river dee cruises chester

Plan an unforgettable special event for 2024

Private charter, sail away with us on the river dee, sightseeing cruises, rock the boat with themed party cruises, party nights afloat, welcome aboard.

We are ChesterBoat, a family-owned company with over forty years’ experience of welcoming visitors  to the beautiful River Dee in Chester.

Find us on The Groves daily for Half-hour City Cruises , or from May to September you can take a leisurely cruise through the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Estate on the Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise . Or really push the boat out in the summer months with a private picnic boat hire for up to 8 people.

For an unforgettable night on the water, private charters and Party Nights Afloat are a great way to celebrate special occasions. Plus we don’t stop when the nights draw in – set sail after dark in December on our Christmas Party Cruises .

Browse the What’s On calendar below for some river cruise inspiration. If you need any help choosing the perfect cruise for you, just get in touch and we would be happy to help.

What's on ?

Thursday 18th april.

Half-hour City Cruise

Step aboard this short cruise for a new view of Chester. From The Groves near the city centre we will…

Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise

You'll have plenty of time to relax with a drink from the bar on this leisurely sightseeing cruise. We'll leave…

The Boating Station Souters Lane, The Groves Chester, CH1 1SZ United Kingdom

Chester Boat Trips

by Nigel Clarkson - Lets Go Chester updated Jan 18th 2024

A Voyage of Discovery and Delight

A tourist's delight: an introduction to chester boat trips.

Chester , a city renowned for its rich heritage and picturesque landscape, offers a unique way to explore its charm - Chester Boat Trips.

Nestled in the heart of the city, just a stone's throw away from the bustling city centre, lies a tranquil haven,  the River Dee , where one can embark on a magical journey through the city's intriguing past and vibrant present.

Chester Boat Trips are available throughout the year, offering an enchanting experience to tourists and locals alike (subject to suitable weather and river conditions).

Unfolding Chester's History through Boat Trips

Half-hour city cruise.

The Half-hour City Cruise , one of the most popular Chester Boat Trips , is an ideal way to soak in the city's Roman, Medieval, and Industrial era heritage.

As you glide along the calm waters of the River Dee , you can witness the city's architectural marvels, each narrating a tale from a different epoch.

Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise

For those seeking a lengthier, relaxed experience, the Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise is perfect. It takes you through the lush Cheshire countryside, offering a panoramic view of the Duke of Westminster's Estate .

As your boat gently cuts through the tranquil waters, keep your cameras ready to capture the breathtaking vistas and the abundant wildlife.

Party Nights Afloat

Chester Boat Trips also cater to the party animals with their Party Nights Afloat . This unique experience allows you to groove to your favorite tunes from various eras, including the unforgettable 80s, while cruising along the River Dee.

Chester Boat Hire: Make Your Own Voyage

For those who prefer a more personalized experience, Chester Boat Hire offers the perfect solution. They offer private charter services for their picnic boat, Bonkie .

Ideal for small gatherings or romantic escapades, Bonkie can accommodate up to seven people and comes with your own personal skipper. You can charter Bonkie for two-and-a-half hours , making your day truly memorable.

The Perfect Blend: Chester Boat Trips with Afternoon Tea

For a quintessentially British experience, combine your Chester boat ride with an afternoon tea .

Imagine sipping on a warm cup of tea, enjoying a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, all while cruising along the River Dee - a perfect blend of British culture and Chester's charm.

Chester Boat Tours: Exploring the City in a Unique Way

Combined chesterboat and city sightseeing open-bus tour.

For a comprehensive exploration of Chester, opt for a combined ChesterBoat and City Sightseeing open-bus tour . This tour allows you to explore the city by road and water, offering a unique perspective of Chester's beauty and heritage.

Special Occasion Cruises

Chester Boat Tours also offers special occasion cruises. Whether it's an afternoon tea cruise, a fish and chips trip, or a birthday party, Chester Boat Tours is equipped to make your special day even more memorable.

