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Islands (Blue) Cruise

Take in the islands of Windermere

Bowness → Bowness | See route map below

🕘 45 minutes in length / 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 23rd March 2024 until Sunday 3rd November 2024)

  • Prices below are return fares
  • Book your tickets by selecting a date in the 'Book Your Cruise' box below.
Adults Children Families
£13.50£6.75£37.00

Additional Information

Circular cruise of Windermere

Circular cruise of Windermere

Take in the islands of Windermere while also enjoying the views of the local Lakeland fells.

Photo Gallery and Video

Book Your Cruise

Select a date to view prices and sailing times.

  • Child prices are valid for children aged 5-15 years. Children under 5 travel free.
  • Family tickets are valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children.

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 BownessArrive BownessVessel type
10:1511:00Launch
10:4511:30Launch
11:1512:00Launch
11:4512:30Launch
12:1513:00Launch
12:4513:30Launch
13:1514:00Launch
13:4514:30Launch
14:1515:00Launch
14:4515:30Launch
15:1516:00Launch
15:4516:30Launch
16:2017:05MV Swift
16:4517:30Launch

Additional Information

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

Download Timetable (PDF)

Peak Season Timetable (23 Mar - 26 May 2024)

File Size: 505.889 KB

Peak Season Timetable (27 May - 31 May 2024)

File Size: 507.394 KB

Peak Season Timetable (1 Jun - 21 Jul 2024)

File Size: 505.083 KB

Peak Season Timetable (22 Jul - 29 Aug 2024)

File Size: 511.413 KB

Peak Season Timetable (30 Aug - 1 Sep 2024)

File Size: 508.395 KB

Peak Season Timetable (2 Sep - 26 Sep 2024)

File Size: 507.497 KB

Peak Season Timetable (27 Sep - 20 Oct 2024)

File Size: 506.225 KB

Peak Season Timetable (21 Oct - 26 Oct 2024)

File Size: 506.573 KB

Peak Season Timetable (27 Oct - 3 Nov 2024)

File Size: 498.983 KB

Lake Spotter's Guide - information on the main things to look out for around the lake

File Size: 862.877 KB

Service Status

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Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum →Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

🟤 YELLOW CRUISE & STEAM TRAINHaverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside

✔️ Services OK

🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk ↻⚠️
Keep checking back
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from BownessBowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

⚠️ Back Late April.
Keep checking back

⚪ CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ash Landing✔️ Services OK
⚫ FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot⚠️ Starts 25 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.

Red Cruise

Red Cruise

Our most scenic half-lake cruise with mountain views | ⚓ Bowness→ (Brockhole) → (Windermere Jetty Museum) → Ambleside → Bowness 🕘 75 mins

Upgrade Book Now
Yellow Cruise

Yellow Cruise

Scenic half-lake cruise to the southern tip of Windermere & attractions | ⚓ Bowness ↔ Lakeside 🕑 90 mins

Upgrade Book Now
Freedom Of The Lake ®

Freedom Of The Lake ®

Unlimited boat travel for 24 hours on all routes | ⚓ See the full lake on this ticket: Lakeside ↔ Bowness ↔ Ambleside in 🕘 over 3 hours

Upgrade Book Now
Annual Pass

Annual Pass

Unlimited cruising for a whole year. | ⚓ Valid on any daytime cruise every day except Christmas Day 📆 364 days

Upgrade