RIB Boat vs Catamaran: Which Bergen Fjord Cruise Is Right for You?

Two very different boats sail the same fjord. The catamaran is the classic choice — comfortable, catered, family-friendly. The RIB is the adrenaline version — faster, more exposed, and with a completely different physical sensation on the water. Neither is universally better. The right answer depends entirely on what you want the day to feel like.

What Is a RIB?

A RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) is a fast, open boat with inflatable tubes along the sides. RIB safaris on Bergen’s fjords carry 8–12 passengers in full-body waterproof suits, seated in rows, with the open water close to hand. They’re designed for speed — these boats can reach 40–50 knots — and the ride is physical. You feel every wave.

RIB tours of Mostraumen cover the same geographical route as the catamaran, but the experience is completely different. Where the catamaran drifts quietly into the narrows at cruise speed, the RIB arrives at pace, cuts the engine at the most dramatic point, and lets the current do the talking.

The Catamaran: Comfortable and Catered

The Original Fjord Cruise and similar catamaran operators run stable, weather-protected boats with indoor seating, toilets, and an onboard café serving coffee, snacks, and light meals. You can be on the open bow watching the cliffs go past or inside with a hot drink — your choice.

The guide narrates throughout via PA. You can move around the boat, photograph from different angles, and spend the full 3.5 hours at whatever pace suits you. Children and older passengers are comfortable.

Best for: Families with children, anyone who wants covered seating and food, first-timers who want a relaxed introduction to the fjord, photography.

The RIB: Fast and Immersive

You’ll be given a full waterproof suit (including jacket and overtrousers) before boarding — this tells you something about the experience. The boat is at water level, the spray is occasional, and the noise when the engines are running is considerable.

That said, the guides cut the engine at Mostraumen and let you sit in silence in the narrows. The cliffs are close. The current is visible. At that moment, the RIB actually delivers a more intimate version of the same experience — you’re lower, closer to the water, with fewer passengers around you.

RIB tours typically have a minimum age (usually 6–8, sometimes 12) and aren’t recommended for people with back problems or motion sensitivity. The boat moves with the water in a way the catamaran doesn’t.

Best for: Active travellers, couples without young children, adrenaline seekers, repeat visitors who want a different angle on the same fjord.

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Catamaran	RIB Safari
Vessel	~80-passenger catamaran	8–12 passenger RIB
Duration	~3.5 hours	~3 hours
Speed	Cruise speed	Up to 50 knots
Seating	Indoor + outdoor	Open bench seating
Food & drink	Yes — onboard café	No (bring your own)
Toilets	Yes	No
Weather protection	Yes — indoor cabin	No (waterproofs provided)
Min. age	None (families welcome)	Usually 6–12 depending on operator
Best for	All ages, first-timers	Active adults and teens
Reviews	9,600+	2,100+

What About Wildlife?

The catamaran guide typically narrates eagle sightings and other wildlife from the PA — you can position yourself on the bow for a clear line of sight. On a RIB, you’re at water level and will physically rotate in your seat toward what the guide points to.

Both see the same eagles and porpoises. The catamaran allows steadier photography; the RIB puts you closer to the water surface where wildlife is feeding.

Price Difference

RIB safaris typically cost 30–50% more than the catamaran equivalent, reflecting the smaller group size, higher fuel cost, and personal waterproof gear. If budget is a primary consideration, the catamaran delivers the fjord experience with more included for the money.

The Verdict

Choose the catamaran if you have children, want food and drinks included, prefer covered seating, or are visiting the fjord for the first time. You won’t feel like you’re missing anything — the scenery is identical.

Choose the RIB if you’ve done the catamaran before, you want a more physical experience, your group is comfortable in open water, and the premium price fits your budget. The silence at Mostraumen in a RIB, with the engines cut and the current audible around you, is genuinely memorable.

Both boats pass through the same 50-metre strait. The fjord is the star of the show either way.