Boat Tour Activities
-
A
Tui Tai Adventure Cruises
A voyage with Tui Tai Adventure Cruises is a fantastic way to see and do a lot in a short time. Sailing between Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the more remote islands of Kioa, Koro and the Ringgolds, you'll get to snorkel, kayak, bike, trek, swim, fish, dive or just lounge on deck to your heart's content.
Captivating dolphins and - if you're lucky - majestic whales swimming alongside the boat, star-lit dinners on deck, and welcoming villagers you meet on out-of-the-way islands all make it a great experience. The snorkelling and diving sites are some of the world's best, and the newly refitted sailboat itself is gorgeous. All accommodation is in cabins with private bathroom and…
reviewed
-
B
Captain Morgan Cruises
Most Captain Morgan Cruises operate out of Sliema, but there are Buġibba departures for an hour-long 'underwater safari' in a glass-bottomed boat exploring the marine life around St Paul's Islands. Underwater safaris depart from Plajja Tal'Bognor three times daily Monday to Saturday June to September, and Monday to Friday April, May and October (€15/11 adult/child).
reviewed
-
Gelal
The trustworthy Gelal, who hangs out near Panorama Restaurant near the ferry landing, offers hassle-free tours on his family's feluccas at good-value fixed prices. He is from Seheyl Island and can also arrange a visit of the island and lunch in his house, as well as a swim on a safe beach.
The Nile looks fabulous and magical at Aswan, and few things are more relaxing than hiring a felucca (traditional canvas-sailed boat) before sunset and sailing between the islands, the desert and the huge black boulders, listening to the flapping of the sail and to Nubian boys singing from their tiny dugouts.
When walking along the Nile, it's hard to avoid felucca touts any time of the…
reviewed
-
Dolphin Watching
Sunrise boat trips to see dolphins are Lovina's much-hyped tourist attraction - so much so that a large concrete crowned monument has been erected in honour of the over-touted cetaceans. Some days, no dolphins are sighted, but most of the time at least a few surface.
Expect constant hassle from your hotel and touts selling dolphin trips - and if you want to go, it's best to buy a ticket the day before. The price is fixed by the boat owners' cartel. Trips start at a non-holiday-like 06:00 and last about two hours. Note that the ocean can get pretty crowded with loud, roaring power boats.
There's great debate about what all this means to the dolphins. Do they like being…
reviewed
-
C
Windermere Lake Cruises
Top on the list of things to do in Windermere is to take a lake cruise. The first passenger ferry was launched back in 1845, and cruising on the lake is still a popular pastime: some of the vessels are modern, but there are a couple of period beauties dating back to the 1930s.
All cruises allow you to jump off at one of the ferry landings (Waterhead/Ambleside, Wray Castle, Brockhole, Bowness, Ferry Landing, Fell Foot Ferry and Lakeside) and catch a later boat back.
* Freedom of the Lake Ticket (adult/child/family £17.75/8.90/48.50) One day's unlimited travel on all routes.
* Blue Cruise (adult/child/family £7.20/3.60/19.80) 45-minute cruise around Windermere's islands and…
reviewed
-
Boat Excursions
The best way to appreciate the area is by Boat Excursion. The classic trip is a two to 2½ hour excursion in a lancha, which takes you around the Laguna Iberá and its embalsados. You'll see myriad bird and animal life, elegant lilies, water hyacinths and other aquatic plants. The Laguna Iberá is only a small part of the 13,000 sq km area of the Esteros. Some 80km north, at Galarza, is the Laguna Galarza and the larger Laguna de Luna, which can also be explored by boat.
Many of the lodges can organize these activities; if you are staying at one they are usually included in the price. If not, there are many other options. There are several local, independent guides in…
reviewed
-
D
Enterprise Boats
Offers boat trips around Falmouth Bay and the Fal Estuary. It operates three wooden-hulled boats along the picturesque River Fal, calling at Trelissick Gardens and Smuggler's Cottage at Tolverne en route to Truro. Depending on the tides, the boats sometimes stop at Malpas, 3 miles downriver from Truro; free double-deckers connect with the harbourmaster's office near the city centre.
There are also trips from Truro to St Mawes. Boat trips run every two hours or so in both directions depending on the time of year. Cruises include an onboard commentary detailing local wildlife and points of interest such as Pill Creek (setting of the film Treasure Island), Tregothnan (the…
reviewed
-
Boat Trips
Boat trips leave from the port at Praia de Saco da Ribeira, 12km south of Ubatuba. You can book cruises (four hours, departing around 11:00 Thursday to Tuesday) into the Baía da Enseada and out to the Ilha Anchieta. Ilha Anchieta is a lovely island, now protected by the national government. The island offers rare glimpses of beautiful fish and birds undisturbed in their natural habitats. You can also see the local Tamar Project, which protects native turtles and their eggs.
