Hey Captain Copenhagen Review: Is This Copenhagen Boat Tour Worth It?

If you’re looking for the best Copenhagen boat tour, you’re going to find plenty of options. Walk around Nyhavn on a summer day and you certainly won’t have trouble finding a boat willing to take you around the harbour.

The bigger question is: which Copenhagen canal tour is actually worth your time and money?

For me, the answer is Hey Captain, and it’s not even close.

And I can say that after doing it twice.

On my first visit, I sailed Copenhagen’s canals with Hey Captain on a beautiful day and came away recommending them over the much larger sightseeing boats. Years later, I returned to Copenhagen and decided it was time to see if the experience was still as good as I remembered.

There was just one problem. The weather was crap.

Grey skies turned into rain before departure, leaving me wondering whether spending two hours on a boat was really how I wanted to spend the afternoon. As it turned out, the weather helped reinforce what makes Hey Captain Copenhagen different.

Instead of simply sitting on a boat listening to canned commentary while rain hit the windows, our captain got everyone talking. She connected Copenhagen’s history and architecture to the people sitting around him, where we were from, and what interested us.

Hey Captain calls this approach Social Sailing. After experiencing it twice, I think that’s a pretty accurate description.

So, is Hey Captain worth it? Here’s my complete review of their two-hour Hidden Gems canal tour of Copenhagen, including what it’s like in the rain, what you see, how it compares to the bigger canal boats, and which Hey Captain tour I would choose.

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Hey Captain Copenhagen Review: Quick Take

I’ll save you some time if you’re already considering booking. Yes, I highly recommend Hey Captain. Grey and all.

The boats are small, carrying a maximum of 12 guests, and the experience feels much more personal than the large sightseeing boats you’ll see around Copenhagen.

Rather than following a rigid script, your captain encourages conversation and adjusts the experience around the group. That was the standout feature on both of my visits. For my latest trip, I booked the two-hour Hidden Gems tour, departing from Ofelia Plads.

At the time of writing, Hey Captain lists its public Hidden Gems tour at 450 DKK per person. The company also offers one-hour Landmarks and three-hour Captain’s Favorite tours, along with private sailings.

• Best for: Travellers who prefer small-group experiences, local interaction and conversation.
• Skip it if: You want the cheapest possible sightseeing cruise or prefer nonstop historical narration without interacting with other passengers.
• My pick: The two-hour Hidden Gems tour hits a nice middle ground between sightseeing and actually settling into the Social Sailing experience.

👉 Check availability and book the Hey Captain Copenhagen boat tour

Why Take a Copenhagen Boat Tour?

Copenhagen makes a lot more sense once you see it from the water.

The city’s relationship with its harbour isn’t just something packaged up for tourists. The waterfront is woven into Copenhagen’s history, architecture and everyday life.

Even the Danish name København essentially means “merchant’s harbour.” Many of Copenhagen’s canals were artificially created as the city expanded, while the harbour evolved from a commercial, naval and industrial centre into the recreational waterfront you see today.

From the water, you also get excellent perspectives on some of Copenhagen’s best-known buildings and neighbourhoods.

Depending on your route, these can include Christianshavn, Amalienborg, the Copenhagen Opera House, the Black Diamond, Slotsholmen and, of course, the Little Mermaid. That last one has been sitting by the waterfront since 1913, when the sculpture created by Edvard Eriksen was gifted to Copenhagen by brewer Carl Jacobsen.

It’s also considerably easier to appreciate the Little Mermaid from a boat than squeezing through the crowds onshore.

The Black Diamond is another building that makes much more sense from the harbour. Completed in 1999, the modern extension of the Royal Danish Library gets its nickname from its dark polished exterior, which reflects the water and sky.

Those contrasts between old Copenhagen and modern Copenhagen are a big part of what makes a canal tour in Copenhagen Denmark worthwhile.

My First Experience With Canal Tours in Copenhagen

My recommendation comes with some history.

Long before I first sailed with Hey Captain, I did one of Copenhagen’s conventional large canal cruises.

