About Us

Menai Strait cruises is a family run business, first established in the 1940s. Emrys Jones is the 6th generation of ship pilots in our family.

If you’re looking for family things to do in the Caernarfon area, a trip on the Queen of the Sea is an absolute must. Enjoy spectacular views of Caernarfon Castle, Snowdonia mountain range Llanddwyn Island and the Isle of Anglesey on our 45 minute trips, and the Britannia and Menai Suspension Bridges on our two hour special cruise.

Emrys and the Queen of the Sea featured in the popular series ‘The Island Strait’ on ITV. Here’s a short clip from the first episode:

Our 45 minute and 2 hour cruises on the Queen of the Sea sail from the harbour in Caernarfon.

Our season usually runs from May to the end of October. Daily sailing times generally start at around 11.00am and run hourly throughout the day, but these vary depending on the weather and tides – check our daily sailing times page for up to date information.

In the height of the season we often run evening trips too.

The Queen of the Sea is suitable for pushchair and wheelchair access. However, we can only get wheelchairs on at high water – because at low water passengers board from the stern of the boat and there are steps down to the deck.

Well behaved dogs are welcome to join you on your cruise on the Queen of the Sea 😉

Contact us on 07979 593483 for more information.

The Queen of the Sea’s history

The Queen of the Sea was originally called Wayfarer II. She was built in 1937 for Stein Ferries to be used between Long Island and Fire Island, New York. In 1938 a hurricane demolished about 400 houses on Fire Island, ending the need for the ferry. In 1941, the Wayfarer II was purchased by the British Government and loaded onto a freighter to cross the Atlantic. She was then used for various duties in the UK and by 1942 had been transferred to Holyhead where she was renamed ‘HMS Macaw’.  In May 1945 the Admiralty released the vessel and she was bought by our family and converted to a pleasure cruiser and worked out of Caernarfon Harbour until 1951 when she was sold again.

Since 1951 she has been based at Rhyl, the North coast of Scotland, Falmouth and Plymouth. In 1984 she was purchased by our family for a second time and brought back to Caernarfon where she continues to operate as a pleasure cruiser!

The Queen of the Sea is licensed to carry 92 passengers.