Boat Trips
For something a little different, why not try one of the special boat trips that explore some of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Broads? Full details of our boat trips, including location maps, are available in this leaflet. (pdf document) [1841kb]
The Electric Eel Wildlife Water Trail
How Hill Nature Reserve, Ludham. 50 minute trip taking up to 6 people on an Edwardian-style electric boat, through the dykes and marshes. April, May, October weekends, bank holidays, Easter week and local half term, every hour 11-3. June to September daily, every hour, 10-5. Tel 01692 678763 to book.
Helen of Ranworth
Ranworth Staithe. Electric ferry taking up to 8 people on 1 hour tours of Malthouse Broad - Easter - October daily 10.15 and 11.30. Also ferry service Easter - October, every afternoon, every half-hour, from Ranworth Staithe to Broads Wildlife Centre. Tel 01603 270453 to book.
Liana
Discover the secrets of the southern Broads with a trip on Liana, an Edwardian-style electric launch. Departing from Beccles Quay, trips last 1¼ hours; plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely look at the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the River Waveney. Liana accommodates 8 passengers. April, May and October weekends, bank holidays and local half term 11, 2.15 and 3.45. June to September Mon-Sun, 11, 2.15 and 3.45.
Tel 01502 713196 to book.
Ra
Barton Broad Nature Reserve.
Named after the Egyptian sun god, this solar powered boat takes up to 12 people including wheelchair users on a 1¼ hour trip round the recently restored Barton Broad - from Gay's Staithe (Neatishead).
April, May, October weekends, bank holidays and local half term, 10, 11.30, 2 and 3.30. June to September daily 10, 11.30, 2 and 3.30. Tel 01603 782281 to book.
Hickling and Ranworth Broads
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust runs regular trips by electric boat on its nature reserves at Hickling and Ranworth.
Tel 01692 598276 for details and to book for the Hickling trip.
Tel 01603 270479 for details and to book for the Ranworth trip.
Boating excursions
For a guided tour of the Broads the following companies offer boating excursions. Some boats have wheelchair access. Coach parties are welcome on all the main river trips, please contact the operators in advance.
River Bure
Broads Tours - The Bridge, Wroxham. Tel 01603 782207.
Mississippi River Boats - Lower Street, Horning. Tel 01692 630262.
River Thurne
Herbert Woods (Broads Tours) - Broads Haven, Potter Heigham. Tel 01692 670711.
River Yare
City Boats - Elm Hill Quay, Pulls Ferry and Station Quay, Norwich. Griffin Lane, Thorpe St. Andrew. Whitlingham Country Park. Also 'hop on, hop off' service. Tel 01603 701701.
Southern Belle - Great Yarmouth. Tel 07906 020225.
River Waveney
Waveney River Tours - Mutford Lock, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad. Tel 01502 574903.
For group charter:
Waveney Stardust
Hippersons Boatyard, Beccles.
Custom built for up to 12 disabled passengers. Tel 07817 920 502.
Wherries
Wherries: traditional Broads sailing vessels used originally for trading and later as the first pleasure craft for boating holidays. Trading wherry, Albion, can be chartered from Ludham. Contact Norfolk Wherry Trust. Tel 01493 740140. Another trading wherry, Maud, has recently been restored. Olive, Norada and Hathor (two wherry yachts and a pleasure wherry), can be chartered for cruises from Wroxham. Contact Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust. Tel 01508 530793. White Moth, another wherry yacht, can be chartered from the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company. Tel 01692 631330.
Every summer the Broads Authority charters some of the remaining wherries and offers a series of short sailing trips during August. For details of how to enjoy this unique experience of sailing in Edwardian style and comfort, contact the Broads Information Centres or look at our events section.
