Boat Trips
If you prefer to sit back and let someone else take the wheel, why not consider booking a guided boat trip. There are so many to choose from, whether you’re a solo traveller or with a group of friends, you’re sure to find something you’ll love and of course you’ll have both hands free for some fantastic photo opportunities!
The Broads Authority operate guided boat trips from four locations on four very unique craft:
Electric Eel
Take a wildlife water trail on the Edwardian-style Electric Eel from How Hill nature reserve, near Ludham. This trip takes approximately 50 minutes and is particularly popular with birdwatchers, as it includes a stop at a bird hide overlooking Reedham Water.
The Electric Eel operates during weekends and bank holidays throughout Apr, May and Oct and daily through Easter week, local school half terms and Jun-Sept.
Prices: Adult £4.50, child and concessions £3.50, £10 family (2 adults and 2 children).
For timetable information and to book, please call Toad Hole Cottage on 01692 678763 or visit any of the
Tourist Information Centres in the Broads.
Helen of Ranworth
Step back in time on board the Helen of Ranworth – a reed lighter which was traditionally used to carry reeds. Now an electric ferry, the two hour trip departs daily from Easter to October from Ranworth staithe and includes a guided tour of Malthouse Broad and a stop at either St Benet’s Abbey or Cockshoot Broad.
Prices: Adult £5.50, child and concessions £4.50, £12 family (2 adults and 2 children).
For timetable information and to book, please call Ranworth Information Centre on 01603 270453 or visit any of the
Tourist Information Centres in the Broads.
Liana
Discover the southern area of
The Broads from Beccles Quay on board Liana – an Edwardian-style electric boat. Trips last approximately 1 hour 15 mins and operate during weekends and bank holidays throughout Apr, May and Oct and daily through Easter week, local school half terms and Jun-Sept.
Prices: Adult £4.50, child and concessions £3.50, £10 family (2 adults and 2 children).
For timetable information and to book, please call Beccles Information Centre on 01502 713196 or visit any of the
Tourist Information Centres in the Broads.
Ra
Hop on board Ra at Barton Broad to learn about Europe’s leading lake restoration project. Britain’s first solar-powered passenger boat offers fantastic views over the broad and the reedbeds that surround it. Trips last approximately 1 hour 15 mins and run during weekends and bank holidays throughout Apr, May and Oct and daily through Easter week, local school half terms and Jun-Sept.
Prices: Adult £4.50, child and concessions £3.50, £10 family (2 adults and 2 children).
For timetable information and to book, please call Hoveton Information Centre on 01603 782281 or visit any of the Tourist Information Centres in
The Broads.
Other boat trips
Broads Tours
Broads Tours have a fleet of five boats on which to take river trips from Wroxham and Potter Heigham, 7 days a week. Choose from a 1, 1½, 2 or 2½ hour tour from Wroxham from Apr-Oct or a 1¾ or 2½ hour tour from Potter Heigham from 24th May to 29th Oct.
Light refreshments and toilet facilities are available on board. A licensed bar is also available on trips from Wroxham. Dogs are welcome.
Prices from:Adults from £6.50, children from £5, under 5’s free.
For more information, please call 01603 782207 (Wroxham) or 01692 670711 (Potter Heigham)
Southern Comfort
The 100-seater ‘Southern Comfort’ Mississippi Paddle Boat sails from outside the Swan Inn in Horning along the River Bure. Trips run 7 days a week, Mar-Nov, and last approximately 1 hour 30 mins (2 hour evening cruises are also available Thursday evenings). Light refreshments, a bar, commentary and toilet facilities are all available on board.
Prices for 1 hour 30 mins cruise: Adult £6, child (aged 2-17) and concessions £5, family (2 adults and 2 children) £18.40. Party rates also available.
For more information, please call 01692 630262.
Waveney River Tours
Discover the picturesque southern Broads and take a trip on Oulton Broad, the River Waveney and the River Yare.
The ‘Waveney Princess’ is a 125 seater double decker boat, with upper deck sun canopy and spacious lower deck. Commentary, light refreshments and toilet facilities on board. The ‘Enchantress’ is a conventional river bus and can cater for up to 92 passengers. Again a commentary is provided for your entertainment and light refreshments and toilet facilities are provided for your comfort.
Trips take place 7 days a week, May-Sept (plus some early/late season dates) and range from 45 mins to 2 hours in duration.
