Balestrand Fjord Adventures
Balestrand Fjord Adventures
Balestrand Fjord Adventures
5
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Balestrand, Norway
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Travellers' Choice
2023
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Balestrand Fjord Adventures
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5.0
197 reviews
Excellent
178
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Tessell19
Ozark, MO5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Once in a lifetime experience to visit this beautiful secluded area of the fjords. There are so many beautiful places in Norway, but Finnabotn is almost otherworldly in it's beauty and silence. Our tour guide was wonderful as well. Highlighted many interesting areas along the way.
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim G
Atlantic Beach, FL82 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Amazing experience, we saw some of the most beautiful scenery in the world! This is a must do tour, regardless of the weather. We were out in a light rain, and the clouds added even more to the natural beauty.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L G
Houston, TX33 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful trip with this company. They took us by a smaller island and explained the significance on the island and the Fjord over the years. Then we were driven to a smaller fjord which breathtaking views. More history was given to us with plenty of time to take in the views. Very safe and efficient operation. Highly recommend to anyone in the area.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mfolkeringa
Hoofddorp, The Netherlands8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We just returned from a wonderful rib boat tour. Even though it rained, we had such a wonderful time. We can highly recommend this. Thank you so much Lars, you were a great guide.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ricardo L
2 contributions
Jul 2023
Great Scenery, equipment and guide. Worth it!!
Got nice views as well as info on region history and culture
Got nice views as well as info on region history and culture
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene P
11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Took a 2-hour RIB excursion from Balestrand to Finnabotn. Our guide took us to stunning locations and shared lots of stories about the history and people of the area. It was an amazing experience.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane Miller
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
My Wife and I booked the Finnabotn tour at the last moment and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip!
Our guide & captain Tommy was amazing and a very safe and capable captain.
A few things to note about this tour:
1. This is not a sip your coffee, chat with friends slow boat around the Fjord. This is a RIB boat where you get some real speed on the beautiful clear Fjord - at no point did we feel unsafe, the fjords are generally calm but you could encounter some waves depending on time of day number of boats, etc
2. You get to see the most amazing Fjords up close where most boats cannot go, as shallow as 2 meters in some places (approx 6.5 feet).
3. Make sure you dress warm. You will get very comfortable full body suits with full goggles. I chose to wear my sunglasses vs the goggles, take my word for it, use the goggles - if you choose to do sunglasses, know that your eyes will begin to tear up when due to the wind/speed on the water and you want to be able to see the beautiful scenery, the entire time unobstructed.
4. Wear a beanie. The full body suit comes with a hood and you put the hood over your beanie and use the goggles on the outside to tack down the hood and beanie and you will be good!
5. You can bring a small bag that you could stow under your seat that will not get wet other bags and things can be stowed before getting on the boat in the shop..
6. For the thrill seekers sit up front for the best experience. If you are a little more conservative, sit in the back next to captain
7. Tommy would stop at the best places and describe the history behind it and you can take as many pictures as possible!
I cannot recommend this tour enough! Truly an unforgettable experience!
Our guide & captain Tommy was amazing and a very safe and capable captain.
A few things to note about this tour:
1. This is not a sip your coffee, chat with friends slow boat around the Fjord. This is a RIB boat where you get some real speed on the beautiful clear Fjord - at no point did we feel unsafe, the fjords are generally calm but you could encounter some waves depending on time of day number of boats, etc
2. You get to see the most amazing Fjords up close where most boats cannot go, as shallow as 2 meters in some places (approx 6.5 feet).
3. Make sure you dress warm. You will get very comfortable full body suits with full goggles. I chose to wear my sunglasses vs the goggles, take my word for it, use the goggles - if you choose to do sunglasses, know that your eyes will begin to tear up when due to the wind/speed on the water and you want to be able to see the beautiful scenery, the entire time unobstructed.
4. Wear a beanie. The full body suit comes with a hood and you put the hood over your beanie and use the goggles on the outside to tack down the hood and beanie and you will be good!
5. You can bring a small bag that you could stow under your seat that will not get wet other bags and things can be stowed before getting on the boat in the shop..
6. For the thrill seekers sit up front for the best experience. If you are a little more conservative, sit in the back next to captain
7. Tommy would stop at the best places and describe the history behind it and you can take as many pictures as possible!
I cannot recommend this tour enough! Truly an unforgettable experience!
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CPLD
Lake Forest, IL7 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We had a great tour. Our guide, who is the owner, was professional and fun. We saw the hidden Finnabotn and it was spectacular. Our guide narrated the whole journey and answered all questions. A must-do in Balestrand.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward P
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
Lars was really nice, helpful and flexible. He works a nearby apple/plum tree farm where his family has lived for 11 generations! We went on both the Finnbottn and Sognefjord trips and were grateful for the insulated suits! Weather in Norway is unpredictable so having a hood and goggles/gloves were very helpful, especially when its was raining. Fjords were beautiful despite the cloudy weather. Some repetition between the two tours. Only rib boat (zodiac) was available in Balestrand for tours. Larger cruise boats leave from other ports, I imagine.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getaway102888
12 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The afternoon boat ride with Lars Arne Målsnes of Balestrand Fjord Adventures was the highlight of our 2-night stay in this gorgeous fjord village. We joined 10 other guests on a rib-boat tour of fjord fingers. Having donned special suits, life vests and goggles, we anticipated a chilly, bumpy ride, but it was neither. We were toasty warm throughout, and the ride was quite smooth.
