Great Orme Explorer

Join us for an exciting open sea journey, heading out of the Menai Strait, past Puffin Island and towards the distant Great Orme and Llandudno Pier. It was historically the last leg of the classic journey undertaken by many a paddle steamer from Liverpool exploring the coast, caves and secrets of the unmistakable headland.

Departing from St Georges Pier, you will turn north along the Menai Strait, past Millionaires Row exiting the Strait by Bangor pier opposite the picture perfect town of Beaumaris and its Castle. We then head past Penmon Priory with its shipwrecks to see the wonderful wildlife of Puffin Island.

From Puffin Island we will head out to open sea for a five mile crossing, rounding the Great Orme to the historic Llandudno Pier. As we navigate around the headland, we'll explore its hidden secrets before returning across the bay, and the more sheltered waters of the Menai Strait.

This is a 2.30hr journey with open seas where we can experience waves, splashes and remember there are no toilets on board.

Your safety and enjoyment are our top priority. Please be aware all tours are subject to change at short notice dependent upon sea state and weather conditions, so very occasionally it may not be possible to reach our final destination. In this case, all our skippers have complete discretion to amend any trip to ensure all passengers have a safe and highly enjoyable experience.

Prior to boarding, you will be kitted out with life jackets and given a short safety briefing.

Please ensure you check-in in plenty of time and arrive promptly at the Pier. RIBS must depart on time and refunds are not issued for latecomers.

Our EXPLORER RIB takes a maximum of 12 passengers.

We love our furry friends but unfortunately, we cannot take dogs onboard for safety reasons.

All tours are round trips and you will stay onboard for the duration of the trip. Please make sure you have used the RibRide facilities prior to joining us.

Our RIBs are open to the elements and we go out in most weathers including the rain, so please dress appropriately for the weather and season. It is always cooler on the water.

The aim is not to get you wet, however we cannot guarantee this, so please make sure you have a waterproof layer, as it can get a bit splashy in certain conditions. Sensible shoes, no heels! In the colder months, hats and gloves are essential. Sunglasses are also a good idea.

Life jackets are mandatory and are provided by RibRide.

If you are pregnant we generally advise against participating, as tours can be a bit bumpy in certain conditions. If you do want to go out, we would ask that you consult with your doctor or midwife beforehand and consider booking this as a private event so we can tailor the trip to better suit your situation and the weather conditions on the day.

During the tour you will be required to hold on at all times. If you have any concerns regarding to your suitability to participate, please read our access statement for more information or call the office on 0333 1234 303 to discuss your needs.

The minimum age for our Explorer Tours is 10 yrs.