Boat Trips

The Viking Saga departs from the sea wall between Promenade Park and The Hythe for 40 minute excursions out past Heybridge Basin towards Osea Island and then back in the opposite direction. Longer trips are also available.

Click here for details of Viking Saga trip dates and times
 
 
The Thames Sailing Barge Trust provide small group half day, full day, weekend and charter sails to the public. Full details on trips currently available can be found on the Trust’s website

All trips will have no more than 12 passengers plus the crew. The Trust is a registered charity and all income raised is used to keep its two barges sailing.

 

Essex Waterways run one hour trips along the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation from Heybridge Basin.

canal trips
 
 
 
SB Kitty approching Hythe Quay at Maldon

Topsail Charters operate sailing barge trips from Maldon's Hythe Quay

Why not take one of these cruises?

Friday 7th August 2026  | 18.15-20.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNSET CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter
Adults £34. Add Ploughmans @ £16, Smoked Fish @ £24
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 8th August 2026  | 08.00-19.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SECRETS OF THE BLACKWATER DAY SAIL
Essex as you have never seen it. A really relaxing day exploring the length of the River Blackwater. Fully catered with morning coffee, lunch and tea.
Adults £75.00 Children £55.00
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Tuesday 11th August 2026  | 10.45-12.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Thursday 13th August 2026  | 12.30-14.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
TWO ISLAND LUNCH CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes lunch of : Ham and Cheese Ploughmans served with homemade coleslaw; Tomato, Cucumber and Basil Salad; Mixed Leaves Salad; Chutneys and Pickles; Granary Bread and butter. Followed by Fruit Crumble with Cream
Adults £49, children £39
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details



Friday 14th August 2026  | 13.15-15.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 15th August 2026  | 14.00-16.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 16th August 2026  | 14.30-16.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Wednesday 19th August 2026  | 16.30-18.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
EARLY EVENING CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans
Adults £34. Add Ploughmans @ £16
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Thursday 20th August 2026  | 17.15-18.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
EARLY EVENING CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for an hour and a half cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans
Adults £34. Child £24. Add Ploughmans @ £16
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details



Saturday 22nd August 2026  | 07.45-20.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
HANDS-ON DAY SAIL
Join us for a participation day sailing on the Rivers Blackwater past Osea Island, Tollesbury Creek and Mersea Island and head into the Colne for a lovely lunch. The crew will get you involved in all aspects of sailing a historic Thames Sailing Barge, including hoisting the sails, taking the wheel, winding leeboards, raising the anchor and learn how such a large craft could be sailed by only two men. Fully Catered
Adults £120.00
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

+ SHOW MORE TRIPS
Tuesday 25th August 2026  | 10.45-12.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Tuesday 25th August 2026  | 10.45-12.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Friday 28th August 2026  | 12.30-14.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
TWO ISLAND LUNCH CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes lunch of : Ham and Cheese Ploughmans served with homemade coleslaw; Tomato, Cucumber and Basil Salad; Mixed Leaves Salad; Chutneys and Pickles; Granary Bread and butter. Followed by Fruit Crumble with Cream
Adults £49, children £39
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 29th August 2026  | 13.00-15.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 30th August 2026  | 13.30-15.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Monday 31st August 2026  | 14.00-16.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Tuesday 1st September 2026  | 14.30-16.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Wednesday 2nd September 2026  | 15.15-17.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Friday 4th September 2026  | 16.45-18.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
EARLY EVENING CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for an hour and a half cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans
Adults £34. Child £24. Add Ploughmans @ £16
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 5th September 2026  | 17.45-19.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNSET CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter
Adults £34. Add Ploughmans @ £16, Smoked Fish Platter for 2 @£40
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

