I had been thinking for some time about booking myself into London’s number one outdoor activity (according to Tripadvisor): a trip on a rubber boat with Thames Rockets. Today I finally made it, and boy was it fun!
I opted for their gold standard package, the so-called Thames Barrier Explorers Voyage (80 mins for £54.50), departing from the London Eye.
As a Londoner, the touristy sightseeing part didn’t do much for me, even though the guide was amusing enough and got a few laughs out of us. I was in it for the thrill of speed.
Shortly after we had passed by Tower Bridge, our captain increased the speed and went full throttle. It is surprisingly smooth a ride. Last year Ms B and I were going on a zodiac in the open Arctic sea off Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen at similar speeds of just over 55km/h (back then it was even faster!).
There were strong winds and high waves from the outset. It took just a few minutes before the first eruptions among the travellers, and I myself was also struggling to keep the food in. This ride was nothing like that. There are a few minute vibrations when the boat leans into the turns, but that’s it.
You’re feeling like you’re flying above the water. Highly recommend. 5 out of 5.
Looking for more reviews? Check out our posts about Lock’d’s London escape room experience, our visit to nearby Canterbury, us driving supercars around the Top Gear race track, and our review of the play Sea Wall at the Old Vic.
20 Comments