The Best 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 in Cornwall 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 sea life.
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 Boat Trips in Cornwall.
Seal Spotting Boat Trips 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. These boat trips in Cornwall are perfect for wildlife enjoyers!
Fishing Boat 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…
https://cornwallboattrips.co.uk/fishing-trips/
A Boat Trip to St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
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.
https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/getting-here/boating/
Falmouth Wildlife Cruises and Boat Trips.
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.
https://www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk/
Padstow’s Jubilee Queen Boat Trip.
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 an Isles of Scilly Boat Trip.
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!
Meet The Author.
As Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes, Emma plays a strategic role in driving the growth of the business through the marketing and recruitment whilst also overseeing the performance of our sister company Handpicked Cottages. Emma brings a wealth of industry insight to the business.
With over 20 years of experience in the holiday rental market, Emma focuses on understanding evolving market trends and her goal is simple: to increase bookings for our owners through marketing while also strengthening the visibility and reputation of our brands.
Outside of work, Emma makes the most of Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Her favourite walk is the St Ives to Zennor route – a challenging trek, but one she says is always worth it for the views and a well-earned pint at The Tinner’s Arms. Passionate about the lifestyle Cornwall offers, Emma loves exploring the county with her two daughters, from discovering family-friendly days out to attending local events such as the St Ives Food Festival, where she enjoys sampling some of the very best Cornish food and drink. When it is time to relax, she can often be found at Newlyn Film House catching the latest film or sharing recommendations on the best theatre productions and live performances across Cornwall.
Book your 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.
