General Enquiries: 07590 637 233

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Meeting Locations:

*Leigh Marina: High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ES. Please wait outside the large white gates; a member of our team will meet you there. Do not enter the marina without our team.

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*Cockle Wharf: Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ER. You will see my blue “MEETING POINT” sign outside the No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant on the Cockle Beach. Please meet us there. *Do NOT go to Leigh Marina if your itinerary specifies Cockle Wharf.

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We will confirm your specific meeting point on your boat itinerary.

Wildlife Survey Boat Charter

Wildlife Survey Boat Charter

Duration

Duration available upon request

Boat

Starfish

Passengers

Cost

Pricing available upon request

Enquire & Book

About the trip

Conduct your research effectively with our professional wildlife survey boat charter service, operating throughout the Thames Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA). Our vessel provides a reliable and stable platform for ecologists, environmental consultants, and research institutions to carry out vital survey work. From our strategic base in Leigh-on-Sea, we offer unparalleled access to the diverse habitats of this crucial coastal ecosystem.

We are committed to supporting the important work of understanding and protecting our marine environment.

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A Stable and Practical Research Platform

We understand the specific requirements of conducting scientific work at sea. Our vessel offers:

Expert Local Knowledge Endorsement: Our skipper’s in-depth knowledge of the estuary’s complex channels, sandbanks, and powerful tidal patterns is invaluable for efficient survey planning and safely accessing key habitats.

A Stable Working Environment: Our boat provides a solid platform for detailed observation, precise note-taking, and the deployment of sensitive monitoring equipment.

Ample Deck Space: There is sufficient room for survey gear, sampling kits, monitoring equipment, and a small team of researchers to work comfortably and safely.

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Your Environmental Survey Boat in Essex

As a leading wildlife survey boat charter, we have the capability and experience to support a wide range of important projects:

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): We are available to support baseline studies, EIAs, and ongoing monitoring for coastal and offshore developments, such as wind farms and dredging operations.

Ornithological Surveys: Our vessel is perfectly suited for conducting bird counts, monitoring overwintering wader and waterfowl populations, and carrying out migration studies within this internationally important bird area.

Marine Mammal Observation (MMO): The boat is an ideal platform for MMO work, providing a quiet and stable base for observing and recording the estuary’s resident harbour seal, grey seal, and harbour porpoise populations.

Water & Benthic Sampling: We can assist with projects requiring water quality sampling at various depths, plankton trawls, and provide support for seabed grab sampling operations.

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A Reliable Partner for Your Project

We offer a flexible and professional charter service tailored to your project’s specific scientific or commercial needs. We understand the importance of punctuality, safety, and discretion in research work and are committed to helping you gather the accurate data you need.

Read more

Every research project is unique. Contact us today with your project brief to discuss survey areas, timings, and logistical requirements.

Book now

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Food & Drink

Top up with water, on the water!
Keeping hydrated at sea is important.

We are offering an afternoon Tea at £18.00 per person from Sara’s Tea Garden in Old Leigh.

You can also bring your own food & drink but ALL food & drink must be consumed outside on deck & not in the wheelhouse.

There are no cooking facilities onboard.

Alcohol is allowed in moderation.

If you would like more information or want to arrange the afternoon tea, please contact us.

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FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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! 

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Wildlife Survey Boat Charter

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Preferred Dates
Factors like tides, other confirmed bookings and the weather may mean that your preferred date and time may not be available. We will, however, endeavour to do our very best to accommodate your preferences.

Meeting Point

Leigh Marina: High Street, Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ES. Please wait outside the large white gates; a member of our team will meet you there. Do not enter the marina without our team.

Cockle Wharf: Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2ER. You will see my blue “MEETING POINT” sign outside the No 1 Cockleshed Restaurant on the Cockle Beach. Please meet us there. *Do NOT go to Leigh Marina if your itinerary specifies Cockle Wharf.

We will confirm your specific meeting point on your boat itinerary.