motorboat hire windermere

Windermere Boat Hire

Start your lake district boat adventure on windermere, self-drive boat hire on windermere, find the perfect boat to hire.

Perfect for exploring the epic lake scenery or fishing, our Pioner is a versatile open-top petrol-powered motorboat for up to 6 people.

From £29 Up to 6 people

A favourite for families and friends, our electric Mystic boats have a cabin and simple, car-like controls to enjoy the lake with ease for up to 6 people.

From £35 Up to 6 people

Electric-powered for cruising the lake in style. Our Fantails have modern entertainment systems and spacious seating for up to 10 people.

From £50 Up to 10 people

Pink Fantail

Enjoy our custom Pink Fantail boat to join us in the fight against breast cancer. Every booking supports Breast Cancer Awareness.

Why choose Windermere Hire Boats?

Unmatched Experience: With years of experience, our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to ensure you have the best possible experience.

Safety First: Your safety is our top priority. All our boats are regularly maintained and equipped with the latest safety gear. We provide a comprehensive briefing before you set sail.

Flexible Hire Options: Whether you want to hire a boat for an hour or up to 4 hours, we have flexible packages to suit your needs.

Stunning Scenery: Windermere lake is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and abundant wildlife. Boating with us offers a unique perspective to enjoy the natural beauty of the Lake District. Discover more about boating on Windermere .

Family-Friendly: Our boats are perfect for families - create lasting memories with a fun-filled day on the water.

Booking Your Windermere Self Drive Boat

Safety Instructions

To keep you safe on Lake Windermere, one person in your group will be the designated Captain and they’ll be held responsible for ensuring safety when your party is onboard. These Safety Instructions form part of the Boat Hire Permit, failure to adhere to them will lead to the loss of deposit. Windermere Quays reserves the right to refuse hire of vessels at our sole discretion and without explanation.

Keep an all-round lookout for approaching dangers, especially from behind. Should you approach another boat head-on then the correct procedure is to pass to the right. But at all times common sense must prevail, just look at the situation and do what’s obviously the safest, while being aware of the DANGER of shallow areas.

Rocks and shallows are marked by either a line or circle of RED BUOYS . Red buoys near the shoreline mean it is shallow between the RED BUOYS and shore.

Staff will help you on and off your boat – please wait for their assistance.

Stay outside all the red buoys, and a minimum of 100 metres (328 feet) away from all of the islands and shores.

Remain seated at all times and spread the seating positions to keep the boat level.

Keep all parts of your body inside the boat at all times to avoid injury especially when leaving and returning to the jetties.

On return, wait for a member of staff to become available to assist you to berth. They will use clear hand signals to help you and if necessary, you can use reversing action as a brake.

Treat the Car Ferry, which is approximately one mile south of our Marina, with extreme caution. Do not try to pass in front of it and stay at least 30 metres (100 feet) away at all times.

• Swim from the boat.
• Climb out of the seated area of the boat onto the deck.
• Tamper with the safety equipment.
• Tamper with the engine or other mechanical equipment.
• Smoke or drink alcohol on the boat.
• Throw items from the boat.
• Deliberately rock or use the boat to make it unstable.
• Allow anyone under 16 years to drive the boat without adult supervision.

RIGHTS OF WAY:

If head on with another vessel pass it to the right, the opposite to the British highway.

Give way to sailing boats by turning to go behind them if your paths come together.

Stay out of the way of large passenger vessels, do not try to pass in front, they’re travelling much faster than you and have right of way, turn to pass behind.

DISEMBARKATION:

Please ensure you remove all personal belongings. Please remove any rubbish and dispose in the bins provided.

Windermere Hire Boats Aquatic - Windermere Quays, Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA23 3HE Call: 07957 86 22 77

OUR BOOKING OFFICE is opposite The Glebe public car park pay point, between   Driftwood Gift Shop and The Quayside.

what3words location is:  ///escalated.brave.defends

If the Booking Office is closed, please go to the Hire Boat Jetty. Down the ramp, then right along the Quay - the jetty is on your left before the Boardwalk Bar & Grill.

what3words location at jetty:  ///whom.crows.reported

Windermere Quays, Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, United Kingdom LA23 3HE

Windermere Aquatic Limited Company Registered Number: 00228812

Windermere Motor Boat Hire

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• Windermere Boat Hire

Explore lake Windermere from Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre with one of our Self Drive Motor Boats, Traditional Fishing Boats or Pedalos. Free parking and just a short drive from Windermere or Ambleside.

