St Ives has two genuinely good boat trip operators, and which one suits you depends largely on whether your group wants a proper thrill or a calmer, more reassuring experience.
Blue Thunder Boat Rides is a fast, genuinely exciting RIB trip out to see seals and the lighthouse — properly thrilling for older children in particular, though it books up quickly in season, so plan ahead.
Tiger Lilly Boat Trips is a family-run operation with a skipper genuinely well reviewed for being calm and particularly good with nervous passengers and children — worth choosing this one specifically if speed and spray sound like the wrong plan for your group.
Seal spotting is the main draw for both, with the specific route and pace differing between the two — Blue Thunder leans into speed and excitement, Tiger Lilly leans into a steadier, more considered pace. Both are genuinely well regarded, just for different kinds of passenger.
If your group includes a nervous adult or a child who doesn't do well with fast, bouncy rides, Tiger Lilly's reputation for patience makes it the safer choice. If the whole point is the thrill, Blue Thunder is built for exactly that.
Both operators fill up quickly on good-weather days in July and August — booking a few days in advance, rather than hoping for a spot on the day, is the realistic approach if you want a specific date.
Warm layers under any provided waterproofs, sun protection even on an overcast day given reflection off the water, and a secure way to carry a phone or camera if you're hoping to photograph what you spot.
Both operators price similarly for a comparable length of trip, generally reflecting the specialist RIB experience over a standard ferry — worth checking current rates directly when booking, since they can shift with the season.
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