If you love oceans, lakes and rivers, if you have a passion for travel and if you have an eye for the beauty of nature then we’re in the same boat. There’s something special about exploring the water on a lovingly crafted vessel and seeing the land from a new perspective, and that’s why we want to tell you about the fantastic array of boat trips that are on offer in the charming Westcountry county of Somerset.

Somerset is bounded by water on two sides - the Bristol Channel to the North, and the River Avon to the East - and within the county there is a network of rivers, lakes and canals. These different kinds of waterway are home to a huge variety of kinds of boats - from seafaring ferries to canal narrowboats, and fishing vessels to pedalos. If you want to take a voyage of discovery in this county, the choice is yours, and you’re sure to find an adventure that suits your preference, schedule and budget!

Where are the best places to take a boat trip in Somerset?

• Minehead: This town in the West of the county is sandwiched between the Bristol Channel and the hills of Exmoor, which makes it the perfect place for a coastal cruise. Sailing along the Exmoor coast, you’ll enjoy views of some of the highest sea cliffs in the country around Selworthy, just before reaching the charming fishing village of Porlock which has a colourful harbour. Beyond Porlock there are dramatic headlands with lighthouses at Foreland Point and Bull Point. Competing with the landscape for your attention is the local wildlife - seals, dolphins and porpoises make their homes in these waters, and seabirds nest in the rocky cliffs.

• Steep Holm: Sticking out of the Bristol Channel about 5 miles from Weston-Super-Mare, Steep Holm is a rocky island surrounded by cliffs and topped with hardy trees. If you’re looking for a boat trip with a fascinating destination, we recommend taking the ferry from Weston in the morning and spending the day on the island before catching the afternoon boat back. The journeys last around 30 minutes and offer a stunning panorama of the island in one direction and the Somerset coast in the other. It’s also possible to visit neighbouring Flat Holm, which is administered by Wales.

• Bath: A favourite destination for the Romans and the Georgians who came to enjoy the healing powers of the spring water. Now you can experience the healing powers of Bath’s waters, by taking a trip on the River Avon. You’ll start next to the iconic, shop-lined Pulteney Bridge and take you through the heart of the city, where stately town houses and leafy parks descend to the water’s edge.

• Bridgwater and Taunton Canal: This canal was built to connect the county town of Somerset to the Bristol Channel. It was never a huge commercial success, but since its restoration as a leisure waterway in the 1960s it’s become a wonderful option for a day out on the water. From the wharf near the village of Hedging, you can hire small leisure craft including motorboats and pedalos, or take a tour on a charming narrowboat, specifically designed for canal navigation.

• River Parrett: For a historical boating experience, come down to Langport and set sail along the River Parrett in a lovingly restored Edwardian Timber Ferry, the Duchess of Cocklemoor. This boat served passengers crossing the River Teign before falling into disrepair. Bringing it back to its former glory has been a labour of love by a local man, who now runs tours along the unspoilt River Parrett.

What are the options for organising this experience?

Some of the routes in Somerset run to a fixed timetable throughout the year, although with some seasonal variations, and you can make a booking as a passenger. These include the ferry to Steep Holm and tours on the River Avon in Bath in a 70 seat riverboat. The crossing to Steep Holm takes around 30 minutes, depending on the time and weather conditions, and must be booked as a round trip as you can’t stay on the island overnight. A river tour in Bath lasts around 1 hour.

A more common way to plan a boat trip is by chartering a boat and skipper and tailoring it to your needs. If you want to tour the rugged coast of Exmoor from Minehead, you choose the duration. From a 30 minute loop around town to a 4 hour trip to Bull Point Lighthouse and back, there’s a voyage to fit everyone's schedule. You can also charter the large river boat on the River Avon and smaller vessels, the narrow boat on the Taunton and Bridgewater Canal, and the Duchess of Cocklemoor at Langford. With these boats, the most common length is 1 hour, but it’s possible to arrange longer charters. On the canal, you can also hire small craft - motor boats, pedalos, canoes - by the hour.

Requirements to do this activity

One of the key considerations to have in mind when organising your boat trip is the number of people in your group. If you’re going to go on a scheduled, public, trip, then you can book on as an individual or small group, but if you want to have the boat to yourself you should choose one that matches your needs. The boats which can take you on a coastal cruise from Minehead, the Avon in Bath (the smaller ones), the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal and the River Parrett have space for 12 passengers. It’s worth your while trying to get as close as possible to that number, as the charter price might be the same no matter the number or people. We recommend these trips for large family groups, or special occasions like stag and hen parties, for a classy celebration to remember.

Some of the larger boats have space for wheelchair users, but you should bear in mind that boarding and leaving the vessels requires going up and down stairs. If you take the trip from Weston-Super-Mare to Steep Holm, be prepared to disembark on a shingle beach in order to reach the island’s interior. This ferry is suitable for all passengers over 1.1 metres tall. In general, there aren’t any specific restrictions on charter boats in Somerset relating to age or other factors, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with the crew in advance if you’d like to discuss your experience.

Are you ready to set sail? Just let us know, and we’ll set a course.