Self drive motor boat hire

A hired pedalo boat on lake Windermere

Fishing Boat

A self drive hire boat from The Watersports Centre on lake Windermere

Watersports Bookings

Pre-booking is essential.

Hire & Activities can be booked online or by phone.

0333 2203 106 Mon-Fri: 8.30am-8pm Sat-Sun: (Including Bank Holidays) 9am-4pm

015394 39441 (For same day bookings & other enquiries. Opening hours: 9am - 5pm)

All sessions are subject to availability & weather conditions.

Before arrival please check: Opening Times  |  Terms & Conditions  |  Car Parking & Facilities . 

Motor Boat Hire on Windermere

Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre is conveniently situated on the lake Windermere shoreline, part way between Windermere and Ambleside. The Watersports centre provides free parking for the duration of your hire period. Our shoreline jetties give easy access to the lake, allowing hirers to explore Windermere with one of our self drive motor boats, pedalos or fishing boats.

Self Drive Motor Boat Hire  

The centre's self drive motor boats are powered by a 6hp engine and are controlled by a steering wheel. Instruction and basic equipment is provided though we ask those wishing to hire a boat to be 18 years or older and those driving one of our self drive motor boats to be 16 years or older.

We offer boats for hire for either 2, 4 or 8 hours. The centre’s motor boats can accommodate a maximum of 6 people and we have a range of prices to suite boat occupancy. All our motor boats have a small roof and open aft deck. We welcome well behaved pets on all our motor boats.

Prices include buoyancy aids and fuel. The Minimum age to hire a motor boat is 18 years old and to drive the boat you must be 16 years old or older. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate large groups in motor boats.

Fishing Boat Hire

Our fishing boats have the same 6hp outboard engine as our motor boats, They are ideal for your fishing trip. Hire for 4 or 8 hours, we will provide an anchor.  Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate large groups in motor boats.

(Please note the fishing equipment is not provided.)

Guest Discount Offer

Visitors staying at any English Lakes Hotel are eligible for a discount of  10% OFF watersports activities & courses at The Watersports Centre.

Please Note: Discount is not available for any Wake on the Bay activities .

You may also be interested in...

Sailing Boat Hire on Windermere

Canoe & Kayak Hire on Windermere

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Boat hire and boat trips on Windermere

• Things to do in Windermere
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• Explore Windermere and Ambleside >

Windermere Lake Guide

Our Windermere lake guide shows you where to park, where to catch ferries and hire boats, footpaths and cycle routes to explore and lake shore towns with facilities like toilets and cafes.

Brockhole Boat Hire

Brockhole lakeshore is the place to hire self-drive boats, rowing boats, sit on top kayaks, open canoes and paddle boards on Lake Windermere. Join our Lakeshore team for a true Lake District water sports experience.

Windermere Lake Cruises

Take to the water to truly experience Windermere. There are different  routes and tickets so you can  hop off, walk back or just sit back and relax, and watch the mountains, woodlands and islands unfold before you.

Windermere Lake Cruises .

Lakeland Adventures

Luxury skippered yachting experiences with Lakeland Adventures. These yachts are ideally suited for sailing on Windermere.

Hire a boat on Windermere

Motor boat hire on windermere.

• Brockhole - book a motor boat online for upto 5 people, 1 and 2 hour hires available.
• Windmere Lake Cruises at Bowness and Ambleside, 1 and 2 hour hires available.
• Bowness Bay Marina - motor boats for upto 8 people
• Low Wood Bay - motor boats for upto 6 people, just south of Ambleside
• Windermere Aquatic -range of motor boats for upto 10 people, in Bowness

Rowing boat hire on Windermere

• Fell foot with Stoked Watersports - at the southern end of the lake
• Brockhole - between Ambleside and Bowness
• Windermere Lake Cruises - on the lakeshore at Bowness

Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding

• Brockhole canoe, kayak and paddleboard hire
• Windermere Canoe and Kayak on Ferry Nab Road, Bowness
• Paddling on Lake Windermere leaflet (PDF) by Adventure Capital. Includes map and suggested routes.
• Low Wood Bay - just south of Ambleside
• Fell Foot with Stoked Watersports - at the Southern end of the lake

Sailing dingies and yachts

• Skippered yacht sailing experience with Sailing Windermere
• Dinghy sailing classes and dingy hire at Low Wood Watersports
• Sailing courses and dingy hire at Better Leisure
• Sailing courses a Royal Windermere Yacht Club
• Sailing courses with South Windermere Sailing Club

A car ferry links Ferry Nab on the eastern shore of Windermere with Ferry House, Far Sawrey on the west. For details see Travel around Windermere .

