Cruise Shore Excursions in the Hardangerfjord

How to join a local RIB safari when your cruise ship visits Ulvik, Rosendal, Eidfjord, or Bergen

Visiting the Hardangerfjord by cruise ship gives you limited time ashore, so location and reliable timing matter. Our RIB safaris are particularly convenient for cruise guests arriving in Ulvik and Rosendal, where the meeting points are within a short walk of the tender landings.

Private departures may also be arranged from Eidfjord, while guests arriving in Bergen can visit our main base in Norheimsund with private transport. Here is how our experiences fit the different cruise ports in the region.

1. Cruise excursions from Ulvik – Our easiest option for cruise guests

Ulvik is a compact fjord village where everything is close to the cruise tender landing. Our RIB safaris depart from the waterfront beside Brakanes Hotel, where cruise tenders bring guests ashore.

The meeting point is inside the lobby of Brakanes Hotel. It is only around 50 metres from the tender landing, making the experience easy to join without arranging transport. After the tour, we finish beside the hotel and a short walk from the tender departure point.

We operate scheduled RIB safaris from Ulvik throughout the summer season. On days with cruise calls, we add extra departures that fit the ship’s time in port.

On some cruise days, our boats are contracted directly by the cruise line. When capacity remains available, additional departures are normally opened online for independent bookings.

RIB safaris available from Ulvik

Osafjord RIB Safari

This compact 60-min RIB safari explores the quieter Osafjord branch. The route includes the Hardanger Bridge area, waterfalls, steep mountainsides, and former roadless settlements.

It is a suitable choice for shorter port calls or guests who want time for another activity in Ulvik.

Hardangerfjord Ultimate RIB Safari

Our extended 105-min experience combines two contrasting fjord branches. The tour explores the secluded Osafjord before crossing towards the dramatic Simadalsfjord near Eidfjord.

This option gives cruise guests a more complete experience of the inner Hardangerfjord while remaining close to the ship.



Why Ulvik works well for cruise guests

• Around 50 metres from the tender landing to the meeting point
• No bus, taxi, or transfer required
• Compact 60–105 min experiences
• Local guides with a strong focus on safety
• Equipment included
• Departures planned with a clear return-to-ship buffer

Please arrive in the Brakanes Hotel lobby 20 minutes before departure. This gives us time for check-in, safety equipment, and a briefing before boarding.

2. Private cruise excursions from Rosendal

Rosendal is another convenient port for guests who want to experience the fjord from a RIB. We offer private departures from Rosendal harbour year-round on request.

The boats depart around 200 metres from the tender landing used by visiting cruise ships. Guests can normally walk directly from the tender area to the harbour without arranging additional transport.

Our Private RIB Safari from Rosendal explores the fjord landscapes surrounding Rosendal. Depending on the selected duration, the route may include islands, waterfalls, the Maurangsfjord, and views towards the Folgefonna area.

These tours are booked privately for your family, group, or travel party. Departure times can therefore be adjusted to the ship’s arrival and all-aboard time.

Our boats are sometimes hired by cruise lines to operate their official shore excursions. When our full capacity has not been reserved, we may offer additional private tours to guests booking independently.



Contact us early with your ship’s name, arrival time, all-aboard time, and group size. We can then confirm whether a private departure is available.

3. Cruise excursions from Eidfjord

Hardanger Fjordsafari is a separate local company offering scheduled RIB tours directly from the harbour in Eidfjord. They operate from the quay in the village centre and are also regularly contracted by visiting cruise lines. For guests looking for a ticketed RIB tour beginning beside the ship in Eidfjord, we recommend checking their availability first. As they are based locally, their tours will normally be more economical than bringing one of our boats into Eidfjord.

Hardangerfjord Adventure can sometimes arrange a private charter RIB safari from Eidfjord harbour. However, this depends on boat and guide availability. The price must also include positioning the boat from our base in Ulvik or another location further out in the fjord.

Visiting our Ulvik base from Eidfjord

Our closest scheduled-tour base is Ulvik, around 30–35 min by car from Eidfjord.

A rental car or pre-booked taxi makes it possible to combine a drive along the fjord with one of our scheduled Ulvik RIB safaris. This can work well during a longer port call, but you should allow generous time for the return journey.



Always check the ship’s all-aboard time before booking both the tour and transport.

4. Visiting the Hardangerfjord from a cruise ship in Bergen

Our closest base to Bergen is Norheimsund, around 80–90 min by road from Bergen city centre and the main cruise terminals.

Several companies offer RIB safaris from harbours in central Bergen. However, these tours explore the other kinds of waters around Bergen rather than travelling into the Hardangerfjord.

It is possible to visit Norheimsund and join a RIB safari during a cruise call in Bergen. However, this is best suited to ships with a long stay in port.

We recommend arranging private transport directly from the cruise terminal. A private car, taxi, minibus, or coach provides better control over the schedule than public transport.

Before confirming transport, contact us to check tour availability and discuss realistic timings. Your itinerary must include enough time for:

• Travel from Bergen to Norheimsund
• Arrival 20 minutes before the RIB safari
• The RIB safari itself
• Changing out of the safety equipment
• The return drive to Bergen
• An additional buffer before the ship’s all-aboard time

For groups, we may also be able to create a private Hardangerfjord excursion combining transport from Bergen with a RIB safari and other local experiences.

5. How to plan an independent shore excursion

Cruise schedules can change, and the time shown as the ship’s departure is not always the same as the all-aboard time. Check the information provided by your cruise line carefully before booking an independent activity.

When contacting us, please include:

• The name of your cruise ship
• The port you are visiting
• The date of arrival
• The expected tender or docking time
• The ship’s all-aboard time
• The number and ages of the guests
• Your preferred tour duration

Booking early is particularly important on busy cruise days. Some departures may sell out, while other dates may have limited availability because our boats are operating excursions for the cruise line.

Final tip: Choose the excursion that fits your port

Ulvik offers the easiest access to our scheduled RIB safaris, with no transport required between the tender landing and meeting point. Rosendal is well suited to private tours, while Eidfjord has its own locally based RIB operator.

Bergen guests can also reach the Hardangerfjord, but the journey requires private transport and careful planning.

Explore our available RIB safaris online or contact us with your cruise schedule. We will help you identify the most practical option while allowing a safe buffer for your return to the ship.