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 April 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 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 – 2025 timetable and pricing coming soon.
Trips from NWT Hickling Broad will commence daily from Thursday 3 April until October.
Trips from NWT Ranworth Broad will commence daily from Tuesday 1 April until October.
Wilder Wardens boat trip (credit: NWT)
Boat trips from NWT Hickling Broad
Boat trips at Hickling Broad run from 3 April until the end of October. Booking is essential - please call 01692 598276 to book your space.
We offer exclusive guided boat trips for larger groups, whether 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 NWT Hickling Broad visitor centre on 01692 598276.
Hickling boat trip (credit: Jimmy King)
Daytime guided wildlife boat trips
Head to NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve and take a seat on Swallowtail or Damselfy - our 12-seater electric boats - and keep a lookout for marsh harriers, great crested grebes, and the elusive bittern.
Our two-hour guided wildlife boat trips visit some of the reserve's most remote hides, only accessible by boat. You'll also climb our 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.
Sunset at Hickling Broad and Marshes (credit: Nick Goodrum)
Evening guided wildlife boat trips
Two-hour evening boat trips run from NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve 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.
Pleasure Boat Inn aerial view (credit: Robert Smith)
Guided boat trips from the Pleasure Boat Inn
Starting from the Pleasure Boat Inn at NWT Hickling Staithe, take a truly memorable guided boat trip across Hickling Broad and explore the stunning landscape of the largest of all the Broads.
Trips run four times a day on weekends only and last 45 minutes. To book, please visit the NWT trailer parked next to the Pleasure Boat Inn, or call NWT Hickling Broad visitor centre on 01692 598276.
Enjoy a dawn chorus boat trip and breakfast at the Pleasure Boat in on 4 May and 18 May.
Boat trip at Ranworth (credit: Jimmy King)
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)
Ferry: 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 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 daytime wildlife boat trips
Journey around Ranworth Broad on a 40-minute wildlife boat trip, leaving from NWT 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 kingfisher, common tern, osprey, or the charming otters that call this reserve home.
St Benet's Abbey at dusk (credit: Elizabeth Dack)
Evening guided wildlife boat trip: 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 cast its magical spell.