On the water · GUIDED
Every trip has one spare day. These 15 guided boat trips justify it, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing a dry bag.
You’ll ride a fast RIB boat from Dubai Marina with an English-speaking guide, passing Ain Dubai, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, and Madinat Jumeirah. Choose a 30, 75, or 99-minute route. Skippers provide life vests, water, local facts, and help with photos.
“Excellent trip. The only way to see the financial district. Very informative trip.”
Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by comfortable coach, tour the old town with a local German- or English-speaking guide, then spend several hours exploring alone before returning by Twin City Liner. The optional oldtimer ride to Bratislava Castle adds a stylish extra, but the long free period suits independent explorers best.
“Bratislava is so close to Vienna, it would be a shame to miss a day trip to the old town.”
Drive a Rhino Rider speedboat around Yas Island with a guide leading the way. The 90-minute route includes Mangrove Alley, flamingos, Ferrari World, Aldar Headquarters, Heritage Island, and a swim stop at Peninsula Gold Beach. Guides such as Irfan and Farhan are known for clear safety help and taking memorable photos.
“The whole activity from start to finish was brilliant. Irfan was on time, made us feel safe and we had a great experience!”
Choose a 45 to 75-minute English-guided speedboat ride from Emirates Palace Marina or Yas Bay Waterfront. Expect skyline views, photo stops, history, mangroves, and fast turns. Guides including Nishan, Lahiru, Ali, and Oshindu have earned praise for clear commentary and friendly service, but the route depends on your booking.
“A lot of fun. Our tour guide and the boat driver are fantastic! They are very friendly and helpful. We were lucky that we saw dolphins several times within one hour of our boat ride.”
Join The Yellow Boats for a fast-paced RIB tour from Dubai Marina. Your skipper, possibly John, William, or Ruben, handles the boat while you see Atlantis The Palm, Burj Al Arab, Bluewaters Island, JBR, and Dubai Marina from the water. Choose a one-hour or longer outing, with life jackets, water, commentary, and photo stops included.
“This was hands down the most incredible activity we booked in Dubai! John and William were fantastic guides who made sure we felt completely safe while having the time of our lives. I can't recommend this experience enough—it was an absolute blast!”
You’ll race from Dubai Marina past JBR, Bluewaters, Ain Dubai, Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab on a 60 or 90-minute RIB boat tour. English-speaking guides such as Maria, Aron, and Jessica help with photos and point out landmarks. Choose the longer ride if you want both Atlantis and Burj Al Arab.
“Very responsive and helpful team, I definitely recommend this tour!”
Join a small group of up to nine for a four-hour speedboat trip from Zadar. Guides such as Iva, Josip, Sabrina, Toni, and Dominik lead you to Ošljak, Preko, and Galevac, with swimming, snorkeling, a monastery visit, and a family-run tasting of seafood, olive oil, and wine.
“Our guide Josip was informative and provided excellent services.”
From Lagos, you’ll ride a speedboat along the Algarve coast to Benagil Cave and nearby grottoes. Guides such as Ivo, Telmo, Elio, and Ricardo have been praised for lively commentary, local stories, and careful boat handling. Expect a thrilling, sometimes bumpy ride, limited time inside Benagil, and excellent photo views from the water.
“Even though our guides conduct this same tour multiple times a day, they were fun and entertaining. They didn’t feel tired, rehearsed or cheesy at all. This is a terrific way to see the many caves of the Algarve in a relatively short period of time.”
Join Pietro and Federica for a private speedboat tour of Lake Como, lasting from one to four hours. Starting in Argegno, you can see famous villas, Bellagio, Varenna, Comacina Island, Nesso, and film locations, with time for swimming, drinks, and local stories. The boat holds up to six people.
“Our tour guides for our one hour boat trip were truly exceptional. Easy to communicate with and prompt to reply to messages. They were intelligent, witty and had lots of great recommendations on places to eat, see and visit. Highly recommend!”
From Portimão Marina, you’ll ride along the Algarve coast with guides such as Bernardo, Rafael, Alfonso, or Ricardo, then paddle double kayaks into Benagil Cave and around Praia da Marinha. Expect clear water, coastal views, a swim stop, and about 50 minutes of kayaking, subject to sea conditions.
“Its was very nice, I would have preferred to kayaking longer. But over all, it was very nice.”
Join an English-speaking guide and skipper for a two-hour, small-group RIB safari from Padstow. Race out through the Camel Estuary and along about 25 miles of North Cornwall coast, stopping to watch dolphins, seals, seabirds, and, in season, puffins. Waterproofs are available, but expect a fast, wet, bouncy ride.
“We saw loads of dolphins and a minke whale, lots birds, seal. Worth it, great experience”
Join Nemo Boat Tour Dubai for a one-hour guided speedboat ride from Jumeirah 3. You will see Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis Aquaventure, and Atlantis The Royal, with photo stops, bottled water, life jackets, lockers, WiFi, and free pictures included. The ride is fast and can be bumpy.
“The guide is a very friendly guy! Perfect trip. The price was great and very fair. No waiting time!!”
Leave Vlore at 10:30 a.m. for a fast-paced coastal adventure through Haxhi Ali Cave, Dafina Bay, Bristan Bay, Seal Cave, Blue Cave, and Grama Bay. You will swim, snorkel, explore sea caves, and have time for a short mountain hike. Elio and Vini have led particularly well-liked departures, but English service can vary.
“We had great tour with Elio and Vini. There were not a lot off boat around ! The view and branche were nice”
Join local guide Viktor from Strandveien 96 in Skjervøy for a three-hour RIB safari in search of orcas and humpback whales. The seasonal trip runs from mid-October to February and includes warm suits, boots, hats, goggles, and life jackets. You can reach Skjervøy from Tromsø by Arctic Route bus.
“this was an incredible experience! the weather on the day was terrible and we weren't sure the tour would go ahead and even less that we would be able to see anything- Victor was incredible and within no time had found killer whales - they came really close up! and then despite the conditions he found us hump back whales - his skill was amazing - it was truly one if the best holiday experiences we've ever had! Highly recommend this - but wrap up warm even with the super suits provided! (and ask for Victor!)”
Spend about two hours exploring Lunenburg’s coastline aboard a military-grade Zodiac with naturalist guides Jason and Deb. Expect wildlife, island stops, local stories, and photo chances. Afterward, enjoy homemade treats and drinks by the dock. The tour runs in English, welcomes up to 20 people, and does not accept children under six.
“Excellent tour. Very knowledgeable and professional operators. Make sure to bring weather-appropriate clothing.”
