Dartmouth Royal Regatta

The Ultimate Way to Experience Dartmouth Royal Regatta

Gather your friends and family for a standout summer highlight as we set sail from Exmouth for the world-famous Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. This isn't just a transport link; it's a chance to arrive in style by sea, taking in the breathtaking South Devon coastline. We take you right into the heart of the action, landing you directly onto Dartmouth’s Embankment so you can skip the park-and-ride queues and start your day immediately. With a full day out ahead of you, there is plenty of time to explore the vibrant festivities, world-class sailing, and artisan markets at your own pace.

Cruise Duration: 10hours 30minutes (approx) with 3.5 hours ashore
Departure Point: Exmouth Marina
All Fares: £27.50
*Please Note Due to the Nature and Length of the Trip it is Not Suitable for Young Children or dogs

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

The Ultimate Regatta Experience: Arrive in Style by Sea

Skip the coastal traffic and the struggle for parking by joining us for a standout summer highlight. Our Dartmouth Royal Regatta cruise is a spectacular all-day excursion departing from Exmouth Marina, taking you on a scenic journey along the breathtaking South Devon coastline. Whether you choose to enjoy the fresh sea breeze on our open-top deck or relax in our comfortable, heated lower deck with panoramic windows, you’ll enjoy front-row seats to the rugged cliffs and hidden coves of the South Devon.

The Heart of the Action

We take the stress out of your excursion by landing you exactly where you need to be. Our vessel steps you ashore directly onto Dartmouth’s Embankment, placing you right in the centre of the festivities the moment you arrive.

Instant Access: No shuttle buses or long walks - you are just steps away from the rowing races, live music, and the buzzing Royal Avenue Gardens.
Prime Perspective: Enjoy unparalleled views of Kingswear Castle and Dartmouth Castle as we enter the River Dart.
The Smart Choice: Avoid the "regatta premium" on car parking, making this a natural value for money day trip for your group or family.

A Full Day Out

With a generous amount of time ashore (approximately 3.5 hours), there is plenty of time to explore the variety of available excursions at your own pace.

Explore & Shop: Browse the independent boutiques of Foss Street or the artisan markets along the waterfront.
Festival Atmosphere: Soak up the live entertainment, watch the competitive sailing, or grab a spot on the quay to cheer on the local rowing teams.
Social & Relaxed: Perfect for families with teenagers or groups of friends looking for a unique, "Gram-worthy" day out on the water.

Relax with a Local Tipple

Enhance your coastal cruise with a visit to our fully licensed onboard bar. We take pride in our selection, featuring Copperfrog Gin - distilled right here in Exmouth - alongside a curated range of local ales, ciders, and spirits. Whether you fancy a cold G&T as we sail past Teignmouth or a hot coffee to start the morning, our friendly crew are on hand to ensure your journey is seamless.

Award-Winning Service & Accessibility

As you sail, your Skipper will provide live, informative commentary, sharing the history of the South Devon coast and the heritage of the Royal Regatta itself.

Planning your visit

We aim to be as inclusive as possible; however, due to the significant tidal differences and the nature of the boarding points for this specific cruise, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs of any kind on this trip. Additionally, please note that our vessels have some steps to navigate during the boarding process. To ensure your comfort and safety, we strongly recommend:

- Checking our Accessibility Page for detailed boarding information.
- Giving us a call on 01395 222144 before booking so we can discuss your specific requirements and ensure this cruise is right for you.

FAQs

The Regatta Experience

Question: What is the Dartmouth Royal Regatta cruise? Answer: This is an all-day coastal excursion that takes you from Exmouth to the heart of the Dartmouth Royal Regatta. It is widely considered one of the best ways to experience the event, offering a spectacular entrance into the River Dart amidst a fleet of visiting yachts and naval vessels.

Question: What will I see on the way to Dartmouth? Answer: You will enjoy a stunning coastal sailing along the South Devon shoreline, passing the red cliffs of Dawlish and Teignmouth and the limestone headlands of Babbacombe and Berry Head before arriving at the mouth of the Dart.

Question: How much time do we get to spend in Dartmouth? Answer: You will typically have about 3.5 hours of shore time to explore the historic town, visit the markets, and soak up the unique atmosphere of the Regatta before the boat departs for the return leg to Exmouth.

Booking & Logistics

Question: Is this a child-friendly trip? Answer: Yes. While it is a long day, children usually find the coastal journey and the bustling activity of the Regatta very exciting. We do recommend this trip for children who are comfortable with longer boat journeys.

Question: Do I need to book in advance for the Regatta? Answer: Yes. This is one of our most prestigious and popular special events. It sells out very quickly every year, so we strongly recommend booking your tickets as soon as they become available.

Question: Where does the cruise depart from? Answer: The Dartmouth Regatta cruise departs from Exmouth Marina. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth boarding for this full-day adventure.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: How long is the boat journey to Dartmouth? Answer: The sailing takes approximately 3.5 hours each way, depending on sea conditions. It is a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy the Jurassic Coast and South Devon scenery.

Question: Is there food and drink available on board? Answer: Yes. Our fully licensed bar is open throughout the trip, serving hot and cold drinks, local ales, and light snacks. While food is not included in the ticket, Dartmouth offers a huge variety of world-class eateries and street food stalls during the Regatta.

Question: Can I pay by card on the boat? Answer: Yes, we accept card payments. However, as we sail along the coast, mobile signal can be intermittent. We strongly recommend bringing some cash as a backup to ensure you can be served at the bar without delay.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Dartmouth Regatta cruise? Answer: No, due to the length of cruise and large crowds at Dartmouth, we do not allow dogs onto this cruise.

Question: Is the boat undercover? Answer: Yes. Our vessels feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, providing a comfortable environment for the coastal crossing regardless of the weather.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 511 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.