Get Ferry fit this summer holiday

Get Ferry fit this summer holiday

Set sail and get fit with an exciting choice of active breaks and holidays just a ferry journey away 

Ferry industry body, Discover Ferries is encouraging us to swap our usual surroundings this summer holiday for a choice of spectacular and surprising locations, ideal for active breaks around the British Isles and Europe.

Make the most of generous baggage allowances to bring paddleboards, bicycles and golf clubs on board, or load your car up with all you need. Ferry travel is the perfect way to start an active holiday this summer and more pet-friendly facilities and cabins on board mean your dog will enjoy the journey too.

Abby Penlington, director of Discover Ferries comments: “Ferry travel lends itself to discovering a new region of the British Isles, Ireland, or Europe, with the opportunity to enjoy your favourite sport or activity. Bringing everything you need with you is easy, from bicycles, surf boards or skis and even your four-legged best friend.

“A new beach for surfing, a different bay for paddleboarding or an uncrowded fairway promises adventure and the chance to disconnect. That holiday feeling starts the minute you board a ferry, with stunning views from the off-set, the calming effect of water and fresh air on deck, passengers can relax and unwind. They can shop duty-free on routes to the EU and Channel Islands and spot wildlife en route.”

“Ferry operators have selected some lesser-known destinations with fantastic landscapes, all accessible by ferry, which might not be on everyone’s radar – ideal for switching regular haunts for new locations to enjoy sports and activities this summer.” 

 

Eight ‘ferry active’ breaks:

Best for paddleboarding: 

Isles of Scilly

If you have conquered your local lake or reservoir by paddleboard and are seeking something more adventurous, explore uninhabited islands in the pristine archipelago of the Isles of Scilly, just off the coast of Cornwall. Sail on the Scillonian III with Isles of Scilly Travel.

On the Isle of Man, the picturesque bay of Port Erin offers sheltered waters bordered by cliffs and is a great place to paddle while the sun is setting over the Irish Sea. Travel with with Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Over in Normandy the white cliffs and natural arches of Etretat provide a stunning backdrop for a paddle along the Alabaster Coast. Sail with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries. 

  

Best for cycling:

Swap busy weekend roads for more of a relaxing cycle. The Velomaritime, tracing the north coast of France, is a renowned 1,500 km cycle route stretching from Dunkirk to Roscoff. It follows iconic landmarks such as Mont St Michel and Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast and passes many of France’s best gastronomic regions. Travel with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries. 

Well-known for its flat landscape and traffic-free cycle routes, the Netherlands is a great destination for leisure cyclists. Westduinpark near The Hague is one of the country’s beautiful nature reserves, with a sweeping landscape and even freely-roaming highland cows. Sail with DFDS, P&O Ferries and Stena Line.

Selected as the final stage in this year’s ‘Tour of Britain’, cyclists can tackle the challenging route from Ryde to the Needles on the Isle of Wight themselves. Free bike carriage comes courtesy of Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink.

Really only known to locals, the Thames Path along the River Thames in London offers long stretches of traffic-free cycling. Tour historic neighbourhoods from London Bridge to Royal Greenwich and pass the original mooring spot of the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower ship, the Brunel Museum and the Cutty Sark. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers takes up to 14 bikes on board and serves 24 piers along the river.

 

Best for walking with the dog:

No need to hide Fido in your suitcase: ferry travel opens up a wide range of pet-friendly destinations. The cliff path between Freshwater Bay and Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight, for example, is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some areas are restricted, but you can still walk your pooch between Brook Chine and Hanover Point or on the dog-friendly beach below Fort Redoubt all year-round. Sail with Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink. 

Or sail with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company to Douglas, granted city status for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Head towards the scenic bridged gorge and waterfall of Glen Maye for an invigorating walk with your four-legged friend.  

A visit to the Isles of Scilly is a special experience for every member of the family – your dog is no exception! Pelistry and Bar Point on St Mary’s are open to dogs year-round as are the off islands – Tresco, Bryher, St Martins and St Agnes. With miles of picturesque coastline and a number of dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and tea rooms, visitors can enjoy the dog walk of a lifetime. Sail with Isles of Scilly Travel.

Staycationing in London? You and pooch can explore a number of riverside parks, including Greenwich, St James’s and Battersea parks, easily accessed by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

 

Best for hiking:

Wicklow Mountains

Conquered the flatter landscapes closer to home? Challenge yourself to hike the mountainous terrain of the Inner Hebrides, Ireland and Picos de Europa in Northern Spain, which is accessible via Bilbao and Santander with Brittany Ferries. In the Hebrides combine a hike with the thrill of minke whale-watching, best seen from April to October from Caledonian MacBrayne’s ferry service. These incredible creatures can also be glimpsed when exploring Carsaig on the Isle of Mull. Urban walkers can explore Dublin’s streets, before heading for the green route of Howth’s Cliffs with views of the Mourne Mountains, Bailey Lighthouse and the Wicklow Mountains. Sail with Irish Ferries, Stena Line and Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

 

Best for surfing:

If you learnt to surf in Cornwall last summer, you can test your skills on the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean this year. The sandy beaches of the Channel Islands and France are perfect. Suitable for all levels, try Jersey’s long beaches of St Ouen’s Bay or the uncrowded beaches of Bidart on the French Atlantique Coast. Sail with Condor Ferries to Jersey and Brittany Ferries to Bilbao, Spain to reach Bidart.

Beginners and well-practised surfers will love the beaches of Ireland’s County Sligo, while more advanced surfers will be challenged by the Uig peninsula on the Isle of Lewis. Sail to Ireland with Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, P&O Ferries and Stena Line. Sail to the Isle of Lewis with Caledonian MacBrayne.

 

Best for sea kayaking/coasteering:

Being near or on water improves our wellbeing and lifts our spirits*, so why not travel by ferry and try kayaking or coasteering. Guernsey’s south coast near Petit Bot is ideal for families and adrenaline junkies. With the chance to vary activities to cater for first timers to daredevils, there’s something for everyone. Rock-hopping, shore scrambling, wave-riding, and even cliff-jumping are on the menu. Sail with Condor Ferries.

Those keen to strengthen their rowing muscles can discover the beauty of south-west Ireland’s Killarney Lakes with a guided kayaking tour from Ross Castle and soak up the stunning mountain and lake views and sail with Irish Ferries, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, P&O Ferries and Stena Line.

 

Best for golf:

The best way for golfers to explore uncrowded golf courses in Northern France is via ferry with flexible booking and plenty of car boot space for clubs. Arriving overnight into Brittany’s port of St Malo or on the short-sea crossings into Dunkirk and Calais brings you close to a variety of challenging fairways. It is great value too as green fees at French courses compare favourably to British clubs. Try Golf de St Malo, Golf des Ormes and close to Dunkirk, Golf Du Bois De Ruminghem. Travel to France with Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, DFDS and P&O Ferries.

 

Best for mountain sports:

Morzine Forest

Not just a winter holiday option, mountain resorts offer possibilities all year round. Whether you are transporting skis and snowboards or travelling with climbing and hiking gear, ferries offer great value and practicality to reach destinations like Courchevel, Chamonix and Morzine. Adrenaline-fuelled sports including white water sports, wild swimming and paragliding to mountaineering and mountain-biking can be yours by ferry. Cross the Channel with Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, DFDS and P&O Ferries.

 Visit www.discoverferries.com for the full guide of activities.