Sea Searcher Boat Trips

The boat launches from Birchington's seafront, and you're out on the water within minutes - proper straightforward operation with no faffing about. Sea Searcher runs trips along the Kent coast, and what you get depends on which excursion you book: some focus on spotting seals and other marine life, others take you past the chalk cliffs and along the shoreline where you might see nesting birds or basking sharks if you're lucky.

It's genuinely decent for families with older kids and anyone who wants to see the coastline from a different angle. Younger children might find it a bit long if the sea's rough - these aren't luxury cruises, they're working boats. Adults and keen nature-watchers will probably get more out of it, especially if you time it right for wildlife season.

You'll need to book ahead and check their website for current prices and sailing schedules, as these change with the season and tides. Allow two to three hours for a typical trip. It's worth doing if you're staying at Birchington Vale or Sandwich Leisure Holiday Park nearby - breaks up the park routine nicely and gives you an actual reason to head into Birchington town itself.

The cliffs are better from water level than from the promenade, and there's something about being on a boat that makes a seaside holiday feel properly different. Not earth-shattering, but a solid half-day out.