Blue Otter Boats

03/10/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 for Blue Otter!

We’re rather chuffed to have received a run of wonderful reviews from our guests ... giving Blue Otter an Exceptional 5/5 Feefo rating, with every review so far awarding us five stars.

And perhaps what makes us happiest is why.
“This was our first boat holiday… and we’re hooked.”

“We found it incredibly relaxing.”

“The welcome, training and support… was excellent.”

“If you are looking to experience a short slice of canal boat life and enjoy some leisurely sailing this is for you.”

https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blue-otter-skipton-bh2610

That’s exactly what we want a Blue Otter holiday to be: easy-going, comfortable canal boating, with all the help you need to set off with confidence ... even if you’ve never handled a narrowboat before.

Our 2027 diary is open, so if you’ve been wondering whether next year might finally be the year to try life on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, perhaps our guests can persuade you.

Come aboard Blue Otter in 2027.

"Blue Otter Skipton offers a modern take on a canal boat. Comfortably accommodating 2 adults you and your loved one can meander along the canals in style. Whether this is from the comfort of the two cosy chairs in the saloon or the option for al fresco living with the folding chairs and table. Start...

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

Every Blue Otter needs a lookout. 🐾💙

Keeping watch over the Yorkshire countryside, one canal mile at a time.

We’re not entirely sure who’s in charge here, but they certainly look the part.

📸 Thanks to our guests for capturing a unique Blue Otter moment.

Skipton LeedsLiverpoolCanal

11/09/2026

Blue Otter spotting… also a worthy holiday hobby. 👀🦦💙

Admittedly, it’s not quite as good as being on board.

But when you happen to spot a Blue Otter out on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, we completely understand the urge to stop, admire… and document the sighting. 📸

Have you spotted Blue Otter on your travels around Skipton? We’d love to see your photos — tag us or send them our way.

YorkshireCanals CanalLife

05/09/2026

Take a ride through Foulridge Tunnel with our past guests.

29/08/2026

There’s something particularly special about welcoming guests back to Blue Otter. 💙🦦

Anne & Jeff first cruised with us last year and, within days of returning home, had already booked their next Blue Otter holiday. Then came a whole year of counting down the weeks until they could step aboard again…

And last week, they finally did.

This time they were able to take on the famous Bingley Five Rise & Three Rise Locks … something they missed last year when low water levels meant the locks were closed.

Their lovely handwritten message at the end of the week says it all:

“We had a lovely time on the canal… lovely welcome from Liz & Ben & lovely touches of w**e & fruit. Lovely friendly people on the canal & lovely pubs.”

Thank you, Anne & Jeff. It was an absolute pleasure to have you back aboard and to see you finally get your Bingley adventure. 🚤

And perhaps there’s something in their approach to holidays: when you find somewhere you love, give yourself another one to look forward to.

Our 2027 bookings are already coming in earlier than ever, and preferred dates can be secured with just a £50 deposit.

Here’s to having a Blue Otter adventure in the diary to count down to. 💙

CanalHoliday SlowTravel Yorkshire VisitYorkshire RepeatGuests

25/08/2026

🌧️➡️☀️ GOOD NEWS FROM THE LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL!

After the welcome rainfall of the past week, we’re delighted to share another positive update this morning from the Canal & River Trust

🚤 Gargrave to Bank Newton is NOW OPEN

Navigation between Lock 30 and Lock 41 has reopened, with the locks operating daily from 10am–4pm.

🚤 Bingley Five Rise & Three Rise are NOW OPEN

The famous Bingley lock flights have also reopened today and will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with timed morning and afternoon passages.

And, of course, our 18-mile Skipton Pound remains open, navigable and lock-free.

After such a prolonged dry spell, it’s wonderful to see more of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal becoming accessible again – and to give our guests even more choice when planning their adventures from Skipton. 💙

A big thank you to everyone who has shown patience and understanding while the restrictions have been in place – and perhaps a small thank you to the Yorkshire rain too! ☔️

⚠️ Conditions can still change at short notice, so please check the latest information before setting off.

NarrowboatHoliday CanalHoliday SlowTravel BingleyFiveRise

24/08/2026

🌧️➡️☀️ GOOD NEWS FROM THE LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL!

After the welcome rainfall of the past week, we're delighted to share another positive update this morning from the Canal & River Trust.

🚤 Gargrave to Bank Newton is NOW OPEN

Navigation between Lock 30 and Lock 41 has reopened, with the locks operating daily from 10am–4pm.

🚤 Bingley Five Rise & Three Rise are NOW OPEN

The famous Bingley lock flights have also reopened today and will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with timed morning and afternoon passages.

And, of course, our 18-mile Skipton Pound remains open, navigable and lock-free.

After such a prolonged dry spell, it's wonderful to see more of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal becoming accessible again – and to give our guests even more choice when planning their adventures from Skipton. 💙

A big thank you to everyone who has shown patience and understanding while the restrictions have been in place – and perhaps a small thank you to the Yorkshire rain too! ☔️

⚠️ Conditions can still change at short notice, so please check the latest information before setting off. We'll continue to keep our website updated:

👉 blueotterboats.com/journal-events/

24/08/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our latest reviews are in... and we couldn’t ask for a better way to round off the summer.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Blue Otter… we were sorry to leave and can’t wait to return.”

“We enjoyed it even more than we expected to and found it incredibly relaxing.”

Our latest guests have given Blue Otter another two 5-star Feefo reviews, continuing our Exceptional 5 out of 5 rating. 💛

For us, the loveliest comments are about more than the boat itself. They’re about discovering canal boating for the first time, learning new skills, slowing down and enjoying a completely different pace of life... with the reassurance of a warm welcome, full training and support along the way.

And increasingly, guests aren’t waiting until the new year to plan their next escape.

We’re seeing more advance bookings than ever before for 2027, with both returning and new guests reserving their preferred dates much earlier. It’s a noticeable change in booking patterns and means some of the most popular weeks are already being snapped up.

So, if a Blue Otter escape is on your list for 2027, we recommend reserving early rather than waiting.

🗓 Just £50 secures your preferred dates.

Whether it will be your first time at the tiller or a return to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, we’d love to welcome you aboard.
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/blue-otter-skipton-bh2610

21/08/2026

🌧️ We don't often celebrate several days of heavy Yorkshire rain quite this much!

After the prolonged dry spell and the resulting restrictions on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, this week's rainfall has brought some very welcome news.

Our current guests, visiting us from Aberdeen, joked that they'd brought the rain down with them. At this point, we're inclined to thank them for it! ☔️😊

Following the rainfall and improving water conditions, the latest update means:

🚤 Bank Newton to Gargrave will reopen from 10am tomorrow, Saturday 22 August.

🔒 Some sections will remain closed from 2pm, as detailed in our graphic.

🚤 Bingley Flights will reopen from Monday 24 August, operating Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with normal summer opening times.

And throughout it all, our 18-mile Skipton Pound has remained open, navigable and lock-free, giving our guests plenty of beautiful Yorkshire canal to explore.

It's certainly been an unusual cruising season, and we're delighted to see conditions beginning to improve. 💙

As always, the situation can change at short notice and we'll continue to share the latest information on our website.