Sweeney's Cruise Co Loch Lomond
BEST FOR
Up to age 5
ENTRY
from £18.50
WHERE
Alexandria
What it’s like
Loch cruises from Balloch that run from a quick hour out to a two-hour island hop, with under-5s sailing free.
The pitch here is simple: get on a boat, look at the loch and its islands, get off again somewhere sunnier feeling than when you started. There's a straight one-hour Experience Cruise if you want the short version, or the Island Discovery at 90 minutes or two hours if you fancy actually landing near the islands rather than just pointing at them from the deck. There's also a run down to Loch Lomond Shores and one out to Luss, so you can pick a route that ends somewhere with a wander rather than just turning round and coming back.
Under-5s go free, which is the detail that matters if you're planning this with a toddler in tow, since the rest of the family are all paying adult rates from £18.50 up to £29 for the longest island trip. That's a proper spend for an afternoon out. Boats run 9am to 4pm every day, with a reduced timetable in winter, and cruises are rarely called off for weather, though high winds or fog occasionally do it, and you'd get a refund or a rebooking if that happens.
You can book online if you know your date, or just turn up at the ticket office in Balloch and buy on the day, which takes the pressure off if your plans depend on the Scottish weather being roughly cooperative. There's a café at the base for a coffee before or after, and well-behaved dogs are welcome without extra charge. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, the Astina is the boat they recommend, and it's worth calling ahead since electric wheelchairs can't be taken on board.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Under 5s, who travel free and can test their sea legs cheaply
- Booking
- Online booking available. Walk-ups accepted at ticket office same day or on board during winter months subject to demand
- Wheelchairs
- Astina boat recommended for wheelchair users
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs allowed at no additional cost
- Worth knowing
- Children under 5 travel free
- Winter runs a reduced timetable, so check which cruises are actually sailing before you plan a route.
- There's no separate child or concession pricing beyond the under-5s going free.
- The café at the Balloch base is handy for warming up before or after a windy crossing.
- If you want a specific cruise on a specific day, booking online beats relying on walk-up tickets.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Adult prices run from £18.50 for the one-hour Experience Cruise up to £29 for the two-hour Island Discovery. Under-5s travel free, and there's no separate concession price bracket.
Do we need to book ahead?
You can book online if you have a date in mind, or just turn up at the Balloch ticket office and buy same-day tickets. In winter, tickets can also be bought on board if there's space.
How long does a cruise take?
The shortest is the one-hour Experience Cruise, and the longest is the two-hour Island Discovery. There are also 70 to 90 minute options if you want something in between.
What if the weather's bad?
Cruises are rarely cancelled, only in genuinely severe conditions like high winds or fog. If yours is cancelled you get a full refund or the option to rebook.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
Under-5s travel free, so it's a low-cost way to test whether a small one enjoys being on a boat. There are enclosed areas if the deck feels too breezy or too much.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, well-behaved dogs can come along at no extra cost.
Is there wheelchair access?
The Astina is the boat they recommend for wheelchair users, and it's best to call ahead for advice. Electric wheelchairs can't be accommodated.
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