padstow boat trips prices

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Situated on the banks of the River Camel*, about 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Padstow is the perfect place for exploring both river and ocean.  Other locations within our area such as Port Isaac, Polzeath, Trevone, Harlyn amd Porthcothan are right beside the Atlantic.

*The name “Camel” comes from the Cornish “Cam Hayle” meaning “crooked estuary”.

Padstow Sealife Safaris   sail out of Padstow harbour to explore the Cornish coastline, famed for its rugged beauty and extensive wildlife. For children, adults and photographers this is an exciting high speed wildlife experience, taking in the sights of our coastline and offshore islands, slowing along the way to get up close encounters with our local marine life. Their spectacular 2 hour Sealife Safari provides the opportunity to potentially view Grey Seals, Dolphins, Porpoises, Sunfish, Basking Sharks and an array of birdlife, all in their natural wild habitat. In the spring & summer the dramatic cliff faces are teeming with Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes and from April to late July Puffins are also in residence on our very own local “Puffin Island”. For a shorter trip, their 1 hour Seals Cave Experience heads out in search around caves and offshore islands for seals both in the water and resting on the rocks, keeping an eye out for any other wildlife that may be around. For those more interested in local scenery than wildlife they offer our 1 hour coastal tours, following the coastline north to the historic fishing town of Port Isaac. If it’s wildlife you want, the exhilaration and freedom of speeding along in the Ocean Voyager on the open sea or just taking in the lovely Cornish coast from a unique perspective then they have the trip for you. Bespoke tours are also available and can be tailored for you to provide a truly special experience for any occasion. Padstow Sealife Safaris is a true local family business, operated by a skipper with expert local knowledge and a member of the Padstow Lifeboat crew.

Wavehunters offer Cornwall wildlife spotting and sightseeing trips and charters from Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac. Explore hidden coves, learn about the sealife, spot dolphins, puffins and seals in their natural habitat while cruising our turquoise waters. Whether you are booking as a couple or larger family/bubble, they’ve made it more affordable than ever to get on board and take to the sea in a safe and fun way. Choose between their Semi Private Sea Safari and Private Charter and a 2 hour boat trip combining the perfect family friendly duration at sea with exclusivity and extra comfort on the boat. They also offer longer private charters by arrangement and 2-hours trips at certain times daily.

The Jubilee Queen  offers summer coastal cruises run daily (weather and sea conditions permitting) from Padstow Harbour to the offshore islands. You can see a variety of seabirds and marine life.  Bar and toilets on board. Times of trips vary daily according to the tide and conditions. Information is available daily from boards around the harbour and Padstow TIC. Pay on board.

Emma Kate Fishing Trips & Charter Boat Hire   offer daily fishing trips running from either Padstow Harbour of Lower Beach.  They offer 4 & 8 hour wreck and reef fishing, 8 hour and 12 hour shark fishing and 2 hour mackerel fishing.   Skippers Lee and John have over 40 years  experience between them, Junior and Senior Cornish boat angling Champions in the past. EMMA KATE is a LOCHIN 38 type sea fishing boat, built by one of the best and oldest British boat building companies LOCHIN, which are known for designing lifeboats & police patrol vessels. She is powered by a twin 250HP IVECO Turbocharged diesel unit, which gives her stability & sea-keeping abilities to a maximum.

Supreme Boat Trips offers daily sight seeing and fishing trips from Padstow harbour. The Supreme is a Corvette Craft Bullet 38. Take your pick from 2 hour Mackeral fishing trips or 4 & 8 hour Wreck and Reef trips.  All fishing equipment is supplied and you can keep what you catch as long as it is within legal limits.  Or simply jump on board for a relaxing river or sea bound sight seeing trip.  Toilet facilities and tea & coffee can be pre-ordered. The Supreme is also available for private charter.

1 Hour Camel Estuary RIB Tour

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Come and explore the stunning Camel Estuary! This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty hosts a huge variety of birdlife, from gannets, gulls and terns feeding at the river’s mouth, to grey herons, little egrets and kingfishers feeding along its banks and occasional visits from migratory ospreys. Discover more about the area’s fascinating history and legend as you visit sites of interest along the way including the formidable “Doom Bar”!

