Are you looking for an exciting adventure on the water? We explore some of the best Scarborough boat trips you can enjoy when you visit.
A boat trip is one of the best ways to experience the North Yorkshire Coastline. With so many to choose from, we compiled them into an article so that you can choose the best one for you, such as sightseeing tours, wildlife spotting trips and fishing excursions. Here are a selection of Scarborough boat trips for you to consider.
Scarborough Speedboat Rides
This family-owned business has a deep love for the sea and all the wonders it has to offer. As well as the below trip options, you can even charter one of their boats for a special occasion. They give riders more than just a simple ride across the bay.
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10-minute fast speed boat ride
Experience an exhilarating ride across Scarborough’s North and South Bays. With speeds exceeding 30 knots and thrilling high-speed turns, this is a ride the whole family can enjoy. You don’t need to book in advance – check their opening times and come along on the day to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. (Book in advance for large groups to avoid disappointment.)
30-mins party trips
Children’s pirate party: Embark on an exciting pirate journey with a treasure map that will be given to you upon boarding the boat. Your little ones will get to direct the captain to the first clue, leading to a series of clues and ultimately to a treasure chest if successful. This adventure is perfect for families and can accommodate up to 11 passengers. This activity requires booking in advance and is weather dependent on the day.
Stag & hen parties: Experience the ultimate 30-minute adventure on a navy commando assault craft designed for high speed and intense manoeuvres. This is not your average boat ride – it’s a white-knuckle, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride not for the faint of heart. Advanced booking is required for this one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling exhilarated and fully alive. So, get ready to hold on tight as you embark on an extreme commando boat ride like no other.
1-hour Sea Safari
Take a thrilling one-hour journey up the coast and witness the historic coastline of North Yorkshire. Experience an up-close encounter with marine life, such as seals, porpoises, and a diverse range of sea birds, including adorable puffins and striking cormorants. Learn more about wildlife on the North Yorkshire Coast here.
Website: www.scarboroughspeedboatrides.co.uk
Location: Golden Ball Slipway, Scarborough, YO11 1PQ
Becca Marie Sealife Safari
Take a trip down the coast from Scarborough and witness the beauty of wildlife in its natural habitat. This is the perfect vessel for your adventure, boasting a purpose-built design with a certified capacity for 12 passengers. Enjoy the comfort of the onboard facilities, including a toilet and hot and cold drinking stations. Take in the sights from the heated wheelhouse or open deck, which offers ample seating options for your comfort.
Trip to Bempton Cliffs
The trip to Bempton Cliffs usually takes around 3 hours. You can catch the boat from Scarborough Harbour. On the way to Bempton, the boat will stop at a local wildlife attraction called Horse Rocks, where you might be lucky enough to spot some seals. If the crew spots other exciting wildlife along the way, they may also stop for photo opportunities.
During the trip, you’ll also experience about 25 minutes of chum (fish bits) being used to attract wildlife. Once you arrive at Bempton, the boat will spend approximately half an hour under the cliffs, giving you plenty of time to spot and photograph puffins and other local wildlife. The return journey should take around 45 minutes, travelling at 15 knots. However, please note that all trips are subject to sea state and weather permitting.
Website: www.becca-marie.co.uk
Location: 31-47 Sandside, Scarborough, YO11 1PG
Queensferry Cruises
Whether you’re an avid wildlife enthusiast, fancy trying fishing or are just looking for a relaxing day out, a range of trips are available from Easter to October. Keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of seabirds, from Guillemots to Gannets, and you might even spot a Puffin or a Porpoise if the conditions are right.
Seal trips
One of the best ways to experience the stunning coastline is to travel southward to Casty Rocks. On this journey, you may be lucky to spot some local wildlife, including Common and Grey seals and Guillemots, Gannets, Cormorants, and Razorbills. In addition, you can glimpse Herons and Puffins or a visiting Porpoise farther out at sea if you have ideal conditions. While aboard, you can read information sheets about the seals and seabirds found in the area. The tour lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a photo stop.
