seal tour st ives

Seal Island

You’ll have only been in St Ives a matter of hours (minutes, even) before you hear the cry of “Boat trips to Seal Island!” from a man near the Lifeboat slipway. What is Seal Island, and why should you go there? Let us fill you in.

What is Seal Island?

Seal Island is a small rocky inshore island 3.5 miles west of St Ives, towards Zennor. It’s home to a colony of Atlantic grey seals, hence the name.

Seal Island is actually the largest of a group of tiny islands called The Carracks from the Cornish word for rocks, kerrek . As well as the seals, the islands are home to anglerfish, dogfish, and sea anemones. A century-old shipwreck adds a bit of extra excitement to the tiny island.

Boat Trips to Seal Island

If you’ve been lured in by that cry of “Boat trips to Seal Island!”, then Seahorse Boat Trips run boat trips to Seal Island from St Ives, which are a great way to see St Ives from a different aspect, as well as doing some seal-spotting. The boat trips operate throughout the day during the season (in good weather), departing from whichever point in the harbour the tide allows. We can’t promise a seal sighting – but you’d have to be very unlucky not to spot even a few.

By now, after decades of day trips, the seals are used to visiting boats, and seem undisturbed and even interested in them. There’s also a chance of seeing basking sharks, dolphins or porpoises; and every couple of years or so, there’s a humpback whale sighting around St Ives. Seahorse Boat Trips also offer trips to Godrevy Lighthouse and Hell’s Mouth, as well as fishing trips and private charter .

The Dolly P and Yellow fin also offer trips and fishing experiences.

Most operators are WISE accredited ( www.wise.org ) which means the Skippers are wildlife safe and follow protocols to protect the local marine life.

NEMO - Glass Bottom Boat

The NEMO is a fairly new glass bottom boat built only 4 years ago and is run by a local family. With eight glass viewing panels, the NEMO is one of the largest glass bottom vessels in the UK and therefore offering a unique experience to visitors to St Ives. It also offers boat trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse to see the seal colony and also the abundance of marine life underwater and on the reefs through the glass panels such as crabs, starfish, jelly fish, seabass, shoals of fish and sometimes the odd seal or dolphin pops up to say hello. You can also book a private charter, a 2.5 hour extended sea safari or a 4 hour Lands End sea safari perfect for watching the sunset. The boat is also coded for up to 12 passengers. Book online for an unforgettable experience @ nemostives.co.uk

The shipwreck of Seal Island

A century ago in 1916, the Enrico Parodi , a 103m long steel vessel on wartime cargo duty, struck Gurnard’s Head (a headland west of Zennor) in thick fog, while carrying a coal from Cardiff to Messina. She then sank off the Carracks while being towed to harbour. She’s still there, and is a popular diving site (for experienced divers only. Seek advice first).

If you fancy a spot of wreck fishing in St Ives, Bluefin runs trips.

Seal Island seen from the cliffs

You can also see Seal Island from the coast path . Head west from Porthmeor Beach , on a challenging but beautiful stretch of the famous path; and you’ll see the group of small rocky islands between St Ives and Zennor, about 200m off shore. It’s the largest of these “Carracks” that’s known as Seal Island. From there, you may as well carry on to Zennor, home of the famous carved mermaid chair in St Senara’s Church, as well as the  Tinner’s Arms .

It’s a lovely walk for wildflowers in the spring, and great for bird watching in the autumn. Take your binoculars, as you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins or basking sharks, or even those famous Atlantic grey seals.

Also around

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The Lost Gardens of Heligan

National Maritime Museum

St Ives Boats

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ST IVES BOATS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Explore above and below the waves

Underwater sea safari.

An hour and a quarter excursion, our Underwater Sea Safari takes you away from St Ives Harbour across the bay to Godrevy Lighthouse or Westward to Seal I sland. We spend some time here watching the seals on the rocks or in the water, as well as this we spend some time observing the world below through the large glass bottom viewing area.

Taking full advantage of the glass bottom this is a fantastic trip for wildlife watching and loved by all ages.

What to go even further?

Brand new to 2023! Enjoy our fantastic glass bottom experience for even longer on one of our brand new excursions. 

