The best dog-friendly boat trips in Cornwall

Is your four-legged friend a sea dog or even a river dog? Well, if you think they’d love a boat trip then Cornwall has a few really good ones either along the coast or down one of the county’s many rivers. Take a dog-friendly holiday in Cornwall with your pet; there’s so much waterborne fun to be had in The Duchy. And if you're after even more days out with the pooch, take a look at our guide to dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall too.

In this guide, we have included some great boat trips for you and your dog. Some are ferry trips, and others are boat tours out to sea – whatever your fancy, we’ll have a boat trip in Cornwall that, erm… floats your boat…

Each of the dog-friendly boat trips featured in the guide are close to some of our self-catering holiday cottages. Click the button below to find the perfect place in Cornwall to stay with your pet. 

The best boat trip for pups and old dogs

Passenger ferry between Padstow and Rock

This dog-friendly boat trip in Cornwall is perfect for pups and old dogs. This Cornwall dog-friendly ferry journey takes you across the Camel River between the popular fishing harbour village of Padstow and upmarket Rock on the northern bank. 

The open-top ferry is a gentle affair and other local sights include Brea Hill at Daymer Bay, the Doom Bar in the Camel Estuary, and the distant historic churchyard at St Enodoc’s where the poet John Betjeman is buried.

The best dog-friendly boat trip for sea life spotting

Seal Cove Safari - Newquay  

For more intrepid hounds that are cool, calm and collected, a voyage out on the Seal Cove Safari with Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing could be just the ticket. Enjoy the beautiful views back to shore of Newquay’s many beaches, cliffs and the iconic headland.

Look out for dolphins, seals, basking sharks and birds on one of the best dog-friendly boat trips in North Cornwall.

The best dog-friendly boat trip for historic boats

Tour around the bay with St Ives Boats 

St Ives is a wonderful holiday resort to spend quality time with your dog. You can take a boat trip with St Ives Boats all around the bay as far as the mysterious Godrevy Lighthouse (to see the seals) framed with the towering sand hills, and the dunes of Gwithian and Hayle Towans. 

Sea-faring dogs will enjoy the sights and scents of the briny Atlantic and daydreams of the evening’s fish supper.

The best dog-friendly boat trip for families with kids 

Bude Rowing Boats 

For some of us a rowing boat isn’t all that adventurous, however for some dogs a gentle boat trip along a canal could be the bravest thing they’ve ever achieved. Start small and tempt your canine buddy aboard with a short trip along the canal at Bude sea lock in North Cornwall. 

This could be the ultimate dog-friendly boat trip in Cornwall for young pups and children – perhaps you are hoping to take your dog and kids kayaking or out for bigger boat trips; Bude Rowing Boats is a great place to begin as the water is shallow and calm. 

The best for boat trip for young and old

Falmouth boat trips

From Falmouth Pier, in central Falmouth, you and your dog can enjoy any number of trips around the Falmouth Estuary. Take a ferry over from the Roseland Peninsula to St Mawes or a tour of the bay out around Pendennis Castle and St Anthony Lighthouse. 

Alternatively, you could go venture up Carrick Roads to see giant ships at rest as you proceed inland up the River Fal. A trip aboard the various boats is a gentle affair for all the family, no matter the age. Some boats even have a tuckshop or a bar onboard.

The best for dog-friendly boat trip for fans of the open sea

Ferry trip from Fowey to Mevagissey 

If your dog likes being out on the ocean waves, this ferry trip from Fowey to Mevagissey can get lively as it cuts across the wide St Austell Bay. Linking the distant fishing village of Mevagissey to the popular resort of Fowey, crossing time takes about 40 minutes and is a brilliant way of avoiding the need to drive. 

Mevagissey is a scent wonderland for your dog, as there is a working fishing harbour and lots of pubs and restaurants near the water. Similarly, the hectic and lively Fowey is packed full of things to see including beaches, pubs, a small fortress, and scenes from the books of Daphne du Maurier. 

The best dog-friendly boat trip for nature lovers 

Helford River Cruises

The Helford River near The Lizard is one of the most lovely and unspoilt ‘backwaters’ in Cornwall. Once you are past Helford Passage, the river is hemmed in by woodlands for most of its journey west. 

You can enjoy a Helford River boat trip or if you own kayaks, some dogs absolutely love a gentle amble upriver in a kayak, and the waters are lovely and gentle; see if you can get as far as Frenchman’s Creek. As for a boat tour, you can take a boat from near Helford Passage at the Budock Vean Hotel. 

The best very short dog-friendly boat trip 

King Harry Ferry 

If your dog doesn’t like boats but you do, here is the ultimate compromise. The King Harry Ferry is one of five chain ferries in the UK. It connects the Roseland Peninsula with Feock near Truro. Spanning the width of the pretty River Fal, the 5-minute journey helps drivers avoid a 27-mile round trip. Therefore, it’s also eco-friendly as it carries 300,000 vehicles per year. 

While you enjoy the view from your car window or on deck, your dog can either join or stay hunkered down in the back of the car. Nevertheless, a ride aboard King Harry Ferry is a Cornish badge of honour for humans and pups alike.

Stay with us in Cornwall

Come and stay at one of our dog-friendly self-catering cottages in Cornwall – from St Ives to Penzance, Fowey to Looe, we have the perfect pet-friendly escapes in the South West for you and your loved ones. Click below to browse our collection of dog-friendly holiday rentals in Cornwall.