Scenic trips
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Jurassic Coast up close as you embark on a sailing adventure towards Cayton Bay. Alternatively, they take a leisurely cruise around the tranquil Castle Headland and explore the less crowded North Bay of Scarborough. The trip lasts an hour, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning scenery and make unforgettable memories.
Fishing trips
The Queensferry is available for angling parties and can be chartered by booking through Neil, a skilled skipper with plenty of inshore and offshore angling experience. With his lifelong knowledge of the area, he knows where to take you for the best possible fishing experience, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. They offer trips up to 10 hours for a maximum of 12 anglers. Rods, reels, and bait are provided.
Website: www.queensferrycruises.com
Location: West Pier Slipway, Sandside, Scarborough Harbour, YO11 1PD
Skylark Fishing Trips
Skylark is a 35ft vessel with plenty of space for its passengers to roam. If you have young children, they are welcome to come aboard and enjoy the experience, although it is subject to sea conditions. For children under 12, a 3-hour trip is recommended before booking a longer one. They provide all the basic tackle and bait you need, but you can bring your own gear if you prefer. You can keep all the fish you catch if you want to take them home.
Skylark is ideal for groups and individuals looking for a fun and memorable experience. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a family day out, or organising a stag party, this boat will not disappoint. It’s also perfect for coastal photography enthusiasts who want to capture breathtaking images of the sea and its surroundings.
3 hour fishing trips
These fishing trips are perfect for children and those new to fishing. They offer various options, including wreck fishing for cod, pollock, and ling and inshore rock fishing for cod and pollock. If younger anglers are on board, they can also fish on the clean ground to make the experience more accessible. While they prefer to target larger fish whenever possible, you can still catch dabs, whiting, and mackerel on clean ground.
Fishing Wrecks off Scarborough
There are a variety of old shipwrecks near Scarborough, many of which were sunk during the war, and some old trawlers. These wrecks allow catching various fish, including Cod, Ling, Pollock, and more. Some of these can be used for our 3-hour trips with favourable weather and tides. For longer trips, they have 80 wrecks within 10 nm of Scarborough, and some anglers have even taken over 100lb of fish in 8 hours from these wrecks. However, while fishing on these wrecks can be excellent, tackle losses due to snagging can be high, even in calm weather and a tranquil sea.
Website: www.skylarkfishingtrips.co.uk
Location: Golden Ball Slipway, Sandside, Scarborough, YO11 1PE
Yorkshire Coast Boat Trips
Yorkshire Coast Boat trips offer trips in comfort and style between the seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough. You’ll be amazed at the views from the fully enclosed and heated cabin, which can accommodate up to twelve passengers. With comfortable seating and large windows, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the coast’s beauty while looking for any wildlife. If you are staying in Scarborough, join a trip up the coast and arrive in Whitby in style.
Scarborough to Whitby and Whitby to Scarborough Trips
After leaving Scarborough harbour, they journey northward around the headland where Scarborough Castle stands. Keep an eye out for the pyramid-shaped Sea Life Centre as they cross North Bay, passing by Burniston Rocks and Hayburn Wyke until reaching Ravenscar. Here you get to take a moment to observe the seals and enjoy the breathtaking sight of Robin Hood’s Bay. Once they pass the lighthouse at Hawsker, they enter Whitby harbour, which is nestled between the impressive twin piers. This boat trip is perfect for adults and children and a great way to experience the coastline. Customers are welcome to travel one-way (or return from the first trip of the day) between Whitby and Scarborough.
Website: www.yorkshirecoastboattrips.co.uk
Location: Quay Rd, Whitby, YO21 1DH
A boat trip in Scarborough is a fantastic way to explore the area’s coastline and sea life. The knowledgeable and friendly staff make sure that your trip is not only enjoyable but informative too. We hope we have helped you pick a boat trip when you’re in Scarborough, or if you already have a favourite, please let us know in the comments! We love to hear what you think.
