Seaforce Powerboats
BEST FOR
Ages 2+
ENTRY
from £16.95
WHERE
Glasgow
What it’s like
Fast, bouncy boat rides on the Clyde, with a doughnut-watching trip thrown in if you fancy it.
These are proper speedboat rides, not a gentle putter about. The Clyde Ride is the straightforward blast up and down the river, Doughnuts on the Clyde adds a stop to watch them being made fresh at Krispy Kreme, and if you want to go further there's the Erskine Bridge Express for those who fancy a longer run. Kids from age two are allowed on, though a two-year-old on a fast boat is very much a "know your own child" call.
Prices start at £16.95 and climb to £28.95 for the longer trip, and none of that includes food, so if the doughnuts are the plan, bring a bit of extra cash to spend once you're off the boat. You turn up five minutes before your slot at the top of the pontoons, and being late is a genuine risk here: they'll hold the boat for five minutes but a no-show gets charged full price regardless. Weather can scupper things too, they check the forecast ahead of time and will offer a refund or voucher if it's not safe to go out, which is fair enough but means a windy forecast could mean a rearranged day.
There's no toilet on site, which is the kind of detail that matters a lot more with small kids than it sounds on paper, so you're relying on the Riverside Museum or the Tall Ship nearby. Parking at Riverside Museum is paid and building work has eaten into the spaces, so if you can get the subway instead, from Govan or Partick, that's probably the less stressful way in.
Need to know
- Best for
- From age 2 up, though littler ones might find the speed a lot
- Parking
- Paid parking at Riverside Museum car park
- Dogs
- Allowed on private hire boat rides if comfortable onboard
- Getting there by bus or train
- 5 min walk from Govan Subway Station, 10 min walk from Partick Subway and Train Station
- No toilets on site, you'll need the Riverside Museum or the Tall Ship next door
- Dogs can come on private hire rides if they're happy on a boat
- Groups over 15 should get in touch directly for private hire pricing
- Book Doughnuts on the Clyde if you want the Krispy Kreme stop, otherwise it's just the ride
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£16.95 for the Clyde Ride, £18.95 if you want the doughnut stop, £28.95 for the longer Erskine Bridge run. None of that covers actual doughnuts, that's extra cash on the day.
Is it OK for a toddler?
They'll take kids from age two, but that's a minimum, not a recommendation. Worth a think about whether your two-year-old actually enjoys speed before you book.
What if the weather's bad?
They keep an eye on the forecast in the days before and will let you know if it's not safe to go out. You'll get a refund or a voucher, not just a shrug.
Where do we park?
Riverside Museum car park, but building work nearby has properly squeezed the spaces. Honestly the subway from Govan or Partick is the less stressful option.
What happens if we're running late?
Ring them and they'll hold the boat up to five minutes, no more. Don't turn up at all and you're still charged full whack.
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