If you’re looking for a unique way to see the sleek skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, there’s nothing quite like hiring a GoBoat. We recently headed down there with the whole gang—Amy, Ricky, Claire, Paul, and Dawn—for a self-drive trip around the docks. Even in the winter, it’s a brilliant laugh, though you definitely need a few “pre-drinks” to brace for the cold!
Before finding our vessel, we popped into BrewDog for a quick one. Since we were on a tight schedule, Amy and I stuck to a simple rum and coke while Ricky and Claire were already tucked into some fancy cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to gather the troops before heading to the water.
I’ll be honest, the start was a bit of a struggle. We were told to arrive 15 minutes early, but due to some staff shortages, we ended up standing in the freezing cold for about 30 minutes past our booking time.
Pro Tip: If you’re booking a GoBoat, keep an eye on your time. Our briefing was delayed, and we had to fight a bit to get our full time on the water. But once we got our map, our snacks, and our Bluetooth speaker, we were ready to set sail!
Ricky was immediately crowned Captain (complete with a hat!), though his “jet ski” style driving mostly just resulted in the boat rocking side to side.
The Comfort Factor: In the winter, the boats have canopies and—thankfully—heated seats. Trust me, having a warm bum makes all the difference when you’re out on the water in December!
The Bubbly Challenge: Amy popped the bubbly, and in true group-trip fashion, we started doing “bubbly shots.” Warning: drinking warm, fizzy bubbles as a shot is not for the faint-hearted!
Eventually, everyone had a go in the driver’s seat. Even Amy, after a bit of protesting, took the wheel and did a stellar job. Paul turned his captain’s hat backwards and really got into the spirit of things, while I mostly enjoyed winding Claire up for being “camera shy” (until the drinks kicked in, of course!).
Despite the rocky start with the delays, we had a fantastic afternoon. It’s a great way to catch up with friends, have a giggle, and see London from a different perspective. It’s also a top activity for kids—they’d love being “Captain” for an hour.