Canal boat weekend breaks and short breaks
2, 3, 4 or 5-night breaks are perfect for:
- A bank holiday weekend
- A getaway when you’ve limited holiday time
- A second holiday with a limited budget
- A taster opportunity for those new to boating and who just want to give it a try
- A relaxing cruise for a romantic break
- A trip away with friends to enjoy a shared pastime – rounds of golf, fishing, biking or walking.
Booking a short break holiday
Short breaks can also be booked for the peak summer season up to 4 weeks before departure. Your boat will be ready from 16:00 on the day of departure and must be returned by 09:00 on your final day.
Weekend and short break destinations for your next boating holiday
The Thames, England
Perfect for a boating minibreak with friendly pubs, picturesque villages, and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the charms of cruising on the Thames.
Short boating breaks on the Thames
Caledonian Canal, Scotland
Deep purple mountains and brilliant blue lochs provide the setting for a short boating holiday on Scotland Caledonia Canal. A true escape-from-it-all destination.
More about Caledonian Canal
Canal du Midi, France
Why not take a boating minibreak in the heart of the Languedoc wine region, sampling the fine cuisine and vintages and exploring historic Carcassonne with its towering walls and fairytale turrets.
More about the Canal du Midi
Alsace, France
As soon as you board your boat, the Alsace region immediately enchants you! Experience the Arzviller boatlift and enjoy the water skiing, kayaking and golf around this unique region!
Boating in Alsace-Lorraine
Rideau Canal, Canada
Easily combine a day in Canada’s capital city with a day surrounded by beautiful canal-side scenery, all from our conveniently-located base in Ottawa – just a short distance from the city centre.
More about the Rideau Canal
Trent-Severn, Canada
Embark on a captivating journey along the Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawartha Lakes, a fantastic destination for fishing and watersports.
More about the Trent-Severn Waterway
Short break boating holiday FAQs
You can book a short break holiday with Emerald Star at any time, subject to availability. For the best choice of boats, dates and destinations, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling during school holidays or peak summer months.
If you’re planning a last-minute getaway, it’s still worth checking availability, as short breaks can sometimes be booked at short notice.
You don’t need to have any boating experience in order to enjoy one of our holidays. When you arrive at the base, you will be given an in-depth briefing on every aspect of your boat – from which knots to use to how the oven works. A staff member will take you out for an hour or so and go through all the controls with you until you are confident to enjoy the boat for the duration of your holiday.
Emerald Star short breaks are typically 3- or 4-night holidays, although shorter 2-night breaks are also available. This gives you plenty of time to relax, explore local towns and attractions, and enjoy life on the water.
Looking for more holiday inspiration?
Take a look at all our inspiration pages to see what else you could discover on your Emerald Star holiday.