Le BoatReviews 

1,692
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 324 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company, often describing their holidays as perfect and unforgettable. Customers consistently praise the staff for being friendly, helpful, and professional, going above and beyond to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. The service provided is frequently highlighted as excellent, with many appreciating the quick resolution of issues and comprehensive guidance. Many people enjoy the beautiful scenery and unique experience of cruising, finding the boats easy to operate and well-equipped for their adventures. However, some customers also noted issues with the boats themselves, reporting that they were sometimes old, in need of repair, or had malfunctioning equipment like water pumps, ovens, or thrusters. A few other people also felt that the after-care service was appalling, with some experiencing significant delays and unaddressed problems.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers consistently express satisfaction with the staff, frequently describing them as helpful, friendly,... See more

Holidays

Consumers find holidays to be positive, with many reviewers describing their experiences as fantastic,... See more

Service

Users describe positive interactions with service, highlighting that everything was made smooth and easy from... See more

Product

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with product, with many praising the boats as fabulous,... See more

Location

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of location, with many enjoying the peaceful waterways and beautiful... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Yes, navigating a boat through the canals of Belgium is an incredible adventure and well worth the time and money. But the people at the Nieuwpoort base truly made our journey exceptional. Bieke and M... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The service and support was brilliant from booking to checkout. Boat was really well equiped ( Horizon 2) super size fridge for plenty of beers. The shower was actually better than some hotels we've... See more

Company replied



Company details

  1. Boat Rental Service
  2. Self-Catering Accommodation
  3. Vacation Rental

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

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

2K reviews

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Asks customers to review

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Replied to 95% of negative reviews

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4.7

All reviews

(1,692)

745 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as always

I have used Le Boat many, many times on the Thames and also in Germany and Belgium.

The boats are clean, well maintained and easy to operate.

This was also the case for a six berth boat that I rented in Scotland for a week with my wife. As usual, the service and the safety briefing were excellent and the boat met the high standards that we have come to expect.

I would like to say that the staff at Laggan Locks is exceptionally good but the truth is that they effortlessly meet the extremely high standards of the other Le Boat based that we have used over several decades.

They are all equally brilliant!

1 June 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and long-standing support!

We’re truly delighted to hear that you’ve enjoyed many Le Boat holidays across the Thames, Germany, Belgium, and most recently Scotland. It means a great deal to us that you continue to find our boats clean, well maintained, and easy to operate, and that each experience has met the high standards you’ve come to expect.

We’re especially pleased that your recent trip in Scotland was no exception, and that both the safety briefing and onboard experience were excellent for you and your wife.

Your generous words about our teams—particularly at Laggan Locks and across all our bases—are deeply appreciated. We’re proud of our staff across all destinations, and it’s wonderful to hear that their consistency and dedication stand out to you.

Thank you again for your loyalty over the years. We look forward to welcoming you back on the water for many more adventures ahead.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had an amazing holiday

We had an amazing holiday . Will definitely be back. Staff were so friendly and helpful especially Brian very helpful and put us at ease as it was our first time on the boat . Can't recommend enough

6 June 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your lovely review!

We’re delighted to hear you had such an amazing holiday and that our team helped make your first boating experience a relaxing and enjoyable one. It’s especially great to know that Brian was able to put you at ease and provide helpful support throughout your trip—we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him.

We’re so pleased you had a fantastic time on the water, and we really appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable adventure!

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Our boat has been changed with no…

Our boat has been changed with no consultation. I am not sure that this is not a downgrade.

4 June 2026
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Reply from Le Boat

“Hi Bob, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the boat change came as a surprise and that you’re unsure whether it met your expectations. This is certainly something we’d like to look into properly for you. Please feel free to get in touch with us at customerservice@leboat.com so we can review the details together and make sure everything was handled as it should be. We’d really appreciate the chance to clarify the situation and hopefully convince you to update your rating. Kind regards, The Le Boat Team”

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

We love the French destinations and the…

We love the French destinations and the helpful staff.

30 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your kind feedback!

We’re delighted to hear that you love our French destinations and that our teams have been helpful throughout your experience. It’s always wonderful to know both the waterways and our staff are helping create such enjoyable holidays for you.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The canals cruising experience gave us…

The canals cruising experience gave us a experience to see belgium away from crowds. The relaxing way to travel, smelling the farms, seeing the homes, going through numerous bridges, mooring in quiet villages, is so unique.

