Our Meeting Point:

Leigh Marina, High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ES (please wait outside the big white gates & we will come & let you in. Do not enter the marina without a member of our team), or Leigh On Sea Cockle Beach, Old Leigh, Essex (nearest postcode: SS9 2ER). Opposite No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant. Behind the Orange Cockle Boat Liberator or on Osborne`s Dock (opposite The Crooked Billet Pub). Keep a look out for a “MEETING POINT SIGN” on the Cockle Beach. We will confirm on your boat itinerary on where to meet us.

Explore the Thames Estuary with Unforgettable Southend Boat Trips!

“I wanted freedom, open-air, challenges & adventures. I found it on the sea.”

Private/Shared Boat Trips

Our premier Southend boat trips showcase the very best of the Thames Estuary. We offer a huge range of destinations, including cruises to Southend Pier, the historic Mulberry Harbour, the SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck, Queenborough in Kent, scenic Benfleet Creek, Two Tree Island, and the incredible Red Sands, Shivering Sands, and Knock John Maunsell Forts. There truly is plenty to see and do.

All our southend boat trips depart from our pontoon at Leigh Marina, High Street, Old Leigh, Essex, SS9 2ES, or from the nearby Cockle Beach. For an exclusive experience, you can also privately hire the boat for a full day, enjoying a bespoke journey up the Thames to Tower Bridge, an epic forts tour, or a trip to Whitstable. For all private hire bookings, please email: info@brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk

Scattering Ashes Southend Pier (Human & Animal)

Passengers

Up to 10

Duration

2 hours

Mulberry Harbour Southend (& Southend Pier)

Passengers

Up to 10

Duration

2 hours

Maunsell Forts Boat Trip

Passengers

Up to 10

Duration

8 hours

Other services we offer:

If our scheduled Southend boat trips aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, we also offer a wide range of other professional marine services.

Southend Fireworks Boat Trip

Private Boat Hire Essex

Corporate Events Thames Boat Hire

Paddleboarding Support Boat

Kayak Support Boat Hire

Open Water Swimming Support Boat

See how we have helped recently

We were delighted to provide a bespoke trip for local artist, Andy Downes, who wanted to paint hard-to-reach iconic landmarks off the Southend coastline. Time and tide was on our side, even if it was an early start!

We’ve also had the pleasure of giving a unique tour to the photographer and explorer, Malenis Explores, showcasing the estuary’s best photography spots. You can read more about it below.

Call us today to see how we can help you!

07590 637 233

Fully licenced, safe & fun

We provide a first-class service on all our boat trips southend, with a professional, qualified skipper and crew onboard at all times to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

About the director/skipper, Angus Browne

It all started when Angus was a young cub, sea scout, ventures & leader at the 3rd Chalkwell Bay Group in Old Leigh. It was there he learnt the essential skills of sailing and the rules of the road, enabling him to go out onto the water single-handed. Angus has never looked back and has owned a boat since the age of 12, when he bought a 14ft Yorkshire Cobble.

About Brownes Thames Estuary Boat Trips

We are a unique business dedicated to making your experience on the Thames Estuary an unforgettable memory. When you join one of our Southend boat trips, you will be looked after and made to feel comfortable for the whole duration. We are constantly investing in our business to make it the best charter boat service out there, and will continue to grow as Southend-on-Sea itself grows as a city. We want to play a big part in the community by offering first-class boat trips southend locals and tourists deserve, because there is so much to see. The views are breathtaking and can only be truly appreciated by boat. You will not be disappointed. We look forward to having you onboard.

About Starfish

Starfish is a 31ft Mitchell (MK1 with a MK2 rudder) motor boat with an SCMS commercial coding license for up to 10 passengers.

