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Are you looking for the best boat trips in Manchester? You’ve come to the right place!
Manchester is famous for many things like music, street art and nightlife but it’s also a great place to discover from a boat.
There are so many canals like the Manchester Ship Canal, Bridgewater Canal and Ashton canals but also many rivers (though River Irwell is the main one), making it a great place for a boat tour.
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The best boat tour in Manchester is this Canal & River Cruise. It lasts 70 minutes and can be boarded from the city centre or Salford.
Several companies offer boat tours in Manchester and you can opt for a sightseeing one as well as a dinner cruise in Manchester.
You can also privatise some boats for a team building or birthday party.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the best Manchester boat trips.
1. Canal & River Cruise by Manchester River Cruises
⏰ Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes | ⭐ Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 | Check Rates and Availability
The Manchester Ship Canal is 36 miles long that links Manchester with the Irish Sea. The canal was officially opened in 1894, so it plays a big part in Manchester’s industrial history.
With this Manchester canal tour, you get to enjoy a scenic tour of not only the Ship Canal but also the River Irwell.
This 70 minute boat trip takes place on board the sightseeing boat the Princess Katherine.
From the boat you will get to see places like Media City, Manchester United’s Old Trafford, the Ship Canal locks, the old Pomona Docks and the Imperial War Museum.
As well as seeing all these interesting sites, you will also learn about Manchester’s history by listening to the onboard commentary.
You will discover the industries that used the Ship Canal and how they made the city one of the most economically powerful in Europe.
There are two options for boarding the Princess Katherine for this Manchester boat tour.
You can meet from their city centre location at Ralli Quay on the other side of the river from the People’s History Museum.
Alternatively, you can board from the Millennium Life bridge close to the Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays.
2. Elvis-on-the-River Cruise
⏰ Duration: 2.5 hours | ⭐ Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 | Check Rates and Availability
For themed boat trips in Manchester look no further than this Elvis-on-the-River cruise on the Irwell.
Looking for an evening cruise that will have you singing and dancing, then search no longer. It will help if you also have a bit of Elvis fever.
This river boat cruise in Manchester is two and a half hours long and departs from Salford Quays boarding point under the Millennium Footbridge by the Lowry Theatre.
As you step on board Princess Katherine you will be welcomed with a glass of Prosecco.
There will also be light snacks and canapes served on the cruise. Music comes in the form of an Elvis Presley tribute artist who will perform all of the legend’s biggest tracks.
As you tap your feet and chatter away, you will get to see some of Manchester’s top sites from the boat, including the Old Trafford stadium and the beautifully lit Media City.
Previous guests on board the Elvis-on-the-River cruise wax lyrical about the Elvis impersonators voice.
There’s no half-hearted out of tune singing on this cruise boat, you might even feel though you’ve listened to the real deal.
3. Swing and Rat Pack River Cruise
⏰ Duration: 2.5 hours | ⭐ Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 | Check Rates and Availability
This Manchester boat tour is a fantastic evening activity to enjoy with friends or family.
The Rat Pack were an informal group of entertainers which included big names like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
Swing music just evokes that feeling of peace and can only be described as feel-good music.
This two and a half hour swing and rat pack river cruise takes place aboard the Princess Katherine, the perfect sightseeing boat.
You will be welcomed with drinks and provided with snacks along the way. Cruising along the River Irwell, you’ll listen to some of the best Rat Pack and swing artists from the era.
As you listen, you will be able to appreciate the glittering lights of Manchester as you head from Salford Quays to the heart of Manchester.
Seating on the boat is arranged in booths of four and it might be that you will have to share booths with other rat pack cruise guests.
The cruise starts from under the Millennium Footbridge, otherwise known as the lift bridge, just outside the Lowry Theatre.
Guests onboard the Princess Katherine highly rate the music and extremely friendly and accommodating staff.
Whether you want to sit back and relax or dance the cruise away this is an enjoyable evening activity in Manchester.
4. Sunday Lunch Cruises
If you want to find a lunch spot with a twist head out on this Manchester city river tour.
This tour is run by City Centre Cruises and the cruise sets sail from Castlefield along the Bridgewater Canal Tow Path at 1pm.
On their website they release the dates for Sunday lunch for the up-and-coming months.
Their lunch menu changes but you can expect to enjoy a homemade soup for starters with fresh hot rolls.
A classic British Sunday lunch for mains includes roast beef, Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes. Desert often includes their melt in the mouth apple and blackberry crumble with custard.