Double the action with our Extended Sea Safari. A 2 hour 30 minute trip giving you twice as long to enjoy the local sea life and sights.

Experience the ultimate boat trip adventure on our 4 hour land's end sea safari, perfect for watching the sunset, private charter.

Fancy having the boat all to yourself? All of our trips are also available, with crew, for private charter.

Perfect for all sort of special occasions from birthdays to television work, or if you simply just want a private excursion.

Simply select 'Private Charter' when booking.

Any questions? Please check out our FAQs

An always popular sea safari travelling just over 3 miles westward to the Western Carracks, known locally as 'Seal Island'.

Find out more...

In the opposite direction to Seal Island is the wonderful Godrevy Lighthouse.

The NEMO is available, with a skipper, for private charter. Perfect for special occasions or if you'd simply like to enjoy the boat to yourself.

The NEMO is an Evolution 38, purpose built in Cornwall by Evolution Boats, Roche. It's modern design represents the best stability and safety that boats have to offer these days.

It was built in 2018 and is new to St Ives for 2021. We have repowered it with two brand new Mercury 150s and installed all new top of the range navigation equipment for added safety and peace of mind.

With eight glass viewing panels, the NEMO is one of the largest glass bottom vessels in the UK. Paired with advanced underwater lighting, we aim to provide the best experience possible from all angles.

The new petrol outboard engines are not only cleaner but significantly quieter than their diesel counterparts, allowing a more enjoyable boat trip.

Click on an image to see full size and additional information.

Proudly appointed

Where to find us

Outside the lifeboat station,

Wharf Road,

St Ives Harbour,

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0737 5758 123

Have a question? Please check our FAQs

   Prime Time

ST IVES BOAT TOURS ABOARD THE                                 PRIMETIME!

 godrevy lighthouse - seal island - mackerel fishing - private charters.

When you climb aboard, the safety and enjoyment of our customers is of our upmost importance. Rest assured that you’ll receive exactly what you hoped for and more!

We have a great selection of tours to match every person and every budget. We invite you to come visit us for a one of a kind boat trip.

What We Off er

Browse our boa t to ur opt ions b elow  .

Our goal is to offer the very best boat trips in St Ives!  We strive to provide our customers with the most e njoyable and leisurely trip around one of the UKs most breathtaking coastlin es.  We are here to help with your every need.

Check out our selection of trips below. Chat to us about Private Charters, Ash Scatterings, Proposals and more so we can create a bespoke package tailored to your individual requirements. 

Seal Island Tours

1 hour and 15 minutes

Sit back and enjoy the views as our talented and highly qualified skipper takes you on an adventure out of the bay towards the famous Seal Island. This area is often inhabited by seals, dolphins, sunfish and a large variety of sea birds. Life jackets and children's buoyancy aids are available on board and can be provided at your request. Suitable for all ages. Perfect Family Fun. Babies Under 12 months do not require a ticket.

Godrevy Lighthouse Tours

Please enquire if you wish to take a trip to the Lighthouse. Hop aboard The Prime Time! Sit back and enjoy the views as our talented and highly qualified skipper takes you on an adventure around the bay and beaches towards Godrevy Lighthouse. This area is usually inhabited by seals, dolphins, sunfish and a large variety of sea birds. Life jackets and children's buoyancy Aids are available on board and can be provided at your request. Suitable for all ages. Perfect Family Fun. Babies under 12 months do not require a ticket.

Mackerel Fishing

1 hour and 30 minutes

Come aboard The Prime Time! Take a trip around the coast and try your hand at a spot of mackerel fishing. Our skipper is a very experienced local fisherman who can teach you the ropes; this is perfect for beginners! You can keep what you catch so take it home and give the famous Cornish mackerel dish a try - as fresh as it gets! All tackle provided and included in the price. We are the only traditional hand line mackerel fishing operators in St Ives.

Private Charter

The Prime Time is available for private charter with our highly qualified skipper Jago Lethbridge . Private charter of the boat can be used for special occasions such as small wedding parties, intimate private ash scatterings, engagement proposals and much more. Up to 12 people can attend private charters. Please chat to us for more information and we would be more than happy to help.

