Boat Tour - Burnham

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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.

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Topsail - Afternoon Tea

Address

cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

A "Two Island" cruise from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes Afternoon Tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, homemade cake, tea or coffee.
Marigold Charters

Address

1 Chandlers Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LF

Telephone
07801 364 135

info@marigoldcharters.co.uk

Maldon

Marigold Charters offers sailing adventures on and around the river Blackwater. Their vessel Marigold is a Gravesend Bawley built upon the lines of the Lilliam in 1869.
"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.
Topsail Sunday Roast Cruise

Address

cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

Enjoy the quiet beauty of the early spring river during a two-hour cruise aboard a vintage sailing barge. Afterward, indulge in a seated two-course Sunday Roast lunch once back at the Quay.
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…
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…
Thames Sailing Barge Trust

Address

Hythe Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HR

Telephone
07840 862685

bookings@bargetrust.org

Maldon

Experience the pleasure and excitement of sailing on a historic Thames sailing barge.
The Thames Sailing Barge Trust, a registered charity which owns the sailing barges Pudge and Centaur.
To view and book our trips visit www.bargetrust…
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.
Heritage 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

Sunday 14 July. Fully day sail on a traditional Thames Sailing Barge learning about the history of barges, Maldon as a port and the River Blackwater.
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…
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.
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 board a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Includes Afternoon Tea.
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.
Sunset Cruise

Address

cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

A "Two Island" evening cruise from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back. Choose to add a cheese and ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter.
Smooth Music Cruise

Address

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

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Sunday 11 August. Two hour chill out cruise with vocalist Evangeline Brown on board a traditional Thames Sailing Barge. Includes light nibbles.
Essex Waterways Limited

Address

Papermill Lock, North Road, Little Baddow, Maldon, Please select a region, state or province., CM3 4BS

Telephone
01245226245

Essex @waterways.org.uk

Little Baddow, Maldon

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.
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.
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.
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…
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.

Boat Trips and Hire

Step Aboard History

Seal and Wildlife Trips

Passenger Ferries

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