Boat Tours

Not only is the Essex shoreline one of the longest of any county in England (it’s 350 miles), it’s also one of the most diverse, a place of surprising wild beauty, and rich in wildlife.

The lonely saltmarshes, tidal inlets and estuarine islands are a wild and ever-changing place where the natural world rules. Whatever the season, whatever the weather we invite you to explore the shores of our county and experience big skies and gorgeous sunsets.

Travel back in time and take a trip on an original Thames Barge from Maldon or step aboard at Harwich and enjoy watching the seals. You can also venture out by boat from the Walton backwaters or from Burnham-on-Crouch to Foulness Island and find out why the seals in the area are of a different colour to most.

The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation makes for a peaceful and relaxing boat ride, inland.

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2 reviews
Chelmer Cruises

Address

The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

grant.everiss@waterways.org.uk

Heybridge Basin

This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
188 reviews
Topsail Charters

Address

Cooks Barge Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

Historic sailing barges ‘Hydrogen’ and ‘Thistle’ are available for regular public cruises and also for private hire for groups up to 50 from a variety of East Coast locations including Maldon and Ipswich.
Seal Watching Harwich

Address

1 The Quay, Hapny Pier, Harwich, CO12 3HH

Telephone
01728 666329

chris@harwichharbourferry.com

Hapny Pier

The boat is licensed for 41 passengers. Temporarily closed until 01.04.2021
There are currently up to 250 seals in the Walton backwaters, a healthy breeding population which has risen from only 5 in 1986.
We take you through the backwaters…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
42 reviews
Brightlingsea Boat Trips & Foot Ferry

Address

Harbour Office, 4 Copperas Road, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex, CO7 0AP

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 302200

mail@brightlingseaharbour.org

Brightlingsea, Colchester

April to September Brightlingsea Harbour runs a daily foot ferry service to Mersea Island and Point Clear. On certain dates Brightlingsea Harbour runs a pub lunch river cruise along the River Colne to Wivenhoe.