Why Choose Us?

Feel The Difference

Need to contact us about something? Reach out, we’d be happy to hear from you.

St Ives, Cornwall UK

[email protected]

07869793453

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The Black Pearl

[email protected]

07869793453

Experience The Black Pearl Boat Trips

Family Friendly Boat Tours in St Ives, Cornwall

Going on a boat tour in St Ives has never been easier or more enjoyable than with The Black Pearl. When you climb aboard, the safety and enjoyment of our customers is of our upmost importance. Rest assured that you’ll receive exactly what you hoped for and more! We have a great selection of tours to match every person and every budget. We invite you to come visit us for a one of a kind boat trip.

@Kiss Photography

What we offer.

Browse Our Boat Tour Options Below

Our goal is to offer the very best boat trips in St Ives. We strive to provide our customers with the most enjoyable and leisurely trip around one of the UKs most breathtaking coastline.  We are here to help with your every need.

Check out our selection of trips below. Chat to us about Private Charters, Ash Scatterings, Proposals and more so we can create a bespoke package tailored to your individual requirements. 

Seal Island Tours

1 hour and 15 minutes

Sit back and enjoy the views as our talented and highly qualified skipper takes you on an adventure out of the bay towards the famous Seal Island. This area is often inhabited by seals, dolphins, sunfish and a large variety of sea birds. Life jackets and children's buoyancy aids are available on board and can be provided at your request. Suitable for all ages. Perfect Family Fun. Babies Under 12 months do not require a ticket.

Godrevy Lighthouse Tours

Please enquire if you wish to take a trip to the Lighthouse. Hop aboard The Black Pearl! Sit back and enjoy the views as our talented and highly qualified skipper takes you on an adventure around the bay and beaches towards Godrevy Lighthouse. This area is usually inhabited by seals, dolphins, sunfish and a large variety of sea birds. Life jackets and children's buoyancy Aids are available on board and can be provided at your request. Suitable for all ages. Perfect Family Fun. Babies under 12 months do not require a ticket.

Mackerel Fishing

1 hour and 30 minutes

Come aboard The Black Pearl! Take a trip around the coast and try your hand at a spot of mackerel fishing. Our skipper is a very experienced local fisherman who can teach you the ropes; this is perfect for beginners! You can keep what you catch so take it home and give the famous Cornish mackerel dish a try - as fresh as it gets! All tackle provided and included in the price. We are the only traditional hand line mackerel fishing operators in St Ives.

Private Charter

1 hour and 15 minutes

The Black Pearl is available for private charter with our highly qualified skipper Dylan Lee. Private charter of the boat can be used for special occasions such as small wedding parties, intimate private ash scatterings, engagement proposals and much more. Up to 12 people can attend private charters. Please chat to us for more information and we would be more than happy to help.

Engagement / Birthday Packages

With so much stunning Cornish coastline to discover, why not take to the sea to ask that all important question? Let our highly experienced skipper Matthew Spencer-Smith take you to a spot of your choice. This could be the famous Seal Island, Godrevy Lighthouse or to a spot by our award winning blue flag beaches - it is sure to be a day to remember. Packages include private use of the boat for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes, a point of contact on the day, champagne and a locally hand tied bouquet of flowers. Please don't hesitate to contact us, this package can be made completely bespoke. We are more than happy to help with any additional requirements or ideas.

Why Choose Us?

Feel The Difference

Locally Owned

Don’t Sweat It

We firmly believe this is one of our strongest qualities when compared against other boat tours. Our team members are more than happy to answer any of your questions before, during, and after the trip.

Friends in Business

Available When You Need Us

Driven by quality, we’ve been at it long enough to know how important it is to provide top notch boat tours and real customer service.

Need to contact us about something? Reach out, we’d be happy to hear from you.

The Lifeboat Station, St Ives, Cornwall UK

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9 amazing boat trips around st ives bay to see the seals, the boat trips on offer in st ives.

You can't come on a visit to St Ives and not go on a boat trip. The seas around the coast are stunning and being out on the sea looking back at the land is breathtaking. The change in perspective always amazes me, especially seeing the town from the sea. It looks so different!

