We regularly book with Le Boat, usually from Benson on the River Thames. The booking staff are brilliant and it is so easy to speak with someone. They understand our needs and are extremely helpful. T... See more
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A fabulous week in the Aquitaine region of France. The Le Boat team Jamie, Veronique, Magda, Sebastian, Juan to name some in a great team at Le Mas D’Agenais were the best right from day one through... See more
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We had a fabulous trip on the Rideau Canal. We picked up a horizon, three model and went north from Smith Falls to Ottawa and back. the boat was clean and relatively easy to operate. Had all of the b... See more
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Yes, navigating a boat through the canals of Belgium is an incredible adventure and well worth the time and money. But the people at the Nieuwpoort base truly made our journey exceptional. Bieke and M... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Le Boat are world leaders in river & canal boat hire in the UK, Ireland, Europe & Canada. Find out more about 'self-drive' boating vacations.
Contact info
Platinum House, St. Marks Hill, KT6 4BH, Surbiton, United Kingdom
- www.leboat.com
4.7
Excellent
2K reviews
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Replied to 95% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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A holiday to remember
Very helpful staff from start to finish . Not done this before but plenty of information and reassurance to have a great time . The boat had everything you needed .. you can not book the weather so sunny /raining /hot /cold you take this as it comes . The boat was lovely and cosy inside .
If you can listen to instruction and all work together which fortunately my husband and I can this is well worth doing
Nervracking in places but laughed and learnt a lot
October 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your first cruise on the Caledonian Canal was such a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that our team provided plenty of information and reassurance to help you feel confident from the start.
You’re absolutely right — while we can’t guarantee the Scottish weather, there’s something very special about enjoying the cosy comfort of the boat whatever the conditions. It’s great to hear that you and your husband embraced the adventure together, even through the more nerve-wracking moments, and came away having learnt and laughed along the way.
Experiences like this are exactly what make our Le Boat canal boat holidays on the Caledonian Canal so unique and rewarding.
We hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Brilliant holiday experience
Very friendly helpful staff, both at Le Boat and all the Lock Keepers from Laggan to Loch Ness. Our boat (Clipper 8) had all amenities and clean. This is a 6 berth boat, but perfect and lots of space for a group of 4. Will definitely repeat this experience, but will extend to 5 nights as 3 is just not enough! A ‘must do’ trip for everyone. Would be good if all the Caledonian Canal mooring points all had onshore power supply , as I can imagine it would be hard to find available power points to hook up to in the height of the season when it’s very busy.
October 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your fantastic review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a brilliant holiday on the Caledonian Canal. It’s wonderful to know that both our team and the lock keepers helped make your journey from Laggan to Loch Ness so enjoyable. We’re also pleased that the Clipper 8 provided plenty of space and comfort for your group — and we couldn’t agree more, three nights does go far too quickly!
Thank you as well for your helpful comment regarding shore power at the moorings. We understand how valuable this can be, particularly during peak season, and we appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Creating memorable and relaxing Le Boat canal boat holidays on iconic waterways like the Caledonian Canal is exactly what we strive for, and we’re so pleased you’d recommend the experience.
We look forward to welcoming you back for a longer adventure next time!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Great selection of boats on the Thames…
Great selection of boats on the Thames , with en-suite bedrooms for 3 couples. Easy to search and book through boat type. Good bundle pricing to make it easier and less stressful.
October 23, 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found a great selection of boats on the Thames and that the website made it easy to search and book the right boat for your group. It’s wonderful to know the bundle pricing helped make the process simpler and less stressful — we want planning your Le Boat canal boat holidays to feel as enjoyable and straightforward as the trip itself.
We wish you a fantastic holiday ahead on the Thames and hope you have a truly memorable time on the water. We’d love to hear all about it once you return!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Friendly and helpful irish guys
October 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found our Irish team so friendly and helpful. Our staff work hard to ensure every guest feels welcomed and supported, and it’s wonderful to know they made a positive impression during your Le Boat canal boat holidays experience.
We hope to welcome you back on board again soon.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Easy to understand information
Easy to understand information, good web pages reviewing boats.
October 17, 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found the information easy to understand and the boat pages helpful. We work hard to ensure that planning your Le Boat canal boat holidays is straightforward and that you have all the details you need to choose the right boat with confidence.
We wish you a wonderful trip ahead and hope your experience on the water exceeds expectations. We’d love to hear how you get on once you’ve returned!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Regular customer
Regular customer , everything works , ease at which you’re greeted and released
October 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We truly appreciate your continued loyalty as a regular customer. It’s fantastic to hear that everything worked well for you and that you value the ease of both your welcome and departure. Creating a smooth, hassle-free experience is such an important part of what makes our Le Boat canal boat holidays so enjoyable from start to finish.
