Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip worth booking?
Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip is a 7-hour experience in Bergen, Norway, from $186 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (22)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $186 per person
Kayak through one of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords, the heart of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord on a full-day trip from Vossevangen. Scout out scenic spots only accessible by kayak and enjoy the support and guidance of our guide. Fjord kayaking in a unique setting like this, with snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and idyllic farms clinging to the mountainsides, will give you an adventure to remember. HIGHLIGHT Considered by National Geographic as the world’s number one natural heritage site
What you get
About this experience
Kayak through one of the world’s most beautiful and dramatic fjords, the heart of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord on a full-day trip from Vossevangen. Scout out scenic spots only accessible by kayak and enjoy the support and guidance of our guide. Fjord kayaking in a unique setting like this, with snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and idyllic farms clinging to the mountainsides, will give you an adventure to remember. HIGHLIGHT Considered by National Geographic as the world’s number one natural heritage site
What's included
Included
- Life-jacket
- Sea kayak
- Spray skirt
- Kayak guide
- Splash jacket
- Paddle
- Transportation to and from the fjord
Not included
- Photo package
- Tips
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bergen
Our base is located 200 mts from the roundabout and 300 mts from the Train station and Central Bus station in Voss. We are very close to the new gondola, in front of Fleischer’s Hotel.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our base is located 200 mts from the roundabout and 300 mts from the Train station and Central Bus station in Voss. We are very close to the new gondola, in front of Fleischer’s Hotel.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Outdoor Norway
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Kayaking
We had a great time kayaking in the fjord as a family of 4 consisting with myself, my wife and and 2 teenagers. The checking in was easy and the transfer to the fjord was about 45mins but a scenic drive. The kit was good and we were in double kayaks. The guides were really nice and we felt safe as we were kayaking up the fjord even with the larger ferries using the fjord. We stopped an hour for lunch at on the fjord where there were opportunities to swim in the fjord for those that had swimmers on. After this we paddled back to a pick up point. The views we stunning and We were lucky with the weather it was a beautiful day!! The only suggestion I’d have is some better instruction on paddling particularly on how to steer but we picked it up pretty quick!!
via Tripadvisor
5 for the views, 4 for leadership, 3 for communication
This is billed as a 6-hour "full-day" tour, but it isn't really that. The Great: Finn was an excellent guide. He gave us all sorts of great facts on the ride to the Fjord. He knows what he is doing and seemed to really enjoy his role. We enjoyed getting to know him..and hearing about his activities. Also great were the views in the Fjord. We had a partly sunny day and considered ourselves lucky since many experience low clouds or rain. It didn't rain. Two places for bathroom breaks were very welcome. The Not So Great: Yeah, it's 6 hours, but that includes 1 hour traveling each way and about 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes unpacking the kayaks and re-loading them. Your time in the kayak is 3 hours at best. Also not great was that our kayak (#12) clearly had a left bias which we had to constantly correct for. We were blamed for not paddling correctly but we tried many techniques, including switching positions and it made no difference. The bias was likely caused by a deformation in the bottom of the kayak caused by the transport straps or driving into the rocky beacheads. This was a huge hassle for us to overcome this bias. Amd, correct synchronized paddling actually worsens the effect. So every time we we did so, we drifted faster to the left. Check your kayak. When we stopped for lunch, Finn mentioned one option was to hike to a waterfall but he didn't make clear that would take all of the lunch time. None of us did it at first and when we inquired about it, he said we didn't have enough time. Ah, OK. When loading up the kayaks, one of the other guides (whose name is withheld) absolutely would not do what Finn asked in order to secure the load. Finn was very patient with this person, who was at best, unprofessional, and at worst, just a jerk. Someone else had to step in to help. That shouldn't happen in front of customers. Finn handled it very well. It was a tough situation. The other party did not. The Bad: In the listing for the activity, it says you need to bring your own lunch and water. It doesn't say that anywhere in the post-booking communications. We did bring it but some tours provide water and lunch and Outdoor Norway does not. That needs to be made more clear. At the time of this writing, there are only 17 reviews which seems like a really low number for something that overall is an experience unique to Norway. As with other activities, we were asked multiple times to sign a waiver, which we did do. When we were checked in, we were asked if we signed the waiver, but there was no checking of any records or verification. Our word is our bond, I guess.
