Whether it’s waves lapping gently against your boat or a high speed pace around the cliffs, Kent’s coastline and rivers are simply made for boat trips. We’re also not just talking a sea going venture for the sake of it, while out on some of these trips you’ll hear of the area's history, see its modern sights and of course spot some wildlife! While the summertime is best placed for an adventure out to sea, the winter equally often makes for a quiet time on the Beaufort Scale, when the temperatures are cool and the sun low, but the excitement high…
Jetstream Tours
To venture out to sea in the historic area of the Thames and beyond, head to north Kent and find Jetstream Tours. With departures on their boats from both Sheppey (Queenborough Harbour) and Chatham, you can take a trip out to the Redsand Towers to see the world war history still standing in the channel, or even venture beyond the county to Southend for a full day out! For those who want a mini cruise off the coast, opt for the evening Fish and Chip Cruise which is a two and a half hour journey around the Medway Estuary, with guest speakers too, so you can understand the history, wildlife and significance of this area of coastline.
The Isle of Thanet
Home to Kent’s Royal Harbour and some of our beautiful sandy beaches, it’s expected that Thanet’s coastline is full of boat trips which you can venture out on – such as Go2Sea who offer trips ranging from visits to the Maunsell Forts, windfarms to getting a sea-view of the smugglers coves and North Foreland Lighthouse. If you’d rather go on a gentle nature spotting trip, River Runnerv host trips to the mouth of the River Stour just south of Ramsgate, where you can spot the resident seal colony who bathe in the sunshine peacefully. There’s even more boat trips available from Thanet – find them all here!
Canterbury Punts
You’ve seen Venice and Oxford – but throughout the back lanes and under the gates of Canterbury lie not just one – but a number of punting companies. In the centre of town there is Canterbury Historic River Tours which recite the stories of the city passing the Old Weavers House and the Marlowe Theatre. Just a little along Stour Street there is the Canterbury Punting Company, who meander similar routes but offer the standing up guide for that more Italianate vibe! Just on the edge of the city walls is Westgate Punts, which departs from the stunning Westgate Gardens and heads along the Stour to the edge of the countryside and beyond for that peace and quiet. For those who want to exert their own energy and boat between trees and countryside, head out to Canoe Wild a few minutes by train from Canterbury, who offer a number of canoes and SUPs which you take along the River Stour – with one route having a pub at the end!
The River Medway in Maidstone
This trip is reminiscent of the great river travelling vessels that navigate the Rhine and up and down the Thames, as your transport for this trip is the Kentish Lady River Boat that offers both one and three hour journeys along the River Medway – with a Picnic Box or Fish and Chips included with the longer journeys. While on the boat you’ll learn about the Medway’s history and unique buildings that line the river – it’s also known that kingfishers and their brilliant flashes of blue are frequent visitors! If you’d rather navigate the area yourself, self-drive private hire cruisers are available for rental on the River Medway, from the Kentish Lady office – so you can enjoy the river at your own pace.
Credit: Josh Carter
White Cliffs Adventure
We couldn’t write this list and miss off a journey below the White Cliffs and near The Dover Strait - the world’s busiest shipping lane! With Dover Sea Safari, you can take a rib boat out of Dover harbour and venture below the cliffs along Langdon Bay to see the majesty of these towering natural walls. If you’d prefer, take a journey, to the seals around the coastline or even (when tides allow) step onto the Goodwin Sands in the middle of the sea!
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
While it’s not strictly a sea or river going trip, this one is foolproof for those who suffer sea sickness! At The Historic Dockyard Chatham, you can get an up-close tour of submarines, naval sailing vessels dating from 1878 right through to understanding the background of what was once the UK’s largest dockyards, and supplied over 500 ships for the Royal Navy (yes – five hundred!). In the various other buildings you can also see how these mammoth ships are supplied at the likes of the Ropery, and with an everchanging schedule of events – keep an eye out as there’s always something unusual and unique to understand the high seas!