You know the type. Big boat. Lots of people. Everyone facing the same direction. Commentary delivered to a crowd as you move from landmark to landmark. It wasn’t terrible. I just didn’t find it particularly memorable.

When I returned to Copenhagen years later, I tried Hey Captain and immediately preferred the experience. The smaller boat was more comfortable, the guide could actually talk to everyone, and it felt more like being shown around by someone who lived in Copenhagen.

At the time, drinks were included, which certainly didn’t hurt.

That’s no longer the case. Drinks are now available to purchase onboard, while water is included. Hey Captain says it limits service to two alcoholic drinks per guest for safety reasons, and you can’t bring your own drinks.

Still, the booze was never the main reason I recommended Hey Captain.

It was the small-group experience.

After returning to Copenhagen again and taking the Hidden Gems tour in decidedly worse weather, that became even clearer.

Taking the Hey Captain Hidden Gems Copenhagen Canal Tour

My latest Copenhagen canal tour came after visiting Noma Projects earlier in the day. By the time I made my way to the waterfront, the skies had gone from threatening to actually raining. Perfect boat weather.

Thankfully, Hey Captain is prepared for Copenhagen being Copenhagen.

The boats have convertible covers for rainy or cold conditions, and blankets are available. Once everyone was onboard and settled in, the boat actually became surprisingly cozy. This is where the small size really helped.

Instead of feeling like I was stuck on a rainy sightseeing bus that happened to float, it felt more like a group of people hanging out together while moving through Copenhagen Harbour.

And that brings me to the best part of the tour.

What “Social Sailing” With Hey Captain Actually Means

“Social Sailing” sounds a little like something cooked up in a marketing meeting. I was skeptical of the phrase until I experienced how well our captain handled the group.

Hey Captain’s official concept is built around conversation rather than a fixed script. The company was founded in 2017 by friends Joel and Casper, who had been taking friends around Copenhagen Harbour on their own boat, Diana. They wanted their tours to retain that feeling of friends being together on a boat.

Our captain absolutely delivered on that idea.

She was extremely engaging without being overbearing. Rather than pointing at a building, rattling off three dates and moving on, she brought the people onboard into the discussion.

She talked with everyone. She asked where people were visiting from. She connected those answers back to Copenhagen.

Somehow, conversations about architecture would turn into history, which would connect to something about where another guest was from, before looping naturally back to Copenhagen again.

My note immediately after the tour summed it up pretty well:

“Our captain was very engaging, talking with all guests, tying everything and everyone together from architecture to history to where we were all from. Highly recommend.”

That’s really the difference.

You aren’t just watching Copenhagen go past. You’re participating in the experience.

Hey Captain Hidden Gems vs. the Landmarks Tour

Hey Captain currently offers three main public canal tours in Copenhagen.

• The Landmarks tour is one hour and concentrates on the inner harbour and Copenhagen’s major historical sights.
• The Hidden Gems tour, which I took, lasts two hours and moves beyond the standard tourist circuit into areas where Copenhagen is changing and developing.
• The Captain’s Favorite lasts three hours and combines elements of both, covering historic canals along with newer areas.

For a first-time visitor who is short on time and primarily wants Copenhagen’s famous sights, the one-hour Landmarks tour makes sense. For someone interested in architecture, urban development and seeing beyond Copenhagen’s postcard attractions, I think Hidden Gems is the more interesting option.

There is one important distinction. Don’t interpret “Hidden Gems” as meaning two hours of tiny secret medieval canals.

Part of the tour’s purpose is exploring areas outside the classic inner-city route, including former industrial areas being transformed with modern architecture, housing and public spaces. That’s going to appeal more to some travellers than others.

Personally, I enjoyed the context our captain provided around Copenhagen’s architecture and development. If your only goal is ticking off the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn and other famous landmarks, choose the Landmarks tour instead.

If you have three hours and want both sides, Captain’s Favorite is probably the most complete boat tour Copenhagen option.