Chester Boat Cruise: A Family Business

Chester Boat Trips are operated by a family-owned company with over forty years of experience . Known for their first-class experiences, they have become a staple of Chester tourism .

Their cruises offer a comfortable, all-weather attraction, complete with covered seating, a fully licensed bar , and toilets .

Conclusion: A Must-Experien ce Attraction

Chester Boat Trips offer a unique way to explore the city's rich heritage while enjoying the serene beauty of River Dee . Whether you choose a city cruise, a countryside cruise, or a special occasion cruise, you are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, the next time you plan a visit to Chester , make sure to take a boat trip and experience the city in a way like no other. Remember, the river is waiting to tell you its stories, all you need to do is hop on a boat and listen to   Chester Boat Trips .

Half-Hour City Cruise on River Dee in Chester

• Plan an alternative sightseeing excursion in Chester aboard a river boat
• Cruise along the River Dee, and avoid the crowds in the city center
• See several top Chester sights, and learn about the city’s history
• Multiple daily departure times are available to suit your schedule
• See itinerary
• Restroom on board
• Entry/Admission - ChesterBoat
• Drinks or snacks (available to purchase)
• The Groves, Chester CH1, UK From the Roman Amphitheatre, walk down Souters Lane, turn right and the boats will be seen on The Groves on the River.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Minimum drinking age is 18.
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at The Groves The Groves, Chester CH1, UK From the Roman Amphitheatre, walk down Souters Lane, turn right and the boats will be seen on The Groves on the River. See address & details
• 1 ChesterBoat Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included A relaxing and tranquil tour on Chester's River Dee. A great way to see the historic city with a different view. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• amyrZ6179KW 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lady Diana Boat trip with 90 children on a very blustery day! We went on the Lady Diana Boat with 90 children just yesterday, 15th April 2024. It was a cold and windy day with random showers and even hail! The children were super excited and it exceeded our expectations. The crew were amazing with the children and we were kept super warm and cosy whilst seeing the gorgeous river side and houses of Chester. We had promised the children ice cream but on such a cold and blustery day no ice cream stalls were open on the river! However the amazing Lisa (crew member) got it all sorted for us for when we returned to the river bank by calling a vendor and they opened up especially for us. Excellent additional service which was not expected at all. Thank you so much. We were sailing for 90 minutes and the children loved every second. We will definitely be back. Thank you very much, excellent service. Read more Written 16 April 2024
• Tony G 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Not happy. We received a £100 Virgin Experience voucher as a wedding gift and chose to use it on this experience. I attempted to book the two hour trip with wine included. The tickets that cost £17.10 each when booked online came through but minus the wine. We were told by Chester Boats that we could buy the wine on the boat at the reduced online price. The voucher was wasted. Read more Written 6 April 2024
• N796DFmichaelm 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful mini cruise we had an hour or so to kill, so we took the 1/2 hour boat trip on the Mark Twain . What a pleasant wat to spend it on the delightful River Dee, Very informative and a really good value for money tour, definitely recommend this xx Read more Written 31 March 2024
• Roving40414957366 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great half hour trip A great half hour trip - staff were very attentive, we had a wheelchair but it wasn't a problem & were happy to provide a ramp. Had lovely chats with the crew. Affordable drinks 1.50 for a coffee. The commentary was interesting & informative. Would go again 😊 Read more Written 17 March 2024
• CAG1 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely half hour Half an hour was perfect for this little tour . Well priced and the lady in charge was really friendly- we were on the Lady Diana . Enjoyed seeing all the lovely houses and the recorded guide after the half way point was really informative . Great way to enjoy Chester Read more Written 16 February 2024
• Tracy R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very friendly staff We visited Chester this weekend to see the Christmas market and walk round the city. We decided to do the boat trip which was well worth the £8.50. Keiren and Oscar were very friendly and informative along the way. The boat was heated which was a welcome bonus too. Overall a very pleasant and enjoyable way to spend half hour on a freezing cold December day! Read more Written 5 December 2023
