A thrilling ride on Rocket Rebel from Thames Rockets
What’s the best way to see London? Some might say that the best city views are from viewing platforms such as the London Eye or at the free-to-enter Sky Garden. I would argue, however, that the best way to see the city is from the water.
There are various boat cruises that sail up and down the Thames river, ferrying passengers along the city’s central waterway past London’s famous landmarks but none of them are quite like Thames Rockets.
The multi-award winning company is the Thames boat tour of choice for those seeking something a little more exciting than a traditional ferry cruise up and down the river.
The high speed boat ride is a great way to see London’s most iconic landmarks not to mention the best way to act out any James Bond fantasies (both Spectre and The World is Not Enough featured high speed chases along the famous river).
And now Thames Rockets has upgraded their fleet. In addition to their red speedboat RIBS (rigid inflatable boat), the company are now proud owners of the new Rocket Rebel boat, a revolutionary lightweight aluminium craft in bright red that can seat 26 and is London’s fastest ever sightseeing speedboat.
We went along to experience this ultimate London adventure and had a thrillingly wild ride. Here’s what you can expect from the Rocket Rebel.
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Thames Rockets
If you’ve spent any time at all in London, chances are that you’ve spotted bright red inflatable speedboats cruising up and down the waterway.
Launched in 2006 by Guernsey boat entrepreneur Charlie Matheson, Thames Rockets are the go-to river cruise of choice for visitors looking for a something a little more exciting than the traditional sightseeing cruises offered by companies such as City Cruises. These boats can reach up to 35 miles per hour (55km) and are a thrilling way to see the city.
Rocket Rebel
Rocket Rebel is the company’s brand new high-speed powerboat, a project that has taken five years and more than £1.5 million to come to life. Featuring two 725hp engines, the boat is the UK’s first jet-propelled sightseeing speedboat and seats 26 people.
“We wanted to build something that was still exciting, that could still stay close to the water like the RIBS,” says Charlie when I meet him on London Eye Pier Boarding Gate One. “We wanted to keep the connectivity with the water, to keep it low and really powerful.”
In terms of how the Rocket Rebel differs from the traditional RIBS, Charlie likens the new addition to a supercar.
“It’s a different ride,” says Charlie of the Rocket Rebel. “It is smoother, it glides over the water. The RIBS are more like a go-kart and the Rebel is more of a supercar.”
Rocket Rebel Review – All you need to know
The Thames Rockets meeting point could not be more convenient. Located at Boarding Gate One, just below the London Eye, this is where Charlie first started the business back in 2006 and where passengers still board the Thames Rockets boats today.
We are given life jackets and, after a safety briefing from Rocky, we climb on board the cherry red Rocket Rebel.
The first stretch of the tour is limited to 12 knots (14 mph). When the company first began offering tours in 2006 there were no speed restrictions along the Thames and the boats could hit 40 knots (46 mph) through heart of the city.
Today, however, we have to wait until we reach the ‘no speed limit zone’ near Canary Wharf before skipper Charlene Peck can let loose.
But before that, there’s plenty to keep us entertained.
Charlie has built a loyal crew of guides – many of them professional actors and performers – who do a great job of delivering fascinating facts, fun anecdotes and the occasional piece of hearsay – whether or not Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas really does own a luxury penthouse along the River Thames complete with a swimming pool and snow room is still to be confirmed!
Our tour guide, Ed, is excellent, keeping everyone entertained as we sailed past some of London’s most famous landmarks including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Shard, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern.
We sail under various bridges including London Bridge, Hungerford Bridge (reportedly once called the ugliest bridge in London) and Waterloo Bridge, nicknamed the Ladies Bridge as it was built by women (on time and under budget!).
It’s the ideal way to experience London’s ever-changing skyline and learn more about my home city – I never knew, for example, that the 32 pods on the London Eye represented the 32 London boroughs.
And then, just as we’re getting comfortable, everything changes. We sail under Tower Bridge, out towards the towering skyline of Canary Wharf, past the police boat mooring at St. John’s Wharf and into the high speed zone where Charlene lets rip pushing the Rocket Rebel to reach its top speed.
At the same time, the theme tune to Baywatch comes across the boat speakers and we speed, bump and make sweeping turns along the river listening to a medley of high energy classic rock songs and, of course, the James Bond theme tune.
It’s thrilling, entertaining and really great fun – so much so that when we start making our way back towards the city centre the kids lament that we couldn’t do “one more spin”.
For a unique experience in London, the Rocket Rebel is hard to beat.
How to book Thames Rockets
The hour-long Rocket Rebel tours depart from The London Eye Pier Boarding Gate one and run Monday to Sunday from March to October and Thursday to Sunday from November to February, subject to availability.
There are no age restrictions except for the Thames Rockets Break the Barrier tour (the recommended age is 10 years and over) and on board the Thames Lates, which has a minimum age of 18 due to the serving of alcohol on-board.
Trips take place whatever the weather and coats and ponchos are available on request.
Rocket Rebel ticket prices
Rocket Rebel tickets cost from £54.95 per adult and £49.95 per child (aged 14 and under). All prices will rise to £69.95 after 1st May.
Tickets can be purchased from the Thames Rocket website or the London Eye ticket office.
