Adventurous travellers looking for an alternative to flying, taking the train or travelling on a conventional ferry this summer will once again be able to cross the Channel by catamaran.
In 2025, SailLink launched its first public crossings on its 17-metre catamaran, Echoes, between the UK and France, with journeys powered by wind for around 70 percent of the voyage. For 2026, the company is making its comeback, bigger and better.
SailLink will double the number of crossings between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer, operating six to eight trips per week. The catamaran can carry up to 12 passengers, particularly cyclists, hikers, and other foot passengers, and their bikes and carry-on luggage. The journey takes between three and five hours each way, depending on wind conditions. Complimentary pastries and coffee are served on board, alongside… sea-sickness tablets.
Around 450 passengers travelled between the two countries with SailLink last summer.
Andrew Simons, SailLink’s founder, said that they had “proven that passengers are eager to put adventure back into their journey.”
Reviews from last season show a perfect five-star rating. Anna H described it as “an exhilarating and refreshing way to travel, in tune with the rhythm of the waves and with the chance to spot wildlife – it’s just unforgettable.” Sarah H praised the crew’s attention to her young son: “A game changer for cross-Channel travel. Great care was taken to look after my seven-year-old son, even letting him steer, which made him feel as though he was on a huge adventure while still enjoying the comforts of home.”
The aim this season, Simon further explained, is to open up the experience to a wider audience, with the longer-term vision of demonstrating that low-carbon transport is a viable option today and paving the way for purpose-built vessels in the near future. The vessel and its operations have both been upgraded for 2026, with technical improvements and refined navigation systems.
@saillink.sailferry No distractions. Just adventure 🌊⛵ #saillink #channelcrossings #SlowTravel #AdventureAwaits #SailingLife #EcoTravel ♬ son original – SailLink
SailLink will also serve as an official ambassador for the planned Cross-Channel Geopark, which is currently applying for UNESCO status. The Geopark aims to link the chalk coasts of Kent and the Côte d’Opale. The Geopark marks the site of a prehistoric megaflood that carved out the English Channel around 450,000 years ago. The White Cliffs of Dover and Cap Blanc-Nez are the two remaining sections of what was once a continuous mountain range.
Passengers are invited to participate in the sailing on board, though those who prefer to relax on deck or stretch out on the forward trampoline with a pastry are equally welcome.
Advantages of crossing by catamaran rather than by other means include the absence of queues, an intimate atmosphere on board, a swift border process thanks to the small number of passengers arriving at any one time, and a cooperative police force on both sides of the “pond” who will meet you as you disembark on the pontoon. “Stress-free travel at its best,” is how SailLink describes it on its website.
Cyclists and hikers making their way to the annual Marathon de la Mer in May or the Trail Côte d’Opale (TCO) in September may find the catamaran an ideal way to travel.
The season runs from April to October, with one-way fares ranging from around €35 for children to €98 for adults. Discounted rates are available for teenagers and young adults (under 26s).
