speedboat trip padstow

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Take a trip in the Padstow speedboats

Very fast boat trips. Fireball XL5, Jaws, Seafury and Thunder all head out from Padstow jetty. Sit at the front to stay dry.

Thrilling speedboat trips from Padstow

Enjoy a thrilling speedboat trip in one of the beautiful Padstow speedboats. The fleet of four red and white speedboats take up to 12 passengers at a time on a fast 15-minute trip around the Camel estuary. The polished wooden decks have a retro, quite James Bond-like feel.

The Padstow speedboats are named Thunder, Fireball, Jaws and Sea Fury. As some of their names suggest they’re very quick with fantastic sounding inboard engines. You’ll be whisked along the coastline past Daymer Bay and back. So much better than any fairground rides. The skippers often put a few twists and turns in for extra exhilaration but it always feels completely safe.

The boats run from the Padstow harbour slipway or other boarding points in the harbour from Easter to October, weather and tide times permitting. The ride is usually quite smooth as they plane the choppy water. Sit in the front behind the windscreen if you don’t want the occasional splash.

The skippers are very experienced and the boats carry all the safety equipment required. You don’t need to book, just jump aboard. Dogs are welcome and travel free. The cost of a trip was a very reasonable £7 per person in 2016, it may be higher in 2017.

About the Padstow speedboats

According to a thread on the pistoheads blog the most recently built of the four Padstow speedboats is Fireball XL5. It was built by master boat builder, John England, in Padstow, in 1999. He may have built the others too. It’s suggested the mould for the fibreglass hulls was in a boatyard in Wadebridge for some time.

Three similar boats to the Padstow speedboats were running out of Looe on the Cornish South Coast at one time, one, called Superstar, launched in 1972, still is. The maker of the Looe speedboats seems to be Norman Pearn & Co Ltd. According to this website some Looe speedboats were sold a few years ago.

There’s a lot more information about the Padstow speedboats and others on the pistonheads blog .

Walk the costal path

Things to do in Cornwall

Beaches in Cornwall – Polzeath beach has something for everyone

Treat yourselves at The Blue Tomato Cafe

Catch waves – Polzeath Surf is famous

Eat, drink and shop in Padstow

Take the ferry from Rock to Padstow

Beaches in Cornwall – chill out at Daymer Bay

Restaurants in Rock, Cornwall, overlooking the Camel estuary

Discover the life of lobsters at The National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow

Things to know about your St Minver Holiday

Discover Padstow Lifeboat Station at Mother Ivey’s Bay

Dog friendly beaches North Cornwall – Rock, Daymer Bay and Padstow

Cornwall Holidays

• Attractions

Padstow Speed Boat Ride

Description

If you are a bit of a thrill seeker and love a bit of speed then this is a fantastic way to explore the gorgeous Cornish coast in and around the Padstow area and Camel Estuary. Taking up to 12 passengers on each boat these are ideal for large groups of friends or large families. You will be surprised just how fast the boats go and how thrilling it is to be speeding along the water. The tours last for 15 minutes so plenty of time to explore the famous town of Padstow .

After your trip, you can go to some great places to eat and drink, see our Padstow town guide for some more info on the area and all it has to offer. The boats themselves are classic wooden decks and have a James Bond feel to them, so as you can imagine this is definitely a fast-paced tour. If you are up for it the skippers will add a few twists and turns for you too. This will be an unforgettable experience for you and your party.

About Padstow

Padstow is a famous fishing harbour, known for its beauty and working harbour as well as it’s world class cuisine. Home to a Michelin starred restaurant as well as some fantastic Rick Stein establishments, Padstow is a great way to sample some fabulous Cornish cuisine whilst soaking up that Cornish view.

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Padstow Sealife Safaris

Experience amazing wildlife boat trips in cornwall, enjoy the magic of the ocean, a padstow sealife safari is the best way to see stunning marine wildlife in the uk.

See amazing marine wildlife on our Cornwall boat trips with an unrivalled view of the stunning Cornish coastline. Our wildlife watching Cornwall boat trips are an unforgettable experience for you, your family and friends!

30+ years experience

State of the art boats, safe & comfortable, stunning coastline, boat trips in cornwall.

2 Hour Sealife Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Seal Safari Boat Trip

3 Hour Explorers Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Puffin Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Camel Estuary RIB Tour

Isles of Scilly Day Trip

Observe Wildlife in their natural habitat

Padstow Sealife Safaris is a locally owned business that specialises in wildlife watching Cornwall boat trips; giving you the opportunity to discover the abundant and varied marine wildlife of the North Cornish Coast through safe and responsible boat trips & tours.

Dolphin Watching

Dolphins can spotted all around Cornwall’s coastline from deep West Cornwall right up to Padstow in North Cornwall. Our 2 hour Sealife Safaris are the best Cornwall boat trips for spotting dolphins and any other fascinating wildlife we encounter.

Seal spotting

Learn about padstow.

Padstow is a bustling seaside town sitting on the picturesque Camel River on the north coast of Cornwall. It has been a firm favourite amongst visitors and Cornish residents for decades, all of whom fall in love with this charming fishing port and all it has to offer.

Find all the best things to do in Padstow after your amazing Wildlife Boat Trip around North Cornwall.

Marine Wildlife

See wildlife in cornwall.

Cornwall’s coastline is home to a diverse range of marine wildlife which can be observed on our wildlife boat trips. The crystal-clear waters offer unparalleled visibility for viewing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Join us on one of our coastal wildlife boat trips to discover the array of marine wildlife that call Cornwall home, and learn about the wildlife and their habitats from our experienced guides.

