Dog-friendly boat trips to take this summer
Date published: 5 Aug 2025
There’s nothing better than feeling the wind in your hair (or ears, if you’re a pup!) on a boat trip. And plenty of boat or ferry operators in the UK welcome well-behaved dogs aboard. We’ve rounded up the best dog-friendly boat trips you can take this summer (or winter, if you don’t mind the chill) across the UK. Seals, sea breezes and sandbanks all included. Ready to set sail?
Blakeney Point seal trips, Norfolk
Trip length: Around 1 hour
Dogs: Free
Good to know: The trips are dependent on the tide, so timings change throughout the month.
The grey seal colony at Blakeney Point is a proper crowd-pleaser. It’s England’s largest colony with around 4,500 pups born every year. And humans aren’t the only ones who can enjoy them. After all, they call seals the ‘dogs of the sea’, right? Most local operators, like Beans Boats and Bishops Boats, welcome dogs on board. You’ll head out from Morston Quay towards Blakeney Point, where hundreds of grey and common seals can usually be seen sunning themselves on the sandbanks, or frolicking in the waves. Make sure to book ahead as it’s a must-do in these parts, so slots get snapped up fast.
Mudeford Ferry, Dorset
Trip length: 10 minutes (each way)
Dogs: Free
Good to know: The ferry’s cash only, so make sure to bring your wallet.
This one’s short, but sweet. The passenger ferry from Mudeford Quay to Mudeford Sandbank is the perfect mini-adventure for dogs who love the beach. The ferry runs every day in summer, as well as at weekends in the winter months. And they set sail every 15 minutes, so you won’t ever have to wait long. Once you arrive at the sandbank, it’s miles of golden sand as far as the eye can see. There’s even a dog-friendly café nearby for a post-paddle snack. If you want to stay a bit longer, you can book out one of the colourful beach huts.
Ullswater ‘Steamers’, Lake District
Trip length: Between 20 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the route
Dogs: £1 per dog
Good to know: Handy for combining with walkies, as the boat links up with footpaths and trails.
If you’re taking your labrador to the Lakes, you won’t want to miss a trip on the Ullswater ‘Steamers’. This fleet of historic vessels chug across the second-biggest lake in the Lake District. You can cruise between dinky villages, like Pooley Bridge, Glenridding and Howtown, depending on how long you’ve got to spare. The mountain scenery is something to behold, plus there’s an onboard bar for hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. If you fancy something different, they also run a couple of themed cruises, including gin tasting and photography cruises.
Dartmouth River Cruise, Devon
Trip length: Around an hour
Dogs: £3 per dog
Good to know: Dogs are also welcome on the nearby Dartmouth Steam Railway!
Exploring south Devon with your pup? The Dartmouth River Cruise is a great way to soak up the scenery, without the steps. And your dog can come too. The hour-round trip sails up the beautiful River Dart, passing castles, forests and maybe even the odd kingfisher. When you’re back in Darty, most of the cafés and pubs welcome dogs, too, so you can stop for a drink or some food after your trip. Plus, bonus points if you combine a boat trip with a ride on the steam train, which also welcomes dogs. You can save with combo tickets.
Loch Katrine Cruises, Scotland
Trip length: Between an hour to two hours, depending on the cruise you pick
Dogs: £2 per dog
Good to know: Remember to bring a warm jacket – the Scottish weather can be unpredictable!
The Highlands is super dog-friendly and the boat trips here are no exception. The Loch Katrine cruises, in the Trossachs, are one of our favourite picks. This peaceful loch gives you a taste of proper Scotland. After all, Loch Katrine, part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, is considered the birthplace of Scottish tourism. The Steamship Sir Walter Scott has been sailing these waters for 125 years. You can take in the surrounding forests and hills from the water. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Osprey – they nest here from April to September. You’ll also sail past Royal Cottage, which was built for Queen Victoria’s visit to the lake in 1859.
Tips for boating with your dog:
- Bring water and a bowl – not all boats have dog bowls and refreshments for dogs.
- Keep them on a lead – some dogs just can’t resist a swim, but it’s not always the time or the place…
- Bring a towel – just in case they get splash-happy.
- Check the weather – sunny weather is great and all, but it’s worth checking if there will be indoor or shady spots for your dog, too.
Ready to climb aboard with your pup? Browse our collection of dog-friendly coastal cottages and start planning your boat-filled getaway today.
Meet the author
Annabel JacksonAnnabel loves exploring new parts of the UK with her family, including French bulldog, Albie. They’re regular visitors to North Wales and Norfolk, but have also made some paw-some memories in the Peak District, Cotswolds, Highlands and Cornwall.
