See Seals and other wildlife, Travel the river Stour in Kent on the Sandwich Riverbus.

Sailing schedule Inciuding Seal spotting trips.

2012-01-03T16:30:00.000Z

Trips run weekends and school holidays all year. Also Thursday and Friday from Easter until mid September unless the weather is bad.
Normal open times are 11am to 6pm, or dusk in winter.
Six or more as a group can book the boat on any day of the year.
You can only book by phone on 07958376183.

Wildlife and Seal Spotting trip departures

January
Sat   7th @ 9am.
Sun 8th @ 10am.
Sat 14th @ 12 noon.
Sun 15th @ 1pm. Full.
Sun 15th @ 3.30pm.
Sat   21st  @ 10am.
Sun 22nd @ 10am.
Sat   28th @ 12 noon.
Sun 29th @ 1pm.

February
Sat   4th @ 9am.
Sun 5th @ 10am.
Sat   11th @ 11am. Full.
Sat   11th @ 1.30pm
Sun 12th @ 12 noon.
Sat   18th @ 9am.
Sun 19th @ 9am.
Sat   25th @ 11am.
Sun 26th @ 12.30pm.

March
Sat   3rd @ 8am.
Sun 4th @ 8.30am.
Sat   10th @ 10am.
Sun 11th @ 11am. Full.
Sun 11th @ 1.30pm.
Sat   17th @ 8am.
Sat   17th @ 5pm.
Sun 18th @ 9am.
Sat   24th @ 10am.
Sun 25th @ 12 noon. Now British summer time[ B S T ].
Sat   31st @ 4pm.

April
Sun   1st @ 9am.
Sun   1st @ 5pm.
Fri    6th @ 10am.
Sat   7th   @ 10am.
Sun  8th   @ 11am.
Mon 9th   @ 11.30.
Tue 10th @ 12 noon.

Seals seen on all trips now for over 6 years. About 2000 trips.

2011-06-10T21:42:00.002Z

The boat in use most is Heron [1965 lifeboat] but if booking you can state you would like the Dolphin [1903 Dutch sailing barge].

Sailing barge Dolphin

2010-11-11T20:58:00.005Z

Dolphin is now looking good. She is now the flag ship of the River Bus with a passenger licence for 12 persons. She is back in the water after 4 years out. Launched at Ramsgate on the 24th November 2010 at 08.47hrs, her unladen weight is now only 17tons. (she has lost 3tons in refit) Built in Holland 1903. Hull L 40ft 6ins, B 11ft, D 3ft 6ins, Reg wt 36tons. Air D is only 7ft with mast down and 6ft with 4.5tons in the front as ballast, so it is possible to take her to Fordwich going under Grove Ferry bridge.[ Delivery of Caen stone was made on April 2nd 2011, believed first barge to arrive in Fordwich since 1870.] Her restoration has taken about 4 years, the top and deck have been replaced, so in profile from the side she looks clog shaped. The journey back to Sandwich was trouble free. After running the engine (120hp Ford 6cyl) for two hours waiting for the tide and checking all is well, the passage took about 90mins. At one time the Sat nav showed 9knts but that was with the tide. Tiller steering (Rib tickler) works well and is quite comfortable, with no obvious propeller osolation. The wheel steering is not yet compleat. She will also happily steer going astern with caution. I admit I still need to learn some of her ways.
During the summer of 2011 the Dolphin has had to be the most used boat as the Heron had an engine problem. She did very well with no probs. (The Heron now has a new 1.8 bmc fitted.)

Site reviewed and up dated 09.12.11

2010-06-06T08:15:00.010Z

Please scroll down to find much more info. The prices are correct and have been revued this year.

Why rush around, sit back and relax.

2009-12-22T13:39:00.002Z

We use older type boats which are very stable and sedate. They travel through the water rather than skimming over it, so causing little disturbance to wildlife and other people.

Contact & bookings

2008-09-09T19:46:00.007Z

I have no computer on the boat and I may only get to see emails monthly, it is always best to phone on 07958376183 any day.

Take a trip today.

2007-07-19T07:18:00.013Z

Booking is required for Pub meal trips and Seal and Wildlife trips.
Short trips (1/2 hr or 1hr) will run on Saturdays and Sundays before or after Seal spotting depending on the time of the tide. A board on the pontoon will tell you the time of the expected next trip. We are limited to a max. of 12 persons.

