Unique Experiences on the River

Shadwell Shenanigans

Get active and splash about on the water. The Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre offers fun courses for adults and children alike, giving you the chance to take to the Thames and learn something new in a safe environment. Try sailing, canoeing or be part of a team in a Dragon boat.

London Duck Tours

Climb aboard a London Duck Tours vehicle for a guided tour of the capital with a difference. The amphibious vehicles were originally used in the D-Day landings. Today, they tour the streets of Westminster, past all London's landmarks, before launching into the river at Vauxhall for a 30-minute river cruise! A commentary provides an alternative view of the history of London and of the vehicles themselves.

Down Below

Take a floodlit guided tour of the Thames Tunnel at Rotherhithe. This feat of 19th-century engineering was the first tunnel ever to be built under a navigable river and the first to use a tunnel shield. Built by Marc and Isambard Brunel, this was the highlight of Marc's career and the beginning of Isambard's. It was finished in 1843 after 18 years' work. It is still in use today and tours are run by the Brunel Engine House Museum on special occasions throughout the year.

RIB River Voyages

For something a little less sedate, a Thames tour in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) will certainly blow away the cobwebs, and get your adrenaline pumping. These small, extremely manoeuvrable boats are used by coastguards and navies around the world, and make for a white-knuckle ride down the Thames. Tours usually include a guided commentary up until Tower Bridge, then the throttles are opened for a high-speed ride that takes you as far as Greenwich or the Thames barrier and back.

Thames RIB Experience and London RIB voyages both depart from piers in the Westminster area.

Twilight Sailing

Take advantage of long summer evenings at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre. Originating in Western Australia, twilight sailing is a fun way of introducing people to the sport in a sociable way. Grab 4 friends and race around the dock in a Wayfarer or Bosun dinghy. The only rule is that you must not collide with the other boats or the dock wall!

Twilight sailing takes place every Wednesday from April to September. The first race is at 6.30pm and the last at dusk, followed by a couple of "tinnies" and an Aussie-style barbecue.

Clay Shooting on the Thames

The Capital Clay Shoot tour is a river cruise and clay shooting opportunity in one. From the decks of the historic Thames Sailing Barge, you get to experience the excitement of clay shooting on the water, followed by lunch and having Tower Bridge open specially for you to sail through. The tour runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August-September. Guests embark on the QE2 Pier, sail up the Thames past Canary Wharf and Greenwich, through an open Tower Bridge, and then disembark at Tower Pier. 

Flying High

See London from 300m (1,000 ft) above the river Thames! Take in all the major attractions on a sightseeing trip by helicopter. Get a bird's eye view of the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and more.

Various companies offer tours including EBG Helicopters.