Aquabus from Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
There are several boat trips from Cardiff Bay but after lots of deliberation, we chose the Aquabus 45-minute cruise around the Bay within the barrage. You can walk the route around and along the barrage, around 5 miles, which is a great way to see all it has to offer the visitor, but if you haven’t been here before, this is a good way to get your bearings.
It leaves Mermaid Quay on the hour from 11.00am until 4.00pm, £6 per adult for the round trip including a stop at Barrage South (the beginning of Penarth) if you want to see it close up – or just pop in to the Custom House bar and restaurant for lunch.
You can rejoin the next Aquabus to get back to Mermaid Quay, or maybe walk back the 2.5-3 miles. It is interesting because there is commentary along the way, past the water fowl reserve on to the marina near the white-water rafting centre (you can get a better view of this if you walk the route of course), then turning to go back along the barrage side itself.
Lots of places to visit on this stretch, including the Dr Who exhibition and the tiny white Scandinavian Church (with café) next to the statue of Scott of the Antarctic. We love visiting Cardiff, as you can tell, but this is the first time we have been on the boat so a refreshing change to get a different view of the Bay. Recommended if you are on your own, with a partner, or with the family if you have a spare 45 minutes.
