Flying Fish Tours speedboats travel from Blackfriars Pier in the heart of London all the way to the Thames Barrier in about 75 minutes.
Guests arrive about 15 minutes prior to sailing and meet by the dedicated ‘v-berth’ at the end of the pier where the vessel fits in snugly and safely. This allows plenty of time for a chat and putting on the life jacket prior to sailing.
In nice weather, guests have not needed the optional jackets and leggings that are provided when it is a bit cooler or there might be a bit of rain. But for those days where they are requested, they keep you warm and dry.
The skipper gives a quick introduction to the trip and then we are on the boat. The guide makes everyone feel at home, and then we can speed off immediately downstream towards Tower Bridge. It is certainly a great feeling to be setting off and speeding under the London Bridges close to the walkways. There a plenty of sights to see and we slow down at the Golden Hind, a replica of the vessel used by Sir Frances Drake to circumnavigate the globe. The replica has been round the world twice.
Other sights in this area are Custom House, City Hall, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and St. Saviour’s Dock. All these sights have amusing stories attached to them, which your guide will entertain you with. We get so close to the sights that you can virtually reach out and touch them. After a few minutes we speed off again into open waters leaving behind the congested waters between the bridges.
This stretch of water lets you see how the Docklands have been developed from the river side and gives you a feel of the speed boat. It is exhilarating to be flying along the Thames in an open boat in any weather, and certainly blows away any cobwebs.
We pass Canary Wharf and on to Greenwich, the home of the meridian line, observatory, Cutty Sark restoration and maritime museum. This has stunning views from the river, and we give a brief insight into the history of the area.
We then speed off to the O2 Arena, where we get permission to go to the Thames Barrier. This is a fantastic sight seen from the river, and provides some wonderful photo opportunities. We then come back chatting about pirates, execution dock and some stories about the amusing histories behind some of the river side pubs.
Leaving from Blackfriars pier is ideal as it gets you away from the congested waters from the London Eye and Westminster and into open waters, yet you get to see the major sights of London as well. At our prices, it is also by far the best value speed boat trip in London.
I hope to see you on the boat during the year.
