Whitstable Boat Tours
Whitstable Boat Tours
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About
We offer trips for up to 12 passengers to the Maunsell Forts at Red Sands and the Kentish Flats Wind Farm from £35 per person (~1 hour) or to see the seals from £25 per person (~50 minutes) on our 10m Rib. Our DryRobes will keep you warm and dry when out at sea and Skippers will tell you about the Forts, Wind Farm and seals. Trips are tide and weather dependent with full refunds if Mother Nature is having a bad day. Please check out our website for trip times and to book, do let us know if you want us to put on a trip at a more suitable time for you and we’ll try and accommodate.
Whitstable, Kent, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
255 reviews
Excellent
249
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Anna
2 contributions
Aug 2020
If you are looking for a fun afternoon, a great experience with great hosts then I cannot recommend Whitstable Boats Tours enough.
Angela and her family will warmly welcome you, talk you through any safety concerns you may have and provide all the necessary gear you require. (Mainly a dry coat in case you get a bit wet).
Then its a calm exit from the harbor before Paul hits the throttle and your off speeding your way across the ocean to the historic Forts and amazing Wind Farms. To see these up and close and personal is an experience, I would not want to miss.
The trip lasts about an hour, and is well located at the harbor where you can also find other independent businesses selling coffee, snacks and ice cream. A great place to relax after you've blown away the cobwebs. I will definitely be returning to repeat the experience all over again, I may even drive the boat next time .
Angela and her family will warmly welcome you, talk you through any safety concerns you may have and provide all the necessary gear you require. (Mainly a dry coat in case you get a bit wet).
Then its a calm exit from the harbor before Paul hits the throttle and your off speeding your way across the ocean to the historic Forts and amazing Wind Farms. To see these up and close and personal is an experience, I would not want to miss.
The trip lasts about an hour, and is well located at the harbor where you can also find other independent businesses selling coffee, snacks and ice cream. A great place to relax after you've blown away the cobwebs. I will definitely be returning to repeat the experience all over again, I may even drive the boat next time .
Written 20 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely feedback it is appreciated, hopefully see you again soon.
Written 17 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
138Paul138
Canterbury, UK1,353 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Booked online, loads of clear info and easy to use. You can also book a slot at their stall in the harbour. On arrival our Skipper (Paul), made everyone feel welcome and ensured we put on the life jacket correctly. You can leave bags in their cabin for safe keeping. He gave a general safety briefing, mixed with humour and details about the boat. Everything was well presented and it all felt very professional.
We were lucky insofar as the weather was fabulous. We skimmed across the water to the James Bond theme tune closely followed by Abba! Once at the Maunsell Gun Forts we drifted around and amongst the forts giving lots of photo opportunities. Paul gave a talk on the history which was really interesting. He happily took pictures of the passengers and made sure everyone was happy and comfortable.
From here we went across to the Wind Farm. Floating underneath these structures you get a true sense of their size! Again Paul gave us all a quick informative talk on Wind Farm. Overall it’s a great trip. Well organised, safe, a fun crew, great to be out at sea in the sunshine, the complete package.
It isn’t the cheapest 1 hour excursion, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I would recommend giving it a go.
We were lucky insofar as the weather was fabulous. We skimmed across the water to the James Bond theme tune closely followed by Abba! Once at the Maunsell Gun Forts we drifted around and amongst the forts giving lots of photo opportunities. Paul gave a talk on the history which was really interesting. He happily took pictures of the passengers and made sure everyone was happy and comfortable.
From here we went across to the Wind Farm. Floating underneath these structures you get a true sense of their size! Again Paul gave us all a quick informative talk on Wind Farm. Overall it’s a great trip. Well organised, safe, a fun crew, great to be out at sea in the sunshine, the complete package.
It isn’t the cheapest 1 hour excursion, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I would recommend giving it a go.
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael D
Ramsgate, UK17 contributions
Jul 2022
I've always wanting to visit the Red Sands Forts and last Saturday it was perfect weather and sea was like sheet of glass. the crew were so friendly making everyone welcome and checking on their safety while out 7.5 miles from Whitstable. It was that good that I spent out from another trip taking my Dad and sea wasn't like previous Saturday but crew gave everyone a warning before going out and even offered a refund if their stomach couldn't handle it, but everyone went for it. While out it was great fun bouncing over the waves and told anyone if they felt sick to let them know and we would return as safety comes first, but no one did and it was great getting wet and having a laugh. crew kept asking everyone on their safety and giving options to change over if they wanted. Only thing we couldn't stay out for too long but still great trip.
I'm local and really want to go back out during the sun setting to get those photography's but after spending out £180 over two weeks I need to save for another trip :-)
I'm local and really want to go back out during the sun setting to get those photography's but after spending out £180 over two weeks I need to save for another trip :-)
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magnetic2013
London, UK29 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Lovely afternoon by the seaside topped off with an hour long boat trip out to the old forts and wind farm. We very slowly sailed so close to them you could almost resch out and touch them. There are three trips you can take ranging from 15 minutes to an hour. All the staff were friendly and accommodating. I would go here again.
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely review, so glad you enjoyed your trip. See you soon we hope.
Written 16 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Viktor K
Crawley, UK19 contributions
Jul 2021
What a fantastic experience it was!
I booked a boat trip to see the Maunsell forts and despite the weather was not ideal for the ride, in fact it was quite bumpy and a bit wet, it was so amazing, adrenalin filled! We could not spend too much time around the wind farm and around the forts because of the waves, but John, our captain/skipper did his best for a memorable experience. Would I go again even if the weather is not the best? Hell yes. Fantastic day out for anyone, highly recommended!
