Day Boats on the Norfolk Broads
pets welcome
life jackets supplied
tuition provided🚤 Day Boat Hire on the Norfolk Broads (From Wroxham/Hoveton)
Hiring a day boat from Wroxham is about as good as it gets.
You set the pace, choose your route, and spend the day doing exactly what you fancy — whether that’s wildlife spotting, pub lunches, fishing, or just drifting along with a flask and no particular plan. Dogs are very welcome too, so your four-legged crew members can enjoy the adventure with you.
Our boats are easy to drive (no experience needed), we’ll show you everything before you set off.
👉 The only tricky bit? Choosing the right boat…
Let us help you pick the right boat for you
👍 Choose Your Day Boat in 30 Seconds
Let’s keep this simple.
👨👩👧👦 How many of you are coming?
2–4 people → smaller, simple boats like Brinks Sun Shine or a canoe
5–7 people → most popular choice – try Brinklet
8+ people → go for space and easy access – try Brinks Sundeck
🚤 What sort of day do you want?👍
“We’ve never done this before”
Go for something easy and forgiving: Brinklet or Electra
👉 Stable, simple, no stress.
🧺 “We want a proper day out (lunch, tea, comfort)”
You’ll want a bit more onboard: Picnic or Sunrise
👉 Think kettle on, somewhere to sit properly, and no rush to get back. (Bring your own mugs, milk and tea bags!)
🌿 “Quiet, peaceful, bit of wildlife”
Less engine noise, more nature: Electra, Sun Shine – or try a Canoe
👉 Perfect for spotting kingfishers (or at least pretending you saw one).
🍻 “We’ve got a group and want space”
Room to spread out: Sundeck or Brinklet
👉 Easier mooring, more room, fewer elbows.
Check out some of our suggested itineraries.
🗺️ What Does a Day on the Broads Look Like?
Most people head out from Wroxham/Hoveton and do one of these:
2–3 hours: Salhouse Broad (perfect picnic stop)
Half day: Cruise to Horning for lunch and back
Full day: Head to St. Benet’s Abbey to step back in history.
We’ll give you a map and show you where to go before you leave — so you won’t end up accidentally halfway to Great Yarmouth 😄
Brinklet (Easy, No Fuss)
⭐ Most popular for first timers
Best for: First timers, families, relaxed cruising
- Seats 8 — plenty of room with a stable, reassuring feel
- Easy to drive — perfect if you’ve never done this before
- Simple day out — ideal for a no-fuss, relaxed trip
- Easy mooring — great for pub stops and quick tie-ups
Picnic (Family favourite)
⭐ Best for families
Best for: Families, longer days, comfort
- Seats up to 7 — comfortable for family groups
- Onboard toilet — makes a big difference on longer trips
- Covered seating — shelter from sun or showers
- Picnic ready — space for food, bags, and everything else
Sunrise (Comfort + cooking)
⭐ Best for proper lunch onboard
Best for: Couples, families, slow-paced days
- Seats up to 7 — ideal for smaller groups
- Toilet onboard — added comfort for the day
- Hob & kettle provided — great for a simple hot lunch
- Relaxed cruising — perfect for taking your time
Brinks Sun Shine (Shade & easy comfort)
⭐ Best for sunny days
Best for: Couples, small groups, staying cool on hot days
- Seats up to 6 — ideal for 2–4 people wanting extra space
- Bimini & cover — excellent shade on hot, sunny days
- Electric boat, easy to drive — simple, steady handling for beginners
- Comfortable layout — relaxed cruising without feeling exposed
Brinks Sun Charm (Premium feel)
⭐ Most comfortable day boat
Best for: Comfort seekers, full-day trips, something special
- Seats up to 7 — comfortable, spacious layout
- Electric engine — quiet and smooth cruising
- Toilet onboard — ideal for longer days
- Hob & kettle provided — everything for a relaxed day out
Electra (Quiet cruising)
⭐ Quietest option
Best for: Wildlife lovers, peaceful days, photographers
- Seats up to 8 — space for families or small groups
- Electric engine — smooth, quiet, no engine noise
- Peaceful experience — ideal for spotting wildlife
- Easy handling — gentle and forgiving to drive
Brinks Sundeck (Space & groups)
⭐ Best for bigger groups
Best for: Groups, sociable days, spreading out
- Seats up to 9 — loads of room for everyone
- Open layout — great for chatting, picnics, and moving about
- Easy access — simple to get on and off at stops
- Beginner friendly — no experience needed
Canoe (Simple & adventurous)
⭐ Best for exploring quietly
Best for: Couples, explorers, getting close to nature
- Seats 2–3 — perfect for smaller groups
- Close to nature — reach quieter areas boats can’t
- Active day out — a bit more hands-on and fun
- Easy to launch — simple, flexible exploring
💡 Not Sure Which Boat to Pick?
