In Falmouth you are surrounded by water, so why not take advantage? And there are plenty of Falmouth boat tours to embark on. Perhaps you want to catch a boat from Prince of Wales Pier to the pretty village of Flushing, just across the water, or to St Mawes?

Dolphin watching in Falmouth is also a possibility with a sea safari, where you’ll take in plenty of wildlife and nature. Or perhaps you’d like to take a ferry to Truro, it’s a beautiful trip through the waterways of the Carrick Roads.

Here are a selection of the best Falmouth boat tours. Bon voyage!

AK Wildlife Cruises

Take to the water with AK Wildlife Cruises, where expert guides help you seek out whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life. Choose from a range of experiences, including a 3-hour cruise, a 4-hour cruise or a full-day 7-hour adventure that heads further out to sea for the best chance of wildlife encounters. You can also try their exciting Snorkel Safari, visiting carefully selected marine hotspots around Falmouth. Every cruise highlights the breathtaking Cornish coastline and the incredible marine biodiversity of the area.

akwildlifecruises.co.uk

Helford River Cruises

Six miles outside of Falmouth, Helford River Cruises offer a 90 minute cruise of The Helford and Frenchman’s Creek. Launching from Budock Vean Hotel, you’ll pass the glorious beach at the bottom of Trebah Gardens, the idyllic village of Durgan, and cross the Helford to the Lizard side with great views out to Falmouth Bay, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. It’s a wonderful way to see the surrounding creeks around Falmouth. Bear in mind that departure times change daily due to the tide times.

helfordrivercruises.co.uk

Orca sea safaris

Orca Sea Safaris

Join Orca Sea Safaris on a thrilling wildlife safari along Cornwall’s coast. Their popular 2-hour trips offer the chance to see dolphins, seals and marine birds, while shorter tasters are perfect for a quick adventure. If you’re here in the evening, don’t miss the Golden Hour Sunset Safari, ideal for capturing postcard-perfect photos as you scout for wildlife. Trips depart from Falmouth Haven Marina — just don’t forget your camera!

orcaseasafaris.co.uk

Cornish Pleasure Cruises

A family business now into its third generation, Cornish Pleasure Cruises offer three main cruise options. The Harbour Cruise takes 45minutes offering a short boat trip around Falmouth Harbour, if you want something a little longer the River Fal and Creeks trip allows you to cruise the beautiful landscape and scenic waters of the River Fal and its surrounding creeks which takes around 1.5 hours, or perhaps you’d like to embark on a fishing trip and try your hand at catching your own dinner? Families can choose from a two hour or three hour fishing trip.

cornishpleasurecruises.co.uk

Enterprise Boats

Enterprise Boats offers scenic cruises along the Fal River, including seasonal high tide journeys to Truro. You’ll sail from Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, passing hidden creeks, wooded banks and historic buildings. The full round trip takes approximately two hours. Schedules vary depending on tides, so always check ahead.

They also run regular boat services to Trelissick Gardens, where passengers can enjoy Tudor castles, riverside views, and easy access to National Trust walks.

falriver.co.uk/ferries/enterprise-boats

Fal River Ferries

The King Harry Ferry, one of only five chain ferries in England, has connected Philleigh on the Roseland Peninsula with Feock since 1888. This convenient crossing saves drivers a long trip around the River Fal and runs every 20 minutes, seven days a week.

You can also hop on foot passenger ferries from Falmouth to nearby coastal gems such as Flushing and St Mawes. Both take under 20 minutes, and operate year-round, making it easy to explore without the car.

falriver.co.uk/ferries/