About Whitby Coastal Cruises
Whitby Coastal Cruises is a family run business started in 2001, as Whitby Harbour Cruises, by the owner Bryan Clarkson. Our first boat was 12 seater Dutch lifeboat named Dash, which used to run river trips around Whitby Harbour. These trips were so successful Dash was replaced by the larger vessel Skylark and in 2002 the harbour trips were changed to part harbour & sea trips.
Following two successful years Skylark was replaced by the 50 seater Esk Belle I. The company name was changed to Whitby Coastal Cruises Ltd. and trips to Staithes & sea trips were added as part of a new experience.
In 2005 the 120 seater Esk Belle II replaced Esk Belle I. This was an exciting year for the company, as Bryan's son (David) joined the company and became part of the business. Esk Belle II also took part in the fleet review at Portsmouth, acting as liberty boat ferrying sailors to and from all the navy boats & submarines taking part in the review.
The business has continued to grow offering sunset and twilight cruises as well as daily & Staithes specials. In 2009 we were delighted to win Tourism Experience of the Year Award with Yorkshire Moors & Coast.
Fast forward to 2016 and Summer Queen arrived from Ullapool in Scotland and has undergone a refit during the winter of 2017. She offers open and covered decks and an indoor viewing saloon. Summer Queen and Esk Belle III offer a range of trips from 20 minute trips into the bay to coastal cruises and later in the year Summer Queen joins our sister company and the blue yacht Specksioneer whale watching.
Specksioneer was built in 1965 by Werf Timmer, Krimpen, in the Netherlands. Originally called Zeeuwleeuw (Pronounced: Zay-lay- ew), she is constructed from welded steel and is a round-bilge, canoe-sterned, ketch-rigged motor-sailer. She is registered on the small ships register number 7049891. The rig is Bermudan Ketch and power is provided by a single Ford Manta 180hp diesel engine driving through conventional stern gear.
Esk Belle III is used for 20 minute trips out into the bay and Evening River cruises and occasionally other trips. She provides lots of seating for all and a toilet.
Yorkshire's Only Dedicated Whale Watching Company
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal to some of the sea's most amazing creatures? Well now you can with the help of Whitby Whale Watching