I booked a boat trip to see the Maunsell forts and despite the weather was not ideal for the ride, in fact it was quite bumpy and a bit wet, it was so amazing, adrenalin filled! We could not spend too much time around the wind farm and around the forts because of the waves, but John, our captain/skipper did his best for a memorable experience. Would I go again even if the weather is not the best? Hell yes. Fantastic day out for anyone, highly recommended!
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely feedback it is appreciated, hopefully see you again soon.
Written 17 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fka-koala
London, UK5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Loved this experience! Gave the Maunsell towers/wind farm boat trip as a birthday gift to my partner. We went on a beautiful sunny September Saturday. The trip length is perfect—enough for the boat to linger at each site, give you a very good look, take photos, etc. before moving on. Our guide took time to answer everyone’s questions after giving us the overview at each place. The trip out and back is fast, and they play music, which is fun (and, sure, a little cheesy, but it would be awkward to zoom around in silence). I would happily do this trip again! Worth it.
Booking ahead is a good idea, especially on the weekends—we did and got lucky with the weather—as all of their trips on our day ended up selling out.
Booking ahead is a good idea, especially on the weekends—we did and got lucky with the weather—as all of their trips on our day ended up selling out.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susannah
United Kingdom1 contribution
Sept 2020
What a fabulous way to spend the afternoon, thoroughly enjoyed our boat trip to the Maunsell Forts in Whitstable.
The team were super friendly and helped us get ready and keep safe. Neil took us out on the boat and provided a really interesting and informative review of the forts and the surrounding areas. Would strongly recommend this trip, plus there is plenty of places along the harbor to eat and drink after your trip.
The team were super friendly and helped us get ready and keep safe. Neil took us out on the boat and provided a really interesting and informative review of the forts and the surrounding areas. Would strongly recommend this trip, plus there is plenty of places along the harbor to eat and drink after your trip.
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your lovely feedback it is appreciated, hopefully see you again soon.
Written 17 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charleexx
England, UK85 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We had previously booked to go with another company who cancelled on us last minute so we rebooked with this company. My partner and I were so glad the other company cancelled now because we had an absolute blast!
Easy check in, safety checks and life jacket check. You can leave your bags there if required and they have warmer jackets incase it's a bit nippy.
The team that led this tour were full of knowledge and general lovely friendly people. They happily answered your questions and were having generic chit chat.
We loved the fact that they had music playing as we went to and from the sandbanks. They say if you sit at the front it would be more bumpy but you'd get less wet and if you sat at the back it would be more smooth but you would get wet. We sat at the back and we found it smooth and dry! I loved the fact it was a speedboat whizzing through the waves!
When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to see 45 seals!!!! They turn the boat so both sides can see. We stayed there for a good 15 / 20 minutes. We couldn't believe quite how close we got to the seals and how many different types of seals there were. The boat got a little close at one point and the seals all got up and shifted away which was amusing to witness- they obviously moved the boat back so we didn't upset the seals. We also enjoyed the views of Seasalter, Herne Bay, Reculver etc as we came in and out of the harbour.
My partner and I are already planning to go back to for the wind farm/ forts tour ASAP.
Thank you Whitstable Boat Tours xo
Easy check in, safety checks and life jacket check. You can leave your bags there if required and they have warmer jackets incase it's a bit nippy.
The team that led this tour were full of knowledge and general lovely friendly people. They happily answered your questions and were having generic chit chat.
We loved the fact that they had music playing as we went to and from the sandbanks. They say if you sit at the front it would be more bumpy but you'd get less wet and if you sat at the back it would be more smooth but you would get wet. We sat at the back and we found it smooth and dry! I loved the fact it was a speedboat whizzing through the waves!
When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to see 45 seals!!!! They turn the boat so both sides can see. We stayed there for a good 15 / 20 minutes. We couldn't believe quite how close we got to the seals and how many different types of seals there were. The boat got a little close at one point and the seals all got up and shifted away which was amusing to witness- they obviously moved the boat back so we didn't upset the seals. We also enjoyed the views of Seasalter, Herne Bay, Reculver etc as we came in and out of the harbour.
My partner and I are already planning to go back to for the wind farm/ forts tour ASAP.
Thank you Whitstable Boat Tours xo
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
201 Studio
Boughton-under-Blean, UK6 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic thrilling trip!! The crew were just great fun. Everything was professional, the equipment well kept/ new. We felt safe in the boat, my husband can't swim! Great design straddling the center with handles to the front, sitting two abreast. The boat was new. The skipper was safely conscious and extremely informative with regards to the forts and the wind farm. Had fun and came away with new knowledge. The forts were truly amazing 😍 This was a great trip we highly recommend. Do borrow the jackets, clean and snug.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissie S
Canterbury, UK20 contributions
Aug 2022
Took my hubby and grandsons for a treat. Absolutely loved it. It was during the heatwave so I wasn’t sure if we would still need warm clothes. We didn’t, although if it wasn’t so hot we may have. We did get quite wet from the spray though. Amazing to float amongst the forts and learn a bit about them. Unfortunately my youngest grandson started getting sea sick at this point (he was ok zooming out there), and the guys were really so caring and helpful. Thanks guys.
My favourite bit was when they opened up the engine as we left the harbour to the theme of James Bond, or was it Mission Impossible? Anyway, it was brilliant ! Hope to do it again sometime. I
My favourite bit was when they opened up the engine as we left the harbour to the theme of James Bond, or was it Mission Impossible? Anyway, it was brilliant ! Hope to do it again sometime. I
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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