Friendly, helpful and efficient staff. The locks could be hard work but a great way to meet other boaters and wonderful lock keepers. The scenery - Homps to Trebes via Le Someil was beautiful, peacefu... See more
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Review summary
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Reviews shaping this summary
We regularly book with Le Boat, usually from Benson on the River Thames. The booking staff are brilliant and it is so easy to speak with someone. They understand our needs and are extremely helpful. T... See more
Company replied
Easy booking process great online portal with lots of tips, guides, relevant safety video. We are really looking forward to our mini break. Now if can just arrange the weather it would be perfect 😎
A fabulous week in the Aquitaine region of France. The Le Boat team Jamie, Veronique, Magda, Sebastian, Juan to name some in a great team at Le Mas D’Agenais were the best right from day one through... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
Le Boat are world leaders in river & canal boat hire in the UK, Ireland, Europe & Canada. Find out more about 'self-drive' boating vacations.
Contact info
Platinum House, St. Marks Hill, KT6 4BH, Surbiton, United Kingdom
- www.leboat.com
4.7
Excellent
2K reviews
Asks customers to review
This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 95% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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Leboat benson.
Leboat benson. Picked up the boat in August from Benson set up on the cruise all seemed okay 24 hours into the cruise had to return to Benson for some issues which we assumed they're corrected. Affair the 24 hours into the cruise we had to stop the boat as we had a major issue with damp. We took the boat back two and a half days early. The boat clearly had not been checked properly, Benson were useless. It has taken is eight weeks the sort this out with the boat in France has Benson did not washed there hand of it. Would I use the boat again no never
18 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m truly sorry for the issues you faced during your cruise from Benson. Having to return twice and end your trip early because of damp and technical problems is understandably frustrating, and this is not the level of preparation or support you should have received.
Your feedback is important, and we’re reviewing what went wrong so we can prevent this from happening again. I’m also sorry for the time it took to get the situation sorted.
If you’re open to it, please get in touch with our team at customerservice@leboat.com
so we can close this properly with you. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.
Best Regards
Customer Service Team
The personal connection with Alejandra…
The personal connection with Alejandra made our booking very easy. She was able to answer all of our questions. We have 3 couples from different parts of the country signing up fpr the trip and she made it easy for everyone
8 November 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Dear James,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear that Alejandra made the booking process smooth and stress-free for you and your group. Coordinating three couples from different parts of the country can be a challenge, and it’s great to know she made everything easy for everyone.
We truly appreciate you choosing Le Boat and can’t wait to welcome you all on board!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Very personal attention from Le Boat.
Very personal attention from Le Boat to ensure we got the boat and the holiday we were looking for.
22 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that our team’s personalised support helped you find the perfect boat and holiday experience. It’s wonderful to know we met your expectations.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
This was our 3rd trip with LeBoat..
This was our 3rd trip with LeBoat... Our first was Canal Du Midi about 20 years ago, then Venice about 12 years ago.... We decided to do Canal Du Midi again in Sept of 2025. We were taking friends so decided to get a comfort plus boat. As it turned out, the boat had no generator (as promised in the description) and the A/C did not work in the aft cabin..the slide bolts that held the hatches open were misaligned and ineffective, the water gauge did not work... all of this we found after we left the first port. We reported it in the next port (Homps) but they told us everything was fine and they ignored further protests. We decided to just make the best of it and finish the trip (which we did).
Most of the boats in their fleet are in terrible shape. Some are incredibly bad... I am not sure that paying more for an upgraded boat gets you anything other than a bigger bill.
Canal du Midi used to be shaded by thousands of Sycamore trees.. there were so many places to tie up... but... a blight has killed the trees and grass has grown on the banks so it is treacherous to get off of the boat to tie up.
There are also hundreds of derelict boats tied up alone the few decent docking stretches.. many burned up.
It's quite sad.
The towns and people are lovely... we do love rural France... But Le Boat was pretty bad.
