Holidaymakers looking to travel to France will be able to cross the Channel by catamaran this year.
SailLink, a sailing ferry operator, has announced it is launching another year of cross-Channel journeys after a successful inaugural year in 2025.
This year, the company will be doubling its crossing frequency between Dover in the UK and Boulogne-sur-Mer in France, in its 57ft catamaran.
It said it will be increasing its rotation to daily schedules, allowing for cyclists, hikers and foot passengers to take extreme day trips if they are not staying for longer journeys.
Bikes are allowed on board and luggage includes carry-on bags and pannier bike bags. Once the sailing starts, passengers are offered coffee and French pastries.
The company said it carried over 450 travellers across the channel last year, with 70 per cent of those journeys only using wind power via its sails to glide across the sea.
The catamaran can carry up to 12 passengers at a time, with each journey taking from three to five hours depending on the wind.
“We have proven that passengers are eager to put adventure back into their journey,” says Andrew Simons, founder of SailLink.
“This season is about taking that success to the next level. We are standardising our procedures to open this unique experience to a wider audience.
“Our vision is simple: if we can make low-carbon transport viable today with our current set-up, we pave the way for purpose-built vessels in the near future.
“We are demonstrating how to harness the Strait’s exceptional wind resources for naturally obvious connections.”
Aside from being more environmentally friendly than air travel, SailLink says another benefit of catamaran crossings is the lack of airport queues.
It said it is collaborating with the UK Border Force and the French Police aux Frontières to put procedures in place for stress-free border checks.
With only 12 arrivals at a time at smaller ports, SailLink says that border control is swift due to the lack of congestion.
Tickets are now on sale for the sailing season, lasting from April to October.
A one-way adult (26+) journey between Dover and Boulogne in either direction costs £85. Young adult tickets (17-25) are priced at £68, while teen tickets (11-16) cost £45 and children £30.
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