We saw the lush countryside up close and got within shouting distance of some 50 herons nesting in a grove of trees. Other sites included a 500-foot waterfall, strawberry fields (under cover), the 34-foot-tall statue of Fridtjof The Bold (a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm), and the world’s smallest island to have its own chapel. We also passed by Lars’s farm, which has been in his family for eleven generations.
Lars was the perfect host for our short visit, making sure every guest was well cared for. The experience was a total delight and well worth the (unbudgeted) expense. I just wish we had had time for the longer version!
We saw the lush countryside up close and got within shouting distance of some 50 herons nesting in a grove of trees. Other sites included a 500-foot waterfall, strawberry fields (under cover), the 34-foot-tall statue of Fridtjof The Bold (a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm), and the world’s smallest island to have its own chapel. We also passed by Lars’s farm, which has been in his family for eleven generations.
Lars was the perfect host for our short visit, making sure every guest was well cared for. The experience was a total delight and well worth the (unbudgeted) expense. I just wish we had had time for the longer version!
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cjuin
Marly-le-Roi, France6 contributions
Tarif pour 4 personnes adultes au mois de juin 2019. Horaires et Point de départ du bateau. Durée de l'excursion. Merci
Go to balestrandfjordadventures.no under "trips" or "book now" for information, duration and price.
FrequentFlier611035
Flanders, NJ2 contributions
Good morning Lars,
My husband and I will be in Balestrand in August 2019 for 4 nights (Sunday - Wednesday). On Thursday we leave for Oslo taking various connections. Do you have a boat that goes to Flam? Or do you recommend the Balestrand, rib boat round trip, Naeroyfjord adventure? Iwe are in our 70’s and I have some back issues.
Thank you, Anne and Bill Fisher
Renot
Europe462 contributions
Maybe send a direct email to Lars and I'm sure he can help.
TaylorLeura
Leura12 contributions
We will be staying at Dragsvik and wondering if you pick up/drop off there? Also wondering how much the trip costs to the fjord and roughly how long please. Thanking you..Alan Taylor
marc h
20 contributions
My kids and grandkids stayed at Dragsvik (we stayed in Balestrand) and all their planned activities starting from Balestrand revolved around the very limited bus schedule between Dragsvik and Balestrand (only 5 busses per day in August, less on weekends). Make sure to pick up the current bus schedule at the tourist information center in Balestrand before you go to Dragsvik. The rib boat ride is about 90 minutes. You have to buy tickets in pairs in advance and I paid $160 for the pair a few days ago. If you don’t have a car and you are staying in Dragsvik, your options for things like organized tours and buying food/groceries are limited. The bus is your economical but very constrained solution for many logistics.
NirBe
Tel Aviv, Israel2 contributions
hi, what are the contact mail or phone for this boat tour ?
Lars_Malsnes
Balestrand, Norway
Hello. E-mail adresse is info@balestrandadventure.no
Hiking444
New York City, NY182 contributions
Hi there: We are going to be in Balestrand for 2 full days. I had found a 1/2 Fjaerlandsfjord excursion that also includes a stop at the Glacier Museum and the Boyabreen glacier. I was wondering if you would reccomend this or are there other ways to view some of the fjords in that area? This will be early June. We are then heading to Solvorn with a car for 2 1/2 days. Thanks very much.
Alice. PS: We will have come from Oslo-Flam (via train); ferry from Flam to Gudvangen and then high speed ferry from Flam to Balestrand. We end up taking a ferry from Balestrand to Bergen.
Lars_Malsnes
Balestrand, Norway
Hello Alice b.
I can recommend this roundtrip.
I offer daily roundtrip starting and private trips.
Please visit our website balestrandadventure.no for more information. For further information please contact me by mail info@balestrandadventure.no
So, welcome to Balestrand and I hope to meet you in the summer!
sp b
Ripon, UK105 contributions
Did you book it locally and how much did it cost?
Vikingtravellers
Thousand Oaks, CA141 contributions
We did book locally and I am pretty sure you cannot online. I would recommend you email Lars and get a direct quote as well as his scheduled days to go out.
12phil7ruth
Lake Worth, FL19 contributions
How can I book this online before I arrive in Balestrand?
Ashley B
2 contributions
The website and email address are available under the info section. I emailed to book our tour
12phil7ruth
Lake Worth, FL19 contributions
How can I book this online?
Steven T
176 contributions
You can not book this online. We simply e-mailed Lars to make arrangements, and made payment the day of the trip. Have fun!