She was built in 1980 by Robert Ives Ltd and has 2 berths in the cabin. Her engine is a Ford Mermaid 280hp (turbo plus) from 2011. The hull is made from fibreglass (GRP), the fuel capacity is 250 litres, and she has an electric toilet onboard. Her electrical system is 12/24 volt with 240 shore power voltage. Dimensions are: LOA: 9.45m, LWL: 8.53m, Beam: 3.35m, Draft Min: 0.79m. Starfish cruises around 10-12 knots with a max speed of 16-18 knots, powered by a 4-bladed propeller. She weighs just over 6 tonnes. We carry a 12-man liferaft, 2 life rings, 2 rescue ladders, a stainless steel boarding ladder, flares, lifejackets, and a category C first aid kit with a defibrillator. Furthermore, she is equipped with full safety & navigational equipment including AIS, which sends signals to marine traffic so other vessels can track our position at sea.

She is exceptionally well-built for commercial use to keep everyone safe onboard. We service our engines every 100 hours and perform weekly maintenance checks to ensure the boat is ready at all times.

Our partnerships

We are always on the look out for working with new companies to help their clients. We currently work with the below companies. If you would be interested in partnering with us, please contact us today.

FAQs

What happens if I miss my trip?

The tides in Leigh on Sea do not wait for anybody. The time on your booking is very carefully calculated and is the time we must meet to depart for your trip. If you do find yourself running late or stuck in traffic, please notify us immediately. We will then make the judgement if we will still be able to depart, however any time missed cannot be added to the end of your trip and you will lose that time.

Can I get a full refund if my trip is cancelled?

The 50% deposit paid to secure your trip is non-refundable. If we cannot find a suitable alternative date to accommodate your trip, we will offer you the 50% balance you paid as a refund. You will not get the non-refundable deposit back, this can only be used towards another trip.

Will you cancel if the weather is bad?

Our passengers safety is our main priority and if for any reason the weather is too dangerous to go out in, your trip will be cancelled. We will give you as much notice as possible and the weather is checked in the days leading up to each trip. The non-refundable deposit and any balance paid will then be used towards re-booking your trip. Once at sea, if we have to turn back due to bad weather we cannot offer a refund for this as this is out of our hands and your safety is key.

Is there a minimum age?

There is no minimum age as long as all children are accompanied by a responsible adult and are on their best behaviour!

How frequent are your trips?

Our trips are tide dependant but we are able to go out on most days, its just up to you to get in touch with a date and we will try our very best to accommodate you!

Do you run bespoke trips?

Yes! All of our trips are tailor made and the routes we take depend on what you would like to see on your trip (time and tide dependant). If you have any ideas in mind, please let us know when requesting your booking so we can tell you if they are achievable.

Can we bring food and drink on board?

Yes of course, as long as all rubbish is taken with you when you depart, feel free to bring your own food and drink on board. We have no cooking facilities. Plenty of water is also recommended.

Can I bring my dog(s)?

We are happy for you to bring your furry friends onboard, however dogs must remain on the deck, they are not allowed inside in the wheelhouse. Please also ensure any mess is cleaned up.

What clothing should I wear?

Layering is key for our trips! It can be significantly colder at sea so always ensure you have a coat with you. The majority of your trip will be spent outside on deck so waterproofs are a good choice as it is possible the spray will get you wet when onboard. In the summer months, always wear a hat and ensure you have suntan lotion with you. There is no shelter for shade on deck so please ensure you have taken this into consideration when deciding what to wear.

What shoes do I need to wear?

Sensible footwear is a must onboard our boats! Trainers/deck shoes are a good idea – we suggest you leave your high heels at home!

Am I guaranteed to see seals on my trip?

No, unfortunately not. Although we do offer seal spotting trips, this cannot be guaranteed (although we do see them a lot!) and we accept no responsibility if you are not successful in sighting any.

Can we bring alcohol on board?

Alcohol is allowed, but only in moderation. The boat will turn back to shore if there are any overly intoxicated passengers onboard who are causing disruption to the trip, but please do feel free to bring a glass or two to enjoy yourselves!