MARTHAM BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Glide the Norfolk Broads Aboard Comet: a quiet, family‑friendly electric day boat from Martham
A short‑hire, easy‑to‑handle boat for groups (up to 10) with onboard toilet, electric kettle, sliding roof and heating — this guide explains what to expect and how to plan your day.
Glide the Norfolk Broads Aboard Comet: a quiet, family‑friendly electric day boat from Martham.
Adventure brief
Glide the Norfolk Broads Aboard Comet: a quiet, family‑friendly electric day boat from Martham
Experience the serene beauty of the Norfolk Broads aboard Comet, a comfortable, easy‑to‑handle electric boat that seats up to ten people and comes equipped with a toilet, electric kettle and running water, a sliding roof and heating; pets are welcome and free parking is available on site.
Glide through the calm, green-hued waterways of the Norfolk Broads aboard the Electric Comet, a thoughtfully designed boat that offers a comfortable and accessible way to explore one of England’s most treasured wetland landscapes. This boat tour departs from Martham, a charming village poised on the Broads’ eastern edge, where ancient rivers weave through marshes and reed beds teeming with wildlife. The Norfolk Broads National Park, established in 1989, is an extensive network of navigable rivers and lakes formed by flooded medieval peat excavations, creating a serene backdrop rich in biodiversity and history.
The Electric Comet stands out for its blend of ease and comfort. With room for up to 10 passengers including children and babies, this vessel invites families and groups looking for a leisurely water adventure. A sliding roof allows you to soak in fresh air or shelter from sun or rain, while onboard amenities such as a toilet and electric kettle ensure a relaxed journey without sacrificing convenience. Dogs are welcome, making it easy to include your four-legged friends in this escape.
What makes this boat trip unique is its gentle electric motor, which operates quietly, preserving the tranquil atmosphere and reducing disturbance to the local wildlife. As you meander past alder-fringed banks, expansive reedbeds, and open water, keep an eye out for nesting ospreys, kingfishers darting along the banks, and elusive otters. The landscape’s flat fenlands, dotted with traditional Norfolk wherry-style boats, transport you to a time when these waterways were vital arteries for trade and fishing.
Electric Comet’s Martham base offers free parking and easy river access, ideal for visitors arriving by car. Whether it’s a summer afternoon’s drift or a cool spring morning paddle, this boat delivers a calm, immersive experience of England’s wetland wilderness. The Electric Comet is more than just a ride; it’s a chance to engage deeply with nature, history, and the special quiet that the Broads inspire.
Route Schematic
Route & key moments
A typical hire moves from a safety briefing to a leisurely cruise of the Broads before returning to base; exact stops and timings vary with the length of hire and season.
Safety briefing & boarding
Arrive early for the pre‑departure safety briefing and to receive handling instructions for Comet before you cast off.
Cruise the Norfolk Broads
Spend the bulk of your hire quietly moving through the Broads, observing the landscape and wildlife from the comfort of the electric Comet.
Return and disembark
Conclude your hire by returning to the landing, securing the boat and disembarking—logistics are kept simple to make turnaround efficient.
Arrive 30 minutes before your booked start for the mandatory safety briefing; availability varies by season and some hire durations (including 2‑hour slots) may require phone booking.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Compact comforts for a full day on the water
Comet is fitted with a toilet, an electric kettle with running water, a sliding roof and heating—small comforts that extend the season and let you linger on the Broads.
Quiet electric cruising through the Broads
The boat’s electric setup and simple handling make for a relaxed, low‑noise passage across the Norfolk Broads, letting you focus on the water and wildlife rather than engines.
Family‑ and dog‑friendly with easy logistics
Comet accepts dogs, carries up to ten people including children and babies, and comes with free parking on site—practical details that make it an easy choice for groups and multigenerational outings.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You’ll spend a calm day gliding across reed‑lined waterways aboard a straightforward, instruction‑ready vessel: steady, low‑noise propulsion, basic comforts on board and the option to open the sliding roof when the light and weather allow.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this hire suits — and who it doesn’t.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Off‑peak hires range from two hours up to a week; peak season hires are half‑day or whole‑day. To book a two‑hour hire or if you don’t see availability online, call 01493 748291.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure for the safety briefing. Crockery and cutlery are provided; if you plan to use the onboard kettle, bring your own milk, tea and coffee.
The boat includes a toilet, electric kettle with running water, a sliding roof and heating; Comet is described as easy to handle and comes with full instructions.
Pets are welcome and there is free parking on site.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Can I bring my dog?
Yes—dogs are welcome on board.
How many people can Comet carry?
Comet carries up to ten people, including children and babies.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
Yes, there is a toilet on board.
What facilities are available on Comet?
Comet is equipped with an electric kettle and running water, a sliding roof and heating.
Do I need to bring crockery or tea?
Crockery and cutlery are provided; if you want to make hot drinks with the onboard kettle, bring your own milk, tea and coffee.
What hire durations are offered and how do I book a short hire?
Off‑peak you can hire from two hours up to one week; in peak season hire options are half‑day or whole‑day. To book a two‑hour hire or for availability not shown online, phone 01493 748291.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-18T01:31:45.837Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.