We look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
This is the second Le Boat holiday…
This is the second Le Boat holiday we’ve had. I absolutely love its busy tranquility and the different view of the world.
I’d love to do it allot more. The prices are quite high and the two boats we have had both had problems that affected the comfort of the boats. The first was an older boat and the second a newer one. The older boat was cheaper but honestly the smell of fuel in the rear cabin and the thrust button not working when it rains should be fixed. The newer boat was much nicer but still nagging problems of the shower not draining properly after 2 days and even more infuriating that the cooker and oven were faulty and should simply have been replaced before we got on.
Having said all that i will definitely be boating again. We’ve been quoted 6 grand for two weeks next june in Scotland.
I’m just looking at buying my own boat now.
Highly recommend the experience and the le boat staff are excellent. More attention needs to be given to the little stuff
October 4, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your honest and thoughtful review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
Firstly, we’re delighted to hear how much you value the “busy tranquillity” of life on the water. That unique perspective and slower pace are exactly what make our Le Boat canal boat holidays so special, and it’s wonderful to know you’re already thinking about your next trip — and even considering buying your own boat!
That said, we’re genuinely sorry to read about the issues you experienced on both boats. I can absolutely understand how problems such as fuel smells, faulty thrusters, drainage issues, or a cooker not working properly would affect your comfort. While wear and tear can occasionally occur, these are certainly not the standards we aim to deliver, and your comments about paying attention to the “little things” are well taken. Those details really do matter.
It’s reassuring to hear that despite these frustrations, you would still recommend the experience and found our team to be excellent. We truly appreciate that balance in your feedback. Your comments will be shared with our operations and technical teams, as continual improvement of our fleet is something we take seriously.
We very much hope to welcome you back to Scotland next June — and perhaps keep you boating with us before you decide to buy your own!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Cruised the Caledonian Canal.
Cruised the Caledonian Canal.
A beautiful waterway.
Le Boat experience was uncomplicated and efficient.
Our boat was old but very comfortable and everything worked well.
Compliments to our briefer and debriefer, Paul, at Laggan Base.
September 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed cruising the beautiful Caledonian Canal and found your Le Boat experience uncomplicated and efficient. It’s wonderful to know that, although the boat was older, it was comfortable and everything worked well throughout your trip.
A special thank you for mentioning Paul at our Laggan base — we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments. Providing clear briefings and a smooth start and finish is such an important part of our Le Boat canal boat holidays, and we’re pleased he made a positive impression.
We hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another memorable journey.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Wonderful Trip on the Midi Canal
We had a wonderful experience with renting from Le Boat for a cruise on the Midi Canal in France. The boat was pretty easy to operate, with comfortable cabins and a well-equipped saloon/kitchen. The Le Boat staff, especially at Castelnaudary, where we started our trip, and Port Cassafieres, where we ended, were great. They were knowledgeable, helpful, and quick to assist. They all spoke English very well, too, which made communication easy.
September 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful cruise along the Canal du Midi. It’s great to know you found the boat easy to operate and enjoyed the comfort of the cabins and well-equipped saloon and kitchen.
We’re especially pleased that our teams at Castelnaudary and Port Cassafières helped make your trip smooth from start to finish. Providing friendly, knowledgeable support is a key part of what makes our Le Boat self-drive boating holidays such a memorable experience, particularly for guests travelling from abroad.
Thank you again for sharing your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Le Boat Peterborough was one of the…
Le Boat Peterborough was one of the best experiences ever ...and i spent 40 years producing high level travel trade events and seen it alk!!!
October 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you so much for your fantastic review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
To receive such praise from someone with 40 years’ experience in the travel industry truly means a great deal to us. We’re absolutely delighted that your time with Le Boat Peterborough on the Trent-Severn Waterway was one of the best experiences you’ve ever had.
Creating memorable and seamless boating holidays on iconic waterways like the Trent-Severn is exactly what we aim to do, so it’s incredibly rewarding to know we delivered for you.
We hope to welcome you back on board again for another unforgettable adventure on the water.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Midi Canal Trip
We chartered two boats for our group of eleven, and I’m pleased to report that both vessels were in superb condition. Throughout the trip, we experienced no operational issues whatsoever—a testament to the quality of your fleet and the care with which they are maintained.
Just as impressive as the boats themselves was the high level of customer service we received from your staff. From the initial check-in to the final return, every team member we interacted with was professional, helpful, and genuinely committed to making our journey smooth and enjoyable.
