Stockholm RIB Boat Tour Review: Is It Worth It?
So, you are standing there at the edge of Stockholm’s stunning waterfront, right? It’s really almost a perfect picture on its own. You know, you see all those different boats floating by; some are quite slow and historic-looking, while some are big ferries, and then, well, you spot it. This is a very sleek, low-profile, and powerful-looking vessel that just looks ready for some real action, basically. It is, of course, the Rigid Inflatable Boat, or RIB, and you are sort of wondering to yourself, ‘Is that experience genuinely fun or maybe just a little too intense?’ Well, anyway, let me just tell you about what happened on my trip and you can pretty much decide for yourself. Honestly, it was one of the most memorable things I did in the city. The feeling of seeing Stockholm’s beauty from a completely new angle is, like, hard to describe, but I will definitely give it a try. At the end of the day, a standard canal tour is nice, but this offered something… more.
Gearing Up and First Impressions
Okay, so the very first part of this whole adventure is actually getting dressed for it, pretty much. The tour company provides you with this massive, all-in-one waterproof survival suit, you know? You literally feel a bit like a mix between a deep-sea fisherman and some sort of astronaut, to be honest. It’s actually a little clumsy to pull on over your clothes, right? The guides are right there with you, though, showing you how to zip everything up, and you can just tell they have obviously done this routine a million times before. Anyway, once you are all snug inside the suit and have your goggles and life vest securely on, you really start to feel a bit of that pre-adventure excitement building up.
The crew’s approach is actually very professional and friendly. As a matter of fact, they conduct a very clear and concise safety briefing before you even step onto the boat itself. They basically walk you through where to sit, how to hold on properly, and what to expect when the boat picks up speed. There’s a genuine focus on making sure everyone feels secure, which is sort of comforting when you’re about to go flying across the Baltic Sea. You just get this sense that you’re in very capable hands. The boat itself is surprisingly comfortable, with special jockey seats you straddle, kind of like on a jet ski, which are really designed to help absorb the shock from the waves. I mean, it all just looks and feels very well-maintained.
The Gentle Cruise Through the City
As a matter of fact, the tour doesn’t just blast off from the dock like a rocket. It actually begins with a very nice and surprisingly gentle cruise through some of Stockholm’s most protected and beautiful inner-city waterways. This part is honestly a tour in its own right. You get to see the colorful buildings of Gamla Stan, you know, the Old Town, from the unique perspective of the water, which is just a completely different view, obviously. You also glide right past the majestic Royal Palace and the island of Djurgården, which has so many museums and stuff. It’s really a beautiful, almost peaceful start.
The guide, who is often the captain as well, provides commentary over an intercom system that pipes into your headset. So, you can actually hear everything they say very clearly over the low hum of the engines at this point. They point out key landmarks and share some fun historical facts and little stories, you know, about what you’re seeing. It’s a pretty interesting and engaging way to learn a little something. You’re kind of lulled into this relaxing sightseeing mode, more or less forgetting about the massive twin engines hanging off the back of the boat, which are, you know, just waiting to be unleashed.
Blasting Off into the Archipelago
And then, okay, it happens just like that. Once you clear the city’s speed-limit zone, the captain usually gives a quick thumbs-up, and then you just hear the engines roar to life with a completely different sound. Honestly, the acceleration is really something else; you are pinned back into your padded seat just a little. We were literally flying over the waves, bouncing and skimming across the water in a way that feels incredibly freeing. The wind is so loud at this point that you can’t really hear anything else, but it actually doesn’t matter, right? You are just completely absorbed by the moment and the incredible scenery flashing past.
This is where you truly appreciate the scale of the Stockholm archipelago. There are literally thousands of islands out here, some just small, rocky outcrops and others big enough for charming little red-painted summer cottages. The captain expertly weaves the boat between them, finding open stretches of water to really show you what the boat can do. The fresh, salty sea spray often hits your face, and it’s just an absolutely thrilling sensation. It is basically like a natural rollercoaster, but instead of tracks, you have the open sea. At the end of the day, this high-speed portion is the main reason most people book the tour.
Is This Tour for Everyone?
So, to be honest, this tour isn’t exactly a lazy river float. If you are someone who gets a genuine thrill from speed, wind, and a little bit of a bumpy ride, then you will absolutely be on cloud nine, definitely. It’s for the adventurous at heart and for people who want to see a huge swath of the stunning archipelago in a relatively short amount of time. You get to see so much more than you could on a conventional, slower ferry tour, for example. It’s a very efficient and extremely exciting way to explore the outdoors just beyond the city limits.
On the other hand, you know, if you have a sensitive back or neck issues, or if you get seasick very easily, you might want to seriously think about it before you book. The boat really does bounce and slap against the water quite a bit, especially when it crosses the large wakes left by the big passenger ferries going to Finland and Estonia. The crew is very clear about this in the safety briefing, anyway. They will tell you that it’s an active ride. It’s just something to keep in your mind, basically, to make sure it’s the right kind of fun for you. Very young children might also find the speed and bumps a little too much.
Photo Opportunities and What to Bring
A lot of people are obviously wondering about taking pictures. You can technically bring your phone or a regular camera, but I mean, holding on securely is sort of a two-handed job when the boat is moving at top speed. You are much more likely to be gripping the handles in front of you than framing the perfect shot. So, a GoPro or another type of action camera that is securely strapped to your head or chest is probably your absolute best bet, really. This lets you just enjoy the ride and still get some amazing footage to look at later. The slow parts of the tour are, of course, a great time for your regular camera.
As for what to wear, well, the big suit goes over your clothes, so just think about what’s comfortable underneath. Layers are always a very good idea, as it can be quite a bit cooler out on the open water than it is in the city, even on a really sunny day. A warm fleece or sweater is pretty much perfect. You should definitely wear flat, comfortable shoes like sneakers. And frankly, sunglasses are what I would call non-negotiable. They are not just for the sun; they are really needed to protect your eyes from the high-speed wind and the occasional bit of sea spray.
Final Thoughts & Practical Tips
Frankly, the Stockholm RIB tour is a pretty unique experience that blends two very different things into one trip. You get a calm, informative sightseeing tour of the beautiful city center, and then you get a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled adventure out in the wild beauty of the archipelago. It’s a combination that works surprisingly well, offering something for almost every kind of traveler. Just be sure you are prepared for the “thrill” part of the ride. It’s an unforgettable way to see Stockholm’s best feature: its relationship with the water. I would do it again in a heartbeat, seriously.
- This trip is basically a mix of a city sightseeing cruise and a high-speed thrill ride.
- All your necessary safety equipment, like a full waterproof suit and lifejacket, is provided for you.
- You will actually get to see both the famous city skyline and the remote outer islands.
- The ride can be quite bumpy, so you might want to consider your own physical comfort level.
- Just hold on tight to any cameras or phones, especially during the faster sections of the tour!
Read our full review: Stockholm RIB Speed Boat Tour Full Review and Details
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