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Boat | People | Toilet | Electric | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brinklet | Up to 8 | ❌ | ❌ | First timers, easy days |
| Picnic | Up to 7 | ✅ | ❌ | Families, lunch trips |
| Sunrise | Up to 7 | ✅ | ❌ | Comfort + cooking onboard |
| Electra | Up to 8 | ❌ | ✅ | Quiet cruising |
| Sun Charm | Up to 7 | ✅ | ✅ | Comfort + electric |
| Sundeck | Up to 9 | ❌ | ❌ | Bigger groups |
| Canoe | 2–3 | ❌ | — | Exploring quietly |
👉 If you’re unsure, go for easy over fancy — it makes for a much more relaxed day.
🧭 Why Choose Barnes Brinkcraft?
- Right on the River Bure at Wroxham Bridge — straight out onto the Broads
- No experience needed — full tuition given before you leave
- Fuel, life jackets and maps included
- Flexible hire: from a couple of hours to a full day
- Dogs welcome (some even enjoy it more than their owners)
☀️ A Proper Day Out (Without the Fuss)
There’s a reason people keep coming back.
You can’t reach most of the Broads by road — so once you’re out there, it feels properly away from everything.
No traffic.
No crowds.
Just you, the river, and whatever you’ve packed for lunch.
👉 Book Your Day Boat
Select a dayboat above to check availability and prices.
Or, if you’d rather talk it through:
📞 01603 782625
Popular Activities to do on a Day Boat on the Norfolk Broads
One of the best things about day boat hire on the Norfolk Broads is the range of activities you can enjoy. From exploring the Broads’ winding rivers to taking in stunning views and wildlife, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Fishing is also a popular activity on the Broads, and there are fishing tackle shops near to Barnes Brinkcraft’s Wroxham day boat hire centre, where the necessary equipment and supplies can be sourced. Anglers can enjoy a peaceful day of fishing in the Broads’ tranquil waters.
Picnics are also a popular activity on the Broads. Barnes Brinkcraft has picnic day boats perfectly designed for the occasion.
Safety Considerations for Day Boating on the Norfolk Broads
Safety is always of the utmost importance. Training and safety equipment such as life jackets and maps are provided.
It’s also important to check the weather forecast before you set off and ensure you have the proper clothing for the conditions. During the summer, temperatures can get surprisingly high, so bringing plenty of water and a hat or sun cream is essential.
Finally, make sure you follow the waterway regulations. The rules include keeping to the right side of the river and staying within the speed limit.
So if you’re looking for the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Norfolk Broads, day boat hire is the ideal option.
If you’d like to learn a little more about handling a day boat before your trip, please watch these helpful videos from the Broads Authority.
Book your Norfolk Broads Day Boat Hire Online with Barnes Brinkcraft and experience the magic of the Norfolk Broads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here for directions.
Yes, you can bring a max of 2 dogs with you It’s worth remembering some dogs love being on a boat, but not all. We recommend bringing a dog bed with you. We would recommend the Brinklets for dogs as these are the easiest for them to get on and off.
Yes, we do, via the Broadcaster magazine provided with each hire.
Please see our suggested itinerary here.
There is a speed limit between 3 and 5 mph in this part of the Broads National Park. This is designed to protect the wildlife on the banks from wash caused by boats.
Our boats are easy to walk onto from the rear of the boat.
We have parking for circa 20 cars. There is also plenty of FREE car parking behind the railway station, a 5 min walk away.
Please come prepared for the weather. sun hats, sunscreen and bottled water on hot days, and a flask and an extra coat on chiller days Don’t forget your camera Flat shoes with good grip such as trainers are ideal You might want to pack a picnic
This happens rarely, and we have our engineers available to help once you let us know you need it. Ring the yard on 01603 782625 and follow the instructions to get to one of our engineers. Tell them where you are. They will get to you by car if you are accessible; if not, they will travel by boat. Please be patient; the engineer can take a while to get to you. Even if you drift into the bank, you are very, very unlikely to come to harm on the boat
Orson and his team are on hand to run you through the basics of using a boat. It is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. You can also watch these helpful videos provided by the Broads Authority here
We only collect security deposits from a few clients, click here for details
Yes you can You will need a licence, which can be purchased here Please note we don’t supply mud weights with the boats
Please check the control panel and make sure that the water switch has been turned on. If you still don’t get water, please ring 01603 782625 and follow the instructions
Please check that the gas canister is turned on fully and try again. If this still does not work contact 01603 782625 and follow the telephone instructions.
You must be 18 years or older to hire a day boat. And whilst you can drive a day boat at any age, you must be closely supervised by someone over the age of 18
Yes, fuel is included in the hire of the day boat