6 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Hi Mary,
We’re truly sorry to hear about your recent experience and that your third journey with Le Boat didn’t meet your expectations. We’ve reviewed your complaint with our customer service team and issued a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill. It’s always disappointing for us when a returning guest leaves unsatisfied — especially someone who has shared so many memories with us over the years.
Thank you for your honesty and for giving us the chance to improve. We do hope you’ll remember the good moments on the Canal du Midi and that we may one day have the opportunity to welcome you back under better circumstances.
Warm regards,
The Le Boat Team
Our go to for family river holidays
Have used them many times as a family. They are friendly, helpful and very organised. we have only ever had good experiences when boating with them.
1 July 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Alan,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that Le Boat continues to be your go-to for family river holidays and that every experience has been positive. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Fantastic Weekend Boating from Nieuwpoort!
We had a wonderful 3-day trip with Le Boat from Nieuwpoort to Brugge and back. The team at the Nieuwpoort base, Bieke, Stephanie, and the mechanic, were outstanding! They prepared the boat perfectly, surprised us with a lovely welcome gift of local Belgian beers, and showed complete flexibility around our arrival and departure times.
Their guidance was excellent: clear boating instructions, navigation maps, and great local tips for attractions, moorings, and restaurants. They remained available throughout the weekend and always went out of their way to help.
The base itself is well maintained, with free parking and everything you need for a smooth start. Thanks to the whole team for making our trip so easy and memorable. Highly recommended!
10 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Sergej,
Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience! We’re thrilled to hear that the Nieuwpoort team—Bieke, Stephanie, and the mechanic—made your weekend so memorable with their guidance, flexibility, and thoughtful touches. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the boating, local tips, and the smooth start at the base.
We look forward to welcoming you on another Le Boat adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Great autumn break for the family
Great autumn break for the family. Any concerns about boating in October fell away with the cosy boat, peaceful waterways and beautiful views. We had some lovely sunny days too! A real tonic away from life in the city.
17 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Annabel,
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that your autumn break was so relaxing and enjoyable, and that the cosy boat and peaceful waterways provided the perfect escape from city life. Sunny days and beautiful views are definitely the icing on the cake!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Delia,
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you had a positive experience with our telephone communication. Clear and helpful support is always our goal.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Fantastic company/team/way to holiday!
From start to finish the LeBoat team was fantastic. They provided a wealth of information when doing our research, then during the booking process, and after booked when we had additional questions and special request. Everyone on the team was so pleasant and helpful, they couldn't do enough for us. I haven't had service like this in years, amazing! If you have ever thought of doing this for a holiday, do it! It's so easy to operate the boat and it's a great way to vacation with family and friends.
10 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Dan,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that the entire Le Boat team made your holiday seamless and enjoyable from start to finish. It’s fantastic to know you found our boats easy to operate and your experience with family and friends so memorable. Your kind words mean a lot to us!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
October Multi family Cruise on Caledonian Canal
Boat was great for a mixed generation and multi family group - and location was awesome - lots to do and lots of fund to had on and off the boat - even in October when the weather was a bit cold and lots of places closing down for the season. Also - Price in October was awesome!
20 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that your multi-family group enjoyed the Caledonian Canal, both on and off the boat, despite the cooler October weather. It’s great to know you found the location fun and the seasonal pricing a bonus.
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
Another lovely tripon The Shannon
From when we arrived at Emerald Star in Portumna (again), we were met with a warm and friendly welcome at reception that immediately set the tone for our holiday. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful or accommodating ( as always).
The boat training was excellen and confidenc inspiring. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely enthusiastic about boating and the Shannon, sharing great tips and local insights that made our trip even more enjoyable.
Our boat was spotless and beautifully maintained, reflecting the team’s pride and attention to detail. Everything worked perfectly, and it was clear that cleanliness and safety are top priorities for Emerald Star.
