Wildlife boat trips

For your own and other passengers’ safety, you need to be able to get on and off of our boats on foot, negotiating two steep steps. If you are coming with someone, we recommend they get on/off first so they can offer you assistance.

Please bear in mind that when our boats moor at the jetty, you may need to step up into, or step down into the boat depending on water levels. Hickling Broad is tidal so water levels fluctuate daily throughout the year.

We reserve the right to refuse carriage if we feel you would be putting yourself, other passengers or our staff at risk.

For further access information on the walks to the boats, please read the 'Where do the boats go from?' FAQ, below.

We would not recommend booking infants under 8 months as all passengers will be required to wear buoyancy aids. We have appropriate buoyancy aids for infants of that age however we often find that little ones can find them uncomfortable, especially in hot weather. Once on board, all passengers are asked to remain seated throughout the trip for their own safety.

If you have an active child please consider booking the shortest boat trip (45 minutes, Ranworth & 1 hour, Hickling) to ensure everyone enjoys the experience

At both Hickling and Ranworth there is a walk from the car park to the boat departure point. It is approximately 1km from the car parks at both sites to the boat departure points.

Ranworth offers the shortest walk to the boat if you catch the ferry to the visitor centre before heading out onto the broad trip. Approx 0.3km from the car park. Please call the Ranworth visitor centre for more information

At Hickling Broad reserve there is a walk through the reserve prior to boarding, of approx. 1 kilometer. This can take up to 20 minutes and is why we will ask you to book in 30 mins prior to your departure. Please call Hickling visitor centre for more information.

At the Pleasure Boat (Hickling Staithe), the boats leave adjacent to the pub; a short walk from the carpark.

Our boats are open craft to allow for the best views. We highly recommend wearing clothing appropriate to the weather. Layers, a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Waterproofs are always useful.

As part of our licensing agreement to be able to run public boat trips all of our passengers are required to wear correctly fitted buoyancy aids. Ours have crotch straps which must be done up at all times please consider this when dressing for the occasion. Our boat operators will help you to fit them correctly.

There is a reserve admission fee to pay at Hickling in addition to the boat fee on all daily trips (evening trip prices include reserve admission). Members and children: Free. Non members £5 (with Gift Aid) Standard price: £4.50 Children 16 and under free.

There is no reserve fee to pay for boat trips leaving from the Pleasureboat Inn Hickling. Donations welcome.

There is no reserve fee at Ranworth, donations welcome.

The car park at Hickling Broad Reserve is adjacent to the Visitor Centre. At the Pleasure Boat Inn Hickling there is a carpark adjacent to the pub.

Car parking at Ranworth is by the staithe, you then have a walk of approx. 1 kilometer to the floating visitor centre.

There are no toilets on board the boats. At Hickling Broad Reserve you will find the facilities at the visitor centre. At the Pleasure Boat Inn Hickling there are public toilets in the carpark.

At Ranworth there are public toilets at the staithe opposite The Maltsters pub.

We advise you to bring binoculars should you have them. Binoculars are also available from Hickling and Ranworth visitor centres for hire and purchase.

Please bring appropriate clothing for all weather conditions as the boats are open to the elements. Even on warmer days it can be cool out on the open water. Sun hats and sunscreen are advised on sunny days. Please consider the crotch straps on our buoyancy aids that are required to be worn by all passengers when dressing for the occasion.

Yes you can bring light refreshments to consume on the boat and facilities for purchase and consumption are also available at the visitor centres.

At Hickling Broad Reserve please arrive 30 minutes before departure to enable time to check in at visitor centre reception and get to the boat. At the Pleasure Boat Inn Hickling please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

At Ranworth if leaving on the outward bound ferry service from Malthouse staithe arrive 15 minutes before departure. If leaving from on the broad boat trip from Ranworth Broad Visitor Centre arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Our boat operators are very knowledgeable about the wildlife, nature and history of the broads and will guide you with bird identification and other natural history experiences.

Yes! We can arrange tailored guided boat trips for larger groups of 8-12, whether for wildlife watching, photography, or celebrating a special occasion. For more information, call NWT Hickling Broad visitor centre on 01692 598276.