Welcome to Waverley

2026 Sailings Aboard Paddle Steamer Waverley

Waverley operates in passenger service until Sunday 18th October for what will be her longest operational season in well over a decade. Bookings are open for all sailing areas, tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Booking office. Later this season on 2nd October we will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Waverley’s launch back in 1946 as the last steamer built for the London & North Eastern Railway.

2026 Timetables:

Outline dates for each sailing area are available on the Timetables Page.

2026 FUEL SURCHARGE

Last Reviewed – 13th September

Fuel prices have risen in recent weeks putting further pressure on the level of spend which can be planned for Waverley’s 2026-27 winter refit. At current prices it is now costing almost £15 per minute to have Waverley in steam. The increase in fuel cost across the 2026 season in comparison to 2025 may now reach over £350,000. A Fuel Surcharge is therefore being applied to Adult and Senior fares, no Fuel Charge is added to Child fares.

The current Fuel Surcharge is £2 for fares of £57 or under, and £4 for fares set at £58 or over.

Key Fuel Price Figures:

  • At current prices (which change daily) it is costing between £14 and £15 PER MINUTE in fuel to sail Waverley (she is in steam for about 10-12 hours per day);
  • Fuel increase of over £3,500 PER DAY compared to 2025;
  • Fuel increase of around £350,000 across the 2026 season;
  • An average ticket fare will afford us to purchase less than 4 minutes worth of fuel.

The Fuel Surcharge is modest in comparison to the increase in costs we are facing and by keeping this at a maximum of £4 we hope it will not deter passengers from sailing on Waverley.

WAVERLEY’S ONLINE SHOP

The shop that never closes – pick up an exclusive Waverley souvenir or purchase a gift. Visit our Online Shop for all things Waverley.

Book Now

Come for a paddle and book your 2026 cruise aboard Waverley today!

Book online by clicking the BOOK NOW link below or by calling the Booking Office on 0141 243 2224.

The Booking Office is open Monday to Friday 0930-1630 and Saturdays 0930-1300.

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Sailing Updates

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17 Sailing operating as timetabled

Waverley will sail from Portsmouth (tenders departs Portsmouth Hard Interchange & Gosport Ferry Terminal at 0900), Yarmouth (1135) and Swanage (1330) for a cruise viewing Anvil Point, Old Harry’s Rocks and Bournemouth.

Passengers joining in Portsmouth or Gosport must take the tender provided by Gosport Ferry departing at 9am. The Portsmouth tender will depart from The Hard, Portsmouth Harbour, PO1 3EB. Follow signs for Gosport Ferry adjacent to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station. The Gosport tender will depart from the ferry terminal, South Street, Gosport, PO12 1EP. Please note that passengers in wheelchairs are not able to transfer via tender.

Tickets for this sailing are available and can be booked in advance online or by calling 0141 243 2224 during office hours (Mon – Fri 0930 – 1630).

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18 Sailing operating as timetabled

Waverley will sail from Southampton (shuttle bus departs Southampton Central Railway Station at 0900), Portsmouth (tender departs Portsmouth Hard Interchange at 1100) and Yarmouth (1340) for an afternoon cruise viewing the Needles and Freshwater Bay.

Passengers joining in Southampton must take the shuttle bus provided by Xelabus from Southampton Central Railway Station into the docks. The shuttle bus will operate from outside Blechynden Terrace (this is on the Platform 1 side of the station), SO15 1AL departing at 9am.

Passengers joining in Portsmouth must take the tender provided by Gosport Ferry departing at 11am. The Portsmouth tender will depart from The Hard, Portsmouth Harbour, PO1 3EB. Follow signs for Gosport Ferry adjacent to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station.

Tickets for this sailing are available and can be booked in advance online or by calling 0141 243 2224 during office hours (Mon – Fri 0930 – 1630).

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19 Sailing operating as timetabled

Waverley will sail from Southampton (shuttle bus departs Southampton Central Railway Station at 0900), Yarmouth (1110) and Portsmouth (tender departs Portsmouth Hard Interchange at 1255) for a cruise round the Isle of Wight.

Passengers joining in Southampton must take the shuttle bus provided by Xelabus from Southampton Central Railway Station into the docks. The shuttle bus will operate from outside Blechynden Terrace (this is on the Platform 1 side of the station), SO15 1AL departing at 9am.

Passengers joining in Portsmouth must take the tender provided by Gosport Ferry departing at 12.55pm. The Portsmouth tender will depart from The Hard, Portsmouth Harbour, PO1 3EB. Follow signs for Gosport Ferry adjacent to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station.

Tickets for this sailing are available and can be booked in advance online or by calling 0141 243 2224 during office hours (Mon – Fri 0930 – 1630).

Plan Your Cruise

Timetables, Fares & Brochures, Departure Point Information, Catering and more.

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Book Tickets

Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0141 243 2224.

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Introducing Waverley

Learn more about Waverley, her history, steam engine, videos and gallery.

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Supporting Waverley

Become a Friend of Waverley, Join the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Donate, Volunteer.

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Shop

Exclusive Waverley Merchandise, Books, Clothing, DVDs, Gift Vouchers and much more.

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Groups & Exclusive Use

Accommodating groups of 10 to 700, Paddle Steamer Waverley makes an ideal venue for your event.

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Latest News

PADDLE STEAMER WAVERLEY SEEKS NEW OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Paddle Steamer Waverley is seeking an experienced marine professional to join the organisation as its new Operations Director, offering a unique opportunity to lead the safe operation, maintenance and long-term preservation of the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer. Based in Glasgow and working both ashore and onboard the historic vessel, the successful candidate will take

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100 YEARS ON: WAVERLEY REVIVES OBAN’S GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM

Today marks a significant maritime milestone, exactly 100 years since the launch of the pioneering turbine steamer TS King George V. Launched on 29th April 1926, the much-loved “KGV” became a familiar and cherished sight on Scotland’s west coast, initially serving Inveraray before becoming a mainstay of Oban-based cruising from 1935. From there, she sailed

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Fuel Cost 2026 – Surcharge Introduced

Waverley burns Marine Gas Oil (MGO) which heats the water in her twin boilers to generate steam, the steam is then used to drive her engine and turn the paddles. MGO is also used to create electrical power across the ship. Over the past few weeks we have been closely monitoring the price of MGO

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