Boat Tour - Burnham

You are here: Things to Do > On the Water > Boat Trips and Hire

Boat Trips and Hire

Take to the waves on a floatilla of historic and modern vessels including the iconic Thames Sailing Barges such as Hydrogen (1906), Thistle (1895), Centuar (1895) and Marigold (1981) offering a variety of trips, tours and cruises.

Step Aboard History

Some of our resident vessels took part in the heroic Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 as well as working their trade carrying goods along our coast for decades. Vessels like the Centaur, which was launched in 1895, traded all around the British coast and to the near continent carrying important local goods like salt and oysters.

Taking a trip aboard these historic vessels offers you the opportunity to sail around the Essex Coast while experiencing how our ancestors worked and lived.

Seal and Wildlife Trips

Experience the wildlife of the Maldon District by going on a trip along the River Crouch, where you'll be able to see seals, wildfowl, numerous species of bird such as Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin and even Short-eared Owls. This is a perfect opportunity to get out onto the water and see these animals in their natural environment.

Spend time with Common Seals who are often as interested in you as you are in them. On these seal and wildlife trips, you also might catch a glimpse of Atlantic Grey Seals and Harbour Porpoise. These trips certainly make for an excellent day out with family, friends and wildlife watchers alike.

Passenger Ferries

From the Yacht Harbour at Burnham-on-Crouch, you can take a short trip across the River Crouch to Essex Marina close to the RSPB Wallasea Island reserve, making it perfect for nature lovers, walkers and birdwatchers. The Ferry accepts foot passengers and cyclists as well, making it a popular mode of transport across the river!

For more details including operator information please see the listings and map below.

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Number of results: 29

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Estuary Rib Tours

Address

River Blackwater, West Mersea

Telephone
07938 273739

info@estuaryribtours.co.uk

West Mersea

Estuary Rib Tours is a family run business that provides boat trips starting from Mersea Island to enjoy the Blackwater Estuary, often stopping for lunch in Bradwell-on-Sea. The tours are on our 8m Cobra Rib, ‘Hi Fizz’, which carries up to 8 guests…
Topsail Charters

Address

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

Telephone
01621 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.
Morning Coffee Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A Two Island Cruise on board a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay, past Northey Island, Mill Beach to Osea Island and back.
Blackwater Barge Race

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Saturday 13 July. See the Blackwater Barge Match from the vantage point of a traditional Thames Sailing Barge.
Morning Coffee Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A Two Island Cruise from Maldon Quay, on board a historic Thames Sailing Barge, past Northey Island, Mill Beach to Osea Island and back.
Chelmer Cruises

Address

The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

victoria@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.
Two Island Lunch Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A "Two Island" cruise on board a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes posh Ploughmans and hot pudding.
Sailing Barge Cruise - Winter Warmer Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various winter dates. A leisurely one and half cruise from Maldon Quay to Mill Beach and back. Add an optional Spicy Ginger Cake and Hot Drink.
Sailing Barge Cruise - Slow Roast Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December & 13 January. A leisurely one and half hour cruise from Maldon Quay to Mill Beach and back. Add an optional warm baguette filled with slow roast pork and apple chutney.
Chelmer Cruises - Heybridge Basin

Address

Daisy Meadow Kiosk, Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, Essex, CM9 4RY

Telephone
01245 226245

victoria@waterways.org.uk

Heybridge Basin

Spend a day at Heybridge Basin - you can have a picnic, view the boats and hop on a one hour boat trip on our canal boat Blackwater Dawn.
Burnham Ferry

Address

Burnham Marina, Foundry Lane, Burnham, Essex, CM0 8BL

Telephone
07704 060482

Burnhamferry@hotmail.co.uk

Burnham

Burnham Ferry is the sole authorised ferry between Essex Marina, Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch. The Ferry runs 6 days a week from 1 April or Good Friday (whichever is the earlier) to the end of September. We are closed on Mondays, except for…
Afternoon Tea Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A "Two Island" cruise on a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes Afternoon Tea.
"Hands-On" Day Sail Experience

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. Learn to sail a traditional Thames Sailing Barge; set the sails, take the wheel and discover how two people can manage the boat. Fully catered.
Seal Trips Essex - Celtic Prince

Address

The Pier by Priors Boatyard, Quayside, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AS

Telephone
07853 401746

enquiries@sealtripsessex.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

New for the 2023 season, Seal Trips Essex offers a variety of cruises aboard Celtic Prince, a refurbished boat carrying up to 10 passengers, with toilet facilities, ample indoor and outdoor seating with a canopy, and the option of snacks and drinks…
Discovery Seals

Address

Essex Marina, Wallsea Island, SS4 2HF

Telephone
07748 653900

charterdiscovery@gmail.com

Wallsea Island

Discovery Charters offers fishing and seal watching wildlife trips which leave from Essex Marina on Wallasea Island, from Burnham-on-Crouch and from Fambridge Yacht Harbour.
Sunset Cruise

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A "Two Island" evening cruise on a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back.
Secrets of the Blackwater Day Sail

Address

Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. Essex as you have never seen it ! A relaxing day sail on a traditional Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon exploring the river Blackwater. Includes meals.
Cruise Essex

Address

Fambridge Yacht Haven, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

Telephone
07729 840898

enquiries@cruiseessex.co.uk

North Fambridge

Cruise Essex runs trips from Fambridge Yacht Haven on board Limoncello, a stylish Sealine F43 Cruiser capable of holding six guests in comfort. The vessel explores the River Crouch, and options include an afternoon tea cruise lasting around two and…
The Cirdan Sailing Trust

Address

Bradwell Marina, Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7RB

Telephone
01621 776684

info@cirdantrust.org

Bradwell-on-Sea

Residential sailing voyages aboard traditional vessels. Groups of 7 to 16 people, ages 12 years and upwards. No experience necessary.
The Viking Saga Boat Trips

Address

Landbreach Ltd, Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HT

Telephone
07766480793

landbreach@outlook.com

Maldon

From May 2023. This traditional pleasure boat was built locally in 1947 and, following a complete restoration, is once again offering trips around the estuary. Moored at the ‘little blue jetty’, the Viking Saga is the best way to view both the Hythe…

Boat Trips and Hire

Step Aboard History

Seal and Wildlife Trips

Passenger Ferries

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone