St. Ives in Cornwall isn’t just another UK coastal town; it’s an experience waiting to unfold. Tucked into Cornwall’s jagged coastline, St. Ives offers a blend of rich history and modern charm.

Wander its streets, and you’ll find a balance of quaint shops alongside contemporary art galleries – a nod to its vibrant art scene, highlighted by the renowned Tate St. Ives.

Now, while wandering the town has its merits, to truly appreciate St. Ives, you’ve got to hit the water! From the boat, the coastline transforms. The cliffs seem loftier, the beaches more secluded, and if you’re lucky, some playful grey seals or dolphins might just pop up to say hello.

Whether you opt for a relaxing tour of St Ives Bay, a jaunt to Seal Island, or a high-speed ride across the waves, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable trip.

So, if you find yourself in St. Ives and you’re itching to do something different, hop on a boat. Beyond Instagrammable moments, it’s a genuine way to connect with this Cornish gem’s maritime soul. After all, there’s no better way to know a coastal town than by navigating its waters.

Read on to discover the top St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips currently available! 🌊 ⚓ 

⛵️Essential St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips:

#1 The Black Pearl

The Black Pearl is a local company, managed by St. Ives natives deeply rooted in the maritime traditions of the harbour. Their intimate knowledge of the area and its wildlife sets them apart and has made them a favourite for St Ives boat rides with locals and tourists alike.

This safe and highly reputable operator offers mackerel fishing, journeys to the famous Godrevy Lighthouse, and Seal Island adventures.

Additionally, The Black Pearl provides an exclusive charter experience for groups of up to 12, making your journey uniquely memorable and totally at your own pace.

For those celebrating a significant milestone, they have curated engagement or birthday packages, complete with champagne, flowers, and the expertise of their knowledgeable skipper, Matthew, to guide you to your preferred location.

All ages are welcome aboard, and your furry friends can join in the fun too!

To secure your spot, you can book online or contact them at 07869 793 453.

#2 Tiger Lilly Boat Trips

Tiger Lilly is a local family-owned business that has been rooted in St Ives for 20 years, making it a key part of the local fabric.

Beyond just offering fantastic St Ives boat rides, they are part of the WiSE Scheme, meaning that they are dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of marine life in the area. This makes Tiger Lilly tours one of the most environmentally friendly St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips.

Priced from just £15, their boat trips start at 9:30am until sunset. In terms of the itinerary, you can venture to check out the adorable seals at Seal Island or admire the iconic Godrevey Lighthouse. Or, if the idea of mackerel fishing under the setting sun floats your boat, do the 2-hour twilight adventure.

Ready to set sail? Book online or give them a call on 07888 213131.

#3 Nemo – Glass Bottom Boats

For a totally unique St Ives Cornwall Boat Trip, check out Nemo’s glass-bottom boat trips. This company has been making waves in St Ives since arriving in 2021, offering an exciting and new experience for the whole family.

This modern boat was built in 2018 and has 8 glass viewing panels, which makes it one of the biggest glass bottom vessels in the UK! It also features advanced underwater lighting ensure you enjoy your St Ives boat trip to the fullest.

Opt to do their underwater sea safari to immerse yourself in Cornwall’s incredible sea-life, or if you’re feeling fancy, the boat is available (along with knowledgeable skippers) for private charter.

Book online or ring them up at 07375 758 123.

#4 St Ives Boat Rides

For adrenaline junkies, St Ives Boat Rides has some fantastic boat trips available, including some thrilling options.

Zip across the waters on jet skis or feel the wind on a super fast rib ride.

St Ives Boat Rides also have self-drive boats, kayaks and stand-up paddle-boards for a more laid-back vibe.

Book online or call 07824 633 447.

#5 Coast Boat Trips

Coast Boat Trips provide some amazing St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips, including a private boat hire option where you can explore the coast and go anywhere you wish – ideal for families and large groups.