See winter pub lunch trip schedule under special excursions.

Tour Info and prices

2007-06-08T07:17:00.007Z

All standard trips include a commentary. You may bring dogs on a lead. Push chairs can be taken on board but would have to be carried up & down steps, also over the side of the boat. There is no age limit but young children must have an adult with them. We do not allow smoking as from the start of 2007. You are most welcome to bring your own food and drink anytime.
Prices from April 2011 Half hour trip is up and down past the town, this is for young or old who are not too certain about boats. Approx distance of trip 2.5 miles. £7 Adults-£5 Child or Family ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) £20. One hour trip is up to the Roman Fort at Richborough. There is the option, at small extra cost, to stop and return on a later trip. If a trip is booked to depart or return at high spring tide we will have the road traffic stopped and the Old Toll Bridge swung open to allow us passage. Aprox distance of trip 5 miles. £12 Adults-£8 Child or Family ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) £35. Wildlife trips down river take two hours. Please have warm, waterproof clothing. These trips can only depart when tide is on the rise or soon after. Approx distance of trip 12 miles. £24 Adults-£16 Children or Family ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) £70. Pub lunch or Isle of Thanet boundary trips to Plucks Gutter take 1hr 30mins in each direction from Sandwich. We carry a menu from the Dog and Duck and order food by phone on our way to save time . This is usually a one hour stop. £30 per person. This does not include the cost of a meal. (See schedule under special excursions) A longer trip to Grove Ferry takes 2 hours each way @ £35 per person. This also does not include the cost of a meal or possible night stop at Grove ferry. Whole boat charters can be arranged with the normal charter price for the Dolphin or Heron at just £120 per hour, with a maximum of 12 persons. Any other enquiries please telephone 07958 376 183.

How to Book

2006-12-01T20:27:00.000Z

Bookings can only be made by phoning-

07958 376183

If you make a booking and you think the weather will be to wet etc, phone us and we will arrange another day or cancil altogether.

You pay on the day so you loose not a thing.

Photo album.

2006-10-17T19:59:00.001Z

To see photos of wildlife taken from the boat, of the Lady Jane, kids party fun and other views etc. Please go to www.pbase.com/cwright/river_bus

To find sailing schedule for seal spotting please press subscribe to: posts below.

Special Excursions and Trips

2006-01-05T20:21:00.015Z

Special Excursions - Anniversaries, Birthdays, Retirement, and Office Lunch parties. Other ideas are, Down~river trips to the Estuary for Bird Watching and Seal spotting, or up~river as far as Fordwich or lunch stopovers at Plucks Gutter, Grove Ferry or Fordwich. Over-night stops are possible at Grove Ferry.
Special Trips - For schools and young peoples walking organizations etc., are popular with a commentary tailored as required e.g. Roman History, Wildlife, Rivers or just for fun!
We often let people have a go at steering the boat with the Tiller.
Boats can booked any day of the year.

Pub lunch trip schedule to the
Dog & Duck at Plucks Gutter.
See prices for more detales.
You must phone to book on these trips.

October, November,
December, Jan, Feb and March
Trips to the Dog and Duck for lunch leave at 11am on Saturdays if people have booked.
A special trip to Fordwich taking all day return or
Fordwich one way trips. 4 hours plus depending on nomber of stops on the way. £30 per person /( min no 4 ) Taxi one way £20 baced on 4 in car.

General information

2006-01-03T19:45:00.005Z

Trips depart from, The Quay, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9EN, this is also our postal address which is next to the old Toll Bridge; phone on 07958 376183 for up to date info.
During the summer period from April to mid September we run a turn up and go service 11am-6pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, School and Bank Holidays. At the School Summer and Easter Holiday period we run seven days a week
In winter Saturdays and Sundays in good weather, unless pre-booked. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The boats are licensed for twelve passengers and normally run alternate 1/2 hour and 1 hour trips. The 1 hour trip takes you to the Richborough Roman Fort. Passengers who wish to visit the Fort and return on a later trip are asked to pay an extra £3. Please also see Special Excursions.
It may be possible to arrange a courtesy bus to colect small groups on days out off peak season.