Departing From Hey Captain at Ofelia Plads

My Hidden Gems tour departed from Ofelia Plads, and I think it’s a much nicer place to start than joining the scrum of sightseeing boats around Nyhavn. Ofelia Plads sits beside the Royal Danish Playhouse, only a few minutes’ walk from Nyhavn.

Historically, this was where the ferry to Oslo departed. Today, the waterfront has been transformed into an open public space.

That makes it easy to arrive early, wander around and enjoy the harbour before your tour.

Hey Captain asks guests to arrive at the pier 10 minutes before departure, which I recommend doing. The address for the Ofelia departure point is Kvæsthusbroen 1, 1252 Copenhagen.

Hey Captain also operates seasonally from Kalvebod Brygge, but Ofelia Plads was my departure point and is particularly convenient if you’re already sightseeing around Nyhavn, Amalienborg or central Copenhagen.

Another practical bonus: there are public washroom facilities nearby, something worth taking advantage of before settling in for a two-hour boat ride.

Is a Copenhagen Canal Tour Worth It in the Rain?

This was the question I unexpectedly got to test on this visit.

My answer? Yes — at least with Hey Captain. Would I prefer blue skies and sunshine? Obviously.

My previous trip with Hey Captain had much nicer weather, and being out on Copenhagen’s harbour on a warm day is tough to beat. But I was surprised by how little the rain affected my enjoyment this time.

The convertible cover kept us protected, the smaller boat felt cozy, and our captain kept everyone engaged enough that nobody seemed particularly bothered by what was happening outside.

Interestingly, nobody was really drinking on my rainy, chilly sailing either. I imagine the wine and beer flow a little more freely on a hot Copenhagen afternoon, but on this particular trip the conversation did all the work.

The rain eventually eased after the tour, and I had a really enjoyable bike ride home. Not exactly the Copenhagen weather I would have ordered, but still a very good afternoon.

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Hey Captain vs. the Big Copenhagen Canal Tour Boats

This is probably my biggest recommendation. If your budget allows it, skip the big boats and go small.

I’ve done both.

The large boats can absolutely serve a purpose. They’re generally straightforward, efficient and good if all you want is an overview of Copenhagen’s major waterfront attractions. But the experiences are completely different.

On the larger tour I took years ago, I felt like another passenger in a crowd. With Hey Captain, there are no more than 12 guests onboard.

That changes everything.

You can ask questions without feeling like you’re interrupting a performance. Your captain knows who is on the boat. Guests can talk to one another. The discussion can change based on what people are interested in.

The downside is that your experience depends somewhat on your group and captain. That’s inherent to Social Sailing.

If you don’t like talking to strangers or want a tightly structured lecture covering as many historical facts as possible, this may not be your ideal tour. For me, that’s precisely why I like it.

Planning Hey Captain Into 3 Days in Copenhagen

A boat tour is easy to work into a short Copenhagen visit because it gives you a different perspective without consuming an entire day.

If you’re planning a first visit, my three days in Copenhagen itinerary covers how I would fit the city’s highlights together.

I’d actually consider taking Hey Captain either near the beginning or toward the end of your stay. Go early and your captain can give you local context and ideas for the rest of your trip.

Go later and you’ll recognize places you’ve already explored from land. Copenhagen is also one of those cities where food deserves serious attention. My guide to understanding Copenhagen’s food scene is a good starting point, and this trip’s visit to Noma Projects paired particularly well with an afternoon on the harbour.

If food is one of your main reasons for visiting, you can also book this culinary bike tour of Copenhagen and combine two things Copenhagen does exceptionally well: cycling and eating.

And if you’re flying SAS or have lounge access before leaving Denmark, check out my Copenhagen Airport SAS CPH Lounge review.

From 3 Days in Porto to Copenhagen

On this particular European trip, Copenhagen followed my 3 days in Porto, making for a pretty dramatic change of scenery.

Porto had been about hills, tiled buildings, port and eating my way around the city. Copenhagen brought me back to bikes, clean Scandinavian design and life around the harbour. If you’re heading through Portugal before Denmark as I did, there are a few experiences I’d particularly recommend.