Overall, the entire experience was seamless and memorable. A huge thank you to all the team at Portumna for making our time on the Shannon so special.
10 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Dear Lee,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear that the Portumna team made you feel so welcome and confident from the very start. It’s fantastic that the boat training, local insights, and spotless boat all contributed to a seamless and memorable trip on the Shannon.
We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team—they’ll be delighted!
Warm regards,
Catherine
Le Boat
BEST ON-THE-GO STAYCATION EXPERIENCE EVER!
The staff at Le Boat Chertsey were top clasd! The training received from Enzo was brilliant- informative and reassured us. The hospitality of Anti is one not to forget we were running an hour late when we arrived at check in and still welcomed us with a smile. Le Boat can be quite spenny but when you have a reliable team, beautiful boats to choose from and stunning routes set up for you the money was worth every spend!
22 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you so much for your fantastic review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that your Chertsey trip was your “best on-the-go staycation experience ever”! It’s wonderful to know that Enzo’s training left you feeling informed and reassured, and that Anti’s warm welcome made such a positive impression — even with a slightly later arrival. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to them both.
We truly appreciate your honest comment about pricing, and we’re so pleased you felt the experience, the boats and the beautiful routes made it worthwhile. Delivering memorable and high-quality Le Boat canal boat holidays here in the UK is exactly what we aim to do.
We hope to welcome you back on board again very soon for another unforgettable adventure.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
A holiday to remember
Very helpful staff from start to finish . Not done this before but plenty of information and reassurance to have a great time . The boat had everything you needed .. you can not book the weather so sunny /raining /hot /cold you take this as it comes . The boat was lovely and cosy inside .
If you can listen to instruction and all work together which fortunately my husband and I can this is well worth doing
Nervracking in places but laughed and learnt a lot
18 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that your first cruise on the Caledonian Canal was such a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that our team provided plenty of information and reassurance to help you feel confident from the start.
You’re absolutely right — while we can’t guarantee the Scottish weather, there’s something very special about enjoying the cosy comfort of the boat whatever the conditions. It’s great to hear that you and your husband embraced the adventure together, even through the more nerve-wracking moments, and came away having learnt and laughed along the way.
Experiences like this are exactly what make our Le Boat canal boat holidays on the Caledonian Canal so unique and rewarding.
We hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Brilliant holiday experience
Very friendly helpful staff, both at Le Boat and all the Lock Keepers from Laggan to Loch Ness. Our boat (Clipper 8) had all amenities and clean. This is a 6 berth boat, but perfect and lots of space for a group of 4. Will definitely repeat this experience, but will extend to 5 nights as 3 is just not enough! A ‘must do’ trip for everyone. Would be good if all the Caledonian Canal mooring points all had onshore power supply , as I can imagine it would be hard to find available power points to hook up to in the height of the season when it’s very busy.
17 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your fantastic review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a brilliant holiday on the Caledonian Canal. It’s wonderful to know that both our team and the lock keepers helped make your journey from Laggan to Loch Ness so enjoyable. We’re also pleased that the Clipper 8 provided plenty of space and comfort for your group — and we couldn’t agree more, three nights does go far too quickly!
Thank you as well for your helpful comment regarding shore power at the moorings. We understand how valuable this can be, particularly during peak season, and we appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Creating memorable and relaxing Le Boat canal boat holidays on iconic waterways like the Caledonian Canal is exactly what we strive for, and we’re so pleased you’d recommend the experience.
We look forward to welcoming you back for a longer adventure next time!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Great selection of boats on the Thames…
Great selection of boats on the Thames , with en-suite bedrooms for 3 couples. Easy to search and book through boat type. Good bundle pricing to make it easier and less stressful.
23 October 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your lovely review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found a great selection of boats on the Thames and that the website made it easy to search and book the right boat for your group. It’s wonderful to know the bundle pricing helped make the process simpler and less stressful — we want planning your Le Boat canal boat holidays to feel as enjoyable and straightforward as the trip itself.
