Premium Thames Estuary boat experiences
Private charters & dignified ashes at sea⚓⚱️🛟
• Trusted • Professional • Established • Respectful • Insured • 12 Passengers
🌐 www.brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk
📧 [email protected] We offer a private charter boat hire service for the following activities onboard our boat 'Starfish' (31ft Mitchell) -
-Private Boat Hire,
-Sea Fishing Trips,
-Seal trips,
-Open Water Swimming off the boat in the Thames Estuary with fully qualified instructors & insurance covered (in partnership with Hadleigh Plunges),
-Paddle Boarding with fully qualified instructors (in partnership with SUP)
-Sunrise & Sunset Cruises,
-Sea Boot Camps on the mud by Brownes Boot Camp,
-Business Meetings,
-Educational School trips,
-Safety Boat hire,
-Scattering Of Ashes,
-Boat Towing Services,
-All special occasions covering the Thames Estuary & other routes. These trips offer a good opportunity to spot different wildlife, including birds & seals (not guaranteed). Please see below the updated prices, descriptions & boat trips we offer at Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips:
Please see below the updated prices, descriptions & boat trips we offer at Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips:
1) Leigh On Sea to Southend Pier, Mulberry Harbour, Two Tree Island & Leigh Marina:
This trip gives you a chance to spot seals off the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary. The original wooden Pier was built in 1829 and replaced by the iron structure in 1889. You will also get to see the Mulberry Harbour (phoenix unit) which dates back to WW2 which were temporary portable harbours developed for rapid unloading of cargo onto beaches during the Normandy invasion in 1944. Two Tree Island is a great place to spot wildlife & numerous birds along the fantastic nature reserve so bring your camera! Leigh Marina which was called Johnson and Jago Boatyard in 1978 is situated in the quaint fishing village of Leigh On Sea, Essex, along the coast from Southend On Sea. Also in close proximity to the marina, is Two Tree Island which is part of the National Nature Reserve, a 640 acre island noted for its outstanding beauty and varied wildlife. Duration: 2 hours
Starfish: £400.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £60.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.
2) Leigh On Sea to SS Richard Montgomery Ship in Kent (Including: Southend Pier & Mulberry Harbour):
Get up close and personal (but not too close!) to the SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck which dates back to 1944. The 1,400-ton time bomb. Loaded with enough explosives to level a town, this is the Second World War ticking time bomb ship that lies on the seabed just off the coast of Kent. View this amazing sight from outside of the exclusion zones, it's not to be missed! Duration: 3 hours
Starfish: £450.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £70.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £450.00 applies.
3) Leigh On Sea to Red Sands Maunsell Forts (Including: Southend Pier, Mulberry Harbour, Shoebury Boom before crossing the shipping channel towards the Isle Of Sheppey then onto SS Richard Montgomery Ship in Sheerness):
Take a cruise from Leigh On Sea to the Eerie World War 2 Maunsell forts, called the Red Sand Towers. These Historic monuments stand in the Thames Estuary some 9 miles from Southend shoreline and 5 Miles from Whitstable. It will take approximately an hour & half to reach the Towers. Transport yourself back to the Second World War by visiting these previously armed towers built in the Thames & Mersey Estuaries to help defend the United Kingdom. They are a pretty surreal sight. You will get the chance to take plenty of photos in and around the towers as our vessel is small enough to pass between and under the structures (you cannot board them). https://youtu.be/-WXEfR-oEHM?si
Duration: 4 hours
Starfish: £500.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £80.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £500.00 applies.
4) Leigh On Sea to London Tower Bridge (Including: Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Cutty Sark Ship, O2 Arena, Canary Wharf, HMS Belfast & London Bridge):
Cruise up the Thames Estuary past all of the popular sights to reach your destination of Tower Bridge. You have the option to get off and enjoy the rest of your day in London or head back with us to Leigh on Sea! Number 1 best & popular trip. Duration: 5-10 hours (all depends if you are coming back with us to Leigh On Sea)
Starfish: £850.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £120.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £850.00 applies.
* Please Note: This price includes both ways. If you decide to get off at London please tell us upon your booking & the cost is the same either way.
** There will also be an extra charge of £80.00 to drop off any passengers in London on one of the Thames Clippers piers & we only get 15 mins slots.
5) Leigh On Sea to Whitstable Kent (Including: Southend Pier, Mulberry Harbour, Shoebury Boom, Red Sands Maunsell Forts & Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farms):
You will get to see most of the sights on our trips over to Whitstable. Perfect for people wanting to go for a long weekend away. Duration: 2 hours (each way)
Starfish: Price on request
* Please Note: There will also be an extra charge of £35.00 to drop off any passengers in Whitstable Kent on one of the pontoons & we only get 15 mins slots.
6) Sea Fishing Trips (Leigh On Sea & within the Thames Estuary):
Fancy your chances of catching some fish all year round? We offer full day (10 hours) fishing trips which are popular for the keen angler, or shorter 3 hour trips for first timers or those who simply do not wish to spend the whole day at sea. Great day out with your mates & family. Duration: 10 hours:
Option 1: (including rod hire & bait)
Starfish: £850.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £140.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £850.00 applies. Option 2: (boat hire only)
Starfish: £650.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £110.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £650.00 applies. Option 3:
Duration: 3 hours: (boat hire only)
Starfish: £500.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £85.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £500.00 applies.
