Santa Cruise

Santa Cruise is our Christmas experience for families with a guided boat trip with Santa from Sketrick Island, Whiterock, Killinchy, Co.Down.

Best Christmas Experience

Join our merry old Santa for a hair raising sleigh ride around the islands aboard our fast speed boat – Black Jacket. Hold onto your santa hats as we fly through the waters of Strangford Lough. You will be carol singing all the way, listening to some Christmas tunes whilst riding the waves back to base.

Price: Santa Cruise Tickets: £25pp

Suitability: Ages 3+

Spaces: 9 per boat trip.

Dates:

Public trips available on weekends throughout December
Group bookings (10+ people) available on other dates. If you want to book your own santa cruise, contact us for more information.

Times: Booking slots available every 45 minutes from 10:00 – 15:45

What’s included:

30 Minute Sleigh Ride (santa cruise boat tour)

What to bring:

Warm Clothes
Hat
Gloves
Waterproofs (if you have them) we provide for those that don’t.

Book Online below

You can select available tour times below and pay by credit or debit card.
Please complete payment within 30 minutes of placing your booking to complete your order.

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RiB RIDE!! 30 min £25.00

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A fast blast designed for groups and families who want a quick trip at an affordable rate. 30 minutes on board - these trips stay closer to our base on Sketrick Island. Prepare for a bit of splashing (or a lot of the weather is poor) and a lot of laughs! Minimum number of 4 people required. We will refund bookings where the minimum number has not been reached.
Tour of the Lough (1.5 Hours) 2026 90 min £45.00

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History, folklore, islands myths and legends on this tour of the lough. Plus the occasional dolphin.
Full (Hunter's) Moon (DATES TBC 2026) 90 min £49.00
Duplicate of Full (Hunter's) Moon (DATES TBC 2026) 90 min £49.00
Santa Rib Ride (DATES TBC 2026) 30 min £25.00

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NOTE: We no longer offer Santa Cruise. This is a Rib Ride with Santa ONLY. There are no crafts or Santa's Cottage visit for returning customers. A fast blast designed for groups and families who want a quick trip at an affordable rate. 30 minutes on board - these trips stay closer to our base on Sketrick Island. Prepare for a bit of splashing (or a lot of the weather is poor) and a lot of laughs! Minimum number of 4 people required. We will refund bookings where the minimum number has not been reached.
Eco Tours (DATES TBC 2026) 150 min £49.00

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Led by Marine Scientist Sam Purdon from the popular podcast 'Coastal Catch-Ups' - trips educate, inform and entertain passengers about the rich flora, fauna, sea and bird life on the lough. A tea and toilet stop in Portaferry, then the incredible natural phenomena that is the Routen Wheel tidal whirlpool of the Strangford Narrows. With folklore and history - Vikings to Normans, Smugglers to Nazis, and possibly even a dolphin or two.
High Tea at Sea (DATES TBC 2026) 180 min £85.00

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Posh nosh at anchor following a thrilling rib ride through the beautiful islands of Strangford Lough. History, folklore, myths and legends on this tour. Hopefully the the occasional dolphin. **In bad weather we may eat ashore**
CASTLEWARD RiB Trips (DATES TBC 2026) 30 min £10.00

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NOTE! These trips leave from Castleward at the quay at the Lower / Shore car park. Entrance to Castleward is FREE if you show proof of your boat trip booking. The driving directions on the form you will automatically be sent are for Sketrick trips ONLY and should be ignored. The rest all applies, preparations, what to bring and passenger suitability.