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Islands (Blue) Cruise

Take in the islands of Windermere

Bowness → Windermere Jetty (Museum) → Bowness | See route map below

🕘 45 minutes in length / departs every 30 minutes in peak season, fewer in the winter.

  • Join us for a circular cruise from Bowness, with fantastic views of the many islands (holmes), Lakeland mountains, wooded shorelines and bays.

  • Each cruise includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest around Bowness and the central part of the lake.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Monday 31st October 2022 until Friday 31st March 2023)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
Adults Children Families
£11.70£5.85£32.00

Additional Information

Circular cruise of Windermere

Circular cruise of Windermere

Take in the islands of Windermere while also enjoying the views of the local Lakeland fells.

Photo Gallery and Video

Book Your Cruise

Select a date to view prices and sailing times.

  • Child prices are valid for children aged 5-15 years. Children under 5 travel free.
  • Family tickets are valid for 2 adults and 3 children.

Timetable

This cruise departs from Bowness Pier and is valid on all scheduled blue cruise departure times and your ticket is not time specific.

Additional sailings operate on weekends, sunny days, school holidays and as demand requires. Prices and timetable information are subject to change without notice.

Today's sailings from Bowness

Depart BownessArrive BownessVessel type
10:3011:15Launch
11:4512:30Launch
12:4513:30Launch
16:1517:00Launch

Additional Information

Download Timetable (PDF) Service Status Route Map Access and Facilities

Download Timetable (PDF)

Winter Timetable (11 Feb - 31 Mar 2023)

File Size: 438.674 kB

Lake Spotter's Guide - information on the main things to look out for around the lake

File Size: 1.112 MB

Peak Season (1 Apr - 28 May 2023)

File Size: 502.333 kB

Peak Season (29 may - 2 Jun 2023)

File Size: 504.183 kB

Peak Season (3 Jun - 23 Jul 2023)

File Size: 502.052 kB

Peak Season (24 Jul - 31 Aug 2023)

File Size: 508.112 kB

Peak Season (1 Sept - 3 Sept 2023)

File Size: 504.708 kB

Peak Season (4 Sept - 30 Sept 2023)

File Size: 504.414 kB

Peak Season (1 Oct - 22 Oct 2023)

File Size: 502.307 kB

Peak Season (23 Oct - 29 Oct 2023)

File Size: 499.197 kB

Service Status

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Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness
✔️ Services OK
🟡 YELLOW CRUISE
Bowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Windermere Jetty (Museum) → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

🟤 YELLOW CRUISE & STEAM TRAINHaverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness✔️ Open for Half-Term
🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside
❌ Opens on 1 April
🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk ↻
❌ Opens on 1 April
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from BownessBowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻❌ Opens on 1 April
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻❌ Opens on 1 April

⚪ CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ferry House❌ Closed for winter
⚫ FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot
❌ Closed for winter

🕑: We are now running to our winter timetable. More routes and services available after Easter 2023 📄: Download timetable in PDF (1.5Mb)

Route Map

Load Map

Access and Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

This service is operated by our modern launches (like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland).

Sorry, but these services are not recommended for customers with limited mobility.

Try and MV Swift or 'Steamer' departure on the Red Cruise or Yellow Cruise instead.

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.

🧑‍🦽 Carer goes free policy

If a disabled adult in your group needs a carer, then the carer travels free. For more information about this scheme and to see all the terms and conditions, please read our company policy for disabled passengers.

☕ On-Board Facilities

☕🍾 Bottle bar with hot/cold drinks/snacks | 🚾 Single toilets | 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats

🎫 Conditions of Carriage

Our services are provided in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage.

🚭 No Smoking Policy

For the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd operates a no smoking policy on-board its vessels, piers and shore premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.

🐶 Dogs

All well behaved dogs are welcome on board and travel for free.

🚲 Bikes

Sorry, no bikes on this service.

Upgrade This Cruise

Did you know that you can make more of your cruise by upgrading it? Why not combine your cruise with a local attraction, or enjoy a full day on Windermere with the Freedom of the Lake.

Red Cruise

Red Cruise

Our most scenic half-lake cruise with mountain views | ⚓ Bowness → (Brockhole) → Ambleside → Bowness 🕘 75 mins

Upgrade Book Now
Yellow Cruise

Yellow Cruise

Scenic half-lake cruise to the southern tip of Windermere & attractions | ⚓ Bowness ↔ Lakeside 🕑 90 mins

Upgrade Book Now
Freedom Of The Lake ®

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Unlimited boat travel for 24 hours on all routes | ⚓ See the full lake on this ticket: Lakeside ↔ Bowness ↔ Ambleside in 🕘 over 3 hours

Upgrade Book Now
Annual Pass

Annual Pass

364 days of unlimited boat travel on all of our routes

Upgrade