The booking and orientation was excellent and we quickly learned the how to's of navigating the canals and working with the bridge masters. The team offered training and books to refer to during our journey.

The boat was very clean. Had basic kitchen ware, towels and toilet paper. We did buy cleaning supplies for our stay. The bedding was good but the beds are very narrow and didn't offer a lot of cushion. The shower had excellent pressure and worked well for us. The two front cabins on our Horizon 5 are tighter due to the design of the cabins and had limited space to stand.

Overall, the experience was enjoyable and our group thoroughly embraced the uniqueness of this style of travel.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful review!

We’re delighted to hear that your cruising experience in Belgium allowed you to enjoy such a peaceful and unique way to explore the canals—away from the crowds and close to the countryside, villages, and local life along the waterways.

It’s great to know that your booking and orientation went smoothly and that the training and onboard resources helped you feel confident navigating the canals and working with the bridge and lock systems. We’re also pleased that you found the boat clean and well equipped, and that key onboard features like the shower and facilities met your expectations.

We really appreciate your honest feedback regarding cabin space, bedding, and onboard storage. Insights like these are very valuable as we continue to improve the comfort and experience across our fleet.

Thank you again for your review, and we hope to welcome you back on the waterways for another memorable adventure.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The experience was great from start to…

The experience was great from start to finish
The staff at portumna were amazing with a warm welcome and loads of assurances
The boating itself was easy and we believe can be done by anyone
The trip itself was was the best we did in Ireland - we would highly recommend and will come again .

27 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your lovely review!

We’re delighted to hear that your experience on the Shannon was so positive from start to finish, and that our Portumna team gave you such a warm welcome and reassurance before setting off. It’s wonderful to know this helped you feel confident and relaxed for your trip.

We’re also pleased to hear you found the boating easy and accessible, and that it became your favourite experience in Ireland—that’s fantastic feedback for the team.

Thank you for your recommendation, and we very much look forward to welcoming you back on the water again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A great 3 days on the Thames with Le Boat from Chertsey

We took our 90 year old mum for a 3 day Thames trip on Caprice 10. Daisy and Danny from Le Boat were brilliant getting us all sorted on the boat and making sure we knew what we were doing. Then we were off! The Thames is so pretty and it was great fun going through all the locks and looking at the amazing houses along the river. The lock keepers were generally very helpful and friendly and obviously loved growing flowers! We had brought all our own food so had lunch as we were going along and stopped in pretty places for supper and the night. Next time we would probably bring our sleeping bags as the sheets were a bit slidey though the duvets were nice. It was super warm our weekend so we didn't really need them! I would also bring my own towel as the ones provided are quite small but it wasn't a big deal. The showers are great and the loos work really well. Tea towels and washing up liquid were provided but bring your own washing up brush and dish cloth! The pillows were comfy. It's a bit like camping... the light wakes you up early so if you want to sleep in bring an eye mask! We loved getting up early, having breakfast and then heading off again. The Caprice was a great boat. Mum could get up the steep ladder up to the top deck and we all enjoyed sitting up there as we motored along gently taking on the views.

31 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and detailed review!

We’re delighted to hear you had such a great three-day Thames trip from Chertsey, and that Daisy and Danny helped get everything set up smoothly so you could relax and enjoy your time on the water. It’s especially lovely to hear that your 90-year-old mum was able to join you and enjoy the experience comfortably on board the Caprice.

We’re glad the boat suited your needs well and that you enjoyed the top deck cruising, facilities, and overall comfort onboard.

We hope to welcome you and your family back for another memorable journey soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Holiday on the River Shannon

everything was OK and as promised ! Easy Booking Process an very friendly Staff !

23 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your lovely review!

We’re delighted to hear you had a great holiday on the River Shannon and that everything went smoothly from start to finish. It’s wonderful to know you found the booking process easy and our team very friendly and welcoming—that’s exactly the experience we aim to deliver.

We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A Relaxing Holiday in the Burgundy Region

What a great getaway. Seven nights on the Saone and Seille Rivers in a two bedroom (king beds) boat. (Royal Mystique 42) We received the boat in very clean condition at the St. Jean de Losne base. We did a one way trip to Branges. The boat was easy to maneuver and docking was a breeze with its bow thrusters. Customer service was EXCELLENT! We cooked one night and twice enjoyed charcuterie and wine on the top deck. Very relaxing. Otherwise, nice towns to visit with good restaurants and shops. We highly recommend this boat for two couples. The Michelin restaurant in Tournus, Aux Terrasses, was incredible for lunch. Dock there early....space is limited.