+ SHOW MORE TRIPS
Sunday 6th September 2026  | 0745-1945 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SECRETS OF THE BLACKWATER DAY SAIL
Essex as you have never seen it. A really relaxing day exploring the length of the River Blackwater. Fully catered with morning coffee, lunch and tea.
Adults £75.00 Children £55.00
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Wednesday 9th September 2026  | 10.45-12.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Friday 11th September 2026  | 12.15-14.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
TWO ISLAND LUNCH CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes lunch of : Ham and Cheese Ploughmans served with homemade coleslaw; Tomato, Cucumber and Basil Salad; Mixed Leaves Salad; Chutneys and Pickles; Granary Bread and butter. Followed by Fruit Crumble with Cream
Adults £49, children £39
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 12th September 2026  | 12.45-14.45 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
TWO ISLAND CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Leaving the Quay, the barge heads down river past the Victorian Promenade Park; past the statue of Byrhtnoth guarding Maldon against marauding Vikings; Northey Island which is a bird reserve owned by the National Trust; Heybridge Basin, the entrance to the Chelmer and Blackwater Canal; Mill Beach with it’s colourful beach huts on legs and finally towards the privately owned o
Adults £34, children £24 (Add on Ploughman's £16.00 pp, Smoked Fish Platter for 2 @ £40
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 13th September 2026  | 13.30-15.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
CREAM TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add cream tea of freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £34, Children £24. Add cream tea £7.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Tuesday 15th September 2026  | 14.30-16.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 19th September 2026  | 17.30-19.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNSET CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter
Adults £34. Add Ploughmans @ £16, Smoked Fish Platter for 2 @£40
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Thursday 24th September 2026  | 10.30-12.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Wednesday 30th September 2026  | 14.15-16.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 3rd October 2026  | 16.30-18.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNSET CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Bring a picnic or add a Cheese and Ham Ploughmans or Fish Platter
Adults £34. Add Ploughmans @ £16, Smoked Fish Platter for 2 @£40
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

+ SHOW MORE TRIPS
Sunday 4th October 2026  | 06.00-18.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SECRETS OF THE BLACKWATER DAY SAIL
Essex as you have never seen it. A really relaxing day exploring the length of the River Blackwater. Fully catered with morning coffee, lunch and tea.
Adults £75.00 Children £55.00
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Thursday 8th October 2026  | 10.30-12.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
MORNING COFFEE CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add optional homemade chocolate brownie with tea or coffee
Adults £34, children £24. Add brownie and drink @ £6.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 11th October 2026  | 12.30-14.30 (lunch at 14.30) Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNDAY ROAST CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater, followed by a seated two course lunch onboard once back on the Quay. Choice of roast beef or chicken, vegetarian/vegan and dessert of chocolate roulade.
Adults £49.50, children £34.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Wednesday 14th October 2026  | 14.00-16.00 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Includes tea of : Homemade Victoria Sponge, freshly baked scone with cream and jam, tea or coffee
Adults £44, children £34
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Saturday 24th October 2026  | 10.30-12.30 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
BLACKWATER BIRDS SAIL
A two hour sail from Maldon Quay to Osea Island and back with experts from Swallow Birding. Includes a light brunch.
£45 per person
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 25th October 2026  | 10.15-12.15 (lunch at 12.15) Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
SUNDAY ROAST CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely two hour cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater, followed by a seated two course lunch onboard once back on the Quay. Choice of roast beef or chicken, vegetarian/vegan and dessert of chocolate roulade.
Adults £49.50, children £34.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

Sunday 8th November 2026  | 10.45-12.15 Departing from The Hythe Quay, Maldon
BRUNCH CRUISE
Join one of our vintage barges at Maldon Quay for a leisurely cruise to enjoy the quiet beauty of the River Blackwater. Add large Huffer roll with sausage, bacon and egg
Adults £34, Children £24, add Huffer £10.50
Contact Topsail Charters on The Hythe Quay, Maldon 01621 857567 or visit their Website for details

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All Information on these pages has been compiled from information from third parties and which may be subject to change or cancellation. As we cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies you are advised to confirm details with the various organisers before embarking on a long journey. visitmaldon.co.uk is an independent website offering information and has no connection with any other organisation.