September 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your wonderful review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your Canal du Midi trip was such a success and that both boats were in superb condition throughout your journey. It’s fantastic to know everything ran smoothly for your group of eleven — experiences like this are exactly what we strive to deliver with our Le Boat canal boat holidays.
We’re equally pleased that our team made such a positive impression from check-in to return. Providing professional, attentive support is a key part of ensuring every guest enjoys a relaxed and memorable self-drive boating experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure in the future.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
We rented the Le Boat Caprice model for…
We rented the Le Boat Caprice model for a 7 day cruise along the Vilaine River and Nante-Brest Canal in Brittany. The check-in process in Messac went smoothly. Based on recommendations from staff, we added a pair of bicycles and some cushions to our rental. We had never piloted a boat before, but the LeBoat staff member who guided us out of the marina and into the first lock gave us excellent instructions on handling the boat and using its features and we were off without a hitch.
We spent seven nights sleeping on the boat. The cabins were a bit tight, especially compared to a hotel room, but we rapidly adapted to the close quarters and slept quite comfortably.
The boat was about 20 years old and was showing some signs of wear, but everything in the bathrooms and kitchen was functional. Since we were cruising in the French countryside where every village and town has great places to eat, we didn't avail ourselves of the oven or the stove except to heat water for coffee. We did, however, store sausage, milk, cheese and wine in the fridge for light lunches and late night snacks.
The cruise went off without a hitch. The navigation guide provided by Le Boat provided most of what we needed to know about navigating the river and the canal. When we needed help docking the boat on a windy, rainy day, the harbor master at La Roche-Bernard came out in his raft and guided us to an open slip. All of the lock keepers were on duty as we needed them so we never needed to place a call to summon one.
In early September, we appeared to have the entire river and canal to ourselves, yet there were plenty of people in the towns where we overnighted - La Gacilly, Redon, La Roche-Bernard so that we got a terrific experience.
September 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your detailed review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your 7-day cruise along the Vilaine River and Nantes-Brest Canal in Brittany was such a success. It’s wonderful to know the check-in process in Messac went smoothly and that our team helped you feel confident heading out on your very first boating adventure. Supporting first-time guests is such an important part of what makes our Le Boat self-drive boating holidays so enjoyable and accessible.
It sounds like you embraced life on board beautifully — adapting to the cosy cabins, enjoying local restaurants, and making the most of the peaceful early September cruising conditions. Brittany truly is a special region for river and canal cruising, especially when you can combine quiet waterways with lively and welcoming towns.
We’re also pleased to hear everything ran smoothly throughout your journey, and that local support along the way helped make docking stress-free when needed.
We hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another relaxing adventure on Europe’s inland waterways.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Six Australians in Belgium
The Nieuwpoort Team made our 21 day adventure through Belgium and France great fun. We were a little hampered by some lock/canal restrictions due to the late-season lack of water, but there are lots of options if you have time and are flexible, and this challenge added to the fun. Despite the September 1st start, we only had 4 or 5 mildly rainy days and enjoyed the lack of congestion at the locks. Would recommend spending a bit more to get a newer boat with both bow and stern thrusters to reduce docking stress when the wind is up. All six Aussies loved the trip.
September 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your 21-day adventure from Nieuwpoort through Belgium and France was such a great experience for all six of you. It’s wonderful to know the Nieuwpoort team helped make your trip so enjoyable, and that the quieter late-season cruising added to the fun.
We appreciate your comments about the lock and waterway restrictions — these conditions can occasionally affect routing later in the season, and we’re glad you were able to stay flexible and make the most of the many alternatives available.
Thank you also for the helpful recommendation regarding bow and stern thrusters, which can certainly make docking easier. Feedback like this is valuable for future guests planning their own Le Boat inland waterway holidays.
We hope to welcome you back on board for another unforgettable trip in the future.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Le Boat are the best!
In my opinion, Le Boat are the No. 1 canal/river cruising company. The pre-booking sales team are knowledgeable, helpful and efficient - if you're not sure which canal/river is best for you - they can talk it through with you! Their boats are extremely well maintained and well equipped in the kitchen with good bed linen and good quality towels.
The Staff at their Bases are helpful, efficient and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble to ensure that your cruise goes well.
September 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you so much for your wonderful review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you consider us the No.1 canal and river cruising company — that truly means a great deal to us. It’s fantastic to know that our pre-booking sales team helped guide you in choosing the right destination, and that you found our boats to be well maintained and thoughtfully equipped.
We’re especially pleased that our base teams made such a positive impression. Their friendliness, efficiency and willingness to go the extra mile are central to delivering memorable Le Boat canal boat holidays, and your feedback is a real credit to them.