15 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and detailed review!

We’re delighted to hear you had such a relaxing seven-night cruise through Burgundy on the Saône and Seille, and that the Royal Mystique 42 was a great fit for your two-couple getaway. It’s great to know the boat was in excellent condition at St. Jean de Losne and that you found it easy to handle and dock throughout your journey.

We’re especially pleased to hear your kind comments about our customer service, and that you were able to enjoy such memorable moments on board—from cooking together to relaxing on the top deck with charcuterie and wine.

It sounds like you also made the most of the beautiful stops along the way, including Tournus and that incredible Michelin lunch at Aux Terrasses—what a highlight!

Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on the waterways for another unforgettable escape.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

perfect service

perfect service
boat wqs far better as expected

25 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your kind review!

We’re delighted to hear that you experienced perfect service and that the boat exceeded your expectations—that’s exactly what we aim for.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Discover a little piece of heaven for yourself

The professional staff and operation of emerald star at their Portumna base is really second to none.
Nothing was too much trouble and every staff member went over and beyond in their duties to ensure that you were prepared and comfortable before setting out on a most enjoyable holiday.
Of all the various holidays we have taken, our week on the Shannon was certainly one for making life long memories.
I have never before finished a holiday feeling more relaxed and recharged.
Thank you Emerald Star and all the staff at Portumna Base.

29 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for such a beautiful and heartfelt review!

We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your time on the Shannon was so memorable and that your experience with the Emerald Star team at Portumna made such a strong impression. It’s wonderful to know the staff went above and beyond to ensure you felt prepared, comfortable, and well looked after before setting out.

We’re especially pleased that your week on the water left you feeling so relaxed and recharged—that’s exactly the kind of experience we hope every guest takes away from their holiday.

Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey in the future.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The river is the perfect place to spend quality time together

We recently enjoyed a brilliant family boating holiday with Le Boat Chertsey, spending three unforgettable nights cruising the River Thames aboard a Horizon 3. Travelling with our two daughters, aged 9 and 14, it was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and quality family time.

The pace of life on the river was wonderfully peaceful. Our girls loved sitting right at the bow watching the world drift by, and they were soon enthusiastically helping us through the locks too. The lock keepers were incredibly friendly and helpful, and after the first couple we felt surprisingly confident handling everything ourselves.

One of the highlights for us was starting the day with pancakes on the sundeck while listening to the ducks and watching early morning rowers glide past. In the evenings, we stopped at lovely riverside pubs for dinner and enjoyed exploring different spots along the Thames. We also spent time visiting Hampton Court Palace, exploring Kingston upon Thames and we took a day trip into the buzzing heart of London. It was the perfect contrast to our laid-back days on the river.

The service from Le Boat Chertsey was excellent throughout. The boat was spotless when we arrived, and the pre-departure briefing was thorough, professional and easy to follow, which made us feel at ease straight away.

This was such a special and different way to holiday as a family, and we came away with memories we’ll treasure for years. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

25 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for such a wonderful and detailed review!

We’re delighted to hear that your family enjoyed such a special three-night cruise on the Thames aboard the Horizon 3. It sounds like the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, and we’re especially pleased that your daughters embraced life on the water—from helping at the locks to enjoying those peaceful moments at the bow watching the river go by.

It’s great to know that the lock keepers and our Chertsey team helped you feel confident and well supported from the very start, and that the boat was spotless and well prepared for your arrival.

Your description of mornings on the sundeck, riverside pub stops, and days out at Hampton Court, Kingston, and London really captures the variety the Thames offers. We’re so glad it created lasting memories for your family.

Thank you again for your kind recommendation—we’d love to welcome you all back for another adventure in the future.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

One of my favourite holidays ever..

We booked a year ahead for a week cruise in Canada’s Rideau system. The staff was wonderful answering the phone and replying to questions along the way with courtesy and kindness, leading to confidence for we three women who were all new boaters. The overall experience was fantastic and the boat easy (ish) to handle. This was one of the best holidays I have ever taken. The area is gorgeous and the Le Boat, town, and lock people extremely friendly and helpful. We went in spring, and my only concern might be the boat getting very hot in height of summer when there is an air exchange on the boat but no real air conditioning. As well, the locks would be much busier in summer, so if you are a new boater, I would suggest the fringe seasons being a good choice.

22 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review!

We’re delighted to hear that your cruise on Canada’s Rideau system was one of your favourite holidays ever. It’s wonderful to know that our team was able to support you throughout the booking process and help build confidence ahead of your first boating experience—especially as new boaters.