There are 3 main trips which the boats take from St Ives.

1. Seal Island.

This journey takes you about 3.5 miles down the coast, hugging the coastline. You will go round The Island, past Porthmeor Beach, round Clodgy Point and down the coast. Seal Island is a rocky outcrop before you get to Zennor and is the home of a colony of Atlantic Grey Seals. The boats can get quite close to the rocks where you can see the seals sunbathing. The captains usually linger here for about 15 minutes, before making the return journey back up the coast.

2. Godrevy Lighthouse

This journey takes you right across St Ives Bay and over to the Godrevy Lighthouse, which stands at the Northern end of the bay. Godrevy Lighthouse marks the Stones reef and was made famous by the Virginia Woolf novel "To The Lighthouse" (she could see it from her house on Talland Road in St Ives). The journey takes you past Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay and the stretch of 3 miles of golden sand of the Hayle Beaches. Near Godrevy lighthouse is Mutton Cove, which is another colony of Atlantic Grey Seals. Depending on the sea conditions, you will get to see the lighthouse towering close above you, which is really impressive!

3. St Ives Beaches & Coves

This journey takes you up the coast, past Porthminster Beach and Carbis Bay, out towards Porthkidney Sands and Hayle Estuary. It then comes back and heads to The Island, before returning past Porthgwidden Beach, Smeaton's Pier, and back into the harbour. The focus of this trip is all about fascinating facts about St Ives, the local wildlife and the sea.

Wildlife In The Area

As well as having big colonies of seals, there are frequently visits from dolphins (both common and bottlenose), less occasional Risso dolphin (the big ones), sunfish, and if you are incredibly lucky, whales (minke usually) and basking shark. There is also an incredible array of seabirds so take your binoculars! You can often see magnificent cormorants drying their wings. During the warmer months St Ives Bay is also home to lots of jellyfish - beautiful to look at, not so much fun to swim with!

Some of the boats also offer fishing trips and private charters.

Please do be aware that the running of the trips is weather and sea dependent. If conditions are too rough or the weather too harsh, the trips will be cancelled. Also, do be aware that despite their best efforts, the boat trip operators cannot guarantee sightings of wildlife. You will have a high probability of seeing something, especially the seals which are there all year round, but dophins, whales and sharks are more tricky to predict!

The Boat Trip Operators Which Run From St Ives

Most of the boats can be booked at the harbour from around the slipways. You can also book online or call them.

1. Wavedancer

Wavedancer boat is run by John and Mel. They offer 1 hour cruising around St Ives Bay. The boat is licensed to carry up to 8 passengers per trip. It’s an hours gentle cruise around the beaches and coves. John, the skipper, talks of the history the town has to offer, the smuggling and the shipwrecks. He’s a born and bred St ives man, so knows quite a bit of St ives! He’s also served with the RNLI here for over 30 years, now as head launcher. The boat heads up to Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay and Porthkidney Beach. Seeing the coastline from the sea is stunning as you can see all the caves and the colours are beautiful. It then heads over to the island and the NCI lookout and hopefully see a seal or two or even a pod of dolphins. On the way back into the harbour you can see Porthgwidden Beach and Bamaluz where the smugglers used to hide.

They are WiSe accredited so it does keep its distance from the wildlife so not to disturb or frighten them. We charge £20 per adult and £15 for children under 12. Well behaved dogs are more than welcome.

• well behaved dogs are welcome
• family friends
• lasts about an hour
• adults cost £20 and children under 12 cost £15

Contact: 07967 902916 or visit their facebook page here >>

Click here to read all about my boat trip on Wavedancer St Ives >>

2. Dolly P - St Ives Boats

Dolly P is the lovely boat blue boat in the harbour. It runs trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.

• dog friendly
• suitable for all ages
• aduilts £25, under 12s £15, dogs and under ones go free

Visit their website >>

3. James Stevens No 10 - St Ives Lifeboat

Built in 1899 James Stevens No.10 served as the St Ives Lifeboat from 1900 to 1933 saving 225 lives in those years. Now lovingly and carefully restored our historical boat trip offers a chance to explore the bay and Godrevy Lighthouse on a truly iconic vessel.

