Home > Belfast > Belfast Sightseeing Cruise: Titanic Quarter and River Lagan
USD $13.00
Belfast Sightseeing Cruise: Titanic Quarter and River Lagan
Belfast, United Kingdom
Discover Belfast’s nautical heritage on this 1-hour sightseeing boat cruise! As you cruise along the River Lagan, pass the banks of the Titanic Quarter and learning about its history from your guide’s onboard commentary. Follow the trail of the ‘Titanic,’ from where she was designed at Harland and Wolff’s drawing offices to the slipways where she first touched the water. Learn of the city’s naval history as you pass the HMS 'Caroline’ – Belfast’s beautifully preserved battleship – and then cruise back along past the cargo ships on Stormont Ships.
Hop aboard your sightseeing boat at Belfast’s Donegal Quay and cruise down the River Lagan, seeing city sights and learning of its rich history. A busy international port since the early 18th century, Belfast boasts a catalog of nautical sites that are crying out to be seen.
Glide past the drawing offices of Harland and Wolff, Belfast's famous shipbuilders, who designed the Titanic, and then see the ship's modern-day equivalent – the impressive Titanic Visitor Experience. Pass Custom’s House, a magnificent building that represents the changing face of the city; once a gathering place for angst-ridden trade unionists, it’s now a vibrant hub and theater venue for the local community.
Proceed down the length of the Titanic slipways – where the fated boat first touched water back in 1911 – and pass Titanic Film Studios, where scenes from hit UK television productions like Game of Thrones have been filmed. Cruise alongside Northern Ireland Science Park, home to Titanic’s Dock and Pump House, and hear how the dock was the Titanic's last resting place on dry ground. From the slipways, continue to Alexandra Docks, home of Belfast’s famous battleship – the HMS Caroline. As the last surviving ship of the 1917 Battle of Jutland in World War I, she’s a poignant reminder of Belfast’s crucial navy role during the world wars.
Proceeding to The Turning Circle on the edge of Musgrave Channel, to see Northern Ireland’s largest seal breeding colony (summer months only), and then head down Stormont Wharf, Ireland’s longest deep-water quay that measures just over half a mile (1km) in length. See glossy cruise liners berthed next to old cargo ships – perfectly illustrating the city’s departure from its industrial roots to one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting destinations!
Your boat ride finishes at Donegal Quay after an hour on the water.
The tour lasts about an hour. We were lucky with the weather but I could see this being unpleasant with even a bit of wind when on the land. The tour primarily focuses on the Titanic story, which will be repetitive if you have been to the Titanic Experience. The seals were visible the day we went, we had heard many groups had not seen them. We counted 49 of them on the way back. The second half of the tour is just sailing back to shore without any commentary. It was ok, but I had better experiences in Belfast.
Review by: Tom F, July 2018
On a Monday in July, at 12:30, I took the boat tour of the Lagan Dock Area the Titanic Quarter. The tour lasted an hour to the minute! and cost 12 pounds, though I added a 5 pound tip. The tour stared at Donegall Quay. _br/_ The boat was called The Mona and was quite small, but as there were only a dozen passengers there was plenty of room._br/_ We left promptly at 12:30, the tour guide, whose name I dont know nor the helmsmans ? was quite informative, not just about the history of the docks, but also about current matters which ships and companies used the docks, were undergoing refit or repairs, etc. We sailed out along the west, Titanic, bank of the river. _br/_ The first stop was Belfast Marina, we just popped in while the guide introduced it and mentioned some of the boats and ships there. From there we sailed on round to the Titanic Quarter while we were told a potted history of the RMS Titanic and its construction. _br/_ The view from the boat gave a different perspective of the Titanic Quarter. Ive walked around it, but from the ground its hard to see the relationship between the parts and youre looking up at everything. From the river you get an unobstructed view, the Lagan is broader than I had expected. Titanic Belfast in particular looks very isolated viewed from the river and I got a better feel for it the way the corners look like the prows of ships was easier to see. Though when you stand below them, the way they loom over you is impressive too. _br/_ After the Titanic Quarter and Film Studios we sailed round to the Alexandra Docks to see the HMS Caroline and the dry docks. We also saw a huge to me, maybe its a normal sized or small! cruise ship Azamara Pursuit in for a refit. Her sister ship, the Azamara Journey was docked on the east bank._br/_ Our last port of call was the Musgrave Channel. There is a small population of seals there, but because we arrived at high tide they werent conveniently basking on the shore for us to see. We saw a couple of their heads in the water though, like dogs swimming._br/_ After this, slight, disappointment we had a leisurely fifteen-minute cruise back to Donegall Quay, this followed the east bank. We got to see the ships docked there and an even wider view of the west bank. _br/_ I thoroughly enjoyed this little excursion. It was only an hour long, but it gave me a much better overview of the area, and filled in a few gaps. I also got some nice photos and video, always a bonus. One reason it was so good was that the weather co-operated. The day was warm, there was almost no breeze and the water was like a mill pond. Very calm sailing there was absolutely no problem standing steadily and taking photos.