Windermere has arctic charr, brown trout, pike, perch, roach and eels, salmon and sea trout. You will need a rod licence to fish in any freshwater in the Lake District .

Staying safe on the water

Before heading out onto the water, take a look at our short water safety videos and guides .

#LakeDistrictKind

Things to know before you go, tips to plan a great trip and help us look after the landscape you love.

Be Lake District Kind

Boat launching and storage

Ferry Nab is the main public launching area with a public car park, toilet and shower facilities, public jetties, sailing dinghy storage and tender storage. It's the only public slipway available for power boats and large boats.

Small motor boats (five horsepower or less) may launch from Waterhead. Sailing dinghies, canoes and rowing boats may be launched from several areas on National Trust land, Rayrigg Meadow and Beech Hill.

There are several private and commercial launching points, predominately on the eastern shore. These include sailing and power boat clubs, caravan parks, commercial jetties and marinas and several outdoor pursuit and activity centres.

Pop in to Bowness Bay Information Centre for help and advice

We can help you with booking tickets and attractions, ideas for walks places to visit, and we've got a range of guidbooks, maps and gifts. See us on the south side of Bowness Bay, home to  Bowness Information Centre .

The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists.

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Price: Sit on top kayaks & paddleboards from £25, Rowing boats & open canoes from £30, Motor boats £50.

You get the best views of Windermere by boat...

See availability and book all boats online

Brockhole lakeshore is the place to hire self-drive boats, rowing boats, sit on top kayaks, open canoes and paddle boards on Lake Windermere. Join our Lakeshore team for a true Lake District water sports experience.

Book online 

Book your boat hire online - we'll take online bookings right up until the day you want to visit, we can't guarantee that bookings will be available once on site..

Our Lake Windermere Boat Hire is weather dependent and seasonal, so please give us a quick call on 015394 46601  or e-mail  [email protected]   if you have any questions.

Please note that you must be aged 16 plus to go out on the water on a solo vessel, ie. a single kayak or paddleboard.

Parking is limited, we advise arriving up to two hours before your scheduled booking to allow time to find a space, particularly in peak periods (school holidays).

Self-drive Boats

Hire motorboats for two to five people . Minimum age of 16 required to drive.

Self-drive Boat Hire on Lake Windermere Prices:

1 hour: £50

Rowing Boats

Book your rowing boat hire today, suitable for up to six people .

Windermere Rowing Boat Hire Prices:

Small (up to 4 ppl) for 1 hour: £30

Large (up to 6 ppl) for 1 hour: £40

Please note children under 16 require adult supervision.

Hire a sit on top single kayak for one person , a double kayak for 2 people , triple kayaks suitable for 2 adults and 1 child . Minimum age 16 for single Kayak. 

Windermere kayak hire prices:.

Single kayak (1 person) up to 2 hours: £25

Double kayak (2 people) up to 2 hours: £30

Triple kayak (2 adults and 1 child) up to 2 hours: £35

Hire Canadian canoes for up to 2 adults and 1 child . The person signing responsibility for the Canoe must have previous experience of Canadian Canoe's. 

Windermere canoe hire prices:.

Up to 2 hours: £30

Stand Up Paddle Boards

Hire a paddle board . Age 16+ only. 

Windermere SUP Hire Prices:

Up to 2 hours: £25

For private hire and parties, or any other questions please call 015394 46601

Dogs are Welcome 

Well behaved dogs are welcome on our boats and paddle sports providing they are cleaned up after, if necessary, not tied to anything in the boat and you are comfortable with them being on board with you.

Please note we cannot guarantee a parking space in our car park, so please leave plenty of time to park elsewhere (details here ) but we try to give priority to those pre-booked onto an activity.

Cancellations

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy on our Windermere Boat Hire at Brockhole. If you cancel your booking before a 48-hour notice period of the activities start date you are entitled to a refund. No refunds will be given if the 48-hour notice period has ended. If your cancellation falls before a 24-hour notice period  of the activities start date your booking can be rearranged but not refunded. No refunds will be given due to rain or bad weather unless we cancel the activities ourselves due to extreme weather such as extreme wind and thunder. 

