Group Travel Planned with Effortless Confidence
Whether you are securing departures for next year's tour programme or joining this season's sailings. Dedicated coach drop-off area, free driver travel, and flexible sailing times coordinated around your itinerary.
All year round, rain or shine.
Stuart Line Cruises would like to extend a very warm welcome to group organisers, tour operators and couriers. Whether you are looking to organise a school group, coach holiday excursion or group outing for your club, look no further than the South West’s premiere passenger boat company and allow us to share with you some fantastic excursion ideas, which are designed for groups of only 15 or more, with suggested itineraries at special discounted rates.
Explore Our Group Excursions
Not sure which cruise best suits your party? We operate three distinct styles of cruising across the year, from completely sheltered estuary waters to UNESCO coastal highlights.
Scenic River Cruises
Our River Cruises operate throughout the year, whatever the weather. The water in the River Exe is sheltered and is therefore always calm - a River Cruise is the most popular choice for group organisers and tour operators.
- River Exe CruiseInfo →
- Long River Exe CruiseInfo →
- Round Robin Boat & TrainInfo →
- Festive Special CruiseInfo →
- Cream Tea River Exe CruiseInfo →
Coastal Cruises
Devon uniquely boasts two coastlines and Stuart Line Cruises are delighted to offer coastal cruises throughout the summer months (April - October), including a range of short circular cruises and day trips, to suit every itinerary and interest.
- Jurassic Coast CruiseInfo →
- Mini Coastal CruiseInfo →
- Day Trip to Torquay or BrixhamInfo →
- Day Trip to SidmouthInfo →
- South Devon CircularInfo →
Special Events
From Exeter Canal (Summer) to Guided Bird Watching Cruises (Winter), we offer a wide range of Special Events throughout the year, presenting something extra special and entirely unique for your group.
- Exeter Canal CruiseInfo →
- Countess Wear Evening CruiseInfo →
- Geology Day TripInfo →
- Christmas Day Swim CruiseInfo →
- Guided Bird Watching CruiseInfo →
Easy Booking for Groups
Coach Drop-Off
Set down directly outside our Booking Office at Exmouth Marina (EX8 1FE). Passengers stay comfortably seated while our team boards to greet them and distribute boarding passes.
Free Driver Travel & Parking
Coach drivers cruise completely free of charge and receive a complimentary parking permit for the nearby coach park (EX8 1EN, an easy 10-minute walk away).
Tidal Timetable Coordination
Tidal waters and operational factor can dictate trip types and departure windows. Our experienced team works with your itinerary to match the right vessel, route, and tide for your day in Devon.
Zero-Deposit Provisional Holds
Hold your group spaces with no upfront deposit. Confirm final passenger numbers 1 week prior (or 1 month for special catered events); we invoice at final numbers with direct BACS settlement.
1. Have a Fixed Tour Date?
Whether you need a departure next month or are planning for next year or beyond, we frequently schedule new sailings around incoming coach itineraries (governed by tides). Tell us when you arrive in Devon and we will identify the ideal sailing.
2. Joining a Scheduled Sailing?
If your group fits into our live published departures, you can reserve group blocks of 15+ adults with discounted pricing directly through our interactive timetable.
Treat Your Group
Why not go that extra mile by offering an indulgent local treat to accompany your cruise? We provide a tempting seasonal selection served directly aboard, requested at the time of booking.
Joint Attraction Packages
As proud members of Devon’s Top Attractions, Stuart Line Cruises are delighted to offer joint excursions with fellow top attractions in Devon, at special discounted rates. All packages include a River Exe Cruise or a Mini Coastal Cruise and are a great way of filling your whole day’s itinerary, or you can split the two attractions across two days!
Seaton Tramway
Discover East Devon's Axe Valley with a one-way, 3-mile route on a heritage tram between Seaton, Colyford, and Colyton, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Visit the world-renowned Sidmouth sanctuary. Included with the visit is a traditional Devon Cream Tea at The Kitchen restaurant. Guided tours are available on request.
World of Country Life
An award-winning, all-weather attraction with a busy programme of activities, vintage vehicle collection, farming museum, lunch opportunities, and optional Deer Train Safari.
Facilities
Please visit our facilities page for more information.
Sailing
All Year
Heated
Deck
Open-Top
Deck
Licensed
Bar
Live Commentary
Toilets On Board
Decades of looking after Groups and Tour Operators
Stuart Line Cruises is an award-winning, family-run passenger boat company operating in the River Exe and along the East and South Devon coastlines, from the traditional seaside town of Exmouth, in Devon. Now running for over 50 years, we passionately believe that the River Exe and The UNESCO Jurassic Coast are unrivalled in terms of history, beauty and wildlife and look forward to providing an unforgettable experience for your group.
The Stuart family hold many years of experience working alongside the group travel industry – we are proud members of the Coach Tourism Association and attend numerous group travel shows annually, enabling us to remain at the forefront of the group travel market and to successfully understand and meet industry demands and trends.
We offer flexible bookings and are able to schedule cruises to suit your group’s itinerary and needs. Please get in touch with us via the online enquiry form, for a personalised service and our recommendations.
