Unforgettable Boat Trips in Cornwall
When you’re on your Cornish holiday, experience our beautiful coastline from a new angle, from the sea. There’s a fantastic choice of boat trips along our 400+ miles of coast, from family-friendly fishing trips to leisurely cruises with cafes. Take a boat across to an island, or head out further in the hope of spotting sealife.
There’s nothing we love more than an hour or so on the water, especially on a warm day when the sea breeze is refreshingly cooling. Here are a few of our favourite Cornish boat trips.
Seal spotting in St Ives
Take a trip on the famous Dolly P to spot seals in their busy Cornish colonies. Seal Island (3.5 miles west of St Ives) and Godrevy Island (further east, near Hayle) are home to Atlantic Grey Seals. These sheltered outcrops keep the seals safe from predators and the worst force of the Atlantic, so if you want to spot them in the wild, the best way is by boat. The trip is about an hour long, or try the two-hour Sea Safari Adventure.
Glass-bottomed boat trips from St Ives
If you’re interested in the wildlife below the water, take a trip on Nemo, another much-loved St Ives boat. Nemo has a glass bottom, so you have a unique and wonderful view of what’s going on beneath the surface. The typical trip (towards Seal Island or Godrevy) takes about an hour and a quarter; however they introduced longer sea safaris in 2023. At Cornish Escapes, we’re proud to sponsor this fantastic local business.
Fishing trips from Penzance
Across the peninsula, Penzance and Newlyn are close to some of the best fishing grounds in the country. Find this out for yourself by booking onto a fishing trip with Mermaid Pleasure Trips. Never fished before? Take the two-hour mackerel fishing trip, which is suitable for families. If you’re an experienced angler, their eight-hour deep sea fishing trip just might be the best thing you do on your Cornish holiday. Get that barbecue ready for later…
A boat ride to the island
If you’re unsure about stepping aboard but love coastal scenery, the five-minute boat trip across to St Michael’s Mount is just perfect – approaching the old harbour from the water is a truly magical moment. The Mount is a tidal island, so check the website in advance for boating times, and the small ferry boats leave Marazion regularly when the tide is right. If you can, catch the boat in one direction, and walk the cobbled causeway in the other.
Falmouth wildlife cruises
There’s a choice of boat trips from this busy harbour and they all give you a new perspective of this lovely stretch of coast. AK Wildlife Cruises offer longer sea safaris than most, of up to 7 hours. Of course, it’s never guaranteed, but passengers have spotted seals, dolphins, basking sharks and even whales! These cruises also have a scientific purpose: on each trip, the crew is collecting data to monitor local marine wildlife.
Padstow’s Jubilee Queen
Prefer your boat trips to be a little more luxurious? The Jubilee Queen boasts a well-stocked bar and comfy seating. The much-loved, 40-year-old boat was built in nearby Wadebridge and still belongs to the same family (who run the tours to this day). She leaves Padstow Harbour for a 1.5 hour trip along the coast and if you love looking out for seabirds, this is the boat trip for you. Kids and dogs are made very welcome
Experience a day on the Isles of Scilly
Embark on a day trip to the Isles of Scilly and reach the islands in just 2 hours and 45 minutes when you take the Scillonian III ferry from Penzance to St Mary’s. Grab a coffee and find an outdoor seat to enjoy the views of iconic Cornish landmarks such as Land’s End and the Minack Theatre as you set sail. Make sure you bring the binoculars and look out for dolphins as you journey across the Atlantic and arrive at this scenic archipelago just 28 miles from Cornwall. Scillonian III is also proud to be dog friendly!
Coastal holiday cottages in Cornwall
At Cornish Escapes, we have a collection of luxury holiday cottages and apartments around the Cornish coast, including in St Ives, Mount’s Bay, Penzance and Padstow. You can disembark from your ocean adventure and be in your comfortable Cornish holiday cottage within minutes, ready to cook your freshly caught mackerel. The perfect day.