• lasts about 1.5 hours

4. Nemo Glass Bottom Boat Trips

Nemo is one of the largest glass bottomed boats in the UK. It has eight glass viewing panels which lets you get amazing views of the wildlife from both above and below the sea. They run trips to both Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.

• lasts about 1 and a quarter hours
• adults £35, children £25, dogs and under ones go free

5. The Black Pearl St Ives - Boat Trips St Ives

The Black Pearl offers trips to either Seal Island, Godrevy Lighthouse, or Mackerel Fishing.

• Seal Island and Godrevy trips last about 1 and a quarter hours
• Mackerel Fishing trips last about 1 and a half hours
• Seal Island and Godrevy trips tickets cost £25 per person - under ones go free
• Mackerel Fishing costs £30 per person

6. Tiger Lilly - St Ives Boat Cruises

Tiger Lilly is the beautiful 33ft blue boat which takes passengers to either Seal Island or Godrevy Lighthouse. They are family and dog friendly and are one of the longest running boat trips run by a local family.

• the trips last approx 1 hour
• adults £25, children £15 and under ones go free
• mackerel fishing trips are also available

7. Seahorse Boat Trips

The Seahorse runs trips to either Seal Island or Godrevy Lighthouse. It is the oldest running boat trip in St Ives, offering pleasure cruises from the harbour for nearly 40 years!

• the trips last approximately 1 hour
• adults £25, under 12s £15 and under ones go free

8. The Little Mermaid - St Ives Sea Trips

The Little Mermaids runs fun , family friendly trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse.

• dog friendly - on a leash please
• the trips last about an hour
• adults £25, children 12s £15 and under ones go free

9 Four Sisters Boat Trip

The Four Sisters is the biggest passenger boat in St Ives. They have been running trips to Seal Island and Godrevy Lighthouse since 2007.

• kids go free (please check the website for conditions)
• Trips are suitable for all children over the age of 2
• Adults £25, children £15
• private charters are also available

I have tried to be as accurate as I can with times and prices etc. Please always check with the boat operator for the most up to date information as this may sometimes change.

If there is any other boat trips you think should be on here, please contact me and I will do my best to add it.

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• Our Boat trips

St Ives Boat Trips

Best Boat Trips In St Ives Tel: 0777 004 03 03

Seal Island Sea Safari

The Seal Island Boat Trip from St Ives, is our most popular trip. The boat trip lasts one hour and is an ideal way to view the coastline of North Cornwall.

Godrevy Lighthouse

In the opposite direction to Seal Island, Godrevy Lighthouse lies on its own island, a couple of hundred metres from the mainland.

Private Charter

Licenced to carry twelve passengers, our private charter service allows you to choose the destination and length of time for your boat trip.

Ashes Scattering

Our popular Ashes Scattering At Sea, is a private charter of the boat for the scattering of your loved ones ashes into the Atlantic Ocean.

Ticket Sales

Derek will be your first point of contact when booking a boat trip from St Ives. You'll find Derek Outside The Lifeboat Station, on Wharf Road. Derek will supply a ticket for your trip and direct you to your departure point.

Ian and Ben

Ian and his son Ben are the main crew members on our boat trips from St Ives. Ian is often known as Captain Biscuit, because of his generous distribution of biscuits on the voyage. Born and raised in St Ives, both Ian and Ben have a good knowledge of the waters around St Ives.

• Outside The lifeboat Station, Wharf Road, St Ives, TR26 1LF
•   0777 004 03 03
•   [email protected]
•     [email protected]
•   Outside The lifeboat Station, Wharf Road, St Ives, TR26 1LF

Godrevy Island, Guided Tour

"Listen and Learn about the History of Godrevy Lighthouse and surrounding wrecks whilst spotting the majestic wildlife."

£25.00 | £15.00

Godrevy Island

Embark on our 5-star rated breathtaking and entertaining guided tour, with Ian and Dougie aboard Little Mermaid to explore the captivating Godrevy Island and its surrounding wonders. Our tours are an unforgettable sea safari and historical experience, enjoy the chance to encounter seals, dolphins, and seabirds and uncover the rich history and stunning landscapes of the region.