Trusted by Tour Groups & Organisers
Coach Group Handled Brilliantly
“Our group coach was delayed in traffic but the Stuart Line team kindly held the sailing for us. Informative commentary, great refreshments, and exceptional value for money.”
80th Anniversary Celebration Cruise
“Stuart Line hosted the Exmouth Art Group’s 80th anniversary celebration cruise. We had a wonderful evening in the late sunshine and all the staff were professional, cheerful, helpful, and friendly. A truly special anniversary setting.”
WI Summer BBQ Cruise
“We booked a private cruise for our Women's Institute Summer Party and had the most amazing evening. The booking process was smooth, the BBQ was cooked fresh onboard, and wine was perfectly chilled all night.”
Award Winning, Family-Run
Worried about Accessibility?
We endeavour to make access as easy as possible for all of our passengers and being made aware in advance of any mobility issues is extremely helpful for us. Please see our accessibility page below to find out more.
♿ Accessibility & Walking Aids
Walking frames and foldable manual wheelchairs can be taken aboard. Due to vessel gangway design across fluctuating tides, all passengers must be able to manage up to 10 steps assisted as a minimum. We advise reviewing accessibility requirements with our team when enquiring.
🚽 Onboard & Marina Facilities
All vessels have clean, modern marine toilets. Please note there are no public toilets at Exmouth Marina itself; the nearest council public conveniences are at Manor Gardens or Exmouth Train Station prior to arrival.
📅 Booking & Payment Milestones
Provisional reservations are held with zero upfront fee. Final passenger numbers are confirmed 1 week before departure for standard cruises (or 1 month for special events/catered sailings). Invoices are settled via BACS to avoid the 2.5% commercial card fee.
📝 Risk Assessments & Safety
We operate under strict Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) passenger regulations. Tailored risk assessment packs for tour operators, senior groups, and educational parties are available upon request via email.
Sailing the River Exe, awarderd RAMSAR and SSSI status
Cruising the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Operating all year around - including Christmas Day!
15 mins from M5, junction 30 and free coach parking nearby
Joint packages available with other top Devon attractions
Trips to suit every itinerary, from 1 hour to a whole day
Complimentary cruise for your driver and organiser
Bespoke packages to suit your group's requirements
Manual wheelchair accesible on circular cruises
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear logistics, coach arrival, accessibility criteria, and booking terms for tour operators, DMCs, and group leaders.
Our main coach drop-off point is located directly outside our Booking Office at Exmouth Marina (EX8 1FE). We have several departure points across the region, and full directions for each can be found on our Find Us page. Coaches should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. At Exmouth Marina, passengers remain seated onboard while a Stuart Line team member boards to offer a personal welcome, advise departure details, and hand out physical boarding passes before anyone disembarks.
Coach drivers cruise completely free of charge on all our sailings. For cruises departing from our Exmouth Marina location, drivers are also issued a complimentary parking permit for the nearby designated coach park (EX8 1EN), located an easy 10-minute flat walk away.
Walking frames and foldable manual wheelchairs are welcome onboard, but please note we cannot accommodate electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters on our vessels. Due to fluctuating tidal gangways and vessel boarding, all passengers must be able to manage up to 10 steps assisted as a minimum. Please visit our full Accessibility page to make sure the cruise is suitable for your passengers' needs.
There are clean, modern toilets on the boat across our entire fleet. Please note that there are no public toilets at Exmouth Marina itself; the nearest public conveniences are located at Manor Gardens or Exmouth Train Station prior to your arrival.
We welcome bookings 1, 2, or 3+ years ahead. Even if a sailing is not yet visible on our public timetable, we regularly build our sailing schedules around incoming coach itineraries (governed by tides). Tell us your provisional dates and we will work out the best options for your group.
We hold provisional reservations with zero upfront deposit. Final passenger numbers are due 1 week prior for standard cruises (or 1 month prior for special events). Invoices are issued based on final numbers, and payment is preferred via BACS to avoid the 2.5% commercial card processing fee.
Yes, we operate 365 days a year. Our vessels feature covered, fully heated lower saloons with large panoramic windows as well as open upper decks. In winter months, we cap passenger numbers so everyone is guaranteed a comfortable, warm, and dry seat indoors.
Yes. As a Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) certified operator, safety is paramount. Tailored risk assessment documentation suited to your specific group type (schools, language colleges, or senior clubs) is readily available on request via email.
Make a Group Booking Enquiry
Tell us about your upcoming group visit. Our office team reviews every enquiry personally and confirms availability and tidal timings as soon as possible.
Submit Target Dates
Provide your preferred dates or month - whether for the current season or 2 to 3 years in advance.
Zero-Deposit Hold
We hold provisional seats on the chosen sailing without upfront payment while your tour details take shape.
Confirm & Cruise
Finalize headcounts 7 days prior (or 1 month for special events). Settle via invoice and collect boarding passes on arrival.
Download our Groups Booklet
We would love to send you a copy of our Groups Booking Booklet (PDF) and invite you to join our group-specific mailing list at the same time. Please put in your name & email address below.
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