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Wildlife Boat Trips & Tours FAQs

Around Cornwall’s coastline whales aren’t seen often, there is one resident that is seen more than others and that’s the Minke Whale , all other whales are rarely seen.

Most likely yes, although we can’t guarantee sightings of the dolphins in Cornwall because of mother nature, we regularly see dolphins on our 2 hour rounding boat trip in Cornwall’s popular town of Padstow.

We don’t often see Basking sharks on our Cornwall boat trips as they’re usually a couple miles offshore but can sometimes drift inshore when the weather suits their conditions. Who knows you might get lucky!

Our boat trips are suitable for everyone but please be aware we cannot control the sea conditions on the day.

If we need to cancel your trip due to rough sea conditions or minimum passenger numbers (4) not being met, we will offer to reschedule you for a later date. If this is not possible, we can issue you with a full refund. Please note: If you cancel a booking yourself, we require 24 hours notice to be able to issue a refund.

Well behaved small to medium sized dogs are permitted on our boats, however, often dogs do not like the sensation of being on a bouncy boat so please take this into consideration.

We take from ages 2 and up (babies are not permitted). Please be advised that our boats travel at speed and can be very bouncy which some young children enjoy but others are not so keen on. Individual children’s suitability is at your discretion.

Access to the boat will either be down steps on the harbourside with a large step down into the boat or using a step ladder from the beach (at low tide). We have taken many passengers with mobility issues and our crew are very accommodating to give assistance where necessary. As long as you can make it up/down a flight of stairs either with or without assistance, you should be fine to access the boat.

start your ocean adventure today.

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Boat Trips & Tours

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Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 77 54 82 24 04

Find us: Padstow Harbour, Cornwall, PL28 8AF

Our boat trips are great in all weather conditions!

Come rain or shine, our boat trips are suitable for most weather conditions. 

Book your trip today! 

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Situated on the banks of the River Camel*, about 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Padstow is the perfect place for exploring both river and ocean.  Other locations within our area such as Port Isaac, Polzeath, Trevone, Harlyn amd Porthcothan are right beside the Atlantic.

*The name “Camel” comes from the Cornish “Cam Hayle” meaning “crooked estuary”.

Padstow Sealife Safaris   sail out of Padstow harbour to explore the Cornish coastline, famed for its rugged beauty and extensive wildlife. For children, adults and photographers this is an exciting high speed wildlife experience, taking in the sights of our coastline and offshore islands, slowing along the way to get up close encounters with our local marine life. Their spectacular 2 hour Sealife Safari provides the opportunity to potentially view Grey Seals, Dolphins, Porpoises, Sunfish, Basking Sharks and an array of birdlife, all in their natural wild habitat. In the spring & summer the dramatic cliff faces are teeming with Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes and from April to late July Puffins are also in residence on our very own local “Puffin Island”. For a shorter trip, their 1 hour Seals Cave Experience heads out in search around caves and offshore islands for seals both in the water and resting on the rocks, keeping an eye out for any other wildlife that may be around. For those more interested in local scenery than wildlife they offer our 1 hour coastal tours, following the coastline north to the historic fishing town of Port Isaac. If it’s wildlife you want, the exhilaration and freedom of speeding along in the Ocean Voyager on the open sea or just taking in the lovely Cornish coast from a unique perspective then they have the trip for you. Bespoke tours are also available and can be tailored for you to provide a truly special experience for any occasion. Padstow Sealife Safaris is a true local family business, operated by a skipper with expert local knowledge and a member of the Padstow Lifeboat crew.

Wavehunters offer Cornwall wildlife spotting and sightseeing trips and charters from Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac. Explore hidden coves, learn about the sealife, spot dolphins, puffins and seals in their natural habitat while cruising our turquoise waters. Whether you are booking as a couple or larger family/bubble, they’ve made it more affordable than ever to get on board and take to the sea in a safe and fun way. Choose between their Semi Private Sea Safari and Private Charter and a 2 hour boat trip combining the perfect family friendly duration at sea with exclusivity and extra comfort on the boat. They also offer longer private charters by arrangement and 2-hours trips at certain times daily.

The Jubilee Queen  offers summer coastal cruises run daily (weather and sea conditions permitting) from Padstow Harbour to the offshore islands. You can see a variety of seabirds and marine life.  Bar and toilets on board. Times of trips vary daily according to the tide and conditions. Information is available daily from boards around the harbour and Padstow TIC. Pay on board.

Emma Kate Fishing Trips & Charter Boat Hire   offer daily fishing trips running from either Padstow Harbour of Lower Beach.  They offer 4 & 8 hour wreck and reef fishing, 8 hour and 12 hour shark fishing and 2 hour mackerel fishing.   Skippers Lee and John have over 40 years  experience between them, Junior and Senior Cornish boat angling Champions in the past. EMMA KATE is a LOCHIN 38 type sea fishing boat, built by one of the best and oldest British boat building companies LOCHIN, which are known for designing lifeboats & police patrol vessels. She is powered by a twin 250HP IVECO Turbocharged diesel unit, which gives her stability & sea-keeping abilities to a maximum.

Supreme Boat Trips offers daily sight seeing and fishing trips from Padstow harbour. The Supreme is a Corvette Craft Bullet 38. Take your pick from 2 hour Mackeral fishing trips or 4 & 8 hour Wreck and Reef trips.  All fishing equipment is supplied and you can keep what you catch as long as it is within legal limits.  Or simply jump on board for a relaxing river or sea bound sight seeing trip.  Toilet facilities and tea & coffee can be pre-ordered. The Supreme is also available for private charter.