Get Ready for Your Blue Otter Adventure
Before your canal holiday begins, we’ll send you detailed directions to your mooring point. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by a member of our team for a personal handover. We’ll walk you through all the boat’s features and ensure you feel confident and comfortable before setting off.
Hands-On Boat Handling Tuition
To help you navigate with ease, we’ll accompany you on a short cruise to provide hands-on boat handling tuition. This includes essential skills such as steering, mooring, daily checks, and canal etiquette, along with local tips to help you make the most of your journey.
Accessibility and Storage Information
Please note that access to the cabin is via narrow doors and steep steps. Storage is compact, but soft bags can be tucked under the bed, and each boat is equipped with a small wardrobe. The clever use of space helps you enjoy the cosy and well-designed interiors to the fullest.
What’s Included in Your Blue Otter Boats Booking
Your booking includes everything you need for a carefree canal adventure. We provide:
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Diesel for your journey
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Freshly laundered bed linen and towels
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Fenders and a buoyancy ring for your safety
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Full boat handling tuition — so you can cruise with confidence
Thoughtful Welcome Amenities
To help you settle in the moment you arrive, we include a selection of welcome refreshments along with essential kitchen and bathroom items. These thoughtful touches mean you can relax and enjoy your first cuppa on board straight away.
Meet Otto the Otter – Our Charitable Mascot
Otto may not be a required crew member, but he’s hard to resist! For just £1 per night, you can adopt our cuddly otter mascot to join you on your travels. All proceeds go to the International Otters Survival Fund, supporting conservation efforts to protect otters around the world. Please contact us ahead of your journey if you would like to include this in your holiday. Payment is made by cash on arrival into the donation box.
Start Your Journey with Peace of Mind
At Blue Otter Boats, we take care of the details so you can focus on the joy of life on the water. With comprehensive training, a well-equipped boat, and those little extras that make a big difference, your narrowboat holiday begins with everything in place.
Bringing Pets, Bikes, and Fishing Gear on Board
As our name suggests, we love animals — and we know many of our guests do too!
Pets Welcome
At Blue Otter Skipton, we welcome up to two well-behaved pets at no extra charge. Yorkshire’s scenic bridleways, footpaths, and towpaths make for perfect daily adventures with your furry companions.
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Please note that we do not provide pet-specific amenities such as food bowls, beds, or pet life jackets.
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If you’re planning to bring your dog, we kindly ask that you contact us before confirming your booking with Hoseasons to ensure everything is in place.
Fishing
Planning to fish during your canal holiday? You’re very welcome! Just make sure to bring a valid Environment Agency fishing licence.
To keep the boat clean and comfortable for future guests, we ask that live bait is not brought inside the boat.
Cycling
While our boats don’t have built-in bike racks, you’re welcome to bring bicycles and store them securely on the bow or roof. We recommend packing:
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A sturdy bike lock
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Protective padding to avoid scratches on the boat
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Lightweight bikes if possible, for ease of handling
Got an Unusual Request? Just Ask!
We love making adventures possible — and no request is too unusual. In fact, we’ve even welcomed a bantam chicken aboard! If you have something special in mind, feel free to get in touch before your trip.
Important Information for All Blue Otter Guests
To ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for everyone on board and along the waterways, we kindly ask all guests to familiarise themselves with the following guidelines:
No Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted inside the cabin under any circumstances. Guests who wish to smoke may do so only in the stern (rear) or bow (front) areas of the boat.
Please help us protect the environment and our waterways by disposing of cigarette ends responsibly in public waste bins — never in the canal.
No Stag or Hen Parties
We do not accept stag or hen party bookings. If it becomes clear upon arrival that your group falls into either category, the boat will not be allowed to depart, and your booking will be cancelled without refund.
Respect for the Canal Community
The UK’s canal network is home to a close-knit, welcoming community. Fellow boaters and locals are often happy to lend a hand or share local knowledge. In return, we ask that you respect the community, the environment, and fellow waterway users.
We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate or unsafe behaviour, including boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Should we receive reports of such behaviour, we reserve the right to terminate your booking at any time. In such cases, no refund will be issued, and any future bookings will be declined.