Departing from the scenic St Ives Bay, our boat tour navigates along the coast, providing close-up views of picturesque beaches like Porthminster, Carbis Bay, Lelant, and Hayle. As we cruise past the mouth of the Hayle Estuary and the notorious Hayle Bar, your adventure culminates at the majestic Godrevy Island.

Marvel at the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse, a beacon of maritime history standing proudly on its small island since the late 1850s. Hear tales of courage and rescue intertwined with the island's rich heritage, making it a cherished landmark for generations of St Ives seafarers.

Don't miss your chance! Book an unforgettable voyage aboard Little Mermaid and immerse yourself in the beauty and intrigue of Godrevy Island.

Pricing | Adults £25.00 | Under 12's £15.00 |

Under 1's Go Free

• Seal Island (Kids go free, T&Cs apply)

Sea Safari (1.5hrs) Kids go Free off peak (T&Cs apply)

• Sea Safari (2hrs) Kids go free off peak (T&Cs apply)
• Captain’s Blog

CALL | 07582 033757

• ``The captain was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful - we enjoyed learning about the history of the island and the lighthouse which was really informative! We would highly recommend this trip and certainly book it again when we return next year!...``Trip Advisor Review....
• ``A superb trip, which didn't feel rushed at all. We were given plenty of time to take photos, walk around the boat and we got some nice knowledge and history of the Godrevy lighthouse too...`` Trip AdvisorReview...
• ``Excellent value for money (for the three of us - 2 x adults and 1 x 7 year old and we paid £32.00) and really enjoyable. We loved it. A great trip and highly recommended if you've not done it before. Thanks to all involved....`` Trip Advisor Review....
• ``A fabulous session out in the boat to see the seals with Isla Bea. David the skipper was fantastic - well informed, polite and knowledgeable....`` Trip Advisor Review....
• ``We had a superb trip aboard the Isla Bea, saw seals a plenty and even dolphins. Kids were ecstatic. The perfect way to spend an hour, I would whole heartedly reccommend this trip. The skipper was super friendly and really knew his stuff....`` Trip Advisor Review....

Sea Safari (1.5hrs) at The Lighthouse

Our cruise to the lighthouse lasts 1.5 hrs  We leave St Ives harbour and plough our way across the stunning St Ives Bay heading East to this beautiful listed building. En-route you will pass Hayle Bar, The Towans and Red River.

You will be told about the treacherous Stones reef, the wreck of The Nile (1854) and of the construction and operation of the lighthouse.  Godrevy Island is also home to a colony of Grey Atlantic Seals, and many seabirds.

Tour Highlights..

• Kids go FREE (off-peak times only)
• See Godrevey Lighthouse up close
• Watch Grey Seals in their natural habitat
• Discover the history of this iconic landmark
• Narrated tour
• Vastly experienced & knowledgable local skippers

Pricing 2023

Adult £25 Child (1-16yrs) £15

Infants (infants under 12 months) Free

Book online now!

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Book your seafaring adventure now,  or email us for general enquiries.

Call 07582 033757.

Whilst aboard The Four Sisters, keep your eyes pealed…

One of the most stunning coastal boat trips in Cornwall

Smeatons Pier:

If the tide is high, your trip may depart from the steps on the end of this impressive granite pier. The original pier was designed by John Smeaton and constructed by Thomas Richardson between 1767-1770.  Thomas Richardson had been Smeaton’s foreman mason on the construction of Edddystone Lighthouse. In constructing the pier, Smeaton’s 1766 design also provided sluicing arches at its root. This allowed tidal action to scour the harbour clear of sand. Originally 360ft long, comprising some 35,000 tons of stone and costing £9,480 to construct, the pier was extended by a further 300ft in the late 1890s.

The New Pier:

In 1864-5 an additional pier was built to provide protection for Smeaton’s Pier. Constructed primarily of timber, it was known as Wood Pier, but it barely survived 20 years before the heavy seas reduced it to its oak piled foundations, which can still be seen at low tide.

