Estuary Cruises

Estuary Cruises

For dates and times of scheduled tours, please use our home page Tour Search or check individual tours, below.

2.5 hour guided evening cruise exploring the upper reaches of the Fal Estuary, where historic place names like Roundwood Quay, King Harry’s Reach and Malpas hint at the archaeological sites to be discovered.
3.5 hour guided afternoon cruise from the Fal Estuary to the Helford, discovering their evolution through time and the wealth of archaeological sites lining their shores and the open coast in between.
2.5 hour guided evening cruise around Carrick Roads and King Harry's Reach, discovering how thousands of years of human activity have left their mark and the fascinating stories about those who lived beside and sailed these waters.
A full-day, small-group, guided tour combining a return ferry trip with a shoreline walk, allowing historic and prehistoric sites to be viewed from the water and visited up close on land.

Join us for one of our special Estuary Cruises and explore by boat West Cornwall’s rich history, with knowledgeable and friendly local experts, part of the range of authentic, high-quality, guided tours, on foot or by boat, provided by Heritage Adventures.

Heritage Adventures has partnered up with local ferry company Fal River Cornwall to offer a limited number of special evening cruises exploring the history and archaeology of the spectacular Fal and Helford Estuaries, on board the classic wooden ferry, Moyana.

People have been living around the shores of the Fal Estuary and sailing on its waters since prehistoric times, and from the Medieval period the estuary was a major focus of maritime trade and industry. From the 16th century, its strategic location at the gateway to the English Channel made it important in the defence of the realm and the estuary mouth was successively fortified over 400 years.

The Fal’s rich and distinctive historical identity is reflected in the number and range of archaeological sites and historic structures – Iron Age cliff castles, Medieval creekside churches, Post-Medieval coastal forts, mining remains, quays, slipways and port infrastructure, abandoned hulks and shipwrecks.

An historic audit carried out by your guide, local archaeologist Jeanette Ratcliffe, as part of promoting sustainable use of the estuary, recorded 1200 sites and structures around the its 70-mile shore. A similar survey was made of the Helford Estuary, whose sheltered position and abundance of natural resources have attracted people for thousands of years.

‘Step aboard’ and let Heritage Adventures share with you the wonderful heritage of both these spectacular estuaries.

For 2025 Heritage Adventures is partnering up with ‘The Cornish Bird’ storyteller, Elizabeth Dale, to offer an additional aspect to our estuary tours – linking tales, myths and legends to the archaeology and history of the Fal and Helford, and providing two guides for the price of one!

Page header image: (c) Fal River Cornwall. Inset photos: (c) Elizabeth Dale

Bartholomew's 1903 1/2" map
Estuary Cruises FAQs

How do I book my place on an Estuary Cruise or Ferry & Foot tour?

For Estuary Cruises, booking takes place on Fal River Cornwall’s website. Please follow the booking link provided for each Estuary Cruise.

For Ferry & Foot tours, booking takes place on Heritage Adventure’s website. Please follow the booking link.

Where do I board and disembark for my Estuary Cruise or Ferry & Foot tour?

For Estuary Cruises, you board and disembark at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth.

Ferry & Foot tours also begin and end with you boarding and disembarking at Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth. You will get off the ferry and reboard it at another location (such as Trelissick Pontoon) before and after the walking part of the tour.

How physically fit and seaworthy do I need to be?

Getting on and off the boat involves going up and down quay steps, which you will need to be able to manage. Once on board you can sit inside the saloon or climb stairs to the open-air top deck. The waters of the Fal Estuary are generally sheltered and sea sickness is unlikely, unless you are particularly prone to it.

The walking parts of the Ferry & Foot tours are over ground that may be steep, rocky and uneven, so a good level of mobility and fitness is required.

Are the Estuary Cruises and Ferry & Foot tours suitable for children?

The Estuary Cruises and Ferry & Foot tours are suitable for older children who love a boat trip and an historical adventure, and are happy to walk several miles. They must be accompanied by parents or guardians, who will take responsibility for their welfare and safety.

What should I wear & what should I bring with me?

For Estuary Cruises, you need to wear clothing suitable for being on the water, where the air temperature is often cooler and the weather can be unpredictable. If you like sitting outside, additional warm layers and wind/waterproofs (plus sunscreen during hot weather) are recommended. A camera and binoculars would also come in handy.

For the Ferry & Foot tours, as well as the above advice, you will need to wear clothing suitable for rough terrain and unpredictable weather. Walking boots and waterproofs, plus sunscreen during hot weather, are recommended, as well as hiking sticks if you use them. Please also bring water (and/or other drink), energy-giving snacks, together with a packed lunch, as we will stopping for a picnic break mid way through the tour.

Can I bring my dog with me on the Estuary Cruise or Ferry & Foot tour?

Unfortunately, owing to the length of time you will be on board (2.5 or 3.5 hours) and out of respect for other passengers, Fal River Cornwall have a no-dogs rule on the Estuary Cruises.

Dogs are welcome on the Ferry & Foot tours providing they are well behaved and friendly to humans and other dogs. It may be necessary to set a limit on the number of dogs on each tour.

Are there toilets available on board or elsewhere on the tour?

There are male and female toilets on the boat (as well as on Prince of Wales Pier). There are no toilets available during the walking route of the Ferry & Foot tours (but toilets are available at the end of the walk, at Trelissick House)

Are there refreshments on board?

Yes, there is a licensed bar on board selling drinks and snacks. You are also welcome to bring your own refreshments.

For the Ferry & Foot tours, it is essential that you bring your own packed lunch, as there will be a picnic stop halfway through the the tour.