Nærøyfjord Sightseeing Cruise

The Nærøyfjord sightseeing cruise is a boat tour through one of the narrowest fjords in Europe, in Aurland municipality, Vestland, Norway. The Nærøyfjord is an arm of the Sognefjord and part of the West Norwegian Fjords UNESCO World Heritage area, with mountain walls rising to about 1,700 metres on either side and waterfalls dropping straight into the water. The cruise sails between Gudvangen at the head of the fjord and Flåm, a journey of about 30 km that takes around two hours. Fjord Tours operates an electric ferry on the route, which makes the passage quiet and low in emissions, so passengers can hear waterfalls and birdlife from the deck. There are no fitness prerequisites or age limits, and the activity is suitable for families and older travellers. No equipment is required beyond a warm jacket, since the fjord is windy and cooler than the villages, even in summer. Open outside decks give the best views and photography, while enclosed seating is available when the weather turns. Safety on board follows Norwegian maritime regulations, with life jackets and rescue equipment on the vessel and crew trained in emergency procedures; the crew handles any evacuation. The cruise is a common part of the Norway in a Nutshell style of travel, which combines train, boat and bus between Bergen, Voss, Flåm and Oslo. Sailings run throughout the year, with fewer departures in winter, and the best conditions come between May and September, when waterfalls are at full volume and daylight is long. Winter crossings offer snow-covered mountains and few other visitors but are colder and have shorter days. Fares are roughly NOK 700-900 one way, and visitors should check fjordtours.com for current timetables and prices.