Countess Wear Evening Cruise

Golden Hour on the River

Join us for an exclusive, evening cruise on the water as we take rare advantage of the highest spring tides to sail deep into the historic upper reaches of the River Exe. Departing from Exmouth Marina, this special evening cruise glides through the calm, mirror-like waters of the estuary right up to Countess Wear - a historic stretch of river inaccessible at any other time. Bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, complete with live commentary from your Skipper, local refreshments, and pre-bookable Prosecco, it is a truly magical, value-for-money evening out on the water.

🕒 Cruise Duration2hours 30mins

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

All Fares£12.50

🥂Optional Extra: Glass of Prosecco

Groups (15+ adults): £11.50 _{Click here for group bookings}

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

A Rare High-Tide Event

What makes the Countess Wear Evening Cruise such a unique event is its exclusivity. Because navigating the upper reaches of the River Exe requires exceptional water depth, this journey only operates on selected dates, during the highest spring tides. As the tide floods the estuary, our vessel glides past the tranquil mudflats, historic landmarks, and peaceful countryside that usually lie beyond reach by boat, offering an intimate perspective of the river that very few ever get to see.

Chasing the Golden Hour

Timed perfectly to coincide with the late afternoon and early evening light, this voyage is all about relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere. As we sail toward Countess Wear, the setting sun casts a striking golden reflection across the calm, sheltered waters of the Exe Estuary - creating a breathtaking backdrop for photography or simply unwinding with great company. Whether you choose to take in the views from our open-top upper deck or relax inside, it feels far more like a special occasion than a standard boat trip.

Toast the Night in Style

An event on the water calls for a toast! To make your evening extra special, you can pre-order a chilled 200ml bottle of Prosecco when booking online, ready to be enjoyed as we sail upriver. Our fully licensed onboard bar will also be open throughout the cruise, heavily championing local West Country favourites. You can sip on award-winning local ales from Bays Brewery, crisp Sandford Orchards cider, or choose from a selection of hot drinks, wines, spirits, and soft beverages served with a friendly smile by our crew.

Summer Evening Comfort

Because this cruise takes place on calm, sheltered river waters, it offers a remarkably smooth and peaceful ride. If you want to escape the lingering warmth of the sun or take a breather from the top deck, you can step down into our cool, comfortable lower saloon. With panoramic windows offering uninterrupted views of the passing scenery, you won't miss a single moment of the golden-hour landscape.

Why Choose Our Countess Wear Cruise?

An Exclusive Evening Event: A rare high-tide itinerary that sails deep into the upper River Exe only a handful of times a year.
Stunning Golden-Hour Views: Experience the tranquility and warm evening light reflecting across the calm estuary waters.
Elevate Your Trip with Prosecco: Option to pre-order a chilled 200ml bottle of Prosecco online to celebrate the occasion.
Smooth & Peaceful Navigation: Sheltered, calm-water sailing suitable for all ages and generations.
Incredible Value for Money: A unique, memorable evening celebration on the water at an accessible price.

Because the Countess Wear Evening Cruise depends entirely on rare high spring tides, dates for this event are strictly limited each season. Due to its popularity and limited space on board, we strongly recommend booking online in advance to secure your evening on the river.

FAQs

The Cruise Experience

Question: What makes the Countess Wear Evening Cruise different from other river trips? Answer: This cruise travels as far up the River Exe as the tide will allow, reaching the historic limit of navigation at Countess Wear (Bridge Road Crossing). It is a peaceful, extended journey that explores the shallower, tranquil upper reaches of the estuary that most boats cannot reach.

Question: Is there a commentary on this cruise? Answer: Yes. Our skipper provides a live, informative commentary, sharing the history of the river’s trade routes, the landmarks you pass - such as the Powderham Estate and Topsham - and pointing out the abundance of birdlife found in the upper estuary.

Question: How long is the Countess Wear Evening Cruise? Answer: The cruise typically lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. This provides a relaxed pace to soak in the changing scenery and enjoy the sunset over the water.

Booking & Logistics

Question: Why are there so few dates for this cruise? Answer: This trip is strictly tide-dependent. We can only reach Countess Wear on the highest spring tides of the month, making this a truly exclusive "limited edition" cruise that only runs a few times a year.

Question: Do I need to book in advance? Answer: Yes. Because of the limited dates and the popularity of the sunset views, these cruises often sell out. We highly recommend booking online in advance to secure your place.

Question: Where does the cruise depart from? Answer: The Countess Wear Evening Cruise departs from Exmouth Marina. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth boarding process.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Is there food and drink available on board? Answer: Yes. Our fully licensed bar is open throughout the cruise, serving a variety of hot and cold drinks, local ales, wines, and light snacks. It is the perfect way to enjoy a "sundowner" while taking in the views.

Question: Can I pay by card at the bar? Answer: Yes, we accept card payments. However, as we travel into the narrower parts of the river where mobile signal can occasionally dip, we strongly recommend bringing some cash as a backup to ensure you can be served without delay.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Countess Wear cruise? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome to join us for this evening cruise free of charge.

Question: Is the boat covered if the evening turns chilly? Answer: Yes. Our vessels feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, so you can stay warm and comfortable while enjoying the sunset scenery, regardless of the temperature outside.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 567 reviews

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Sarah E.

1 week ago

We had a fabulous boat trip with Stuart Line cruises from Exmouth to Brixham & back with a couple of hours free time in Brixham. The views were stunning & the onboard commentary really interesting & informative. Staff were friendly & helpful. Refreshments reasonably priced. The boat was dog friendly & despite the heatwave the lower deck was cooler & very comfortable. We even had a pod of dolphins following the boat for a while which was an added bonus! Overall a fantastic day out & great value for money. We will be back for another trip!

Andrea H.

3 weeks ago

Lovely boat tour- we did the mini coastal cruise. Very well kept boat, friendly staff. Informative tour without being boring. Took us close to the kittiwake nest ground without being intrusive. Lots of space to move around, bar and toilets ( but didn't test these). Space for wheelchairs.

Claire B.

4 weeks ago

Stuart Line hosted the Exmouth Art Group’s 80th anniversary celebration cruise on Tuesday. We had a wonderful and fun evening in the glorious late sunshine & all the staff were professional, cheerful, helpful & friendly. Thank you very much from all at the Exmouth Art Group

Patricia M.

2 months ago

This is a brilliant experience. I have booked a few outings with the Stuart line in all weathers and it's always great. The staff are amazing and the coastline/river is so different when seen from the water. And when the weather isn't cooperating properly, the boats facilities are fantastic. We always have our dog with us as well, who is made just as welcome. Highly recommend

Bob H.

3 months ago

Always try to have a trip with them, have done the jurassic coast trip, river Exe trip and did the Torquay and Brixham yesterday 28/05/26. Cant fault any of these for the money charged, we paid £16 each yesterday for a trip that lasted from 11am through to 18:30 in the evening, with 2 hours on shore in Brixham, plus the bonus of seeing dolphins on the way back, hence the later than expected arrival back in Exmouth. Crew really helpfull and knowledgeable about the area. Definitely will go again as relaxing day out.

Roo

6 months ago

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

8 months ago

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.

8 months ago

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.

9 months ago

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.

9 months ago

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.

10 months ago

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 months ago

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.

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.