Day Trip to Sidmouth

Regency Elegance by the Sea: Our Day Trip to Sidmouth

Step back in time and arrive in style at one of Devon’s most beautiful coastal towns. Departing from Exmouth, our Day Trip to Sidmouth offers a spectacular voyage along the oldest section of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast. From the towering red cliffs of Ladram Bay to the elegant seafront of Sidmouth itself, this cruise provides a value-for-money experience that combines a world-class scenic tour with a relaxing afternoon ashore in a town famous for its floral displays and independent charm.

🕒 Cruise Duration6 hours 15 mins
_{with 3 hours ashore}

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

Adult Price£15.00

Child Price£12.00

Groups (15+ adults): £13.50 _{Click here for group bookings}

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Not suitable for those with mobility issues.

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

A Journey Along the Jurassic Coast

Sailing east from Exmouth, this cruise takes you along a truly breathtaking stretch of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast. As we sail towards Sidmouth, you’ll have a front-row seat to the dramatic red sandstone cliffs that define this World Heritage Site. Seeing these ancient formations from the water provides a sense of scale and beauty that is impossible to capture from land. Our Skippers provide live, engaging commentary throughout the journey, sharing the history of the hidden coves and geological wonders that make this route so unique.

Arriving in Sidmouth

Our arrival in Sidmouth is part of the adventure, as we land you directly onto the town’s famous pebble beach via a ramp. It is worth noting for your planning that the beach is made of large pebbles with a relatively steep bank leading up to the main Esplanade; therefore, this particular landing may not be suitable for those with significant mobility difficulties or for the use of wheelchairs. Once you have made your way onto the promenade, you are just steps away from Sidmouth’s iconic Regency architecture, independent shops, and beautiful public gardens.

Time to Explore at Your Leisure

With three hours of shore time at your disposal, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, explore the town’s rich heritage, or find a bench on the seafront and enjoy the view of the bay. Whether you are a photography enthusiast looking for the perfect shot of the cliffs or a family seeking a quintessential Devon day out, Sidmouth offers a peaceful and sophisticated escape. Our vessels remain nearby to whisk you back across the water at the end of the afternoon, allowing you to relax and enjoy the return journey with a drink in hand.

FAQs

The Day Trip Experience

Question: What makes the Day Trip to Sidmouth unique? Answer: Beyond the stunning views of the Jurassic Coast, the real highlight of this trip is our flamboyant beach landing. We sail the boat directly onto the pebbled beach at Sidmouth and lower the steps from the bow, allowing you to walk straight off the boat and into the heart of the town.

Question: How long is the cruise and how much time do I get in Sidmouth? Answer: The total duration of the trip is approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. You will typically have around 3 hours ashore to explore Sidmouth's Regency architecture, gardens, and independent boutiques before we return to Exmouth.

Question: What route does the boat take? Answer: We set sail from Exmouth Marina and travel east along the Jurassic Coast - England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. We sail exceptionally close to the dramatic red cliffs and rock formations, providing a view that is impossible to get from the land.

Question: Is there a guide on board? Answer: Yes, your Captain provides a live, informative commentary throughout the sailing. They will point out the famous landmarks, explain the geological importance of the coastline, and help you spot local wildlife such as seals or nesting sea birds.

Booking & Mobility

Question: Is this trip suitable for passengers with limited mobility? Answer: Because we land directly onto a pebble beach via steps at the front of the boat, this trip is unfortunately not recommended for those with significant mobility issues or those who require a wheelchair. For a more accessible day trip, we recommend our Torquay or Brixham cruise, which utilises harbour landings.

Question: Where is the departure point? Answer: The trip departs from Exmouth Marina. Please check in at our booking office at least 15 minutes before departure so we can direct you to the Pride of Exmouth.

Question: What if the weather is bad on the day? Answer: As a sea-going cruise, we are at the mercy of the wind and tide. If conditions make a beach landing or a coastal cruise unsafe or uncomfortable, we reserve the right to cancel. If this happens, we will offer you a transfer to another date or a full refund.

On Board & Town Info

Question: Can I bring my dog? Answer: Yes! We are a dog-friendly company and well-behaved dogs are more than welcome to join you on the boat for the journey to Sidmouth.

Question: What is there to do in Sidmouth once we land? Answer: Sidmouth is famous for its beautiful Connaught Gardens, the long esplanade, and Jacobs Ladder beach. The town centre is filled with wonderful independent cafes and stylish boutiques. It is the perfect spot for a traditional Devon cream tea or a stroll along the shore.

Question: Are there facilities on the boat? Answer: Yes, the Pride of Exmouth is equipped with clean toilets and a fully licensed bar. We serve a variety of hot and cold refreshments, local ales, and snacks. You can choose to sit on the heated lower deck with large windows or enjoy the fresh air on the open upper deck.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 513 reviews

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Roo

22:26 02 Feb 26

Such a great day! Went on the winter birds cruise today and it was brilliant. The person doing the commentary on the birds (sorry I forgot their name) was super knowledgeable and the trip was all round fantastic, the small bar is also very reasonably priced! Saw a peregrine falcon chasing a flock of avocets - absolutely majestical! Cant recommend highly enough, the work they are doing for nature and conservation of the river mouth is really awesome. Hats off.

Mark

21:47 05 Dec 25

Had another fabulous BirdWatching Cruise on 02/12/25 with a day of clear blue skies and a fabulous array of wonderful wildlife on the Exe. As per previous trips the crew and guide were excellent and made for 3 hours of a thoroughly enjoyable and enriching experience. The hot chocolate and pasty was most welcome and I can’t recommend these cruises enough and they offer terrific value as well.