Review by: Laurette R, July 2018
Had a great time. Tour operator was fantastic and so were the other passengers.
Review by: Stephane Cote, March 2018
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Olivier H, October 2017
Nice cruise on the river Lagan. Views on the Titanic quarter. Discovery of a part of the docks. Seals can be visible. The landscape farther is green. It's entertaining.
Review by: Lynette T, September 2017
very enjoyable and very informative
Review by: nancy S, September 2017
Tour was good, boat tacky. Need to upgrade interior of boat.
Review by: Derek M, October 2016
Was a lovely trip down Belfast loch, very informative and the skipper was friendly. Was a lovely relaxing time. Will definitely do this again.
Review by: Sue S, October 2016
Very nice. We had good weather. Guide hard to understand at times.
Review by: Frederick O, September 2016
The boat was clean, the crew was friendly, hospitable, nice and knowledgeable and the tour itself was very informative. We're a young couple with two kids age 6 and 3 and we all loved it. We had been to Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic the day before learning all that we thought there was to learn about Titanic. It was therefore a massive surprise learning even a lot more on this trip.
Review by: farmerleo, August 2016
Cold and rainy, but my grandson, who is very interested in the Titanic, found the tour guide most informative. Nice to see the seals back!
Review by: MARIA D, August 2016
I had so much fun and got to see more than I expected to see. My tour guide was an absolute sweetheart. Thank you so much for fulfilling my long-time dream and may peace remain in Northern Ireland. Maria Darvell
Review by: Mandy G, July 2016
Fantastic, great trip, highly recommend
Review by: Kent A, June 2016
Nice was to relax and see parts of the city
Review by: Papagg, June 2016
These folks were great to deal with._br/_ when I booked this on my phone I had typed in the wrong date. I called them a few days later and explained my situation. They assured me to just come that day I wanted and they would work us in. We arrived the day that it worked best for our schedule and were granted access to the boat right away. A class act to work with. Thanks so much
Review by: James S, August 2015
An interesting cruise well worth the money.
Review by: brigitte g, August 2015
je suis arrivee le vendredi le bateau était annule la promenade a été reportee le lundi heureusement que je suis restee 4 jours . la promenade est quelconque dans le port le plus interessant est de voir la colonie de phoques
Review by: JANICE G, July 2015
Do not bother with this, shocking dilapidated old 'tug', was embarrassed that they call this a 'sightseeing CRUISE'. DREADFUL
Review by: VIVIENNE B, May 2015
No frills but enjoyable trip. Small boat but as only 5 of ya on board we were able to swap around from top deck or under cover . It was a cold day but we got to take pics and see where Titanjc was launched from . Good commentary and good value for money .
Review by: Sharron H, August 2014
Absolutely fantastic!! The whole experience was great and very informative. The titanic quarter and river Lagan was brill. All our party enjoyed the boat ride and the histories behind it, the tour operator was great and I would recommend it to everyone who is visiting Belfast.
Review by: alicia m, June 2014
the guide was brilliant very friendly and informative
Review by: Cornelia F, March 2014
Nice tour. I would recommend it. The tour guide was cool and told us a lot about history, especially about Titanic, of course. Only the 'shop' where we had to exchange our voucher for tickets wasn't that easy to find.
Review by: Ace, September 2013
Wonderful relaxing boat ride with interesting and informative commentary._br/_
Saw seals! Thought that was amazing. The driver was super careful in their area, cutting the engines so not to scare them on the shore, I thought that was really well done._br/_
There wasn't anywhere on board to buy a drink, and the seats were a little basic, but it was truly a great experience and I'd easily recommend people take an hour out of their day to see it.
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