Make the most of your journey with time on board and on shore
We’re consistently looking to pack more activities into our holidays, yet new research indicates that British holidaymakers are not making the most of their travel time and missing out on some of the best experiences available on board1.
Ferry travel offers extraordinary experiences that can make the journey as much a part of the holiday as the destination. Activities on board can even complement your time on shore and ensure travellers make the most of every second of their trip.
Here are our favourite ways to spend time on board and on shore.
Best way to appreciate nature
Hebridean habitats
Western Scotland boasts diverse habitats from rugged coastlines and lochs to mountains and moorlands making it a fantastic place for a wildlife holiday. Travel to the Outer Hebrides with Caledonian MacBrayne and head to the deck for clear views of the water. Crossing the Minch to Stornoway gives incredible opportunities to spot dolphins, porpoises and minke whales – even orcas are known to inhabit Hebridean waters. The ferry from Harris to Berneray goes through many islets, making it a wonderful place to see otters and seals. Keep an eye on the sky for sea birds, puffins and white-tailed eagles. On shore, walk the Berneray Explorer route, a 7.5 mile circuit that takes in views from the island’s highest hill and ends at the West Beach, three miles of white sandy dunes so beautiful the Thai tourist board once used its photo to promote holidays in Thailand!
For Europe’s ultimate wildlife trip
Travel across the Bay of Biscay, one of the world’s best places to spot marine wildlife, to Spain with Brittany Ferries. On board, passengers can participate in talks and deck watches coordinated by marine conservation charity ORCA. Being guided by experts greatly improves the chances of spotting sea mammals and identifying different species. Better yet, this experience is included in the ticket price!
Northern Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park is home to wildlife including Cantabrian brown bears, wolves, deer, wildcats, reptiles and birds. While still relatively unknown to British tourists, the area is gaining popularity for adventure sports and outdoor pursuits. Instead, head off to the lesser known Somiedo Natural Park, which has the same species but fewer visitors. Follow some of the extensive walking trails and keep your eyes peeled, don’t forget to look up for soaring Golden Eagles!
Scilly’s seas
Named the best ferry route for wildlife spotting for three years in a row, last year marine charity ORCA recorded 347 animals when travelling on Scillonian III from Penzance to St Mary’s. When on board, keep an eye out for common dolphins and Risso’s dolphins, ferry passengers have also seen sunfish, one of the world’s largest fish species. The waters around the Isles of Scilly are pristine making it the perfect destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. The area has shipwrecks from across history including ancient trading vessels and WW2 relics, which are now home to shoals of fish and a playground for local seal colonies. Snorkelling with seals is a highlight activity for visitors to the archipelago wanting to get close to nature.
Unbeatable views
London’s iconic skyline
Almost a quarter of people (24%) say sightseeing and good views will make their journey more enjoyable2. Immortalised in film, television and literature, London’s landmarks are instantly recognisable and the best way to see them is travelling along the Thames. Hop on board the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service and travel along the Embankment down to Greenwich to take in the city’s architecture. Disembark at North Greenwich Piers to enjoy a 360-degree round-trip on London’s only cable car. Visitors will see St Paul’s Cathedral, The Gherkin and Greenwich from 90 metres above the river. Book at night to see the city lit up!
The best sights on the Isle of Wight
From Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower to the pretty waterfront at Cowes, sailing to the Isle of Wight is always a spectacle. When aboard Red Funnel’s ships, head to the Signature lounge; the premium lounge offers stunning panoramic views of the Solent, which are best enjoyed with the complimentary snacks and refreshments available throughout the crossing. On board Wightlink’s services, head to the sun deck for fresh air and uninterrupted vistas
On shore head to Colwell Bay, one of the picturesque beaches on the Isle of Wight with sweeping views across to mainland England. Panoramic highlights include Hurst Castle and the former Victorian gun tower of Fort Albert. The bay is located where the Solent is at its narrowest and the island is close to the mainland, making the perfect location for yacht-spotting. It’s also worth heading further west to see The Needles. Take the chairlift at Alum Bay for unique views of these dramatic chalk rock formations as well as the neighbouring coloured sand cliffs and beach below.
Sail to the Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink.
Unmissable experience to ride the Solent’s waves
England is home to Europe’s only passenger hovercraft service, which offers passengers the chance to speed across the waves and experience this feat of this 20th century engineering first-hand. Watch the skirt inflate and glide across the beach before departing for the Isle of Wight or book a special 60-minute experience, where the pilot and crew will demonstrate the craft’s manoeuvrability, share a look behind-the-scenes and even show off some tricks. Hovertravel is one of the Solent’s best-kept secrets as you can reach the Isle of Wight in 10 minutes!