These minicruises offer enviable views of the coast and its beautiful, deep-green waters. You can make reservations at the tourist office or many hotels and guesthouses. However, you might get a…
reviewed
-
Whale Safari
The island's biggest outfit, Whale Safari, which operates the Whale Centre, runs popular cruises between late May and mid-September. The tour begins with a guided tour of the Centre and slide show, followed by a three to six-hour boat trip. If you fail to sight at least one sperm whale, your next trip is free. There's also a chance of spotting minke, pilot and humpback whales and, towards the end of the season, killer whales (orcas).
Trips depart at least once daily (at 11:00) with up to six sailings in high summer. Your fee includes a light lunch, if you can face it - staff pass around the seasickness pills, just like airline boiled sweets before take-off. A tip: weather…
reviewed
-
KWS Office
Most people visit the marine park on a snorkelling or glass-bottomed boat trip, which can be arranged at the KWS office on the coast road south of town. Boats only go out at low tide, so it's a good idea to call in advance to check times. The going rate is around KSh3500 per boat (five to ten people) for a two-hour trip, and masks and snorkels are provided. Alternatively, you can take a tour with any of the agencies in town.
The use of fins (flippers) is discouraged as there has been lots of damage caused by inexperienced snorkellers. Walking atop the reef at low tide also does irreparable damage and should be avoided. The KWS compound sits on a lovely stretch of beach…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Sail Away
The recommended Sail Away is the best contact for island dhow safaris, with various day and overnight sails in the archipelago (check out their website for a sampling).
Prices are very reasonable: a day trip including snorkelling around the islands of Magaruque or Benguera, a good lunch, refreshments, park entry fees and snorkelling equipment costs around US$47, with discounts sometimes available for walk-ins. Overnight safaris range from two to four days and cost from around US$70 per person per day, with everything that the day trip includes, plus full board and accommodation. All boats have extra motors, safety and first-aid equipment and communication on board. Sail…
reviewed
-
River Trips
The broad Rio Madeira forms the western boundary of Porto Velho. Measurements of the length of the mud-brown river usually include its main tributary, the Rio Mamoré, and its tributaries, which originate in the Bolivian Andes, making the Madeira 3200km long. With an average flow of 1.4 billion liters a minute, the Madeira has the sixth-greatest volume of all the world's rivers. It enters the Rio Amazonas 150km downstream from Manaus.
From about 09:00 to 19:00 daily, riverboats make 45-minute cruises along the Rio Madeira from the dock in front of the Madeira-Mamoré train station While not exactly thrilling, this is a reasonable way to idle away an hour or so - with luck…
reviewed
-
La Tovara
A boat trip through the jungle to the freshwater spring of La Tovara - a federally protected estuary - is a real San Blas highlight. Small boats go from the embarcadero (jetty). The three-hour trips go up Estuario San Cristóbal to the spring, passing thick jungle and mangroves. Bring your swimsuit to swim at La Tovara; there's a restaurant there, too.
For a few pesos more you can extend the trip from La Tovara to the Cocodrilario (crocodile nursery), where toothy reptiles are reared in captivity for later release in the wild. For a group of up to four people it costs around $360 to go to La Tovara (3½ hours) and around $440 to the Cocodrilario (four hours).
reviewed
-
Blue Water Holidays
Murmansk is the starting point for July and August cruises to the North Pole and Arctic islands on Russian icebreakers, an exotic and expensive experience where passengers see dramatic seascapes and, with luck, Arctic wildlife (the voyages last around two weeks). You will need to book well in advance and many agencies include flights from Helsinki or Moscow to Murmansk in their packages.
Cruise to the North Pole in one of Russia's nuclear icebreakers, or take a trip to dramatic Franz Josef Land or Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya in non-nuclear icebreakers. The ships are fitted out for passengers and some of the profits go towards the upkeep of Russia's icebreaker…
reviewed
-
E
Dingle Boatmen's Association
In the early 1980s, Dingle fishing crews began to notice a solitary bottlenose dolphin that followed their vessels, jumped about in the water and sometimes leapt over smaller boats. When an American tourist offered to pay a boatman to take him to visit the large, friendly dolphin, an industry was born. Eleven boats now go out every day in the summer, and the Dingle dolphin is an international celebrity.
Boats leave the pier daily year-round for one-hour dolphin-spotting trips; call Dingle Boatmen's Association. It's free if Fungie doesn't show, but he usually does. The association also runs a daily two-hour boat trip for enthusiasts who want to swim with Fungie.
reviewed
-
F
Aberdeen Sampan Company
Sampan tours can easily be arranged along Aberdeen Promenade, which runs south and parallel to Aberdeen Praya Rd. You can have your choice of private operators, which generally mill around the eastern end of the promenade, or licensed operators registered with the HKTB, such as the Aberdeen Sampan Company. The private sampans usually charge around $55 per person for a 30-minute ride (about $110 to Sok Kwu Wan and $130 to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma), though you should easily be able to bargain this down if there are several of you. Ferries to several spots on Lamma also operate from the promenade, as well as infrequent services to Stanley and Po Toi island.
reviewed
-
Key West Express
Kicking back on the Key West Express will save you 300 miles of driving and seven hours in the car. The high-speed ferry leaves Fort Myers Beach in the morning and arrives at Key West in the early afternoon; it arrives back in Fort Myers Beach at around 22:00. All in all you'll have about 5½ hours in Key West. Round-trip tickets (adult/child/senior around US$140/around US$120/around US$130, including parking) cost the same even if you're not returning that day.
