Norfolk Broads boat trips: Everything you need to know

If water adventures and breathtakingly beautiful scenery sound like an ideal combination then a visit to the Norfolk Broads is sure to float your boat. This network of rivers and lakes is best explored through Norfolk Broads boat trips and there are plenty of options to choose from to ensure you set sail on a holiday to remember.

Canoeing and kayaking

There are many different kinds of boating possibilities to pick from for an excursion into the Norfolk Broads. One of the easiest options that all the family can get involved in is to travel by canoe or kayak. This quiet travel method provides a good opportunity to see wildlife without disturbing them and can be enjoyed equally by inexperienced and experienced canoeists or kayakers. There are a number of centres such as Stalham, Potter Heigham and Wroxham from which you can hire equipment and they can provide information on routes and attractions to keep an eye out for. You can also enjoy guided tours that can last an hour up to a full day depending on your preferences.

Steer your own course with a self-drive boat

Fancy something larger than a canoe or kayak but still offering the freedom to go where and when you choose? Hiring a self-drive day boat may be just what you’re after. There are several kinds of boats to hire, including rowing boats, sailing dinghies, motor boats and environmentally-friendly electric boats that can be charged at one of the numerous electric charging points found within the Norfolk Broads. With the ability to hire boats by the hour or for longer timeframes such as a half-day or a day, a self-drive boat is exciting fun that can be fitted around your schedule and it offers a chance for everyone in your travelling party to have a go, whether you’re with family, friends or enjoying a romantic couple’s retreat. Hiring locations are situated across the Norfolk Broads such as Martham, Beccles and Brundall and they will make sure you have all the information and equipment required to have a safe trip, whether you’re a novice or have years of boating experience.

Chartered passenger boats

If you feel like watching the world slide by while lounging leisurely on a boat, perhaps enjoying a cup of tea or a tasty snack, consider hopping on board a chartered day boat. This travel method is ideal for laidback sightseeing where you can focus on enjoying the superb scenery around you while the crew takes care of the navigation. With a choice of vessels and tours you can opt for something that suits your time requirements and preferences; perhaps a 20-minute jaunt or an extended journey over several hours, maybe in a yacht, a barge or a paddle boat. These trips enable you to experience diverse areas of the Norfolk Broads, such as city boat tours in Norwich or tranquil tours of the Haddiscoe Marshes, and the informative talks that often accompany the trips are fantastic for gaining insight into this striking region.

Longer Trips

If you would like to take a longer trip, there is a wide selection of boats available with sleeping quarters and cooking facilities which you can hire overnight, for the weekend or by the week. The boats have varying levels of facilities and there are often showers and extra facilities near common moorings. From traditional to state-of-the art barges, sail boats, and seriously luxurious cruisers sleeping up to 12 people, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets and inclinations. Tuition is normally included in the cost of hiring the boat and many companies allow pets.

Superb sights and amazing activities

This vast area measuring 303 kilometres square includes seven rivers and 63 broads or lakes, with around two-thirds of the area navigable by boat. The Norfolk Broads are home to a variety of wildlife such as geese, sparrowhawks, coots, kingfishers, otters, swallowtail butterflies and dragonflies to name a few. In addition to visiting the nature reserves in the region, the likes of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s floating wildlife centre at Ranworth Broad is a good place to find interesting information as well as the chance to perhaps see some of this fantastic wildlife in person. If you visit Ranworth it’s also well worth checking out St Helen’s Church, a 15th century building that is also known as the Cathedral of the Broads.

History fans may be keen to explore the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum situated at Neatishead or the Museum of the Broads located at Stalham Staithe which offers family fun and is also dog-friendly. Excellent family entertainment is also on offer at BeWILDerwood near Horning, an adventure park that is sure to provide a magical time for visitors. In addition to exploring the region by boat there are other excellent outdoor activities such as walking and cycling that can accommodate children and adults. 

A broad array of choices for a terrific trip

With so many boating options on offer, you’ll have no shortage of fantastic holiday trips to pick from. Whether you’d prefer stress-free scenic tours with chartered boats or a fun day of exploring wherever your fancy takes you on a canoe, kayak or a larger vessel, a Norfolk Broads boat trip is an excellent choice for a getaway that’s nothing but smooth sailing.