Wellness on the water
A giant leap for wellbeing
86% of UK travellers say relaxing is an important3 part of their holiday4 and one in 10 (13%) of people say a massage or spa treatment would make their journey more enjoyable2. Yet 82% of people don’t realise they can enjoy spa treatments as part of the journey5 and start unwinding as soon as they board a ferry from the UK.When travelling to Larne or Belfast with Stena Line, take a trip to the onboard Nordic Spa. Equipped with a Jacuzzi and sauna, travellers can also book in for a massage.
Continue your quest for relaxation on shore, Northern Ireland boasts several award-winning spas and wellness centres including Belfast Spa Experience, the luxurious thermal spa village at Galgorm or the spa at the palatial Culloden Estate.
Rest up in the Netherlands
Imagine waking in your destination feeling refreshed and ready for adventure. While the idea of getting a good night’s rest on some modes of transport may be the stuff dreams are made of, private en-suite cabins are standard on many ferries including services to The Netherlands. Furthermore, a stroll on deck to take in the fresh air can aid slumber, with two thirds of people agreeing6 that sea air makes them sleep better7.
Continue this experience when you arrive at your destination and stay on the water. Rotterdam’s Villa Augustus has eight floating pontoon rooms, or you can choose to sleep in a floating house in between the Maas River and the Markthal. Made from wood and wrapped in 24 layers of cardboard and Gore-Tex, the Wikkelboats have modern facilities including a barbecue, a projector and a private Jacuzzi. Famed for its canals, Amsterdam has several boat hotels, including Botel, Hotel Asile and Kapitein Anna, so travellers can enjoy unusual accommodation with a maritime twist in the heart of the city.
Sail to Amsterdam with DFDS, or travel to Rotterdam with P&O Ferries or Stena Line.
Gourmet getaways
Beyond the booze cruise
While many people are familiar with crossing the Channel for “bargain booze” fewer than half of British holidaymakers realise they could use the short crossing from Dover to pick up duty free bargains on board. This frees travellers up to hit more than the hypermarkets when they arrive in France. Calais has markets on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, which offer fresh local produce and some bargains. Don’t miss a trip to the bakery to try Le Calais, a local coffee-flavoured cake with macaron pastry and almonds, the perfect pick-me-up after pounding the pavements in search of bargains.
Before boarding the ferry, stop by DFDS’ Duty Free Shops near the ports at Calais and Dunkirk to take advantage of great savings on beers, wines and cosmetics.
Fill your boot with goodies and travel with Irish Ferries, or with DFDS and P&O Ferries.
Pints and produce on the Isle of Man
Surrounded by the cool Irish Sea and with hundreds of acres of farmland, the Isle of Man offers some of the best quality home grown produce in the British Isles. The island has a strong brewing tradition, which is evident as soon as you board. Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ferries are equipped with their own authentic pub. Continue this experience with a guided pub walk in Douglas. The tour gives a unique opportunity to experience the most popular locals and learn more about the capital’s points of interest. Find out more about the island’s food culture with a guided farm tour, taking in the stunning countryside while admiring locally-grown produce. Take a class with Brambles Cookery School or Leela’s Kitchen to learn new dishes or book a group baking class at Juliette’s to bake a Manx Bonnag (a type of scone) or create your own afternoon tea.
The finest French gastronomy
Brittany Ferries boasts a team of French chefs that produce outstanding fresh, seasonal food. On board, sample dishes created by top chefs, desserts crafted by artisan pâtissiers and wash down with wines chosen by the team’s expert sommeliers. Enjoy something from the extensive wine list? Purchase a bottle in the on board shop! On shore, be sure to visit one of Normandy’s renowned cider farms and head to the fromagerie to try the region’s favourite cheeses including Pont-l’Evêque and the world-famous Camembert. Visitors to Brittany should not miss a trip to Cancale, a port with oyster farms – hone your culinary skills at a cooking school.
Travel to Normandy and Brittany with Brittany Ferries or sail to Dieppe with DFDS.
References
1 Results based on a survey conducted for Discover Ferries. The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative consumers across the UK. The data was collected between 17.01.2025 and 20.01.2025.
2 Results based on a survey conducted for Discover Ferries. The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,042 nationally representative UK consumers. The data was collected between 20.01.2023 and 23.01.2023.
3 ‘Very important’ and ‘quite important’ responses combined4 Results based on a survey conducted for Discover Ferries. The research was conducted among a sample of 2,002 nationally representative consumers (aged 18+) and the data was collected between 21.06.2024 and 24.06.2024.
5 Reverse of those who selected that they think this is available when travelling on a ferry from a UK port
6 ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘somewhat agree’ responses combined
7Results based on a survey conducted for Discover Ferries. The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2001 General Consumers in the UK. The data was collected between 03.09.2020 – 07.09.2020.
Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council