We wish you a fantastic holiday ahead on the Thames and hope you have a truly memorable time on the water. We’d love to hear all about it once you return!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Friendly and helpful irish guys
23 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found our Irish team so friendly and helpful. Our staff work hard to ensure every guest feels welcomed and supported, and it’s wonderful to know they made a positive impression during your Le Boat canal boat holidays experience.
We hope to welcome you back on board again soon.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Easy to understand information
Easy to understand information, good web pages reviewing boats.
17 October 2025
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you found the information easy to understand and the boat pages helpful. We work hard to ensure that planning your Le Boat canal boat holidays is straightforward and that you have all the details you need to choose the right boat with confidence.
We wish you a wonderful trip ahead and hope your experience on the water exceeds expectations. We’d love to hear how you get on once you’ve returned!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Regular customer
Regular customer , everything works , ease at which you’re greeted and released
17 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We truly appreciate your continued loyalty as a regular customer. It’s fantastic to hear that everything worked well for you and that you value the ease of both your welcome and departure. Creating a smooth, hassle-free experience is such an important part of what makes our Le Boat canal boat holidays so enjoyable from start to finish.
We look forward to welcoming you back on board again soon.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
This is the second Le Boat holiday…
This is the second Le Boat holiday we’ve had. I absolutely love its busy tranquility and the different view of the world.
I’d love to do it allot more. The prices are quite high and the two boats we have had both had problems that affected the comfort of the boats. The first was an older boat and the second a newer one. The older boat was cheaper but honestly the smell of fuel in the rear cabin and the thrust button not working when it rains should be fixed. The newer boat was much nicer but still nagging problems of the shower not draining properly after 2 days and even more infuriating that the cooker and oven were faulty and should simply have been replaced before we got on.
Having said all that i will definitely be boating again. We’ve been quoted 6 grand for two weeks next june in Scotland.
I’m just looking at buying my own boat now.
Highly recommend the experience and the le boat staff are excellent. More attention needs to be given to the little stuff
4 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your honest and thoughtful review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
Firstly, we’re delighted to hear how much you value the “busy tranquillity” of life on the water. That unique perspective and slower pace are exactly what make our Le Boat canal boat holidays so special, and it’s wonderful to know you’re already thinking about your next trip — and even considering buying your own boat!
That said, we’re genuinely sorry to read about the issues you experienced on both boats. I can absolutely understand how problems such as fuel smells, faulty thrusters, drainage issues, or a cooker not working properly would affect your comfort. While wear and tear can occasionally occur, these are certainly not the standards we aim to deliver, and your comments about paying attention to the “little things” are well taken. Those details really do matter.
It’s reassuring to hear that despite these frustrations, you would still recommend the experience and found our team to be excellent. We truly appreciate that balance in your feedback. Your comments will be shared with our operations and technical teams, as continual improvement of our fleet is something we take seriously.
We very much hope to welcome you back to Scotland next June — and perhaps keep you boating with us before you decide to buy your own!
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
Cruised the Caledonian Canal.
Cruised the Caledonian Canal.
A beautiful waterway.
Le Boat experience was uncomplicated and efficient.
Our boat was old but very comfortable and everything worked well.
Compliments to our briefer and debriefer, Paul, at Laggan Base.
3 September 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Le Boat
Thank you very much for your review — and please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed cruising the beautiful Caledonian Canal and found your Le Boat experience uncomplicated and efficient. It’s wonderful to know that, although the boat was older, it was comfortable and everything worked well throughout your trip.
A special thank you for mentioning Paul at our Laggan base — we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments. Providing clear briefings and a smooth start and finish is such an important part of our Le Boat canal boat holidays, and we’re pleased he made a positive impression.
We hope to welcome you back on board again soon for another memorable journey.
Warm regards,
Colin from Le Boat
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