Gold Trusted Service Award
Gold Trusted Service Award
Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Rosette
Boating expertise since 1969
With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
Compass
18 amazing destinations
Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
Boat
World’s largest fleet
We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
Buoy
No boat license required
That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Compass
    18 amazing destinations
    Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Compass
    18 amazing destinations
    Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.

Le who?

About us

As Europe & Canada's No. 1 boating vacation company, our 50 years of know-how ensures that you’re in good hands with Le Boat. We know that our continued success depends on giving you the best service, boats and cruising destinations, and we do. We offer the world’s largest fleet of house boats and the widest choice of beautiful boating vacations in Europe & Canada!

 

How it all began

In 2019, we celebrated our 50th birthday. We have been boating along French waters since the late 60’s, and are proud to have come a long way from humble beginnings.

 

Our history can be traced back to the English entrepreneur, Michael Streat, who in 1969 founded Blue Line with just eight boats. Over the years Michael Streat’s original company was able to grow and expand, but one common theme that has remained is a desire to provide our customers the best boating holidays out there!

 

The operation you see today is actually a combination of three historic companies, Crown Blue Line (originally Blue Line), Connoisseur, who started as a boat builder on the Norfolk Broads, and Emerald Star in Ireland. Over the years these companies brought together their decades of waterway experience to form Le Boat in 2007. Our trusted Emerald Star brand was kept in Ireland.

 

 

 

Countess in Brittany

A new chapter

Now the biggest houseboat boating operator in Europe and North America, over the past decade we've been going from success to success. In 2011, we were proud to launch our hugely successful Vision range of boats. Built using the most proficient marine expertise available, the Vision fleet continues to turn-heads on the waterways of Europe.

 

Not ones to rest on our laurels, we followed up the huge success of Vision fleet with the state-of-the-art Horizon fleet in 2015. Truly the next generation of river cruisers the Horizon fleet has re-defined river boats in terms of comfort and ease of use!

 

Perhaps the most exciting recent development has been our new cruising ground on the Rideau Canal in Canada. We never stand still and can't wait to introduce you to new innovations and more fabulous destinations in the coming years - watch this space!

 

Horizon on the Thames

Part of Travelopia

Le Boat (and Emerald Star in Ireland) are proud to be part of the Travelopia group. The world's largest collection of specialist travel brands, Travelopia is at the forefront of global travel for those wanting something distinctive.

 

Each brand in the Travelopia group is individually operated, creating unique experiences that are centred around specific destinations, passions or interests, from skiing and boating to culture and luxury travel. Having these specific focuses allows Travelopia brands to become best in class at what they do with many industry leaders in their sector.

 

Le Boat team in Canada

Working for Le Boat is all about passion

 

"Le Boat is the most exciting business I have ever worked in for so many fantastic reasons. The key to running a successful business is making sure that you are surrounded by the very best people and I am incredibly proud of our great Le Boat Team around the world. It’s a business run by passionate people from the bottom to the top of the Le Boat ladder."

 

Cheryl Brown, Le Boat Managing Director

Join us today!

We are constantly looking for new talent to help us deliver the best boating vacations to our customers.

 

Read more about our values and current job vacancies

Man with hat on boat