• GoPlaces793357 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Party boat disaster We were so looking forward to having an amazing night celebrating our friends 40th birthday. The blurb did not live upto our expectations. The "barbecue buffet" consisted of a cold burger, frozen bread bun and a insipid sausage. 2 sets of fairy lights a a very small disco area apparently constituted a party boat. We will definitely not be partaking of another "party boat" experience as £36.50 was completely wasted. Please do not waste your money Read more Written 6 November 2023
• lakeslass1 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A smooth sailing experience We had a really enjoyable cruise along the River Dee with Chesterboat. The crew were all friendly and the commentary informative, and the Mark Twain was a comfortable vessel to sail on. Read more Written 5 November 2023
• V8912GUkarenb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Take a bow, ChesterBoat! What an incredible visit we had to Chester on 19th October, made even more special by the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff at ChesterBoat. My husband and I have travelled extensively, to six of the seven continents, and would highly recommend ChesterBoat's half-hour River Dee tour that deftly combines history and natural beauty with liberal doses of wit. Well done! Read more Written 28 October 2023
• TheYesLife 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Disappointing to be honest Came to Chester for a very civilised hen weekend with my friends and family. They know I love being on the water and that it would be an highlight of my trip and asked in advance if there would be refreshments on board as they were told that a private hire was not possible. Got on the boat to be told the cafe was closed, the guided commentary lasted all of 10 minutes and to be honest; there are better ways to spend £8.50 in Chester. Really disappointed Read more Written 30 September 2023
• LadyPML 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Mark Twain - A jolly boat ride! We booked Mark Twain for a 30 minute boat ride along the River. The experience from stepping aboard, commentary on historic City of Chester to disembarking was a pleasurable trip. The highlight was skipper Lisa. Oh boy was she exceptional and made our trip the best. We were celebrating our mum’s 80th and 85th. She organised a happy birthday 🎊 sing -a-long 🎶 served us 🥂and was first class service with a smile! Thank you Lisa. We needed mobility access and this trip accommodated this requirement. All aboard and enjoy! Read more Written 27 September 2023
• Pazza1970 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Not the best We went on the 80s night cruise! On arrival we had a “very small” complementary wine. We were seated on the lower deck close to the bar. Once we set sail the bar was opened,prior to this we were informed the bar was cash only,not the case. 2 vodka & cokes £8.25 each so it’s not the cheapest,baring in mind we paid £36.50 each for the cruise. Buffet was announced and table by table made their way up to the top deck. We were greater by a bloke stood behind a table handing out burgers and sausages!! All in all,certainly not worth £36:50 for a boat ride,small wine & a burger! The advert stated it was a bbq buffet!! Read more Written 17 September 2023
• Happywanderers20 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fabulous trip What a fantastic 2hrs cruise on the River Dee on the Princess Diana boat. Big shout out to Captain Mike who gave us an informative and entertaining commentary. Also to Sarah who worked hard and engaged with her passengers - encouraging 70th birthday dancing celebrations !!!! Good luck to Sarah, who leaves this week to join the Navy Read more Written 7 September 2023
• Stephen382 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The views are nice but there isn't much variety The views on the boat were nice. The problem is that there isn't much variety if you do the 2 hour tour. There are some nice houses and gardens, but not that many to make it worth it. I would suggest the 30 minute tour instead. Read more Written 3 September 2023
• 11raval 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Boatiful views We enjoyed the basis of the boat ride, however we found the talk over very boring and hard to listen to with the noise of the people on the boat. Also, some of the information provided didn’t seem to completely add up, eg dates and events. It is a beautiful little trip, especially on a sunny day. Worth the experience at just £8 a adult, with offers if you buy a bus and boat ticket together . Read more Written 27 August 2023

More to explore in Chester

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Half-Hour City Cruise on River Dee in Chester provided by ChesterBoat

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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