Celebrate a birthday in style with a coastal adventure through Cardiff Barrage and out to sea. This 60-minute boat trip offers kids a thrilling, safe, and educational experience, packed with marine sights and fun activities.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
Participants should be comfortable sitting or standing for up to an hour; no special fitness needed.
Wildlife
History
Cardiff Bay has a rich maritime history, once a bustling dockyard now transformed into vibrant waterside attractions.
Conservation
Bay Island Voyages emphasizes sustainable boating practices, helping preserve the marine environment and local wildlife.
Bay Island Voyages
Celebrate a birthday in style with a coastal adventure through Cardiff Barrage and out to sea. This 60-minute boat trip offers kids a thrilling, safe, and educational experience, packed with marine sights and fun activities.
Bay Island Voyages is a Cardiff-based boat operator offering coastal trips and island visits from Cardiff Bay and Weston Super-Mare. The company runs short bay voyages, one-hour coastal trips, children's birthday party charters, and island visits to Flat Holm and Steep Holm. Trips vary in duration from short fifteen-minute bay rides up to two to three hour island visits, with specific thirty- and sixty-minute party options available.
From Cardiff Bay departures, experiences include the fifteen-minute Bay Voyage around Cardiff Bay, the one-hour Coastal Voyage that explores the Welsh coastline and Flat Holm Island, and organised Steep Holm visits that showcase the island's wildlife and historic military structures. The sixty- and thirty-minute children's birthday party trips travel through the Cardiff Barrage lock system and provide tailored group experiences suitable for children meeting the stated height requirement for the thirty-minute run (over one point one metres).
Flat Holm visits are two to three hour excursions focusing on island history, the Trinity House Lighthouse, birdlife, and military relics. Steep Holm trips, offered from both Cardiff Bay and Weston Super-Mare, highlight panoramic views, nature reserve features, archaeological interest, and rare plants and bird species.
Bay Island Voyages operates with a small-group focus; the Bay Voyage is limited to a maximum of twelve passengers, creating an intimate experience. Trips provide opportunities for wildlife spotting such as seals and for photography at Wales' southernmost point. Timings, meeting points, and booking details are provided by the operator at time of reservation. Schedules change with local tide patterns.
Location
Cardiff, UK
Departures from Cardiff Bay
Trip Durations
15–180 mins
Short to multi-hour island visits
Small Groups
12 max (Bay Voyage)
Intimate on-water experience
Destinations
Flat Holm & Steep Holm
Island history and wildlife tours
Secure seats for Cardiff Bay voyages, Flat Holm and Steep Holm visits, and children's party charters — book departures from Cardiff Bay or Weston Super-Mare.
Arrive early for the safety briefing
Ensure your group arrives at least 15 minutes before departure for a quick safety overview and to settle in.
Dress for the weather
Wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain or splashes.
Bring snacks and drinks
Pack some light snacks and water to keep kids energized during the trip.
Have cameras ready
Capture the excitement by bringing cameras or phones with waterproof cases.
Waterproof jacket
Keeps everyone dry during splashes or rainy weather.
spring|summer|fall|winter
Sunscreen and hat
Protects from sun exposure during the boat trip.
summer|spring
Camera or smartphone
Capture memorable moments and marine sights.
Comfortable shoes with grip
Helps keep steady on the boat's surface.