Mel P.

17:16 03 Dec 25

We had a fabulous guided bird watching trip today. The weather was superb as was The Pride of Exmouth, all the staff and our bird guider for the trip. Stuart Lines really do think of everything to make sure everyone has a great experience . 5 stars from us. Thank you

Derek M.

21:02 19 Nov 25

I attended an excellent Stuart Line guided bird watching cruise from Exmouth to Topsham and back. The Pride of Exmouth was in superb condition, the ornithologist's commentary and interaction with visitors was great, the crew members were helpful and friendly, the range of refreshments was excellent and the bathroom facilities were better than any I've seen on similar boats. Exmouth and the River Exe are beautiful places to visit at any time, but the thousands of migratory birds (and a few seals) are an added attraction always worth seeing over the winter. The cruise was not expensive and better than good value for money.

I have no hesitation in recommending a trip with Stuart Line Cruises if you want to enjoy a relaxing experience in beautiful surroundings.

Michael C.

21:04 12 Nov 25

Had a wonderful cruise down the river Exe today on the Pride Of Exmouth which is run by Stuart Line Cruises.
Very lucky to find something to do that's open or still operating in the winter. Adult price was less than £10 absolute bargain. The cruise itself was around one and half hours.
On board there is a heated cabin and an open air deck above. Toilets are also on board as is a little gift section by the cafe which has a licenced bar.
As its winter we indulged in a hot mince pie and mulled wine. A big thankyou to all the great staff and the captain. All in all great value for money with an outstanding professional company.

Henry J.

19:24 08 Oct 25

Stuart Line were absolutely fantastic! From the moment we contacted the office to the actual event, the team could not have done any more for us. Amanda in the office is an absolute gem to work with.
On the day, the boats arrived for our wedding on time, they were clean and the staff were impeccable! They were playing the music we'd requested and the whole journey was seamless. Our guests had a fabulous time and very much enjoyed the prosecco we purchased through Stuart Line.
The bees knees of wedding transport! I would give more stars if I could!

Elaine H.

11:32 30 Sep 25

We booked a short trip on the Tudor Rose to scatter my husband's ashes at sea, and his mum's ashes too. We were well looked after by Will and Kev who made sure we knew what we were doing and were so friendly. We had 4 small children with us, who loved the trip and it was so much nicer than an ordinary funeral. We scattered the ashes with petals and roses and the children blew bubbles - a lovely way for them to say goodbye to their grandad who loved the sea and boats and especially Budleigh Salterton. We then raised a glass to Geoff and Buddy and the children had ice-cream. We were lucky with the weather too, a great tribute and fitting way to remember them both.
Thank you Will and Kev, and Amanda who helped us to make the arrangements. I can't recommend Stuart Line Cruises highly enough.

A Google U.

11:32 30 Sep 25

David P.

18:03 20 Sep 25

Had a wonderful cruise along the coast complete with cream tea. Scones were already loaded with cream and jam yes, but I can,t see how you could do it yourself on bouncing boat at sea. Very informative commentary. All crew were very happy and helpful. Can,t wait to visit again for another trip. Thanks for a lovely afternoon! I even got a September sun tan

Georgina C.

20:36 03 Sep 25

Second time we did a trip and it was as good as the first.
Very easy to book and very organised. The captain gave us a good commentary on the way out. The facilities on board are good. There is a bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks (crisps/choc bars). You can go and get them yourselves or wait for someone to come and take your order.
We were on the upper deck which was outside and were given blankets and umbrellas as the weather was a bit changeable. You could also go inside where it was dry and warmer.
I really recommend them for a lovely day out.

Joanne R.

11:33 07 Aug 25

We booked a private Cruise for the Exetraordinary Women WI Summer Party and had the most amazing evening. The booking process with Amanda was so smooth and professional and nothing was too much trouble. The catering options were very good and we went for the BBQ. It was all cooked fresh on the boat and was excellent with great quality burger, sausage and salad. There were even leftovers so people could have seconds. The vegetarian option was just as good and everyone was so pleased for the price. The bar staff were very efficient and the bottles of wine came out chilled all night - perfect.
Overall we had an amazing night and are looking to book next year as it was such a success and would certainly recommend them for a great evening cruise.

Maria C.

20:15 04 Aug 25

Great day out.
Be warned. They prepare the cream tea before and serve it already loaded with jam and cream. I asked for mine to have only a little cream and I would like to do it myself. The response I got from the member of staff was that they don’t have time to serve it like that. I explained nicely that I’m a bit fussy but she did get a bit frustrated. I did get the spare scone with just jam on and it was absolutely delicious. Our party of four had a great time and loved it.
Customer service was just a bit rude by one member with my requirements.

Group Bookings

Stuart Line Cruises would like to extend a very warm welcome to group organisers, tour operators and couriers. Allow us to share with you some fantastic excursion ideas, which are specially designed for groups of 15 people or more with suggested itineraries at special discounted rates.

Stuart Line Cruises is an award-winning, family-run business, operating on the River Exe and along the East Coast and South Devon coastlines, from the traditional seaside town of Exmouth, in Devon.

Now running over 50 years, we passionately believe that the River Exe and nearby coastlines of the Jurassic Coast and English Riviera are unrivaled in terms of history, beauty and wildlife and cannot wait to share them with you.

If you are interested in taking this cruise as part of a group, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you.