Pet Friendly Boating Holidays

What makes our boats perfect for pets?

Herbert Woods offers one of the largest selections of pet-friendly cruisers on the Norfolk Broads, with only two boats in the entire fleet where pets aren’t permitted.

Our modern boats are designed with comfort and convenience in mind, featuring spacious decks, practical layouts, and single level living areas that make life on board easier for both pets and owners.

Wide side decks and easy access to shore make getting on and off the boat simple, ideal for walks and convenient mooring stops.

Inside, open-plan saloons and generous seating areas provide plenty of space to relax together, while large windows ensure your pets can enjoy the ever-changing views. With so much choice, you can pick the cruiser that best suits your needs and enjoy a pet-friendly holiday without compromise.

Top tips for bringing your dog on holiday

To make sure your dog can safely enjoy its Broads boating holiday we recommend investing in a doggie life jackets, which are available in a variety of sizes. Not only will they keep your dog afloat in the water they also have a grab handle on the top so if the worst happens you can quickly and easily get them back on board!

Make sure your pet is used to travelling by car, if they aren’t take them on a few short drives in the weeks leading up to your holiday. This will get them used to the sensation. Pet carriers can often help your pet feel more secure whilst travelling.

If you are travelling with a dog it is often a good idea to take them out for a long walk before you set off. If you wear them out they are more likely to sit still. Take them for another walk as soon as you arrive to get them used to their surroundings.

Frequent stops for everyone to stretch their legs and cool down will make for a smoother trip. Cars can get very hot and stuffy even on cold days, so make sure you have plenty of water for all you passengers including your pet.

Alleviate stress by keeping things as familiar as possible.   Bring the cage or bed that they use at home, their favourite toy and feed and walk them at the same time of day you usually would.

Remember to bring, food, bowls, bed/cage, lead, bags to clean up after them, any medicines, your vets phone number and an animal first aid kit with gauze, bandages and antiseptic.

Are your boats suitable for cats?

Cats can also enjoy a holiday on a Herbert Woods cruiser just as much as their owners, provided a few sensible precautions are taken. With only two boats in our fleet where pets aren’t allowed, there’s plenty of choice for cat-friendly adventures on the Norfolk Broads.

Our cruisers’ stable design and cosy interiors give cats a secure environment where they can settle in comfortably.

Many owners choose to bring familiar items like bedding, scratching posts, and favourite toys to help their cat feel at home.

It’s also recommended to keep cats indoors while cruising, with windows and doors checked for safety, and to provide a secure carrier for boarding and mooring.

Litter trays fit easily within the cabin space, ensuring convenience for both cat and owner. With these simple preparations, cats can have a calm, safe, and enjoyable boating experience alongside their humans.

Are your boats suitable for birds?

Birds are welcome on most Herbert Woods cruisers. too.

For safety, they should be kept in a secure cage while cruising or when windows and doors are open but can be let out inside the cabin under supervision when everything is closed.

Bringing familiar perches, toys, and feeding equipment helps them settle, while placing the cage in a quiet, shaded spot ensures comfort.

With a few precautions, birds can enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday on the Broads.

Are there any pets you’d advice against taking on a boat?

While most pets are welcome on our Herbert Woods cruisers, there are certain animals we strongly advise against bringing on board for safety, welfare, and practicality reasons.

Wild animals (non-domesticated species) are not suitable for the enclosed and unfamiliar environment of a boat, as the stress and risk of escape would be too great.

Very large animals can also be impractical, imagine trying to find a comfortable spot in the saloon for a Shetland pony or a Great Dane that outweighs the skipper! The limited space, movement of the vessel, and need for easy boarding and disembarking all mean that extremely large pets, or those unsuited to close human interaction, are best cared for on land while you enjoy your boating holiday. This ensures a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone on board.

What’s the strangest pet you’ve seen on a boat?

Over the years at Herbert Woods, we’ve welcomed some truly unusual pets on board, proving that the Norfolk Broads can be enjoyed by far more than just cats and dogs.

Among our most memorable guests was a lively squirrel, securely accommodated by its owners for the trip.

We’ve also hosted reptiles – including a calm and steady tortoise, a striking bearded dragon and even a sleek lizard – each brought along with the care and preparation needed for a safe journey.

These unique companions always draw smiles from our team and fellow boaters, showing that with the right precautions, even the most unexpected pets can enjoy life on a boat.

For more information about boating holidays please read our Boating FAQs.