Of course, you can’t have Sunday lunch without some tea and coffee. People rave about the food and it’s a great way to experience a class British meal if you are visiting from overseas.
There is also a bar on board where you can purchase drinks separately.
The boat you will dine on is a barge boat named after Manchester’s political activist Emmeline Pankhurst.
As you dine on this canal boat tour in Manchester your captain will provide you with informative insight into the local area and the Manchester canal network.
Your skipper, Alan, makes the experience all the more pleasurable with his wit, humour and friendly manner.
5. Cocktails Cruises
For a lively evening on the water why not try one of Cocktails Ahoy’s cocktail cruises.
Perhaps you’ve already been out in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and want to try something different for a night out? Well, this is a fun choice.
This cocktail cruise runs from Castlefield down the Bridgewater Canal.
The cruise takes place on their canal barge Bohemia. Bohemia has space for up to 60 guests, has a well-stocked cocktail bar and a dance floor.
As the boat can accommodate so many people, this is a great idea for a birthday or anniversary celebration as well.
This boat cruise is three hours long and you can enjoy seven freshly made cocktails.
There’s also a resident DJ on board who plays some classic tunes that will get you dancing.
As well as regular cocktail cruises Cocktails Ahoy also do themed cruises like the ‘Sex and the City’, Peaky Blinders and’ 80s themed night.
6. Bridgewater Cruises
Bridgewater Cruises offer two options for Manchester city river tours.
First up there’s the restaurant boat, the Francis Egerton. This boat is used for public cruises and private charters as well.
Their restaurant boat has a ton of different dining cruises to choose from. There’s the two-course lunch, afternoon tea, Sunday lunch, and the Worsley Gin cruises.
Alternatively, you can book a private charter canal boat tour in Manchester on the Lady Harriet.
This boat is suitable for up to 12 people and can be booked for an hour and 15 minutes, two hours or three-hour cruises.
People departing on the Francis Egerton should head to the towpath side of the Humpback Bridge in Worsley Village in Greater Manchester.
The Lady Harriet departs from the Bridgewater Marina which is around 15 minutes’ drive from the Trafford Centre.
Bridgewater Cruises is a family run company and you can really tell this in the details from booking to the trip itself.
It’s a truly unique experience and one that will allow you to create lasting memories whilst also seeing interesting spots along the Bridgewater Canal.
Whether you head there for dinner, a birthday celebration or a surprise party this barge boat is a unique thing to do in Manchester.
Best Boat Trips in Manchester: Frequently Asked Questions
Here we will answer all the most frequently asked questions about boat trips in Manchester.
What is the famous canal in Manchester?
There are a few well-known canals in Manchester but the most famous one is the Manchester Ship Canal. It’s 36-mile long and links Manchester to the Irish sea.
It was originally built so the cotton arriving in Liverpool could be transported straight to Manchester where it would be turned into textile. The Manchester ship canal was completed in 1893 and is still in use today.
Another very famous canal in Manchester is the Bridgewater canal. It is the oldest canal in England and particularly popular for canal walks, boating and SUP.
What canal runs through Manchester?
There are a few canals that run through Manchester but the main ones in the city centre are the Rochdale and Ashton canals.
Is the Manchester ship canal still used?
Yes it is still used to transport goods from the port of Liverpool to Manchester as well as for tourism purposes. There are a lot of Manchester ship canal cruises going between Liverpool and Manchester.
What are the best canals around Manchester?
The best canals for walking in Manchester are Rochdale, Ashton and Bridgewater canals.
Can you walk along Manchester canal?
Yes you can walk along all the canals in Manchester. They are also a great place for a bicycle ride.
Can you swim in Manchester canals?
No, you can not swim in any of the canals in Manchester. Even if you were allowed, it’s highly unlikely you’d want to. They are canals and therefore not the cleanest places for a swim. There are many wildlife swimming spots around Manchester that you can check out instead.
What is the longest canal in Manchester?
Manchester Ship Canal is the longest canal in Manchester. It’s 36-mile long and goes all the way to Liverpool and the Irish Sea.
What is the oldest canal in Manchester?
The Bridgewater Canal was the first canal in Britain and therefore the oldest in Manchester as well. It was opened in 1761 which is over a 100 years before the Manchester Ship Canal.
What are the 3 rivers in Manchester?
There are three rivers in Manchester: the Irk, the Medlock and the Mersey but it’s important to note that the Irk flows into River Irwell which is at the limit between Manchester and Salford.
Now that you know everything there is to know about the best boat trips in Manchester, have fun!
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