Islands (Blue) Cruise

A great introduction to Windermere - a circular cruise around the islands (called holmes) around Bowness.

Bowness → Bowness | See route map below

🕘 45 minutes in length. It departs every 30 minutes in peak season, fewer in the winter.

Join us for a circular cruise from Bowness, with fantastic views of the many islands (holmes), Lakeland mountains, wooded shorelines and bays.
Each cruise includes a fascinating commentary on the history, attractions and points of interest around Bowness and the central part of the lake.

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 5th April 2025 until Sunday 2nd November 2025)

Prices below are return fares
Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.

Adults	Children	Families
£14.20	£7.10	£38.50

Additional Information

🎫 Buy tickets online or at pier ticket offices on the day
📆 Plan your day around this cruise - see a sample Itinerary
🐕 Well-behaved dogs travel free
🚲 Sorry, bikes can't go on this service, only our 'steamer' services

Circular cruise of the central part of Windermere
Take in the islands of Windermere while also enjoying the views of the local Lakeland fells.

Timetable

This cruise departs from Bowness Pier and is valid on all scheduled blue cruise departure times and your ticket is not time specific.

Additional sailings operate on weekends, sunny days, school holidays and as demand requires. Prices and timetable information are subject to change without notice.

Today's sailings from Bowness

Depart Bowness	Arrive Bowness	Vessel type
10:15	11:00	Launch
10:45	11:30	Launch
11:15	12:00	Launch
11:45	12:30	Launch
12:15	13:00	Launch
12:45	13:30	Launch
13:15	14:00	Launch
13:45	14:30	Launch
14:15	15:00	Launch
14:45	15:30	Launch
15:15	16:00	Launch
15:45	16:30	Launch
16:20	17:05	Launch
16:45	17:30	Launch

Additional Information

Download Timetable (PDF) Service Status Route Map Access and Facilities

Download Timetable (PDF)

Islands (Blue) Cruise Timetable (5 Apr - 2 Nov 2025)

File Size: 341.886 KB

👁️ Lake Spotter's Guide - guide to what you'll see from on board

File Size: 862.877 KB

Service Status

Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE	Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum →Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness	✔️ Services OK
🟡 YELLOW CRUISE	Bowness ↔ Lakeside	✔️ Services OK
🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE	Bowness → Bowness	✔️ Services OK
🟢 GREEN CRUISE	Ambleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside	✔️ Services OK
🚶 WALKERS TICKET	Bowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk → Car Ferry→ Bowness	✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness	Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻	✔️ Services OK from Beach ⚠️ Dock closed - move to Beach
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Waterhead	Waterhead (near Ambleside) ↻	✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Lakeside	Lakeside ↻	✔️ Services OK
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from Bowness	Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻	✔️ Services OK
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from Waterhead	Waterhead (near Ambleside) ↻	⚠️ Opens later in April
⚪ CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE	Bowness ↔ Ash Landing	⚠️ Starts 24 May
⚫ FELL FOOT FERRY	Lakeside ↔ Fell Foot	⚠️ Starts 24 May

🕑
: We are now running to our peak season timetable.

Route Map

Load Map

Access and Facilities

♿ Disabled Access

Islands Cruise is one of the least accessible routes we offer and is operated by modern launches:

❌ Modern launches like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland - are not recommended for customers with limited mobility

Please visit our Accessibility section for more information.

Wheelchair users are strongly advised to call us to confirm which vessel is operating on which service, particularly in poor weather conditions. As on rare occasions, the vessels operating each route can change.

🧑‍🦽 Carer goes free policy

If a disabled adult in your group needs a carer, then the carer travels free. For more information about this scheme and to see all the terms and conditions, please read our company policy for disabled passengers.

☕ On-Board Facilities

Launches like Miss Cumbria/Miss Lakeland - ☕🍾 Bottle bar with hot/cold drinks/snacks | 🚾 Single toilets | 💺 Indoor & outdoor seats

🎫 Conditions of Carriage

Our services are provided in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage.

🚭 No Smoking Policy

For the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew, Windermere Lake Cruises Ltd operates a no smoking policy on-board its vessels, piers and shore premises. This includes electronic cigarettes.

🐶 Dogs

All well behaved dogs are welcome on board and travel for free.

Upgrade This Cruise

Did you know that you can make more of your cruise by upgrading it? Why not combine your cruise with a local attraction, or enjoy a full day on Windermere with the Freedom of the Lake.