How to sell wildlife boat trips using a local licensed skipper

Tourists, groups, holiday accommodation guests and schools booking wildlife trips in the season.

You sell tickets at a price that covers the boat operator's charter or per-seat fee and leaves your margin, with extra income from private group bookings and guiding.

• Marketing and online selling
• Organising bookings and schedules
• Wildlife knowledge and guiding
• Building good relationships with local operators

• Make sure the boat and skipper hold the right commercial certification, and ask to see it
• If you sell trips combined with other services such as accommodation, check whether package travel rules apply
• Public liability and professional indemnity cover for your own part of the service
• Wildlife watching codes of conduct, check what applies in your area before guiding
• Weather cancellations and refund policies
• Reliance on one operator, so have a back-up plan

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your website, marketing, insurance and how you set up bookings. You do not need to buy a boat under this model.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on the season, how many trips you sell and the deal you agree with the boat operator. Weather cancellations and refunds can affect it.

Make sure the boat and skipper hold the right commercial certification, and ask to see it. If you combine trips with accommodation, check whether package travel rules apply, and check wildlife watching codes and your own insurance cover.