Blue-green Algae

There may be blue-green algae on Windermere which can be harmful to dogs and humans. Please be careful when swimming/paddling in the lake. 

House and Gardens

Find out more about our historic Thomas Mawson designed Arts and Craft gardens and grounds.

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Self-Drive Motor Boat Hire

Explore beautiful Windermere by boat, with the self-drive motor boat hire available from Windermere Lake Cruises. See the lake and the stunning scenery at your own pace, hiring out these comfortable and well padded boats for 1 or 2 hour sessions.

No boating experience is necessary as full instruction and safety guidance is given, and a safety boat is on hand at all times in the event you need assistance. Take the family out on your own adventure with a maximum of 6 people able to join per boat.

There are hire points at Waterhead, Ambleside and Bowness.

Book Tickets

Book in advance to ensure that you will have a boat ready and waiting for you on your arrival. A £30 deposit is payable on booking which is returned if your boat is returned on time and undamaged.

How to find Self-Drive Motor Boat Hire

Telephone 015394 43360

Email info@windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

Distance from park 8.3 miles (approx. 23 mins)

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Related Places

Discover more things to do and places to visit.

Zeffirelli’s restaurant

Brewery Arts

Skelwith Bridge Hotel

Near and Far Sawrey

Isla & Eden

Perfect for exploring lake windermere.

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• Boats For Hire
• Premium Plus

Our premium PLUS boats: 'Michelle' , 'Isla' & 'Ruby'

We have a choice of 3 premium PLUS boats available. 'Michelle', 'Isla' & 'Ruby'.

‘Michelle’ is an 18 ft Luxury electric day boat with a comfortable and sociable cockpit layout and can accommodate up to 8 people.

‘Isla’ and ‘Ruby’ are 18ft Luxury day launches and are powered by super quiet modern Outboard Motors, also accommodating up to 8 people.

Our premium PLUS boats are available from just £98 (2 adults for 2 hr minimum + £5 per hr per additional adult)

Please use the buttons below to view our Prices and FAQ’S page for more information or to book your boat securely online.

• michelle-premiumplusboat-1
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(8 person maximum)

‘Michelle’ is an 18 ft Luxury electric day boat with a comfortable and sociable cockpit layout, cd/usb stereo, table with drinks holders, led lighting and hardtop roof with optional canopy screens. ‘Michelle’ is easy to operate and very maneuverable. Propulsion comes from a fully electric pod drive motor and is therefore extremely smooth and quiet.

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the capacity of this boat's batteries 'Michelle' can only be hired for a maximum of 5 hours per day

Prices from £95 for 2 hours

Isla & Ruby

‘Isla’ and ‘Ruby’ are 18ft Luxury day launches and are powered by super quiet modern Outboard Motors. Like ‘Michelle’, ‘Isla’ and ‘Ruby’ can seat up to 8 persons in comfort and are very easy to operate. 'Isla' features a full canopy and hard top roof for excellent weather protection. 'Ruby' is a fully open boat with no roof or canopies.

BOOK YOUR BOAT ONLINE HERE

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• Self Catering

Self-Drive Luxury Cabin Boats

Our new luxury cabin boats are Mystic electric launches, designed and built especially for Windermere Lake Cruises by a small family firm of boat builders based in East Anglia.

Technical Information

• Each boat is 6 metres in length and has a capacity of 6 persons. Powered by a 3kW yellowtail electric drive unit and carrying 16 24v batteries, the boats can run at 6 knots for up to 10 hours between charges.
• The boats travel up to a maximum speed of 10 knots (11.5mph) which is the maximum speed limit on Lake Windermere.
• The boats are inspected, registered and regulated by South Lakeland District Council.
• All are named after family members of the Windermere Lake Cruises team.

Virtual Tour

Use your mouse to have a look around the vessel.

• 10 Things To Do In...

10 Things to Do in Sochi If You Love Nature

Host to 2014 Winter Olympics , Sochi is now mostly known for the snowy slopes of Krasnaya Polyana and Rosa Khutor Alpine resort. However, the “Russian Riviera” is much more than a glorified ski-resort. With its picturesque waterfalls and pristine lakes, alpine meadows and spruce-fir forests, snow-capped mountains and dreamy river valleys, Sochi is an ultimate nature lover’s dream.

