Name: Forth Boat Tours
Rating: 5.0

Forth Boat Tours

Ticket Kiosk, Hawes Pier, Newhalls Road South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Edinburgh and Lothian, EH30 9TB, Scotland

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Take to the historic waters of the Firth of Forth for an incredible sightseeing adventure that the whole family will love. Going on a guided cruise is one of the most exciting ways to view world-famous landmarks, get active outdoors, and spot local marine wildlife. If you are searching for the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh and the Lothians, this boat trip provider offers a premier activity category that combines spectacular coastal sightseeing with a fun family day out.

Securing your family's spot on the water is straightforward, with varying rates depending on the specific cruise you choose. Standard sightseeing prices start from £11.00 for children and £21.00 for adults, with discounted family bundles widely available to keep your day out budget-friendly. All tours set sail from the historic South Queensferry pier, putting you right at the heart of Scotland's maritime heritage.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that perfectly bridges natural wonder, engineering marvels, and wildlife spotting, this boat excursion is an exceptional option. It gives children a front-row view of massive bridges and historic islands while keeping them engaged with outdoor commentary and binoculars. It is a fantastic option to get your kids out into the fresh sea air for an educational and highly memorable journey.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

Sensory Play on the Firth: Children can listen to the roar of marine engines, feel the cool sea breeze, and look through viewing scopes to track moving ships.
Interactive Exhibits of Live Nature: The open water acts as a natural habitat where kids can see real seals, nesting puffins, and porpoises swimming freely.
Educational Day Out: Fully guided audio tours teach families about historic sea battles, medieval abbeys, and how the massive rail bridges were built.
Comfortable Outdoor Exploration: Twin-deck vessels ensure that families can stay warm inside heated lounges or head out onto the observation decks when the sun shines.

Detailed Highlights

The Majestic Three Bridges View: Your boat sails directly beneath three centuries of world-class engineering: the Forth Rail Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge, and the Queensferry Crossing. Kids will love looking straight up at the massive steel girders towering hundreds of feet above the deck.
Inchcolm Island Exploration: Select cruises allow your family to step off the vessel onto this historic island to explore ancient monastic ruins. Children can hunt through old stone tunnels and look out for hidden wartime fortifications buried in the hillsides.
The Seal Colony Sightseeing: The vessel carefully navigates toward the local buoys and rocky shores where wild grey seals love to sunbathe. Young animal lovers can get clear views of these curious creatures splashing in the water right next to the boat hull.
The Blackness Castle Cruise: This specialized cruise takes families past the formidable stone fortress that looks exactly like a ship anchored to the shore. Kids can learn about its dark history as a state prison and royal castle while viewing it from the safety of the waves.
The Guided Captain's Commentary: Every trip features a clear, educational audio guide packed with tales of local folklore, historical characters, and modern engineering facts. It makes the journey come alive for kids, keeping them entertained from departure to docking.

Detailed Inventory

Three Bridges Cruise: A classic 90-minute daily sightseeing cruise navigating beneath the iconic bridge structures.
Inchcolm Island Cruise: An extended tour allowing passengers to disembark and explore the historic abbey ruins on the island.
Blackness Castle Cruise: A historical voyage heading west towards the famous coastal fortress and historic bays.
Evening Dance Cruises: Themed evening events featuring live music, food, and drinks for family groups and older teenagers.
Festive & Seasonal Cruises: Special calendar excursions including Santa cruises and summer holiday specials.

Facilities

Toilets: Modern, clean toilet facilities are fully available on board all vessels throughout the entire duration of the journey.
Food Options: On-board bars serve a selection of hot drinks, light snacks, beers, wines, and kid-friendly refreshments.
Lockers & Buggy Parking: Pushchairs can generally be brought on board or safely parked at the pier area before boarding.

What to see

What Visitors Love

Breathtaking Structural Views: Parents consistently report how awestruck their children are when looking up at the colossal underbelly of the rail bridge.
Excellent Wildlife Sightings: Families highly appreciate the captains who slow the boat down to give kids plenty of time to photograph the resting seals.
Warm and Clean Cabins: Parents love having access to a heated indoor lounge with a snack bar when younger children start to feel tired or cold.
Friendly and Welcoming Crew: The staff members receive praise for helping families with prams board safely and making kids feel welcome.

What Visitors Don't Like

Island Terrain for Prams: Parents note that while Inchcolm Island is fantastic, the paths are rocky and steep, making it challenging for standard pushchairs.
Wind-Dependent Crossings: Some families mention that on particularly choppy days, the outdoor observation decks can feel a bit too breezy for toddlers.

Pro-Tips

Layer Up for the Water: Even on hot summer days, the wind out on the open estuary can feel incredibly chilly, so pack warm jackets for the kids.
Arrive for Boarding Early: Boarding gates at Hawes Pier close strictly 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time, so aim to arrive 20 minutes early.
Bring Binoculars: Giving children their own binoculars turns the cruise into an active wildlife hunt, making it easier to spot far-off seals and seabirds.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Three Bridges Cruise

Adults (Ages 16 - 59): £19.08
Seniors (Ages 60+): £17.17
Children (Ages 5 - 15): £12.40
Infants (Ages 0 - 4): Free
Family Tickets (2 Adults & up to 3 Children, ages 5 - 15): £68.90
Dogs (Max 6): £1.06

Inchcolm Island Cruise

Adults (Ages 16 - 59): £19.08
Seniors (Ages 60+): £17.17
Children (Ages 7 - 15): £12.40
Infants (Ages 0 - 6): Free
Family Tickets (2 Adults & up to 3 Children, ages 5 - 15): £68.90
Dogs (Max 6): £1.06

Blackness Castle Cruise

Adults (Ages 16+): £19.08
Children (Ages 5 - 15): £12.40

Pricing URL: https://www.forthtours.com/cruises/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Sailing schedules operate heavily from late March through to the end of October, with multiple daily departures leaving Hawes Pier between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm. Winter sailings are limited to weekends and special holiday events, depending on local weather conditions.

Address: Ticket Kiosk, Hawes Pier, Newhalls Road South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Edinburgh and Lothian, EH30 9TB, Scotland

Post Code: EH30 9TB

Council: City of Edinburgh

County: West Lothian

By Car & Parking: Navigate to Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, using the postcode EH30 9TB. Limited free public parking spaces and pay-and-display council car parks are located directly adjacent to the pier and along the main promenade.
By Train: Take a direct train from Edinburgh Waverley to Dalmeny Train Station. From the station platform, it is a well-signposted, downhill 10-to-15-minute walk directly to the boat launch point.
By Bus: Regular direct bus services run from the centre of Edinburgh straight to the slipway at South Queensferry, stopping just a few steps from the check-in kiosk.