These tours are special trips which only run when conditions do not allow us to head out to sea, but can be run as a private tour if you wish (tide dependent).

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the boat and the unpredictability of sea conditions we do not permit pregnant women, children under the age of 2 or anyone with current or historic back, neck or bone problems. If you need further advice about if our trips are suitable for you, please contact us .

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30+ years experience

State of the art boats, safe & comfortable, stunning coastline, boat trip features, sealife spotting.

Occasionally seals come into the estuary to shelter from the sea and porpoises and dolphins have been spotted feeding in the river too.

Bird watching

Opportunities for bird watching including little egrets, grey herons and even potential migratory birds such as ospreys.

Sites of interest

View the "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" around the Camel Estuary and learn about our local heritage.

Safety Onboard

Our state of the art RIBs are custom-built for comfort and safety, with a highly experienced skipper at the helm.

What to expect

Exploring the Camel Estuary from cruising its gentle meandering course further upriver to riding the waves as they build where it meets the wild Atlantic Ocean. Stopping at points of interest along the way, there is a fascinating history to learn about, while we keep our eyes peeled for wildlife.

What we're looking for

A myriad of birds use the estuary as feeding and nesting grounds, or a pit stop on long migrations. Occasionally seals and porpoises enter the estuary to get shelter from stormy seas or feed on the fish moving in and out of the river and, from time to time, we have even had visits from the Southwest’s resident bottlenose dolphin pod who have been known to travel into the estuary as far along as Rock; there’s plenty to keep your eyes peeled for!

Professionally guided

Our boat trips are professionally guided, offering you the chance to learn a little about any wildlife we see as well as local points of interest and our rich local heritage. Your knowledgeable guide will be happy to answer any questions you have about the wildlife. You will have ample opportunity to snap some great photos.

Reviews of 1 Hour Camel Estuary RIB Tour

1 hour camel estuary rib tour faqs.

We take from ages 2 and up (babies are not permitted). Please be advised that our boats travel at speed and can be very bouncy which some young children enjoy but others are not so keen on. Individual children’s suitability is at your discretion.

Our trips still run on rainy days. Rain does not deter the marine life (they are wet anyway!) so we simply wrap up in waterproofs and go for it! Please dress extra warm on rainy days with lots of layers to avoid getting cold. If you would prefer not to go out on a rainy day, please keep an eye on the weather and you may cancel your booking yourself. As long as we receive at least 24 hours notice, we can issue you with a full refund.

If we cancel your trip due to rough sea conditions or minimum passenger numbers (5) not being met, we will contact you as soon as possible to offer to reschedule you to a later date. If this is not possible, we can issue you with a full refund. Please note: If you cancel a booking yourself, we require at least 24 hours notice to be able to issue a refund.

Due to the bouncy nature of the boat and the unpredictability of sea conditions, our tours are not suitable for pregnant women.

All of our trips travel at speed and can be very bouncy in places so are not suitable for those with back/spine/bone problems.

Well behaved, small to medium sized dogs are permitted on our boats, however, often dogs do not like the sensation of being on a bouncy boat so please take this into consideration. If you can make other arrangements for your dog, it might be best to play it safe and leave them on land.

Wildlife you might see on your adventure...

Other boat trips & tours

2 Hour Sealife Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Seal Safari Boat Trip

3 Hour Explorers Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Puffin Safari Boat Trip

Isles of Scilly Day Trip

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Boat Trips & Tours

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Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 77 54 82 24 04

Find us: Padstow Harbour, Cornwall, PL28 8BP

Our boat trips are great in all weather conditions!

Come rain or shine, our boat trips are suitable for most weather conditions. 

Book your trip today! 