We’re also pleased that you found the boat easy to handle and that you enjoyed the beauty of the region, along with the friendliness of both our team and the local lock communities. The Rideau is indeed a very special place to explore.

Thank you as well for your helpful and considered feedback regarding seasonal temperatures and busier lock periods. Insights like yours are incredibly valuable for future guests planning their first trip, particularly those considering timing and comfort onboard.

We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on the waterways for another unforgettable adventure.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very nice boat and service

Very nice boat and service. A perfect holiday!

29 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your kind review!

We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your boat and had a perfect holiday. It’s great to know everything met your expectations and contributed to a smooth and enjoyable experience on the water.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Canal du Midi and LeBoat review

We loved our 10 day, May journey on the Canal du Midi in Southern France. The canal, scenery and region are spectacular. The food, wine and history is amazing. I highly recommend this experience to others.

LeBoat has the potential to be a great company with proper investment. Their shortcomings center around maintenance of the boats. We, as well as other boaters, all reported maintenance issues which cut into our time on the water.

23 May 2026
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience – it’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed your journey along the Canal du Midi. It really is a very special region, and we’re so pleased the scenery, food, wine and history made your trip such a memorable one.

We also appreciate your comments regarding boat maintenance. We know how important it is for everything to run smoothly while you're on the water, and we recognise how disruptions can impact your time.

If you would be open to it, we’d really value a little more detail on the issues you encountered, as this helps us better understand individual experiences and where we can focus our efforts. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service team.

It’s great to hear that you’d recommend the experience overall, and we hope we’ll have the opportunity to welcome you back again for an even smoother trip next time.

Kind regards,
The Le Boat team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent customer service from…

Excellent customer service from enquiry, to booking, to pre-departure to the experience of the trip itself. A great introduction to boating and to enjoy the scenery of The Great Glen from the Caledonian Canal was amazing. Staff were exceptionally helpful.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your lovely review!

We’re delighted to hear that you experienced excellent customer service throughout your journey, from your initial enquiry right through to your time on the water. It’s wonderful to know your first boating experience was such a positive one and that you enjoyed exploring the stunning scenery of the Great Glen along the Caledonian Canal.

We’re especially pleased that our team were exceptionally helpful and helped make your introduction to boating smooth and enjoyable.

Thank you again for your kind feedback, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service and a great…

Excellent service and a great experience.

2 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your kind review!

We’re delighted to hear you had an excellent experience with us and that our service met your expectations. It’s always great to know our guests enjoyed their time on the water.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Did a two night trip away on a boat…

Did a two night trip away on a boat with friends and had an amazing time, this was perfect for it! The boat and the facilities on it were high level and we had a very comfortable stay, warm showers, fully working kitchen, climate control and comfortable built in sitting areas inside and out. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone, especially with Le Boat as their service was perfect as well.

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for your lovely review!

We’re delighted to hear you had such an amazing two-night trip with friends and that the boat and facilities exceeded your expectations. It’s great to know you found everything comfortable and well equipped, from the showers and kitchen to the climate control and onboard living spaces.

We’re also very pleased that our team provided perfect service and helped make your experience so enjoyable from start to finish.

Thank you for recommending Le Boat, and we hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic unique experience!

This is my 2nd time hiring a boat with Le Boat and again what an incredible, unique and unforgettable experience that I want to continue to do as much as possible with all my family.

From the very second you arrive you’re greeted with the friendliest and professional staff who can’t do enough. Any questions we had during our time on the boat the staff were just a phone call away and happy to help with any enquiry or questions that we had.

The boat was spotlessly clean, very stylish and modern and I still can’t believe you can do this without a license!

Thank you so much Le Boat, I plan to bring my entire family and make this a family tradition!

18 May 2026
Unprompted review
Le Boat logo

Reply from Le Boat

Thank you for such a wonderful review!

We’re delighted to hear that your second experience with Le Boat was just as memorable and that it’s become something you want to continue sharing with your family. It’s fantastic to know you found the whole journey—from arrival to time on the water—so welcoming and well supported by our team.

We’re especially pleased that you felt confident knowing our staff were always on hand to help, and that the boat met your expectations in terms of cleanliness, style, and comfort. It’s always great to hear how surprising and enjoyable the experience is for first-time and returning guests alike.

Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back for many more adventures on the water.

Happy Boating,

Catherine from le boat

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