Carrack Leggo:

Where the sewerage pumping station and car-park are now sited was once a huge rocky outcrop known as Carrack Leggo.  Much of the granite for Smeatons Pier was cut from here.

Porthgwidden:

This east-facing beach is where the first fishing community of St Ives developed.  Here the first fishing boats were built and launched long before there was any development around the existing harbour.

The Island:

Not a true island, but St Ives northwards reaching headland has always been called so.  Here on lamp rock sits the old coastguard station, now occupied by the National Coastwatch Institute.  St Nicholas chapel was believed to have been built in the 15th Century, and as the patron saint of sailors, one can see the significance of this dedication.  The island also has the remains of a Napoleonic gun battery, and a barracks for the soldiers stationed there.

This beautiful beach faces north-west and as such is open to the Atlantic Swell.  The eastern end of the beach was the site of the wreck of the Alba.  Porthmeor is home to the Tate Gallery, built on the site of the town’s former gas works, and its architects incorporated the bow frontage as a reminder of the shape of the gas tanks.

This headland is scarred with burrow and excavation works from mining activity.  During WWII there was a Chain Home Low radar station M115, and a pill box to protect it.  The radar station was blown up by the RAF in 1945 when no longer required.

The location of the wreck of The Bessemer City.  This fine vessel was wrecked in thick fog

in November 1936.  There was no loss of life, and the some of the vessels cargo was salvaged by Roland Morris and his team working from the shore. She broke up within days. Morris was primarily instructed by the ship owners to recover the Sperry Master Gyro, in those days a delicate and rare piece of navigational equipment.  She had been loaded with motor cycles, timber, zinc ingots, fur coats and over 2000 tons of tinned fruit and other foods.  Morris paid his salvage team at the rate of 48 tins of Sockeye salmon a day! Tins of food were washed up along the north coast after the vessel broke up.

Penzoarsen:

This name means ‘turning place’ in Cornish.  Once around this spectacular headland, you can see as far as Pendeen, and also the famous Zennor and Gurnards Head.  The north facing slopes of this headland have stone wall field enclosures thought to be over 2000 yrs old.

Western Carracks: Carrack means rock in the Cornish language.  This reef extends seawards for 400 yards, and the northern most rock is known as Seal Island.  This rock is a location used constantly by Grey Seals to haul out, feed and gain shelter from the Atlantic swell.  With deep water around, and a rocky, kelpy bottom, there are shellfish and demersal fish for the seals to feed on. Sometimes 80-100 seals can be seen basking in the sunshine.  When the Atlantic swell prevents the seals from hauling out, their heads can be seen bobbing in the white water around the rocks.

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St Ives Boats The best boat trips in St Ives

Call us today.

• 0777 300 8000

Call Us: 0777 300 8000

St Ives Boat Trips

we have something for everyone

St Ives Boats - daily boat trips along the Cornish coast

• Sea Safari to Seal Island

Seal Island, (Western Carracks), lies 3½ miles (5.6km) West of St Ives, along the rocky Cornish coastline. Godrevy Island lies just over 3 miles (4.8km) to the East of St Ives. These rocky outcrops, near Zennor and Gwithian respectively are homes to colonies of Atlantic Grey Seals, where they feel safe, protected from predators and the forces of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Our Sea Safari trip is suitable for all ages.
• The trip is around one hour long.
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Dr. Joseph Lozovyy was born into a Christian family in Elektrostal, Moscow Region, and was raised in a pastor’s home. From the age of fifteen, he began actively participating in the music ministry of the Baptist Church in Mytishchi, where his father served as a pastor, and also played in the orchestra of the Central Moscow Baptist Church. From 1989, he participated in various evangelistic events in different cities of Moscow Region and beyond. From 1989 to 1992, as a member of the choir and orchestra “LOGOS,” he participated in evangelistic and charitable concerts, repeatedly performing on the stages of the Moscow State Conservatory, the Bolshoi Theatre, and other concert halls in Russia and abroad. In 1992, his family moved to the United States. In 2007, after completing a full course of spiritual and academic preparation, Joseph moved to Dallas, Texas, to engage in church ministry. In 2008, he founded the Russian Bible Church to preach to the Russian-speaking population living in Dallas, Texas.

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.