For those who believe travel should come with a dose of excitement, certain UK ferry routes deliver an experience far beyond a simple commute. These are not placid lake crossings but thrilling passages that test the skill of captains and offer passengers a taste of the raw power of the sea and tides. These voyages are for adventurers who want to feel the spray on their face and witness navigation at its most masterful.
The undisputed king of thrilling crossings is the hour-long journey from Berneray to Leverburgh across the Sound of Harris. This shallow channel is a minefield of jagged rocks, treacherous tidal currents, and sudden mists. Before modern GPS, captains had a rule to turn back if they couldn’t see two buoys ahead. Even today, the ferry masterfully weaves between hazards with evocative names like “Drowning Rock,” making for an exhilarating and deeply impressive passage.
On the Isle of Skye, the short crossing from Glenelg presents a different kind of challenge. The Kyle Rhea straits are notorious for their powerful tides, which can run at up to nine knots. The ingenious turntable ferry was designed specifically to counteract these forces, allowing vehicles to disembark safely regardless of the current. Each five-minute trip is a small battle against the elements, making it a must-do for any thrill-seeker visiting the Hebrides.
Even the seemingly calm River Dart in Devon offers its own excitement. The lower ferry, a barge towed by a tug, must navigate a busy shipping lane amidst a fast-moving tidal river. The water froths around the vessel, giving a sense of the river’s latent power. These journeys prove that you don’t need to scale a mountain for an adventure; sometimes, all it takes is choosing to cross the water.