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.
- Good to know – the ferry runs every day 12 months a year (except for Sundays between November and February). Crossing time is about 10 minutes.
- Tickets – pay on board. Visit the website for the Rock-Padstow ferry for prices.
- Stay nearby – The Linhay | sleeps 2 dogs + 4 humans
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.
- Good to know – fishing trips are also available as well as shark cage diving!
- Tickets – book your place for a safari on their website
- Stay nearby – Sandy Idyll | sleeps 1 dog + 3 humans
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.
- Good to know – there are several boats including a restored lifeboat called James Stevens No. 10
- Tickets – check availability and prices on their website
- Stay nearby – Anchor Loft | sleeps 2 dogs + 4 humans
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.
- Good to know – the Bude Rowing Boats are only available from Easter to the last day of August
- Tickets – just turn up at the kiosk to gain passage!
- Stay nearby – Klys Cottage | sleeps 1 dog + 4 guests
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.
- Good to know – crossings are weather reliant and only operate between the end of April and early October
- Tickets – you can buy tickets onboard and dogs travel free. Visit the website for times and prices.
- Stay nearby – Safe Harbour | sleeps 2 dogs + 4 humans
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.
- Good to know – when disembarking on the Feock side, why not visit the National Trust's gorgeous Trelissick?
- Tickets – pay on board
- Stay nearby – Glebe Barn | sleeps 2 dogs + 5 humans
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.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.