Waverley sails from Southend Pier on nine more days to 11 October, with an 80th anniversary forts cruise on 2 October. Every time, return and pier train fare.
Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, is sailing from Southend Pier until 11 October. Nine sailing days are left, starting with today’s Radio Caroline cruise at noon. The busiest date is Friday 2 October, the 80th anniversary of the ship’s launch.
Waverley was launched in 1946 as the last steamer built for the London & North Eastern Railway. Her 2026 passenger season runs to Sunday 18 October, which the operator says is her longest in well over a decade (Waverley Excursions).
Every Southend departure left this season
These are the calls at Southend in Waverley’s London and Thames Estuary timetable. “Back” is when she returns to Southend Pier, unless the timetable shows a coach.
| Date | Leaves Southend | Cruise | Back in Southend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 28 Sep | 12:00pm | Radio Caroline '60s cruise: River Blackwater and round the radio ship MV Ross Revenge, via Clacton | 6:45pm, by coach |
| Tue 29 Sep | 4:15pm | Up the Thames under a floodlit Tower Bridge to London Tower Pier (8pm) | Fully booked |
| Wed 30 Sep | 1:15pm | Across to Whitstable (arrives 2:45pm) | 5:30pm |
| Wed 30 Sep | 5:45pm | Evening cruise under a floodlit Tower Bridge to London Tower Pier (9:30pm) | No Southend return shown |
| Fri 2 Oct | 1:25pm | 80th anniversary cruise to the Thames forts: Red Sands, Shivering Sands and Knock John | 5pm |
| Fri 2 Oct | 5:15pm | Evening cruise under a floodlit Tower Bridge to London Tower Pier (9pm) | 10:30pm, by coach |
| Sun 4 Oct | 11am | Up the Thames and under Tower Bridge twice | 6:30pm |
| Tue 6 Oct | 10:30am | To Clacton, then the River Orwell, under the Orwell Bridge and past the Port of Felixstowe | 7:15pm, by coach |
| Thu 8 Oct | 11am | Up the Thames and under Tower Bridge twice | 6:10pm |
| Sat 10 Oct | 1:30pm | Thames forts: Red Sands and Shivering Sands | 4:15pm |
| Sat 10 Oct | 4:40pm | Evening cruise under a floodlit Tower Bridge to London Tower Pier (8:25pm) | 10pm, by coach |
| Sun 11 Oct | 4:15pm | Thames season finale: under a floodlit Tower Bridge to London Tower Pier (8pm) | 9:30pm, by coach |
There are no public sailings on 1 or 5 October. The 6 October trip is marked as a Paddle Steamer Preservation Society members’ nominated sailing.
On 30 September the timetable shows a return coach from London to Whitstable only, not to Southend. Check how you get home before booking that evening trip.
The 80th anniversary on 2 October
Friday’s afternoon cruise heads out to the Maunsell forts in the estuary and back to Southend. The evening sailing then carries on up the river to London, with a coach back to Southend. The Bel Canto Vintage Sisters and a smooth jazz cabaret are billed as the entertainment.
Other sailings from Southend with live acts on board:
- today, 28 September: the ’60s duo Eclipse and invited Radio Caroline DJs
- 30 September: ABBA-Tastic, on board from Gravesend on the outward run
- 4 October: Eclipse again
- 8 October: Tom Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-Long
- 10 October: Adam Knight’s ’60s Roadshow and pirate radio DJs
Fuel is costing more this year
Waverley has added a fuel surcharge to adult and senior fares this season. It is £3 on fares of £52 or under and £5 on fares of £53 or more. Child fares carry no surcharge.
The operator says keeping her in steam now costs £14 to £15 a minute. It expects fuel to cost over £350,000 more across the 2026 season than in 2025. The figures were last reviewed on 19 September.
Senior passengers can bring a friend free from Southend on 28 September and 6 October, on the one-way trip to Clacton only. Both must be 60 or over, and the offer must be booked in advance (Waverley fares). Unless a trip says one-way, every Waverley ticket is sold as a return.
Getting to the ship
Waverley boards at the pier head, 2km out. Her operator suggests arriving at the shore end about an hour before she sails, because the pier train gets busy (departure points).
- Pier trains leave the shore end on the hour and half hour, and the sea end at quarter past and quarter to.
- Waverley passengers pay a reduced train fare: £6.16 adult return, £3.28 child or senior return, £4.10 adult single and £2.05 child or senior single.
- Train tickets can be booked in advance on the council’s pier train form.
- Access depends on the tide. When the low water landing stage is in use, there are stairs to the gangway.
The pier itself is open 10:15am to 6pm at the moment. Our guide to Southend Pier opening times has the prices and the winter hours.
What it means for you
If you want a seat, book now. Tuesday’s floodlit Tower Bridge run is already full, and the operator recommends booking every cruise in advance. Tickets can also be bought on board if there is space. The booking office is on 0141 243 2224.
On Sunday 4 October, allow extra time. The Southend 10K closes the eastern seafront until 1.30pm, and c2c runs no trains between Basildon and Leigh-on-Sea that day. Details are on our roadworks and travel page.
Waverley posts a daily “Sailing Updates” notice on its home page. Check it on the morning you sail.
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