Amazing Places to Have a Boat Trip in Wales

Wondering where to go on a boat trip in Wales? We have compiled some of the best locations for your trip.

Are you in need of a vacation from your hectic lifestyle? Take a short journey to Wales and enjoy a boating trip. Wales is an excellent location for getting away from it all, as you will discover peace in the serene environment.

Canals were constructed about 200 years ago and served as the transportation infrastructure that sparked the industrial revolution. While they are no longer utilized for transportation, they continue to provide fantastic and memorable boat trips.

Insight

A boat trip in Wales will offer you some amazing sights and great photo-taking opportunities. The Llangollen canal, which drifts beside the Berwyn Mountains, leads you over a  historic place named Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and into the famous town of Llangollen. There are plenty more historic places. You can enter a magnificent Welsh canal at Chirk Marina in Wrexham, North Wales, near the site of Chirk Castle.

From its base in Wales, Black Prince provides a choice of routes, either west to Llangollen, east into England to explore Ellesmere, Whitchurch, or further north to Chester and Northwich.

Each destination has stunning landscapes, historical sites to explore, and family-friendly activities. There are plenty of boat services around, or you can get your boats and double the enjoyment. There are numerous places like boatsforsale.co.uk where you can get both new and used boats for really affordable prices.

So, without further ado, let us get to know some fascinating locations for a boat trip in Wales.

Tiger Bay

Tiger Bay in Cardiff was formerly the world’s largest coal port. In the 1990s, a barrage was constructed between the Taff and Ely rivers, producing a large freshwater lagoon that has developed into a water sports paradise. If you do not own a boat, many boat operators provide water taxi services and sightseeing excursions to Bute Park in the city center. You can do high-speed RIB rides around the bay and longer tours out to the open sea and Flat Holm Island.

Gower’s Coast

If you have just visited the Gower’s outstanding natural beauty on land, you have not seen it fully. When you take a boat out to sea with an experienced guide, a whole world opens up, from grassy banks to towering cliffs of textured rock with intriguing hidden caverns. You can take excursions from Oxwich Bay to the magnificent Worm’s Head, where you are sure to view dolphins and porpoises, as well as seals and marine birds up close.

Cardigan Bay

Almost everywhere along Ceredigion’s southern coast, you have a good chance of seeing Britain’s largest resident dolphin pod. Numerous firms provide survey excursions out into Cardigan Bay, equipped with an underwater microphone for eavesdropping on dolphin conversation. Consider bringing an expert since you might not want to miss a treasure of knowledge on dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals, sunfish, sharks, and turtles that inhabit Cardigan Bay.

River Wye

Wales has plenty of white-water activity, but we are thinking of something a little more mellow here with the River Wye. It is a notably beautiful river, and the section immediately downstream of Hay-on-Wye is ideal for floating downstream in an open canoe. The section from Glasbury to Hay is an excellent half-day journey, but the 100 miles (160 kilometers) down to Chepstow takes around four or five days.

Islands of Pembrokeshire

On Wales’ westernmost point, the collection of islands in St Bride’s Bay are some of the most significant seabird habitats on the planet. A boat excursion from Martin’s Haven to Skomer and Skokholm islands is particularly popular during puffin season (May-July), but there are also opportunities to see seals, dolphins, porpoises, and basking sharks. Grassholm, a little farther out to sea, is home to one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world, with around 40,000 breeding pairs.

Ynys Enlli

Ynys Enlli, or Bardsey Island, is off the point of the Llŷn Peninsula. It is reportedly the resting place of 20,000 saints who share this lovely island with abundant animals. It is an excellent location for day excursions or overnight stays. The boat journey itself is an experience too.

Menai Strait

The Menai Strait is an enthralling location. It is on a geological fault line, teeming with strange tides and whirlpools, that divides the mainland from Anglesey, one of the biggest islands around. Numerous boat companies provide tours around the Strait, taking in Thomas Telford’s spectacular suspension bridge, the numerous nooks and islands, and Puffin Island’s nature refuge.

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, often referred to as the Mon and Brec, traverses the Usk Valley through the breathtaking landscape of the Brecon Beacons. It has 35 navigable miles (56 kilometers) and a variety of ways to enjoy them. Between March and October, wheelchair-accessible narrowboat excursions depart from Brecon. Also, you can rent boats at different points along the route for day excursions or even longer stays.

Tenby

Tenby is the one resort in Wales that never fails to provide a good time. The town is breathtakingly lovely and is surrounded by picture-perfect beaches. Its old city walls contain a wealth of history and entertainment. To take in the sights from the sea, make your way to the port, where local operators manage ticket booths. Choose from various activities ranging from small mackerel fishing excursions to jet ski safaris and day trips to Caldey Island.

Llangollen Canal

In Llangollen, you may take a trip back in time to a period when a towpath was really for towing, rather than walking, running, or haring along on motorcycles. A visit here is a lovely way to relax. Also, you can cross the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which is a world heritage site.

Chirk Castle

Explore the beautiful ancient Chirk Castle, which dates back to 1310, not far from Chirk Marina, where your boat will be docked. There is plenty to see including a medieval tower and dungeon, the 17th-century Long Gallery, the magnificent 18th-century state apartments, servants’ hall, and ancient laundry. There is also a wonderful stroll through the award-winning gardens. And do not miss the garden terrace, which overlooks the Cheshire and Salop plains.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

You have come to the right spot if you are searching for a beautiful picture opportunity during your canal boat vacation. The renowned Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, often referred to as the ‘Stream in the Sky,’ is one of the first sights you will encounter on your boat trip towards Llangollen.

Conclusion

One of the greatest aspects of a boat trip in Wales is the need to go slowly. It is a great way to unwind, softly floating around, and enjoy the scenery and history. If you are at the wheel, you will need to watch other crafts, but there will be plenty of time to relax and forget about your worries. There are also other weekend getaways in Wales you may not want to miss. So, enjoy and good luck!