Prices: for 1 hour 30 mins cruise: Adult £6.50, child £5, under 5’s £1.
For more information, please call 01502 574903 or 07769 731389.
Salhouse Broad Ferry Service to Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail
Discover the real Broadland wilderness at one of Britain’s finest National Nature Reserves. This tranquil nature trail is often bypassed due to its inaccessibility- you can only get to it by boat!
However, we have a solution for you. Salhouse Broad runs a Ferry all day on Thursdays and Sundays (10am-4pm) from Easter until mid-September for only £2.50 per adult, or £1 per child. For advance bookings on Monday-Wednesday, ring ahead on 07795 145475 or 01603 722775. The trail is closed Friday and Saturday. Admission to the trail is free.
The return trip takes 15-20minutes, life preservers provided, allow one hour for a gentle walk around the trail stopping at two bird hides en route. For more details see www.salhousebroad.org.uk .
Day Boat Hire
For the independent explorer, self-drive day boats offer the perfect escape. They can be hired from a number of companies in
The Broads, by the hour, day or half day and with a wide choice of craft from 2-11 seaters, there’s something to suit every party and every pocket. Hirers will be able to offer you tuition, route advice and most provide buoyancy aids free of charge.
Most companies quote their prices per boat rather than per passenger. For example, in high season you can hire an 8 seater boat for 2 hours from
Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham for just £29 or a 7 seater craft with toilet facilities, a two ring hob and running water for just £60 for a half day or £115 for a whole day.
Waveney River Centre hire boats out by the day or half day in high season, from their base at
Horning in the north or
Burgh St Peter in the south. You can hire a basic craft for £75 for a day or £51 for a half day. A minimum 2 hourly hire is available off season from £33.
Broads Tours offer a range of self-drive day launches from Wroxham and Potter Heigham. Standard day boats seating up to 8 people can be hired by the hour, part or full day from £14 per hour. Day cruisers and electric picnic boats that have the benefit of cooking and toilet facilities are available for full days hire from £105 (picnic boats) and £125 (day cruisers). Large electric craft are available from Wroxham only. They seat up to 11 people and are available for full days only from £105.
Canoe Hire
Get up close and personal to an abundance of wildlife by taking to the gentle waters of
The Broads in a canoe. Think it’s not for you? Think again - it’s safe, easy and great fun for all the family!
Most canoes seat two or three people and prices start from £20 for a half day, although hourly prices are often available on request. There are nine
Broads canoe hire centres in
The Broads, most of which can be found close to moorings. The centres can provide information on routes and safety procedures. Visit the website:
www.canoethebroads.co.uk for more information. Buoyancy aids and waterproof rucksacks are included in the hire cost.
Broads Canoe Hire Association Centres, offering a variety of canoeing options with your enjoyment and safety as our primary concern:
Bungay
Outney Meadow Caravan Park
01986 892338
www.outneymeadow.co.uk
Burgh St Peter
Waveney River Centre
01502 677343
www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk
Geldeston
Rowancraft
01508 518208
www.rowancraft.com
Hickling
Whispering Reeds
01692 598314
www.whisperingreeds.net
Martham Boats
01493 740249
www.marthamboats.com
Salhouse Broad
07795 145475, or 01603 722775
www.salhousebroad.org.uk
Sutton Staithe Boatyard
01692 581653
www.suttonstaitheboatyard.co.uk
Wayford Bridge
Bank Dayboats
01692 582457
www.bankboats.co.uk
Wroxham
Barnes Brinkcraft
01603 782625 (option 2)
www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk
Guided trails and canoe camping also available. Visit www.canoethebroads.co.uk for more information.
Other centres:
The Canoe Man offers 1-4 day canoe trails, B&B or canoe camping, one way canoe hire, guided canoe safaris, training and qualifications. Tel: 07810 838052 (I think he has a new number, 01603 499177)
A new way to paddle the broads: The Fen Paddle Company is giving guided tours on the North Walsham and Dilham Canal, Geldeston, How Hill and the River Wensum. This innovative way of exploring the broads is based on the idea of paddling while standing on a paddle board, using skills from canoeing, surfing and skateboarding. For more information visit www.fenpaddle.co.uk or telephone 07979 857857
Windsurfing
Facilities for windsurfers of all abilities are available at
Whitlingham Country Park. Beginners can take advantage of comprehensive tuition with fully qualified instructors. And those who just want to turn up and surf can make use of the Pay & Play scheme which costs £9 per 90 minute session.