*Rods can be hired for £25.00 per person. Bait can be arranged if requested at an extra charge.
7) Seal Trips (Off & around Southend Pier):
Home to harbor seals and Grey seals, the Thames Estuary is home to some of the friendliest and most charismatic seals and they are always very inquisitive around the boat. We cannot guarantee you will see the seals but we are seeing more and more of them lately! Duration: 2 hours
Starfish: £400.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £60.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.
* Please note: These trips are not guaranteed to see the seals each time. Unfortunately we cannot control the nature of the sea. We will try our very best to find them.
8) Sunrise or Sunset Trips around The Thames Estuary:
Get the best view of the sunrise or sunset from out at sea, the coastline looks extra special at these times! These trips provide great photo opportunities against the red and orange skies! Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £60.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.
9) Scattering Of Ashes in The Thames Estuary:
Take your loved ones on their final journey on the Thames Estuary onboard one of our boats. We offer a completely private service for these and tailor the trip to suit your needs. We have amazing spots where we can scatter your loved ones. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £60.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.
10) Leigh On Sea to Benfleet Creek (Including: Two Tree Island):
A more inland trip for those who do not wish to venture out far to sea. This trip will involve calmer conditions and is great for spotting numerous birds and wildlife in the expansive nature reserve. You will also get a great view of Hadleigh marshes, the 13th century castle ruins & the sea wall from this trip! Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £60.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.
11) Leigh On Sea to Queenborough Harbour (Including: Southend Pier):
Hop over to the North Kent shores, where the River Thames, Medway and Swale meet. Queenborough is a place overflowing with rich history, undiscovered stories, famous faces, friendly cafes, award-winning micro-pubs and mouth-watering local food and drink. Queenborough Harbour is more than just an ideal cruising base. Great for a quick pint & bite to eat then back to Essex. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £70.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £450.00 applies.
** There will also be an extra charge of £20.00 to drop off any passengers in Queenborough Harbour on one of the pontoons & we only get 3 hours maximum per stay but we can only stay for 1 hour as we have to get back for the tide in Leigh On Sea.
12) BROWNES EPIC FORTS TOUR: Leigh On Sea to Knock John Fort, Shivering Sands Forts, Red Sands Maunsell Forts (Including: Southend Pier, Mulberry Harbour, Shoebury Boom before crossing the shipping channel towards the Isle Of Sheppey then onto SS Richard Montgomery Ship in Sheerness):
Take a cruise from Leigh On Sea to the Eerie World War 2 Maunsell forts, called the Knock John Forts, Shivering Sands Forts & Red Sand Maunsell Forts/Towers. These Historic monuments stand in the Thames Estuary between some 9-15 miles from Southend shoreline and 5-8 Miles from Whitstable. It will take approximately 2 hours to reach Knock John Fort. You will get the chance to take plenty of photos in and around the towers/forts as our vessel is small enough to pass between and under the structures (you cannot board them). https://youtu.be/-WXEfR-oEHM?si
Duration: 7/8 hours
Starfish: £600.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 10 in total for £100.00 per person)
Minimum hire charge of £600.00 applies.
*We also offer lots more trips around the Thames Estuary & surrounding areas so please ask for your preference & we will plan your trip to the best we can.
*Due to the significantly increased cost of fuel we have reluctantly introduced a fuel surcharge on all tickets which is included in the prices stated. Booking:
A non refundable 50% deposit is taken to secure booking & the outstanding balance is due 7 days prior to your trip. This is with an experienced captain/skipper & crew included on all trips. There is no option to 'self drive' the boat. Meeting Location:
Leigh On Sea Cockle Beach, Old Leigh, Essex (Nearest Postcode: SS9 2ER). Opposite No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant. Behind the Orange Cockle Boat Liberator.* SAFETY NOTICE: On the dock there will be a ladder to climb down to the boat. May not be suitable for those with reduced mobility and no wheelchair access. Food & Drink:
We are offering an afternoon Tea onboard the boat at £18.00 per person from Sara's Tea Garden in Old Leigh. Please contact us if you would like to arrange this. *Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. https://www.sarasteagardens.co.uk/
You can also bring your own but ALL food & drink must be consumed outside on deck & not in the wheelhouse. There are no cooking facilities onboard. Alcohol is allowed in moderation. Lots of water is a good option to keep you hydrated at sea. Parking:
Available at Leigh On Sea long stay train station car park (behind the back of the main station entrance) or on Belton Way West/East. You can then walk down to us which is a 5-10 minute walk. Additional parking is also available outside the No1 Cockleshed restaurant in Old Leigh. Clothes:
Please bring appropriate clothing to suit the weather for your trip. Hats, sunglasses, sun cream, waterproofs, woolly hat, towel & change of clothes are all a good idea. The weather can change very quickly out at sea so please be prepared for all weather. We provide Guy Cotten waterproof jackets onboard if needed.
