Take to the water on one of our Dufour sailing boats to experience a day on the River Blackwater with your family.

Detail for the day

Build your day, choose to add on a Graze, Picnic or Scone platter or Cake, bring your own or book a meal at your lunchtime destination, get involved in helming and navigating or sit back and relax, it's your choice.

Our river trips are for groups of up to 7 people (must include at least one adult) and take place on our 24ft Dufour Drakkar sailing boats. One of our friendly, experienced, and qualified instructors will be present onboard throughout the day.

Once kitted up with waterproofs (if required) and a lifejacket you'll head into the Blackwater Estuary. You'll have the opportunity to helm, navigate and learn the ropes or alternatively sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

At lunchtime you'll head into Mersea or Maldon (please check possible lunchtime destinations when booking) where you can disembark if you have a restaurant booking or moor up and enjoy your picnic.

We can provide crab lines and bait for those wishing to try their hand at crabbing over lunch.

After lunch, you'll hop back on board for a return journey to Bradwell Marina, with opportunities again to get involved as much or little as you choose.

Good to know

• All safety equipment including life jackets and waterproofs are provided.
• Minimum age 7
• We will ask you to complete a group information form with details of all those in your group. This will include medical and dietary information.
  
  Lunch Options

Order Graze, Picnic or Cake Platters

Graze Platter

(Minimum order of two)

• Cheese and Biscuits
• Charcuterie Meats
• Chutney and Crudities
• Sausage Rolls
• Quiche
• Grapes

Picnic Platter

(Minimum order of two)

• Sandwiches with a a choice of fillings (smoked salmon & cream cheese, ham & mustard, cheese & pickle, egg mayonnaise, tuna mayonnaise, jam, marmite, ham or cheese). 
• Sausage Rolls
• Scotch Egg
• Scone, Jam and Cream

Scone Platter

• 10 Scones with Jam and Cream

Cakes

• Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake
• Victoria Sponge Cake
• Chocolate Cake

Soft drinks are provided with all platters and include elderflower presse, Belvoir apple juice and apple juice cartons.

£15 per person, per Graze, Picnic or Scone platter

£10 per Cake

You will have the option to add your choice of platters during checkout

Any allergies and dietary requirements submitted on the attendee information form will be catered for. 

Bring your own picnic

If you'd prefer to bring your own we can store it aboard in a cool box, protected from the elements, ready for lunchtime.

Book a meal

Both Mersea and Maldon have several restaurants within walking distance of the waterfront. If you'd like to book a meal for lunchtime, you'll need to call your chosen restaurant directly and make a reservation. Be sure to check the possible lunchtime destinations when making your booking to ensure we will be visiting the location you'd like to book on your chosen date.

On arrival just let your instructor know your reservation time and location (if more than one location is listed on your chosen date) and they will endeavour to get you there.