They also offer a Godrevy to Hells Mouth Boat Trip, where you’ll head north up the coast on a spectacular route, checking out the Godrevy Lighthouse and looking for the colony of grey Atlantic seals. Then you’ll head to Hells Mouth, which boasts some of the most dramatic coastlines in England.

For a longer adventure, opt for their 2.5 hour Rounding Cornwall Boat Trip. This could be the best boat trip in the UK, let alone Cornwall (it’s even ranked as #1 according to Trip Advisor reviews).

Coast Boat Trips include everything from famous landmarks, awesome marine life, birdlife, and stunning scenery, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Irish sea.

#6 Seahorse Boat Trips

Seahorse Boat Trips is the longest established pleasure boat business in St Ives, with nearly four decades of experience in this picturesque fishing village.

Their ten meter vessel, the Seahorse, has full safety features and is approved by the Maritime Coastguard Association, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience.

The Seahorse Boat Trips offer everything from sea safaris to view the local seal colony, bottlenose dolphin spotting in St Ives Bay, mackerel fishing or even private charters, so it’s fair to say they have something for everyone!

Book by email (bookings@seahorseboattrips.co.uk) or call them on 07745 994 448 (ask for Mel).

#7 Prime Time Boat Trips

The Prime Time Boat Trips are a locally owned business that offer Boat Tours in St Ives for the whole family, with a great selection of tours to match every person and budget.

Their St Ives boat tours include a sea safari experience, fishing trips and sight seeing seal trips.

Book by email (primetimeboattrips@gmail.com) or phone them on 07869793453.

#8 St Ives Boats

There’s certainly no shortage of St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips. Another amazing tour operator includes St Ives Boats.

Climb aboard their Dolly P boat to explore Seal Island, dive into St Ives’ rich maritime history with a historic St Ives lifeboat trip, or even charter your private escape.

Book online or call 0777 300 8000.

#9 Blue Thunder Ribs

Blue Thunder Ribs are made for a safe but thrilling time out on the water. They offer high speed sea safaris on their fleet of Rib Boats, providing an epic experience around the magnificent Cornish coastline

Their St Ives Boat Trips include a mix of leisurely sightseeing tours, high speed RIB rides and fun-filled VIP private charters, providing an up close encounter with some of the most famous landmarks and beautiful marine life in St Ives Bay.

Book online or phone: 07917 801 540.

#10 Blue Fin Charters

Bluefin charters offer some of the best fishing trips in the UK, with their location in St Ives being a hot spot for all species of fish, from mackerel to the Giant Bluefin Tuna.

The family run business offers big game fishing for experienced anglers who want to target big fish like Porbeagle & Blue sharks (which are tagged and released) to family friendly experiences for complete novices!

Their Mackerel trips are the perfect introduction to sea fishing and a great Cornish family holiday tradition. Top of the range tackle is provided and you get to keep your catch.

Book online or call them on +447824166224.

#11 The Little Mermaid – St Ives Sea Trips

Another awesome provider of St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips is the Little Mermaids, which run family friendly and fun boat trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.

Little Mermaid is one of the fastest boats in St. Ives providing a comfortable but exhilarating experience.

As a WiSe accredited provider, they minimise the disturbance to marine wildlife by promoting responsible wildlife watching.

Their tours are also dog friendly (as long as your fur baby is on a leash).

Book online or call them on +44 7770 040303.

Final Thoughts

While there’s plenty to admire on land, St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips are undoubtedly the best way to truly grasp the magic of the spectacular coastline, which is teeming with wildlife.

So be sure to book a St Ives boat trip to fully immerse yourself in the very essence of this picturesque fishing village. Feel the Atlantic breeze, hear tales of old from seasoned sailors, and embrace the vastness of the horizon!

If you do venture out to sea, I’d love to see photos and hear about the wildlife you encounter – just comment below.

Sharing is caring, so if you know anyone looking to do a St Ives Cornwall Boat Trip, please do send them this article!

Happy sailing! ⛱

Do note that the running of St Ives Cornwall Boat Trips are weather and sea dependent. If sea conditions or the weather are not safe the trips will almost certainly be cancelled.

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