From leisurely cruises along the Thames to speedboat rides, and canoe hire to white water rafting – yep, really – there are all sorts of ways to take to the water in London. Raise the black flag, hoist the mainsail and anchors away – here are twelve of the best London boat trips in town for when the sun’s a-shining:
1) GoBoat London, Paddington, Canary Wharf and Kingston
Kicking off this roundup of brilliant London boat trips is a way for you to captain your own ship. GoBoat boasts a fabulous fleet of picnic boats that rule the serene waters of London in three different locations. These charming little craft boats really do offer one of the best days out in London, particularly when you can motor through tranquil Little Venice, leafy Kingston, or past the impressive towers of Canary Wharf.
Perhaps the best way to boat hire in London, they can seat up to six people, and pooches are more than welcome so you can happily bring your furry, four-legged friend on board with you. There’s also space for picnics to boot. If you’re wanting to get involved, then get a hold of your tickets here!
2) Themed boat parties, Blackfriars
Take to the River Thames after dark for an unforgettable night out aboard London’s Boat Parties. Throughout the year, there are a variety of themed events setting sail from Blackfriars Pier: take a chance on an ABBA Boat party, or say you’ll be there at the Spice Girls Boat Party. If neither of those events take your fancy, the Boat Parties team also host the Ultimate Summer Boat Party during, well, the summer, which will see a mix of music play out across the boat’s three floors.
All the boat parties include free entry to PopWorld London on Watling Street (nearest stations: Mansion House or St Paul’s), so your night doesn’t have to end when your boat ride past London’s glittering landmarks does. Find out more here.
3) Skuna, Canary Wharf
For our money, the best way to take to the London waters is in a goddamn awesome hot tub. And whilst the impracticality of putting a hot tub in a canal was once insurmountable, it isn’t anymore. The reason? A fun and innovative mode of travel, aptly-known as the ‘Hot Tub Boat’.
Each Skuna hot tub boat holds seven suave punters, and the tubs are heated to a balmy 38 degrees. The boats hold up to seven different punters, you’ll get training provided and you’ll also get 75 minutes’ worth of sailing time. Oh, and you can also enjoy alcohol onboard too, so this is one booze cruise you won’t forget in a hurry!
4) London Shell Co., Regent’s Canal
London Shell Co. is known for their floating fish restaurants in Paddington, The Prince Regent and The Grand Duchess. Dine on deck of the permanently docked Grand Duchess boat, or hop aboard The Prince Regent for a cruising lunch or dinner down the historic Regent’s Canal through Camden in Central London.
You can always expect to enjoy the freshest catch and outstanding seafood here, and menus change daily. Along the way, you’ll sail through the Maida Hill Tunnel and past iconic landmarks such as London Zoo and Regent’s Park too.
5) Moo Canoes, Lea Valley
If you’d rather travel under your own steam, you can hire kayaks and canoes from Moo Canoes, and embark on your own expeditions around East London’s many waterways during the summer, including Regents Canal, Limehouse Cut and Hackney Marshes.
There’s twelve different routes of varying difficulty, leading everywhere from Angel to Clapton, dogs are welcome, and they also have SUP (stand up paddle boards) in Poplar Union Canal.
6) Thames Rockets, River Thames
Got a real need for speed with your London boat trips? Then look no further than the Thames Rockets. These speedboats will send you screaming along the Thames, with journeys departing from both the London Eye and London Bridge. Their most unlikely offering pairs a speedboat journey with the Up At The O2 climb – another includes an afternoon tea too.
Routes take you all the way down to the Thames Barrier and you can also opt to charter your own speedboat too if you’re wanting your own private tour. Get your tickets here.
7) Uber Boats, River Thames
If you’re looking for something slightly more leisurely and chilled out, then a ride on one of the twenty or so Uber Boats, which traverse the Thames all the way from Putney in the west all the way down to Woolwich in the East.
You’ll pass all those famous London landmarks along the way, and during the summer months, you can even head out to Hampton Court in Surrey. Prices start from just £3.50 with a travelcard – explore your options here.
8) White Water Rafting, Lee Valley
We’re upping the ante with this next entry on our roundup of London boat trips. Did you know that you can go white water rafting in London? Us neither, but turns out you bloody well can! Situated in the far reaches of London (but just within the travelcard zones, so it still counts), you’ll be able to conquer the course used during the 2012 London Olympics at the Lee Valley White Water Centre.
Before you hit the rapids you’ll be kitted out with wetsuits, boots, helmets and bouyancy aids, then trained up by an expert instructor and put through your paces on the course. You can even charter an entire raft (which holds a maximum of 12 people) for a big day out with your mates.
And once your high-octane adventure is over? Celebrate your aquatic success with a pizza and a pint (or just steady your nerves post-raft!) at The Terrace Bar & Café on site. You must be having a raft mate…
9) Speedboat Experience, River Thames
Rounding off this list of the best London boat trips is another adrenaline-filled adventure. Departing from Embankment Pier, you’ll career down the Thames for 50 minutes at exhilaratingly high speeds, passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks along the way.
These Speedboat Experience ribs are London’s ‘biggest, fastest and loudest’ boats, and they’re fully-loaded with sound and PA systems, safety rails and 740HP Yanmar high performance engines, so you’re in for a hell of a ride with this boat trip. Routes all have guided commentary, and you’ll head all the way past the towering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf out to the Thames Barrier. You can grab a ticket for the experience here.
10) Bollywood Boat Party, River Thames
Are you a fan of both Bollywood music and sailing, and are looking for ways to mix the two together? Search no more for this year you can dance along with the best Bollywood and Bhangra and all other genres of music till midnight at this vibrant Bollywood boat party on the old Thames River. You can also get refreshing drinks and energising cocktails to add to the lively atmosphere.
It’s the perfect time to brush up on your Bollywood dancing skills, from the famous hand gestures to the fast-paced footwork. And the best part? Everyone is welcome, so even though you’re a newbie, you’ll fit in just fine. Get ready to dance, drink and make memories that will last a lifetime. Get a hold of your tickets here.