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 – 17th July 2026

Fuel prices continue to be much greater this season compared to 2025, although there has been a decrease in recent weeks. Given that the overall increase in the cost of fuel is expected to be over £300,000 across Waverley’s 2026 sailing season a small Fuel Surcharge is added to all Adult and Senior fares. No Fuel Surcharge is added to Child or Dog 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 £11 and £12 PER MINUTE in fuel to sail Waverley (she is in steam for about 10-12 hours per day);
  • Fuel increase of around £2,200 PER DAY compared to 2025;
  • Fuel increase of over £300,000 across the 2026 season;
  • An average ticket fare will afford us to purchase around 4 minutes worth of fuel.

The Fuel Surcharge will be kept under review as the season progresses and will be amended if the cost of fuel changes significantly as we do not wish to deter passengers from sailing on Waverley. It is hoped that our customers and loyal supporters will appreciate the difficult situation in affording the fuel to operate Waverley this season.

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.

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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

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 Sailing amended

Unfortunately there are strong winds now forecast for Friday morning with gusts expected to exceed 30 knots in the area between Weymouth and the Solent. Given this strength of wind we have had to take the decision to cancel Waverley’s sailing from Weymouth and Swanage.

Waverley will still operate from Yarmouth at 1230 to cruise round the Island given the strength of wind decreases throughout the afternoon.

Tickets from Yarmouth to cruise round the Isle of Wight can be booked in advance online or by calling the Booking Office on 0141 243 2224.

EVENING CRUISE FROM YARMOUTH

Waverley also sails from Yarmouth at 1710 for an evening cruise viewing the Needles Lighthouse and Hurst Castle before returning to Yarmouth at 2020.

Tickets for this cruise are available and can be booked in advance online or by calling the Booking Office on 0141 243 2224.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5 Sailing operating as timetabled

SOLD OUT

Waverley will sail from Southampton (shuttle bus departs Southampton Central Railway Station at 0845), Portsmouth (tender departs Portsmouth Hard Interchange at 1045) and Ryde (tender departs Ryde Pier Head at 1200) 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 8.45am.

Passengers joining in Portsmouth must take the tender provided by Gosport Ferry departing at 10.45am. 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. Please note that passengers in wheelchairs are not able to transfer via tender.

Passengers joining in Ryde must take the tender provided by Solent Cruises vessel Solent Cat departing from Ryde Pier Head at 12 noon. Please note that passengers in wheelchairs are not able to transfer via tender.

This sailing is now fully booked.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6 Sailing operating as timetabled

Waverley will sail from Southampton (shuttle bus departs Southampton Central Railway Station at 0925), Yarmouth (1135) and Swanage (1335) for an afternoon cruise along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast viewing Durdle Door.

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 9.25am.

Tickets for this sailing can be booked in advance online or by calling the Booking Office on 0141 243 2224.

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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