I went looking for the best francesinha in Porto, learned to appreciate the ridiculously refreshing Porto Tónico, and dug deeper into the city’s food culture with a Porto cooking class and Bolhão Market visit. For accommodations, see my Canto de Luz Porto review.

And if you’re flying out of Porto, my Porto Airport lounge review covers the Priority Pass option I used there.

Going from Porto to Copenhagen made me appreciate just how differently European cities interact with their waterfronts. In Copenhagen, getting onto the water isn’t just another attraction; it helps explain the city.

Where to Stay for a Copenhagen Boat Tour

If you’re staying centrally, reaching Hey Captain’s Ofelia Plads departure point is easy.

For a practical, budget-conscious hotel, Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade puts you in a useful central location.

Another affordable option is Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade, or you can compare Wakeup Copenhagen options here.

For something at the opposite end of the spectrum, check rates at Nimb Hotel Copenhagen. Its Tivoli Gardens setting makes it one of Copenhagen’s standout luxury stays.

Hostel travellers can compare Copenhagen Downtown Hostel and Steel House Copenhagen.

Still planning the trip? Search for cheap flights to Copenhagen before locking in your dates.

And while you certainly don’t need a car for central Copenhagen, travellers heading beyond the city can compare car rentals in Copenhagen here.

Tips Before Booking Canal Tours in Copenhagen

After doing canal tours in Copenhagen on both big and small boats, these are the things I would keep in mind.

• Book the experience you actually want. If you primarily want major landmarks, choose the one-hour option. If architecture, neighbourhoods and Copenhagen’s changing waterfront interest you, Hidden Gems is worth the extra time.
• Don’t fear mediocre weather. Hey Captain has convertible covers and blankets. My rainy tour was genuinely enjoyable.
• Arrive early. Hey Captain asks you to be at the pier 10 minutes before departure.
• Use the washroom before boarding. There are public facilities around the departure area. Take advantage of them before a two- or three-hour sailing.
• Expect interaction. This isn’t a passive audio-guide experience. The more willing the group is to participate, the better Social Sailing works.
• Don’t expect free alcohol. This has changed since my earlier visit. Drinks can be purchased onboard, but they are no longer included.
• Book ahead in good weather. A small boat means limited capacity. With a maximum of 12 people, desirable departure times can naturally fill faster than a large sightseeing vessel.

👉 Check Hey Captain tour availability and current pricing

Is Hey Captain Copenhagen Worth It?

After two trips with Hey Captain — one in good weather and one decidedly not — I would book them again.

In fact, the rainy trip may have sold me on the concept even more. When Copenhagen wasn’t putting on its best face weather-wise, our captain made the experience worthwhile through conversation.

She didn’t just tell us what we were looking at. She connected it.

Architecture led into history. History led into modern Copenhagen. Conversations about the city connected with where everyone onboard was visiting from. By the end, a boat full of strangers felt considerably less like strangers.

That’s Social Sailing.

If you simply want the cheapest way to get onto Copenhagen’s canals, there are other choices. If you want an intimate canal tour of Copenhagen where your captain and fellow passengers become part of the experience, I think Hey Captain is worth paying more for.

My original advice after my first sailing was to skip the sardine-packed boats and go with Hey Captain.

After returning years later?

That advice still stands.

👉 Book my recommended Copenhagen boat tour with Hey Captain

Final Thoughts on My Hey Captain Copenhagen Review

Copenhagen is one of those cities that deserves to be seen from the water. You can walk it. You can bike it. You can eat your way through it.

I’ve happily done all three.

But seeing Copenhagen from its canals ties together the historic city, modern architecture and harbour lifestyle in a way you don’t get from the street. What makes Hey Captain stand out isn’t simply the boat or the route. It’s the people.

The small-group format gives the captain room to turn sightseeing into a conversation, and my latest experience showed me that this isn’t dependent on having postcard-perfect weather.

Rain and all, I had a great afternoon. For travellers deciding between the many canal tours in Copenhagen, I’d happily choose Hey Captain again.

Highly recommended.

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