via Tripadvisor
Mostly enjoyed it, but not for the guided trip
A somewhat less positive review that I feel I have to write. As a family with 2 kids we booked this trip as it was marked as beginner to intermediate. While we're not totally new to kayaking, it was a while ago and definitely not in big waters like these. Therefore we paid for a guided tour and booked this based on reviews. However, I must say we left with two different conclusions. One is about the Nærøyfjord itself and the other about the guided part of it all. We can be short about the first one: it's a stunning location and after a few days of rain the waterfalls were still going which added to the beauty, so even though it was mostly cloudy it was beautiful nonetheless. About the guided experience we're really left wondering what we paid for. We were asked to be there 8:25 and we were there 8:15 with just 1 other person, the rest showed op fashionably late. Which meant we left not at 8:30 but 8:50 (keep this in mind for later). The itinerary said things about "safety briefing" and "warm up" but nothing of this happened. We were just told what the skirt and life jacket were and how to put them on, nothing more. There was also absolutely no explanation about any plan, people were just put into the water and at the end the 2 guides joined and just circled around the group. Part of the group went fast and others were taking pictures just 100 meters into the fjord. Guides did nothing to keep the group together and there should've been instructions like "first we kayak for 30 minutes, then we pause to take pictures" or something like that. Now all we got was 4 km of the fjord in the whole trip. And remember: I was even with my daughter so extra weight and her paddling was of course not of huge help and I'm not the fittest guy out there either, yet we felt like we only did a very small part of what could've been. Then the lunch: the itinerary explicitly stated "kayaking, then lunch, then more kayaking". And while at 11:00 we were asked (with some rain above us) whether we wanted to lunch already or wait a little bit for better weather, we did say that we wanted to lunch but can wait for it a little longer. Eventually the guide said twice "we're going there and then we lunch" only to finally end up at the starting point at 13:00 and no further kayaking was done. Even though earlier the group was split in 2 and the fastest paddlers were only 50 meters away and did have a lunch break on the side. Our group, with our 2 kayaks and another family with younger kids and a single person also less experienced were the "slow group" (which is fine), but to make the decision as a guide that a slower and less experienced group can skip lunch and keep the same energy levels is a wild mistake. Also there was no guidance whatsoever, no instructions on how to use the paddles best or what to do in certain situations. Only when the ferry passed by everyone was instructed to go to the right of the fjord to make the waves we encounter weaker. Stuff like that should've been told beforehand. And the final element was the fact that the itinerary says 8:30-14:30 and 3-4 hours on the water. We left 8:50, arrived 9:40 and were in the water at 10:00 and left at 13:00, so somehow the guides managed to time it extremely well (for themselves or their boss) and we were back in our own car at the Outdoor Norway Voss location at precisely 14:00. Meaning they smuggled 50 minutes off and while we were driving back, the guides were called twice what their ETA was, when arriving a large group was waiting there. So it all felt extremely rushed and ill guided. No harm towards their friendliness, and I won't name names because it's a negative review, but this shouldn't be the way to do it. Basically the only difference between renting a kayak ourselves and this tour was the bus trip from Voss to Gudvangen and back and the few questions I could ask the guide the few times when I was able to keep up with him. Also: we were asked to bring swimwear but to this point we still don't know why and the guide also had no clue. Finally: to be honest we had no clue what to expect in terms of how easy or difficult it would be, how the waters would be, how stable the kayak would be and so on. We're just a family that isn't all that sporty and ultimately we felt extremely at ease in the water. If I had known this before, I definitely would've rented a kayak (and equipment) for a full day myself instead of this so-called guided trip. The major thing to know is that there are ferries in the same waters and RIB boats, but they all seem to be keeping far left (looking from Gudvangen) and we kept mostly on the right, that's very well arranged and the waves of those boats from a distance is no big deal at all. Yes, the first time you see a big ferry or a fast RIB boat coming somewhat towards you while you're sitting vulnerably in a small kayak is slightly tense, but as long as you don't go anywhere near them there is no issue at all. In the end we did enjoy our time on the water though, but price wise and guided trip wise this has been quite a mismatch.
via Tripadvisor
Bad customer service and handling of complaints
Sad to have to give a poor review as had high hopes for this experience. Booked a fjord kayaking tour with a departure time of 9 30an and expected return of 4.30pm. We were on the water approx. 1 hour and we were hit by a rain which lasted about 20 minutes. The weather instantly lifted and though conditions were good again the guide said we would head back and not continue with excursion. On route back they decided to stop for a 'snack stop' and allowed myself and my pal back in the water independently to kayak, at times, out of sight if the guides. We then had to head back to base after only kayaking for 1.5 hours approx. I have contacted Outdoor Nirway to raise this issue, I argue that if it was such bad weather and dangerous to continue, which it was not, then I should not have been allowed back in the water unsupported. It cost about £100 for a short kayak. They have offered a future discount voucher, which is no use to me. Debie at Outdoor Norway emailed to say she was escalating my complaint to management and after that email they are choosing to ignore all further emails from me requesting an update about my complaint (4 sent). I have requested a partial refund, which is in their T&Cs on their website but they are now ignoring their own T&Cs and my emails. I would have liked not to write a bad review but they have left me with no choice. I attach pictures of the 'bad' condition to which the said it was too dangerous to continue kayaking.
via Tripadvisor
Nærøyfjord – Guided Tour
What a great day! The views were amazing, and the guides were very helpful. Even the drive to the start of the fjord had beautiful scenery.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Price range
- $186 to $1,693
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Outdoor Norway, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.2.
See everything Outdoor Norway runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bergen.
How much does Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip cost?
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Prices start at $186 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bergen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bergen is not rushed.
Is Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bergen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bergen can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bergen and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bergen within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bergen?
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On Outty we rank every Bergen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present, City Walking Tour - Bergen On Foot, Discover Bergen on Foot and Boat. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bergen?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bergen?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Included: Life-jacket; Sea kayak; Spray skirt; Kayak guide; and Splash jacket. Not included: Photo package; and Tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Our base is located 200 mts from the roundabout and 300 mts from the Train station and Central Bus station in Voss. We are very close to the new gondola, in front of Fleischer’s Hotel. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Bergen. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Vossevangen: Nærøyfjord Full-Day Guided Kayaking Trip?
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Across 22 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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