London: Thames Speedboat Tower Blast & Barrier 40 Min
Forty minutes at full throttle down the Thames, from Tower Bridge to the Barrier and back
You board a high-speed speedboat at Tower Millennium Pier and spend forty minutes racing down the Thames past Greenwich, the O2, and the Thames Barrier before returning to the start. The boat's 740HP engines and tight turns deliver genuine adrenaline, and you get lifejackets, live commentary, and a poncho if needed. Just arrive fifteen minutes early and hold on.
Step-by-step itinerary
Speedboat tour from Tower Millennium Pier
- Start under Tower Bridge
- Pass Tower of London
- Pass HMS Belfast
- Pass Canary Wharf
- Pass Greenwich
- Pass Up at The O2
- Pass Thames Barrier
- View The Shard on return
- Return to Tower Millennium Pier
What’s included
Your ticket includes a lifejacket, the high-speed river cruise itself, live commentary from the crew, and a complimentary plastic poncho if the weather dictates it. You'll depart from Tower Millennium Pier and return to the same location after forty minutes on the water.
- Monday and Thursday 14:20 15:20
- Tuesday 14:20 15:20 15:30
- Wednesday 12:00 14:20 15:20
- Friday 11:40 14:20 15:20
- Saturday 11:00 11:40 12:30 14:20 15:20
- Sunday 11:00 11:40 12:30 14:00 14:20 15:20
Information
High-speed Thames speedboat from Tower Bridge to Greenwich, O2 and Thames Barrier. 40 minutes, 740HP twin turbo engines, lifejackets and live commentary included.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
There's a moment before the engines fire up when you're standing on the pier at Tower Millennium, lifejacket already on, and you realize this isn't a sightseeing cruise where you sit and sip tea. The boat's twin turbo 740HP engines are about to turn the Thames into a speedway, and the adrenaline hits you before you even leave the dock. You push off under Tower Bridge (the actual Tower Bridge, not a postcard version), and within seconds the city starts moving past you at a speed that makes your chest tighten in the best way.
The Thames speedboat ride takes you past Greenwich and the O2, but you're not gliding. You're cutting through the water hard enough that the spray catches you even under the poncho they hand out if the weather's rough. The real payoff is the Thames Barrier itself: that massive, otherworldly structure of silver gates rises up ahead like something from a sci-fi film, and you're heading straight toward it at full speed before banking hard and heading back. The whole thing's set to a chart-topped playlist, which sounds gimmicky until you're actually there and the music and the engine roar and the river all blur together. On the way back in, The Shard comes into view, and by then your hands are probably gripping the seat because forty minutes at this pace doesn't feel short.
You need to arrive fifteen minutes early, and the boat departs from Tower Millennium Pier near the Tower of London and HMS Belfast. The ride includes the lifejacket, the live commentary from someone who actually knows the river, and if the weather turns, a complimentary plastic poncho. It's not a tour where you learn obscure history. It's a tour where you feel the Thames move beneath you and remember why you came to London in the first place.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (3 to 13 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the Thames speedboat ride?
Forty minutes total, including the journey to the Thames Barrier and back to Tower Millennium Pier.
Where does the speedboat depart from?
Tower Millennium Pier, located near the Tower of London and HMS Belfast in central London.
What's included in the ticket?
Lifejacket, high-speed river cruise, live commentary onboard, and a complimentary plastic poncho if weather requires it.
Who shouldn't book this tour?
The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, heart conditions, back problems, or those who are pregnant. Public transportation is available nearby if you need an alternative.
What if I'm late for my departure?
Arrive fifteen minutes before your scheduled departure time. Refunds or reschedules are not offered if you miss the trip.
Can I reschedule if the weather is bad?
If your trip is subject to the Minimum Passenger Number Policy, you'll be contacted 24 hours before to be offered an alternative time or date.
Is there a charge to change my booking?
Changes made after booking may be subject to a £35.00 admin fee.
Operated by Thames Rib Experience. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
London: Thames Speedboat Tower Blast & Barrier 40 Min
40m · EN
from £ 58.14 per person
≈ US$ 78 in your currency
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