This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to talk about something we believe in deeply -  the quiet, restorative power of being outside, near the water, breathing in the salt air and letting the world slow down for a moment.

There's a growing body of evidence around what researchers call "blue health",  the wellbeing benefits of spending time near, on, or in water. Whether it's the rhythmic lap of waves, the broad horizon of the estuary, or the simple pleasure of watching a ferry sail through sparkling water, coastal and waterway environments have a remarkable effect on our minds.

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau

Here in Cornwall, we're lucky enough to live and work in one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. And we think a trip on the St Mawes Ferry or one of our Enterprise Boat Trips isn't just a boat trip but an act of self-care.

Five reasons to get outside this week:

Plan something to look forward to

Making plans, even small ones, builds a sense of excitement and hope. Booking a ferry crossing or a boat trip gives you something to anticipate and savour.

Get closer to nature

Time in nature boosts mood, eases stress, and sharpens focus. Our routes pass through some of Cornwall's most stunning coastal landscapes.

Try mindfulness

On the water, it's easy to be present. Notice the colour of the sea, the cry of a gull, the feeling of the breeze, mindfulness in its simplest form.

Make time for friends

Good relationships are vital for mental health. There's no better setting for a proper catch-up than a crossing and a day out on a sunny Cornish day.

Move regularly

Being active raises self-esteem and manages stress. A gentle walk from your destination -  St Mawes, Falmouth, Trelissick, Malpas or beyond - counts entirely.

The great thing about a boat  trip is that it quietly ticks all five of these boxes at once. You've planned something to look forward to. You're surrounded by nature. You'll likely walk somewhere beautiful when you arrive. The crossing itself invites a kind of effortless mindfulness, and it's always better shared with someone you care about.

Blue health isn't a trend or a buzzword. It's what people living by the sea have understood for generations: that water heals something in us. It resets our nervous system, quiets the noise, and reminds us of our own smallness in the best possible way.

This week, give yourself permission to plan something small. A ferry crossing to St Mawes. A boat trip along the Fal. A walk from the quay into the village, with a coffee in hand and nowhere urgent to be.

If you fancy some blue health self care and some time on the water, the St Mawes Ferry runs 7 days a week all year round between Falmouth and St Mawes. Enterprise Boats offer a relaxing  classic river trip between Falmouth, National Trust Trelissick and Malpas.

  St Mawes Ferry timetable and tickets here

  Enterprise boats timetable and tickets here

  More adventures on the water here