Embark on a memorable 60-minute round-trip river cruise through the historic Manchester Ship Canal and Salford Quays. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local rediscovering your city, this sightseeing tour provides an unparalleled perspective of Manchester's industrial heritage and its contemporary dynamism.

As you traverse the waterways, relish in the engaging English commentary that brings to life the tales behind the canal, its emblematic structures, and the landmarks that have moulded the city’s skyline.

This journey offers a refreshing and unforgettable view of Manchester, blending past and present in a truly immersive experience. So step aboard for a voyage that promises not just a visual treat but also a rich historical narrative, making your trip to Manchester all the more special.

we was a party of 4 I've lived in Manchester all my lift and never seen some of places we passed until taking this tour, i totally recommend doing this boat tour you can enjoy a drink from the bar while listening to the audio recording about the history of building / areas the total tour time is only 1 hour so its not overpowering its a great break of a day out

Beautiful relaxing cruise, commentary was informative without being too intrusive. My only thought would be the placement of the chairs on the upper deck. They might be more comfortable and make viewing easier if they were placed centrally and faced outward to the passing canal.

This was our first experience on the river cruise and we can't wait to return. We had an outstanding experience with superb staff so we couldn't have wished for a better evening. Can't thank the staff enough. We'd highly recommend this experience to anyone.

Yes we all really enjoyed it

zero explanation on the rivers and the canals in the Manchester area.

The tour was great, just the right level of facts!

Why you’ll love this…

See Manchester from a different perspective
Discover the industrial heartland of north England
Enjoy gliding across the water on a cruise

Important to know

Not suitable for:

The boat is not wheelchair accessible

Know in advance:

The boarding point is at Salford Quays by the Lowry Theatre. The closest parking is at the Quayside Shopping Centre, the closest tram stop is at Media City
All tickets are a round trip only, there are no additional stops on the route
Please ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes before the time stated on your ticket. The cruise will not return to the boarding point once departed
Infants ages 0-1 go for free and do not need to purchase a ticket. They should sit on the parent's knee
Buggies and prams will need to be foldable to be stored beneath the seats
Toilets are available onboard and outside seating is available on a first come first served basis
All sailings are subject to the weather and the levels of the River Irwell

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What’s included

Cruise tour
Roundtrip ticket
English audio commentary

What’s not included

Drinks (can be purchased onboard)

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

Manchester River Cruises, The Quays, Salford, Manchester, UK

Meeting point:

The boarding point is located under the Millennium Footbridge next to the Lowry Theatre. The closest parking is at the Quayside shopping centre, the closest tram stop is Media City or the IWM North.

Provider

Manchester River Cruises

What people say about this experience

4.8/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 34 reviews

Review categories

Value for money

4.8/5

Service

4.9/5

Safety

4.9/5

Staff

4.9/5

All ratings (34)

5 stars (27)

79%

4 stars (6)

18%

3 stars (1)

2 stars (0)

1 star (0)

M
Manchester Moz
Traveled with a group of friends
May 31, 2026
5
United Kingdom
we was a party of 4 I've lived in Manchester all my lift and never seen some of places we passed until taking this tour, i totally recommend doing this boat tour you can enjoy a drink from the bar while listening to the audio recording about the history of building / areas the total tour time is only 1 hour so its not overpowering its a great break of a day out
T
TUI Musement Traveler
June 1, 2026
5
United Kingdom
Beautiful relaxing cruise, commentary was informative without being too intrusive. My only thought would be the placement of the chairs on the upper deck. They might be more comfortable and make viewing easier if they were placed centrally and faced outward to the passing canal.
T
TUI Musement Traveler
May 26, 2026
5
United Kingdom
This was our first experience on the river cruise and we can't wait to return. We had an outstanding experience with superb staff so we couldn't have wished for a better evening. Can't thank the staff enough. We'd highly recommend this experience to anyone.
T
TUI Musement Traveler
May 20, 2026
4
United Kingdom
Yes we all really enjoyed it
T
TUI Musement Traveler
May 18, 2026
3
United Kingdom
zero explanation on the rivers and the canals in the Manchester area.
T
TUI Musement Traveler
May 12, 2026
5
United Kingdom
The tour was great, just the right level of facts!