Thank you again for your kind words — we very much look forward to welcoming you back on board for your next cruise.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Our booking process was seamless
Our booking process was seamless with Le Boat. Our queries were answered promptly and in a manner that gave us confidence our trip will be a great one.
October 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your booking process was seamless and that our team was able to answer your questions promptly and reassuringly. Helping our guests feel confident and well supported from the very first enquiry is an important part of delivering memorable Le Boat canal boat holidays.
We wish you a fantastic trip ahead and hope your time on the water is every bit as enjoyable as you’re expecting. We’d love to hear all about your experience once you return!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Fantastic experience, will return!
Fantastic experience, couldn't have been better. The team made sure we had a fantastic time. We were planning our next trip before we left. Great boats, great locations, great team.
October 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you so much for your wonderful review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your trip in Burgundy Franche-Comté was such a fantastic experience. It’s especially lovely to know you were already planning your next adventure before you’d even left — that’s the greatest compliment we could receive!
Our team works hard to ensure every guest enjoys memorable Le Boat self-drive boating in France, so it’s fantastic to hear the boats, the locations and the support from the team all helped make your holiday so special.
We can’t wait to welcome you back on board for your next trip!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Great holiday on the Caledonian Canal…
Great holiday on the Caledonian Canal on a Le Boat Horizon 1 boat. Really well
Kitted out modern boat and great cruising location, helpful canal staff and great scenery. Decent weather made our trip even more impressive but Le Boats offering on the Caledonian Canal I would recommend, especially on their Horizon fleet.
September 20, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Richard,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your holiday on the Caledonian Canal and that the Horizon 1 boat met your expectations. It’s wonderful to hear that the helpful canal staff, stunning scenery, and good weather made your trip even more enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another Le Boat adventure soon.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Staff knocked it out of the park
The awesome staff provided a seamless and enjoyable experience for collection and return of the rental. The boat was clean, well maintained and ready on time for our early check in. So much beautiful scenery along the Otonabee river, would definitely rent again only for longer
October 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear A,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear our staff made your experience seamless and enjoyable, and that the boat met your expectations. The Otonabee River is indeed beautiful, and we completely agree—a longer trip would be even better! We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
An awesome experience in the Rideau Canal
Just got back from a week with two couples on the Rideau Canal. We had an outstanding experience and were already talking about future trips while on the boat.
Staff - 10
Boat setup - 9 (mattresses and seat pads need an upgrade)
The Rideau Canal - 10
Check-in and Check-out - 10
Support while on the water - 10
Stress level - 0
One of the best vacations I have ever taken. We will be back on Le Boat some day.
October 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear John,
Thank you for sharing such a fantastic review! We’re thrilled that your week on the Rideau Canal was outstanding and that you’re already thinking about future trips. Your feedback on the boat setup is appreciated, and we’ll certainly take note of it for improvements. It’s wonderful to hear that the staff, check-in, and support all contributed to a stress-free and memorable vacation.
We can’t wait to welcome you back on board for another Le Boat adventure!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Beware of terms and conditions
First of all I would like to say that the staff in Emerald Star Carrick-on-Shannon were excellent and this review does not have anything to do with them.
My complaint is about the admin staff of Le Boat. Myself and my husband had booked a boat with another couple for September ’25. I understood and accepted the terms and conditions. However, two weeks before the departure my good friend and neighbour’s young son died suddenly in Australia. With the delays in bringing the body home, the funeral was set for the same weekend as the trip. As I was helping to organize the funeral, I could not possibly go. I contacted Leboat 12 days before the trip and told them about the situation. I asked to change the date. They were very unhelpful. They said the only thing I could do was lose my whole payment of €670 or transfer the name to someone else (whom I would have to find) for the cost of €100. But I had to give Le Boat 14 days notice and it was already too late for that.
I noticed on their website that the same size boat was available in 3 days time and I offered to take that instead, as they were clearly not going to sell it at such short notice. They did not even answer my emails.
In the end, the other couple had to go on the boat on their own. They said it was fine, but they did not really enjoy the experience without us there. We all felt it was a waste of €670.
I found this company to have no compassion and I will never book with them again.
September 19, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Marie,
I’m truly sorry for your loss and for the difficult timing of your trip. It must have been an incredibly challenging period, and I completely understand how upsetting it was to miss your holiday.
We always aim to support our customers as best we can, and I’m sorry we weren’t able to find a solution that worked for you on this occasion. Your feedback is really important, and we’ll take it on board to see how we can better assist customers facing unexpected emergencies in the future.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and for your kind words about our Emerald Star team. I hope you and your friends can still find moments to enjoy together soon.
Warm regards,
Rada V- Customer Service team
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