To reach the ferry, head south on San Carlos Blvd (Hwy 865) toward the Sky Bridge to Fort Myers Beach; just before the bridge, turn right on Main St and left on Fisherman's Wharf.
reviewed
-
G
M/S Lily Cruises
Archipelago cruises are a popular activity in Turku during summer. There are day trips around the islands as well as evening dinner-and-dance cruises. Most departures are from the quay at Martinsilta bridge.
The M/S Lily cruises out to Vepsa island three times daily from mid-June to mid-August (one hour each way) and as far as Maisaari on Friday and Sunday evening (four hours total). In May and September, cruises are Friday to Sunday only. Rosita also has cruises to Bengtskär island aboard the MS Anna on scheduled Saturdays in May, June and August. The full-day return cruise includes guide fees and entry to the island.
reviewed
-
Skibladner
Skibladner, the world’s oldest paddle steamer, is a wonderfully relaxing way to explore lake Mjøsa. First built in Sweden in 1856, the boat was refitted and lengthened to 165ft (50m) in 1888. From late June until mid-August, the Skibladner plies the lake between Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer. Most travellers opt for the route between Hamar and Lillehammer (one way/return Nkr220/320, 3½ hours) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, which can be done as a return day trip (from Hamar only, Nkr320). Jazz evenings aboard the steamer cost Nkr450, including food (but not drinks).
reviewed
-
H
Keswick Launch
Derwentwater is undoubtedly one of the Lake District's most attractive lakes, and remained a lifelong favourite of Beatrix Potter.The lake jetties are a short stroll south of town, next to the fields of Crow Park. Boats putter out to landing stages at Ashness Gate, Lodore Falls, High Brandlehow, Low Brandlehow, Hawse End, Nichol End. Departures run clockwise and anticlockwise; you can get off and walk to the next stage if you wish. Single fares to each jetty are also available
There are six daily boats from March to November, with a couple of extra afternoon sailings and a twilight cruise in summer. There are only two sailings a day in winter.
Rowboats (£12 per hour) and…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
SS Ukkopekka Cruises
Archipelago cruises are a popular activity in Turku during summer. There are day trips around the islands as well as evening dinner-and-dance cruises. Most departures are from the quay at Martinsilta bridge.
The historic steamship SS Ukkopekka cruises to Naantali (daily, early June to late August). The trip takes 1¾ hours and you can have lunch on board. If you'd rather party on board, there's an evening dinner-dance cruise, departing at 19:00 Monday to Saturday from mid-May to late August. The meals (starters plus buffet) are served on dry land - on the island of Loistokari.
reviewed
-
SSarasota Bay Explorers
Under the supervision of marine biologists, boat cruises trawl a net and then examine the sponges, sea horses and various fish you catch. You also inspect rookeries and stop on an uninhabited island for a short nature walk; you may spot manatees and dolphins. The 1¾-hour ecotours (adult/child $26/22) depart from the Mote aquarium daily at 11am, 1:30pm and 4pm. They also offer guided kayak tours (adult/child $55/45).
reviewed
-
J
Evropská Vodní Doprava
Operates large cruise boats based at the quay beside Čechův most (Bohemia Bridge), and offers a one-hour return cruise departing hourly from 10am to 6pm (240/120Kč per adult/child); a two-hour return cruise including lunch and live music, departing at noon (690/380Kč per adult/child***unchanged***); a two-hour return cruise to Vyšehrad (350/270Kč), departing at 3.30pm; and a three-hour evening return cruise with dinner and music (890/500Kč), departing at 7pm. All cruises run year-round.
reviewed
-
Quark Expeditions
Murmansk is the starting point for July and August cruises to the North Pole and Arctic islands, an experience where passengers see dramatic seascapes and scenery and, with luck, a good deal of Arctic wildlife. Book well in advance (many agencies include flights from Helsinki or Moscow to Murmansk in their packages). Voyages last around two weeks to the North Pole itself or to Franz Josef Land or Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya.
The ships are fitted out for passengers and some of the profits go towards the upkeep of Russia's icebreaker fleet.
reviewed
-
Iguazú Jungle Explorer
Iguazú Jungle Explorer, with an office in the visitor center complex, is a well-run set-up which offers the following three excursions: a speedy inflatable boat ride to the bottom of several of the waterfalls, including a drenching under the San Martín torrent; a quiet dinghy ride down the upper Iguazú, and a one-hour trip combining a descent to the river in flatbed trucks along the Sendero Yacaratiá, and then a trip upriver through rapids to the falls.
Discounts are offered for combining any of these tours.
reviewed