Boating through tunnels

If it’s a one-way tunnel, make sure there’s no boat inside. If you have to wait your turn, stay well clear of the entrance.

Book your passage

Some tunnels need to be pre-booked – if you have a boat licence account, go to the licensing portal and select booking your passage

How to boat through tunnels

Switch on your headlight and some interior lights. Some stern lighting will help a following boat to see you, but if it's a single bright spot or rear navigation light, it might be confused with a headlight by the helmsman of a following boat.

Tunnel light correct position

Tunnel light dazzle

It can be damp in there, so put on your waterproofs and have a waterproof torch to hand.

As you go in, sound one long blast on your horn. Now steer by looking at one side of the tunnel only and keep to a moderate speed. Move the tiller or wheel as little as possible – it's a common illusion to feel the boat's being pulled to the side. Watch out for the changing profile, though – tunnels are rarely straight.

Keep at least two minutes (at normal cruising speed) or about 500ft (160m) away from any boat in front of you. If it's two-way traffic, watch out for oncoming boats and pass slowly on the right.

Tunnel safety tips

keep your crew and passengers inside the profile of the boat in tunnels and aqueducts
make sure you have enough fuel to get you through
if you break down in a tunnel, switch off the engine
don't smoke or use cookers and heaters. Turn off the gas except pilot lights
help the captain by stopping inside lights from shining on the back of the boat
wear a lifejacket, especially if you are boating single handed

Standedge Tunnel, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The history of tunnels

The construction of tunnels was one of the most difficult tasks faced by early canal engineers

Canoes and other small unpowered boats

Some of our tunnels allow canoes and other unpowered craft to paddle through them. But please stay safe and follow our guidance on how to paddling through tunnels:

make sure your craft is suitable for the waterway you're on and that you're competent to use it
always check before paddling through a tunnel. There may be an oncoming narrowboat
larger craft need deeper water and room to manoeuvre, so keep to the side of the channel other craft can see you
you must carry a light (such as a head torch) and whistle to warn other craft that you're there
where possible, travel through in groups
please check for local restrictions because of potential smoke and fumes or a towpath or grab chains are in use

We don't allow passage through other tunnels unless it's part of a managed event which we have given permission for.