The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior has sailed from Greece to the UK to join the protest against coal-fired power.
The vessel sailed along the Thames into London before visiting Kent, where the first coal-fired power station is planned at Kingsnorth on Hoo.
Protesters said there was a "huge coalition" building against coal-fired power, including Greenpeace, Oxfam and the Women's Institute.
The ship arrived two days ahead of schedule because of good sailing winds.
Greenpeace spokesman Joss Garman said: "There's a huge coalition building against planned coal plants, and they'll be joining the Rainbow Warrior to help give coal the boot.
"Faith groups, development groups, politicians of all shades, scientists and thousands of ordinary people are standing up and saying no to new coal."
Final decision
The Hoo peninsula was the site of a week-long protest camp this summer.
The current Kingsnorth power station is due to close in 2015 and E.ON wants to replace it with two new coal units which, it says, will be 20% cleaner.
Its proposals have already been approved by Medway Council, but the government will make the final decision about the project.
Activists have vowed to return to the power plant if the decision is approved.
Tougher target
Earlier this year, the government said coal-fired power stations would remain a "key source" of energy.
Cabinet minister John Hutton said fossil fuels were needed to back up nuclear and renewable energy.
He said the UK was playing a leading role in "clean coal" power generation.
The Lib Dems said without carbon capture and storage technology, clean coal was "a total myth", and the Tories said that technology was years away.
On Thursday, the government committed the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the middle of the century.
Climate Change and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the current 60% target would be replaced.
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