Hickling boat trip (credit: Jimmy King)
Wildlife boat trips
Explore the wonderful waterways of the Norfolk Broads with our daily guided wildlife boat trips at Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad which run from Easter to October.
You’ll journey into the hidden heart of the broads and discover wildlife-rich marshes, reedbeds and wet woodlands – home to dazzling dragonflies, vibrant fenland flowers, and flocks of winter wildfowl.
Our guided wildlife boat trips are the perfect way to explore the natural treasures of the Norfolk Broads and learn about this fascinating wild place.
Timetable
We offer a variety of wildlife boat trips throughout the year – see our timetable below for details and how to book.
Boat trips from NWT Hickling Broad
Take a seat on Swallowtail or Damselfly – our 12-seater electric boats at Hickling Broad – and keep a lookout for marsh harriers, great crested grebes, and the elusive bittern.
Our two-hour guided wildlife boat trip visits some of the reserve’s most remote hides, only accessible by boat. You’ll also visit the 60-foot tree tower, where you can enjoy views across the water and the rural landscape beyond.
We also run a one-hour guided wildlife boat trip, where we visit just one of these locations.
Two-hour evening boat trips run from May to August with a perfect opportunity to explore the tranquility of the reserve as the sun begins to set on this beautiful landscape.
Boat trips at Hickling Broad run from Easter until the end of October. Booking is essential, please call 01692 598276 to book your space.
Exclusive guided boat trips for larger groups: We would be delighted to tailor a boat trip to suit your requirements – whether it’s for wildlife interest groups, birdwatching, photography, celebrating a special occasion, or simply having an adventure on the water with family and friends. We can also provide a delicious picnic hamper on request.
For more information, please contact the Hickling Broad Visitor Centre Coordinator on 01692 598276.
Boat trips from NWT Ranworth Broad
Discover the wonders of Ranworth Broad and its channels by boat – its abundant wildlife, unusual plants, and even the wrecks of wherries sunk in World War II to prevent German seaplanes from landing on the water. We offer a ferry service from Ranworth Staithe to Ranworth Broad, and two routes into the broad on board our beautiful historical Norfolk electric reed-lighter boat, Little Tern.
Booking is essential for all boat trips from NWT Ranworth Broad, please call 01603 270479 to book your space.
Ranworth broad visitor centre (credit: Neal Trafankowski)
Ranworth Staithe – NWT Ranworth Broad visitor centre
A ferry service is available between Ranworth Staithe and NWT Ranworth Broad visitor centre. The outbound journey from Ranworth Staithe runs 15 minutes before the start of each 40-minute wildlife boat trip around the broad (which departs from NWT Ranworth Broad visitor centre). The return ferry service runs back to Ranworth Staithe and departs at the end of each wildlife boat trip.
Ranworth boat trip (credit: Jimmy King)
Ranworth Broad wildlife boat trip
Journey around Ranworth Broad on a 40-minute wildlife boat trip, leaving from Ranworth Broad visitor centre. Sailing around the fringes of the broad our guides will tell you the story of Ranworth and its wildlife, the history of the Broads and the work we do to protect this habitat. Lucky visitors may get the chance to see kingfishers, common tern, osprey or the charming otters that call this reserve home.
St Benet's Abbey at dusk (credit: Elizabeth Dack)
Ranworth – St Benet’s Abbey
Our evening wildlife boat trip to St Benet's Abbey is an enchanting, two-hour guided tour from NWT Ranworth Broad visitor centre to St Benet's Abbey, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of this unique landscape as the setting sun casts its magical spell.