Enniskillen Boat Hire: Where To Hire Boats In And Around The Town

Date: March 10, 2023
Time to read: 5 min.

As Ireland’s only island town, it goes (almost) without saying that one of the best ways to explore Enniskillen is by boat. Surrounded by 42 square miles of Island-studded water, Enniskillen is the perfect place to explore Lough Erne.

Some call it Ireland’s liquid gem. Others the Fermanagh Lakelands. Whatever name you give it, Lough Erne is home to stunning and unforgettable scenery. It is an ideal spot to grab some RnR and satisfy your craving for adventure.

Fortunately, you don’t need your own cruiser to set sail. There are loads of boat hire options for those hoping to explore Lough Erne.

Erne Boat Hire

On a sunny day, you’ll see plenty of these little red pleasure boats dotted around the Lough. The company has a small fleet of pleasure craft that can comfortably hold up to six adults (you can bring your pooch along too.)

The boats are self-drive and powered by a 6hp four-stroke petrol engine. They can be hired for a four-hour session and two daily sailing slots are available: 10.00am to 2.00pm and 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

You’ll set sail from the Regal Pass Jetty (situated next to the footbridge at Erneside shopping centre) and can explore the waterways around Devenish Island, the Ardhowen Theatre, and Killyhevlin Hotel.

Consider yourself an amateur captain? Tuition is provided before you depart.

How much does it cost?

Sessions can be booked online and cost £65. Buoyancy aids, maps, and fuel are provided.

Castle Archdale Boat Hire

Situated in Castle Archdale on Lower Lough Erne, this former RAF base offers the perfect starting point for those wanting to see some of the widest and most spectacular parts of the lough.

There are two styles of boat available for hire:

The 17ft Orkney 440 and 520 Day Boats, suitable for up to six people and powered by a 10hp Honda four-stroke engine.
The 19ft Orkney 590 Day Boat. This larger, more spacious boat holds eight people and is powered by a 20hp Honda four-stroke engine.

If water sports are more your thing, there are plenty of water toys available for hire too, including hydrobikes, water scooters, and canoes.

How much does it cost?

The six-person boat has a half-day rental price of £70 and a full-day rental price of £100.

If you’re opting for the eight-person boat, you can expect to pay £100 and £140 for the half-day rental and full-day rental respectively.

Buoyancy aids, navigation charts, and fuel, as well as full sailing instruction, are all included in the price.

ABC Boats

If luxury is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with ABC Boat hire. Their premium fleet includes day boats and large cabined cruisers that are perfect for families.

Their boats sleep up to eight people and are complete with showers, cooking facilities, and decks (perfect for sun lounging). Some of the fleet even have their own enclosed picnic area.

Each boat departs from Aghinver and has a seven-night minimum stay.

How much does it cost?

It all depends on which cruiser you book and when, but in the summer months, you can expect to pay around £825 and up for a seven-night cruise.

Manor House Marina

The Manor House Marina is one of Fermanagh’s most popular boat hire companies and they offer loads of sailing experiences.

If you’re planning a day on the lough, you can opt for one of their six-person or eight-person day boats. These small boats are perfect for exploring the lakes on a sunny day.

If you plan on staying in Fermanagh a little longer, then you should consider booking a boating holiday via Manor House Marina.

You can hire a fully equipped modern cruiser with all the facilities you need for a week on the water, from a fridge, cooker, and cooking utensils, to bed linen, towels, and hot and cold water supply.

The marina has nine luxury cruisers in its fleet, the largest of which sleeps up to eight people.

How much does it cost?

Day boat prices start at £70 per half day and £100 per full day.

If you’re booking a boating holiday, prices will vary according to what month you select and which cruiser you choose, however for a four-person cruiser you should expect to pay around £1,029 for seven nights during peak season.

Carrick Craft

Carrick Craft has 15 boats in its fleet, with options for couples and large groups of up to 10 people.

Their Fermanagh Class cruiser is great for larger families and comes complete with a large saloon and galley.

The Roscommon Class cruiser is the biggest of the company’s fleet. This 10-berth boat has five double/twin cabins, a large galley with two ovens, and a huge sundeck with seating for all your guests.

The activity planner on the company’s website will help you decide where you want to visit on the lough and offers advice on activities you can do too.

How much does it cost?

Depending on which cruiser you choose, you can expect to pay upwards of £2,276 per week in the summer months.

Rather let someone else take the wheel?

If you don’t fancy donning a captain’s hat or aren’t confident navigating your way around Lough Erne on your own, there are loads of guided boat tours to avail of too.

Erne Water Taxis and Enniskillen Castle have teamed up to offer the Island Town & Castle Pass. It includes a one-hour boat tour of Enniskillen, a visit to Enniskillen Castle’s 11 galleries, and tea, coffee, and scones in the Café At The Castle.

Meanwhile, the MV Kestrel is a 42-seater boat that departs from the Round O park in Enniskillen. On board, you’ll take in popular Lough Erne sights including Devenish Island.

However you choose to explore Lough Erne, it’s important to do so safely. Ensure you only sail where it’s safe (the red and white signs dotted around the Lough indicate where you can and can’t go) and always wear a life jacket.

If you get into difficulty, you should call the coastguard on 999.

Now go forth and set sail.

For more info on what to eat, drink and do in Enniskillen, keep up to date with Enniskillen.com

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