kind of care is not a formal feature, but it tells you what sort of operation this is: personal, practical, and willing to help.

Should you book the Stavanger private fishing safari?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a private outing with a real fishing element. The Olav Ringdal Jr, the sheltered island route, and the hands-on help from Kjell-Morten and Kim create a fuller experience than a standard sightseeing cruise.

For a couple or solo visitor, the price deserves careful thought. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, so the cost per person rises sharply with a small party. If that is acceptable, the boat’s character and the chance to eat a freshly cooked catch may make the day memorable.

My practical advice is to book with realistic expectations. You may catch fish, but the sure things are the water views, the crew’s assistance, the historic vessel, and time among Stavanger’s islands. For a private group that wants all four, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Vågen in central Stavanger and returns to the same meeting point at the end.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is approximately four hours and 15 minutes. The route description also refers to a four-hour trip, so plan for about half a day.

How many people can join the private tour?

The booking is private for your group, with space for up to 12 people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Do I need fishing experience?

No specific experience is required. The captain searches for fish with the fish finder, and Boatswain Kim provides instructions when it is time to begin fishing.

What refreshments are included?

Coffee, tea, water, and cookies are included. Dinner food may be provided at an additional cost.

Can I bring alcohol?

Alcohol is not included, but you may bring your own.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.