Cruises are setting sail from Southend Pier this summer touring passengers around WW2 Maunsell forts, taking them to a quaint fishing village in Kent or exploring an infamous shipwreck.

At the end of Southend Pier, Jetstream Tours is offering river cruises which take its customers on a sightseeing adventure.

The day trips by river cruiser vary in price but all trips to and from Southend include pier entry with the boat ticket.

The following trips are available to choose from...

Read more >>> Take a look inside the £5.9m countryside home in Essex for sale on Rightmove

Maunsell Forts Tour

This cruise takes you to see the eerie World War 2 Maunsell forts, called the red sand towers.

It takes about an hour to reach the towers and the cruiser will pass by the Mulberry Harbour and Shoebury boom before crossing the shipping channel towards the Isle of Sheppey.

Keen photographers have the chance to take plenty of snaps as the vessel is small enough to pass between and under the structures.

Onboard facilities include a bar, selling alcoholic and soft drinks and light snacks. 

This cruise lasts for three hours and costs £25 for adults, £22 for OAPs and £20 for children £20. 

Families can go for £65 and under 3s are given entry free of charge.

Lunch in a Kent fishing village

Take a trip across to Queenborough to explore the quaint fishing village in Kent with this cruise.

On the 5-hour trip, passengers will be given time ashore to have a spot of lunch and take a wander.

Prices are as follows: £22 for adults, £18 for OAPs, £15 for children, £55 for family and under 3s go free of charge.

Read more >>> New bar serving cocktails and beer set to open on Southend Pier - here's when

Around an infamous shipwreck 

With this trip, passengers can explore the history of the SS Richard Montgomery infamous shipwreck and take in the sights in comfort.

This 60-minute cruise from Southend Pier towards the entrance of the River Medway will also take in sights of the Shoebury Pheonix unit (Mulberry Harbour), Garrison Fort at Sheerness and the Isle of Grain Tower.

Commentary is also available throughout.

However, from June the SS Richard Montgomery has been having work carried out to remove its masts. 

Therefore, the cruise may be required to deviate away from the wreck site and following completion of the work, it cannot guarantee anything other than the exclusion zone will be visible on the surface at any state of tide.

Prices: Adult £15, OAP £12, Child £10, Family £45, Under 3 Free of charge.

All cruises can be booked online at bit.ly/3z03Gse.