all the popular river cruises departing from Southend Pier this summer

With summer well on the way, now is the time to get planning some days out, here is a list of all day cruises departing from Southend Pier this summer scenery south Essex has to offer.

Southend Pier offers an array of incredible voyages to explore the sights of the Thames Estuary and beyond, ranging from leisurely sightseeing to exploring wartime wrecks and sea forts.

Here is a list of the departure times and the cruise operators at Southend this year so you know when to dig out your sea legs.

Jetstream tours

Explore – The Jacob Marley at Southend Pier (Image: TripAdvisor)

Redsand Towers Tour

Running from May to the end of June, this tour explores relics from the Second World War heading to the haunting red Sand Towers Maunsell sea forts and passing the Montgomery Wreck.

May 9, 11:45

May 10, 11:45

May 16, 11:45

May 17, 11:45

May 24, 11:45

May 30, 11:45

June 1, 11:45

June 6, 11:45

June 7, 11:45

June 14, 11:45

June 20, 11:45

June 27, 11:45

June 28, 11:45

Rochester Day trip

Running from May to July, this visit ferries you to the Dickensian High streets of Rochester, the ideal place for a spot of lunch and some shopping.

May 18, 10:45

May 31, 10:45

June 15, 10:45

June 29, 10:45

July 13, 10:45

July 27, 10:45

Army Fort Experience

Another Maunsell fort tour, this one visiting both the Redsand and Shivering Sand Towers, another for history buffs and adventure seekers. Running from June to August.

June 21, 11:45

July 5, 11:45

August 3, 11:45

Lunch in Kent – An ideal day out for couples or groups, this five hour cruise promises a relaxing five hour round trip to a peaceful fishing village in Kent running on two dates.

May 23, 11:45

June 13, 11:45

Waverley Sailing Trips

Old school – The Waverley is the UK’s last operating paddle steamer (Image: TripAdvisor)

Southend to Cruise River Thames and Through Tower Bridge Twice

September 27, 10:30

October 3, 12:30

October 6, 13:30

October 8, 11:00

Southend to Cruise Round Principality of Sealand

September 24, 12:00

Southend to Cruise Twinkling Thames and Floodlit Tower Bridge

September 27, 18:00

September 28, 16:30

October 1, 16:30

October 4, 17:15

October 5, 17:15

October 10, 16:00

October 12, 17:05

Southend Cruise Thames Forts – Red Sands and Shivering Sands

September 28, 13:25

October 2, 13:20

October 4, 13:30

October 12, 13:20

Southend to Cruise River Blackwater and Round MV Ross Revenge

September 30, 12:30

Southend to Cruise River Medway and view Medway Queen

October 5, 13:30