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THE 10 BEST Padstow Boat Rides & Cruises

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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Padstow Sealife Safaris

2. Harlyn Surf School

3. Jubilee Queen

4. Historic Lifeboat Trips Padstow

5. Emma Kate

6. Trevone Bay Adventures

7. Waves Surf School

8. Wavehunters

9. MFD Surf School and Wave Riding Acadamy

10. Constantine Bay Surf School

11. Gulland Adventures

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• Padstow Sealife Safaris
• Jubilee Queen
• Trevone Bay Adventures
• Historic Lifeboat Trips Padstow
• Wavehunters
• Harlyn Surf School
• MFD Surf School and Wave Riding Acadamy
• Waves Surf School

Historic Lifeboat Trips Padstow

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Historic Lifeboat Trips Padstow - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Out on the Water: Padstow Boat Trips

Cast away into the Big Blue on a boating adventure from Padstow. Under sail. On a cruise. By paddle. Onboard a ferry. Powerboat or waterskis. Nestled between the River Camel and the Atlantic Ocean, Padstow is the perfect place for exploring both river and ocean. Roll up to the pretty harbour and choose from all sorts of ways you can spend a day messing around on the water. 

Padstow Sealife Safari

Photo courtesy of Padstow Sealife Safaris

Strap in for a full throttle adventure coming face-to-face with Cornwall’s marine life and experience the stunning Cornish coastline from the water. Seals, dolphins, whales, puffins and porpoises could all pop up as you power along beneath swirling seabirds. Choose from a 1-hour seal safari to a 3-hour explorers trip, or stay in the shelter of the Camel Estuary for a calmer ride. Experienced skippers and state-of-the-art boats make this a fun and unforgettable day out for the whole family. 

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Jubilee Queen

Photo courtesy of Jubilee Queen

Looking to explore the coastline aboard a more luxurious liner? Cruise in style on the 25-metre long Jubilee Queen – a true lady of the sea that was built in Wadebridge and has been taking passengers along the North Cornish coastline for 40 years. Young pirates and four-legged friends are welcome for the 1.5-hour spin, or you can max out on luxury with a private charter. 

Sailing, Rock

Photo courtesy of Camel Sailing and Powerboat Centre

Feel the wind in your sails and learn to trim the ‘sheets’ on a sailing adventure along the Camel Estuary. At Camel Sailing and Powerboat Centre you can learn the ropes on all sorts of dinghies from Picos to Catamarans, or if you prefer a more high-octane sea trip take the helm of a powerboat.  

Black Tor Ferry to Rock

Photo courtesy of Padstow Harbour Commissioners

Cross the River Camel from Padstow to Rock aboard the scenic Black Tor Ferry. It’s a short and scenic hop from the pier in Padstow (or from Lower Beach at low tide) to  reach the shores of Rock. Cyclists and dogs are welcome, and it’s wheelchair and pram accessible. Once you’re in Rock it’s up to you whether you while away the afternoon in a waterside eatery or stroll along the South West Coast Path to Daymer Bay and Polzeath. Ferries run every 20 minutes or so.

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Fishing Trip, Padstow

Photo courtesy of Emma Kate

Hop aboard a LOCHIN 38 type sea-fishing boat and head out to sea with an experienced skipper to see what you can snare for dinner – will it be pollock, conger, whiting or mackerel? Choose a 2-8 hour excursion from the Padstow harbour , fishing over reefs and wrecks off the rugged Cornish coast. Fishing equipment is provided or bring your own if you’re an aficionado.

Wakeboarding, Rock

Photo courtesy of Camel Ski School

Sheltered from the swell of the north coast, the flat waters of the Camel Estuary make an ideal location to have a go at wakeboarding or water-skiing. With expert tuition and the latest equipment on offer from Camel Ski School, you’ll be up and carving in no time. Inflatable rides, kayaking and paddle boarding are also available. And there’s even a floating island café for refreshments.  

Kayaking and Coasteering

Photo courtesy of Trevone Bay Adventures

If you fancy an adventure that takes you as close to the water as possible, head off on an exhilarating kayaking or coasteering trip from Trevone Bay . Steer your kayak into the nooks and crannies of the wild coastline and come nose-to-nose with seals and sea life. Or brace yourself for wild swimming, climbing and rock jumping, as you work your way around the border of land and sea on a coasteering challenge.  

Ready to cast away? Book a luxury coastal holiday cottage in Padstow. 

Whatever level of seafaring adventure you’re keen for, you can find the perfect maritime abode close in our collection of Harbour Holiday Cottages in Padstow.

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HISTORIC LIFEBOAT TRIPS PADSTOW - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go