Aul tkhagapsh.

Founded in the middle of the 19th century, this village only consists of two streets and two lanes. Circled by a picturesque chestnut forest, Aul Tkhagapsh is surrounded by many visually-arresting natural landmarks – a mysterious rock formation called “the canyon of a hundred crying eyes”, beautiful waterfalls with organically formed stone basins and the Tiger cave, which is called so because of the whimsical clay dripstones. Despite its tiny size, the village itself has a lot to offer. You can see the only wooden mosque on the coast, learn about the customs and traditions of the Adyghe people, try on traditional clothes and taste authentic food and local wines.

Aul Tkhagapsh, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

If you love picturesque ancient ruins put the Loo Temple on your must-see list. Drowning in the lush greenery of the Sochi National Park, Loo Temple is the remains of a 10th-century Byzantine temple, that’s been ruined and reconstructed multiple times. The temple was used as a place of worship and a fortification over the years.

Loo Temple, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Aibga Ridge

This spectacular mountain ridge stretches for 23 kilometers and has the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort nestled at its feet. The ridge comprises of 10 peaks, with the four tallest being the best known: Aigba peak I (2391 m), peak II (2450,5 m), peak III (2462,7 m) and Black Pyramid (2375,3 m). Save a day or two to explore the ridge, full of rapid rivers, alpine meadows and waterfalls.

Aibga Ridge, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

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Achepsinskie Waterfalls

To admire the spectacular views that Achepsinskie Waterfalls offer, you’ll have to endure a pretty tiring trekking route through the Achishkho Mountain to the Achipse River. But those striking panoramas are totally worth the sweat and while the trekking may be tough going, it has a very decent infrastructure.

Achipse River, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Khmelevskie Lakes

Located almost 2000 meters above sea level, Khmelevskie Lakes is an alpine lake system, named after the Russian botanist Vikenty Khmelevsky. Spread around emerald-green alpine meadows and surrounded by lush green forests, there are four rather sizable overgrown lakes and a few smaller ones.

Khmelevskie Lake, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Lake Kardyvach

Arguably the most popular tourist spot near Sochi, Lake Kardyvach is simply breathtaking. Situated 44 kilometers from the Krasnaya Polyana resort at the altitude of 1838 meters, the lake stays frozen for seven to eight months a year and even in summer the water temperature is never hotter than 12℃. The water in the lake changes its color depending on the time of year: in spring it turns green and in autumn it becomes dark blue, and no matter what season, it’s unbelievably clear. Lake Kardyvach, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Akhshtyrskaya Cave

A unique monument of prehistoric architecture, Akhshtyrskaya Cave is set on the right side of Akhshtyrskaya Gorge, about 120m above the Mzymta River and 185m above sea level. The cave begins with a 20m corridor and then gets divided into two halls, 10m and 8m wide. The cave has been heavily explored by archaeologists, who discovered traces of Neanderthal culture dating back to 40,000 BC.

Akhshtyrskaya Cave, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Shakhe River

Sochi’s second most significant river, Shakhe begins high in the mountains and flows down to the Black Sea . 59 kilometers long, the river has some amazing natural attractions in its valley: Dzhegosh Gorge, 33 waterfalls, stone lake basins, ancient oak trees, rare plant life and so much more.

Shakhe River, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Agura Waterfalls and Orlinyye Rocks

This is one of the most exciting hiking routes in the area. Taking you through spruce fir forest, to three cascading waterfalls and the sheer cliffs of the Orlinyye Rocks with head-spinning views. Agura Waterfalls, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Words can’t do justice to the virgin beauty of the Khuko Lake and scientists are still puzzling over the absence of any life in it. Set between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai, the lake offers incredible views of the mountains Fisht, Oshten and Pshekha-Su.

Khaki Lake, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

The Soviet Union’s Best Heart-Throbs and Pinups

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A Soviet Pilot Went Missing in Afghanistan and Was Found 30 Years Later

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Russia's most remote holiday destinations.

Russian Last Names and Their Meanings

Zhenotdel: The Soviet Union's Feminist Movement

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A 48 hour guide to astrakhan, russia.

The Mystery Behind Russia's Buddhist "Miracle"

Incredible Photos From the Longest Bike Race in the World

Food & Drink

The best halal restaurants in kazan.

Restaurants

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Culture Trip Summer Sale

Save up to $1,200 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

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