Best Boat Trips in St Ives

Coast Boat Trips

Surrounded by water, naturally during a holiday in St Ives you’ll want to hop aboard to appreciate this hotspot from the beautiful shores that surround it. It’ll also give you the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas from St Ives, whether that’s a boat trip to Seal Island with its colony of seals and Godrevy Island with its famous lighthouse and many seabirds, or a speeding past St Ives collection of golden beaches, one thing’s for sure you’ll be spoilt for choice with boat trips in St Ives.

Here, we round up five of our favourite boat trips St Ives has to offer.

Underwater Sea Safari

Nemo St Ives
Time: 75 minutes
Price: Adult £35, child £25

Perhaps St Ives most impressive boat, NEMO is one of the largest glass bottom vessels in the UK with eight glass viewing panels. Built in Cornwall, this Evolution 38 was built in 2018 and arrived for business in St Ives in 2021.

Spectators will appreciate the advanced underwater lighting, as they see the magnificent wildlife that St Ives has to offer through the glass bottom.

During the 75 minutes this boat trip will take you from St Ives across the bay to Godrevy Lighthouse or Westward to Seal Island, dependent on the conditions. Lookout for seals on the rocks and observe the world below from the glass bottom views. Dog owners will be pleased that four-legged friends are welcome, but must be kept on a lead or lap.

nemostives.co.uk

Coast Boat Trips

The North Coast Boat Trip

Tour provider: Coast Boat Trips
Time: 2 hours
Price: Adults £45, child £35

Avoid moving the car, and catch a train to nearby Hayle (a 30 min train ride) where you’ll take in beautiful scenery of this stretch of coast before you’ve even reached the vessel. Setting sail in a Humber commercial offshore rib boat, on board there are four twin bench seats at the back and four jockey seats at the front of this surprisingly spacious deck layout.

A round trip from Hayle Estuary, the route will see you hugging some of the most incredible coastlines the UK has to offer. Due to the exposed nature of the coast, the trip is customised on the day to the best experience. Travelling either north or south out of Hayle estuary, highlights include Pendeen Lighthouse, the iconic Cape Cornwall, Seal Island, Botallack Mines, Godrevy Lighthouse and Hell’s Mouth.

coastboattrips.com

Historical St Ives Lifeboat Trip

Tour provider: St Ives Boats
Time: 1hr 30
Price: Adults £25, child £15

History buffs will love this St Ives boat trip aboard James Stevens No.10; the old St Ives Lifeboat taking off from Smeatons Pier. You’ll be treated to a gentle and serene boat trip around St Ives Bay where you’ll learn about the history of this impressive lifeboat, including the heroic rescues that were performed while taking in the local marine inhabitants such as seals and dolphins.

The route for this boat trip somewhat depends on the weather, but you can expect to see mouth of the Hayle Estuary, the infamous Hayle Bar and some of the wonderful local beaches. Licensed to carry up to 12 passengers, and offering a dog friendly boat trip, passengers are sure to learn plenty on this educational boat trip.

stivesboats.co.uk

Rib Rides

Tour provider: Blue Thunder Ribs
Time: 30 minutes
Price: Adult £30, child £30

Unlike Blue Thunder’s sea safari, this boat trip does not stop, as you experience a mix of sudden acceleration, top end speed and G-force when cornering, designed for thrill seekers. A boat trip like no other, this thrilling ride, will whizz you past many of St Ives beautiful beaches such as Porthminster, Porthmeor and Porthgwidden.

Step aboard the 12-seater rib boat (opposite The Sloop Inn pub) which is equipped to the highest level with cutting edge technology to provide a safe experience for all.

bluethunderribs.co.uk

Sea Safari

Tour provider: St Ives Boat Services
Time: 1.5 or 2 hour
Price: from £20

Choose from a 1.5 hour or 2 hour St Ives boat trip with St Ives Boat Services Sea Safari service. Cruise from St Ives Harbour on the Four Sisters heading east to the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse, where you’ll spectate Godrevy Island in all its glory with seabirds and seals galore.

You’ll learn plenty aboard this commercial passenger vessel with plenty of bench seating, licensed to carry 43 people, as your knowledgeable local skipper shares all. If you opt for the slightly longer two-hour boat trip you’ll also take in the breath-taking views of the nearby beaches of St Ives Bay, where you may spot a dolphin or two on a good day.

stivesboatservices.com