There are hundreds of fantastic boat trips which can be enjoyed on a tour of Britain – whether on a river or the sea, a lake or a canal. From paddle-steamers to speedboats, kayaks to cruisers, there is something for everyone! Here are our suggestions for the best places to get on the water...

Take a boat trip in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland © Airborne Lens / Liam Anderstrem

With its rugged coastline and glittering lochs, Scotland is a fabulous place for enjoying a boat trip. Oban on the west coast is the perfect starting point for a whole host of unbeatable journeys. Enjoy wildlife watching and see whales, basking sharks, dolphins and porpoises; witness the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, one of the largest permanent whirlpools on earth; visit the magical island of Staffa to see the world-famous Fingal’s Cave; enjoy lazy days under sail on a luxury yacht, or join a fishing trip to bag your prize-catch!

Explore Staffa and Fingal’s Cave by boat © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The lochs of Scotland offer a tremendous opportunity to get on the water and there are organised boat trips on most of the bigger lochs.

Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in Britain and is one of the most popular lochs with visitors. Take a cruise from a number of departure points around the loch, including Balloch and Luss, or hop on the waterbus for sightseeing and getting from A to B. For those looking for a more active experience on the water, try kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding and more!

Cruising Loch Lomond!

Just north of Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine is another great destination for a boat trip. The iconic steamship Sir Walter Scott has been sailing on Loch Katrine for 125 years, so a trip aboard is perfect for celebrating this historic milestone.

Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

No visit to Loch Ness would be complete without a boat trip. In addition to the breath-taking scenery which surrounds the world’s most famous loch, you can enjoy the atmospheric beauty of Urquhart Castle, while keeping an eye out for the elusive monster! For a more adrenaline fuelled experience, exhilarating speedboat rides are available from the south side of the loch.

Look out for Nessie on Loch Ness! © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

One of Scotland’s most important modern feats of engineering is the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, which connects two of Scotland’s major canals and is a popular tourist attraction. ‘Sail through the sky’ on a sixty-minute journey from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, which is 115 feet (35 metres) above.

Boats on the Falkirk Wheel © VisitScotland / Stuart Brunton

The Lake District in England is a magnet for water lovers, with a range of boating experiences on offer. Take a trip on board a steamboat on any of the four main lakes – Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater and Coniston – and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery In England. All four lakes also have watersport centres where you can hire your own boat - whether a rowing boat, a sailing boat or even an electric motorboat!

Enjoy a cruise on Lake Windermere

Waverley – the world’s last remaining seagoing paddle steamer - undertakes a programme of sailings around the coast of Britain each year and it’s a tremendous experience if you happen to be in the right part of the country at the right time!

Waverley paddle steamer

Wales boasts a fantastic range of boat trips. Explore the coast around the beautiful island of Anglesey in North Wales, see Puffin Island and experience the magnificent Menai Strait. As well as leisurely cruises, you can enjoy an exhilarating RIB ride, passing with care through the infamous Swellies, with its whirlpools and tidal surges.

One of our groups enjoying a Puffin Island boat trip in North Wales

Choose a boat trip in Cardigan Bay and you could be in with a chance of spotting Britain’s biggest resident pod of dolphins, or take a trip from the coast of Pembrokeshire to see the puffins on the islands of Skomer and Skokhom.

Dolphin watching in Cardigan Bay © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2025) Cymru Wales

In Llangollen, you can cruise back in time to an era when a towpath really was a path for towing, with a horse-drawn canalboat trip. After that, switch to a motorised boat to cross the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which has UNESCO World Heritage status.

Enjoy a trip on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales - the highest canal aqueduct in the world! 

The Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire is one of only two working boat lifts in Britain, along with the Falkirk Wheel, and while currently out of action for repairs, is nevertheless well worth a visit. An icon of the canal network, it is known as the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’. The Anderton Boat Lift is the departure point for The Daniel Adamson. A historic steam powered tugboat, ‘The Danny’ was built for the Shropshire Union Canal Company at the start of the 20th century to tow barges but was converted into a luxury passenger boat in the 1930s. Today, this wonderful vessel offers visitors the chance to cruise along the picturesque River Weaver, the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey.

The Daniel Adamson

The ancient city of York, in north east England, is famed for its sightseeing tours along the River Ouse and there’s no better way to discover the history of this fantastic place. For something different, enjoy an Evening Escape on The Ouse, which offers a tranquil evening cruise along the river, with stunning views of York at dusk. 

Cruising the River Ouse in York © VisitBritain / Alasdair McIntosh

Punting is synonymous with the English university cities of Oxford and Cambridge and is something you really should try when you visit these places, as it offers the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon in some of Britain’s most picturesque settings. Punting essentially involves a ‘punter’ using a pole to propel a flat-bottomed boat along a shallow river and dates back to the 16th century. Glide under medieval bridges and past historic university colleges while sipping champagne!

Punting in Oxford © ExperienceOxfordshire/Studio8

The south west of England is a haven for fantastic sea and river trips, with dozens to choose from. Embark on a traditional Cornish boat trip along the stunning Helford River for a unique 90-minute adventure. The serene surroundings of the Helford River, with its calm waters and dramatic landscapes, are home to a remarkable variety of marine life and sea birds. As you cruise along the river you will be treated to spectacular views of quaint villages, lush gardens and secluded beaches, as well as Frenchman’s Creek, which featured in Daphne Du Maurier’s famous novel.

Explore Frenchman’s Creek on the Helford River in Cornwall by boat

For something completely different, why not try a sea cave kayak safari in Devon? Explore the caves and coves of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark in a sea kayak, spotting seals and dolphins along the way. Explore dramatic rock formations and hunt for fossils on an unforgettable escorted tour.

Enjoy a horse-drawn canal cruise on the Kennet & Avon Canal © www.GreatWestWay.co.uk

There are dozens of opportunities to get on the water along England's Great West Way touring route, whether in Bristol, Bath, Reading, London or somewhere in between! Why not take a journey into the past with a horse drawn canal cruise? Set in the beautiful Berkshire countryside on the Kennet & Avon Canal, the horse drawn barge is based in the pretty village of Kintbury near Hungerford. With horses bedecked in traditional harnesses and a boat built in the style of the 1800’s, this is a chance to experience England’s fantastic canal heritage. Further along the Great West Way in Windsor, there are a number of boat trip experiences to be had, as you cruise along the River Thames in the magnificent shadow of Windsor Castle.

An unforgettable cruise in the shadow of Windsor Castle © www.GreatWestWay.co.uk

Of course, London and the River Thames are amongst the most popular and rewarding places in Britain to enjoy a boat trip. Whether you choose to enjoy a leisurely sightseeing trip through the incredible city of London, with its long and fascinating history, a romantic dinner cruise at twilight or a heart-stopping speedboat tour, there is so much to choose from!

An exhilarating speedboat trip on the River Thames in London © VisitBritain/Daniel Wildey

If you or your group would like to enjoy a boat trip or two on a tailor-made tour of Britain, please do contact our friendly team today.