Day Trip to Torquay or Brixham

The Ultimate Devon Day Out: Sail to Torquay or Brixham

Sit back, relax, and let the scenery slide by on our premier day trip across the bay. Departing from Exmouth, this cruise offers a fantastic, value-for-money way to reach the English Riviera, landing you directly in the heart of Torquay or the historic fishing port of Brixham. Whether you are looking to shop, explore local heritage, or simply enjoy a day on the water, our friendly crew and comfortable, all-weather vessels ensure a stress-free journey through some of the South West's most beautiful coastal landscapes.

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

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

Adult Price£16.00

Child Price£13.00

Groups (15+ adults): £15.00 _{Click here for group bookings}

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

A Scenic Voyage Across the Bay

There is no better way to travel to the English Riviera than by sea. Our Day Trip to Torquay or Brixham allows you to bypass the traffic and enjoy a grand-stand view of the South Devon coastline that you simply cannot get from the road. As we sail out from Exmouth, you’ll witness the dramatic transition from the red Triassic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast to the limestone headlands of Torbay. As a family-run business with over 50 years of experience, we pride ourselves on making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.

Choose Your Destination: Torquay or Brixham

This cruise offers an extensive variety of ways to spend your day. You can choose to disembark in the vibrant town of Torquay, famous for its bustling harbour, palm trees, and elegant Victorian architecture. Alternatively, stay on board a little longer to reach Brixham—a traditional, picturesque fishing port where you can wander through narrow winding streets, visit the Golden Hind museum ship, or enjoy a fresh catch of the day by the water. With several hours of shore time at your disposal, you can explore at a pace that suits you.

Relaxed Onboard Comfort

Our vessels are purpose-built to ensure your journey is as comfortable as possible, regardless of the weather. You can soak up the fresh sea air from our large, open-top decks or retreat to our heated lower saloons, which feature large panoramic windows so you never miss a moment of the view. Our onboard bar is fully licensed and well-stocked with a selection of local favourites, with a range of hot and cold refreshments to enjoy as you cruise.

Why Choose Our Day Trip to the Riviera?

Exceptional Value: A full day of adventure and coastal cruising at an affordable price.
The Best View in Devon: See the stunning South Devon coastline from its most impressive vantage point - the sea.
Two Fantastic Destinations: The flexibility to explore the stylish harbour of Torquay or the historic charm of Brixham.
Friendly, Family-Run Service: Decades of maritime expertise and a warm West Country welcome from our close-knit crew.
Dog-Friendly Travel: We believe the whole family should be together, which is why well-behaved dogs travel for free!

Ditch the car and take to the water for a quintessential Devon day out. We highly recommend booking directly through our website to secure your seats and check the latest seasonal sailing times.

FAQs

The Day Trip Experience

Question: What is the Day Trip to Torquay or Brixham? Answer: This is a full-day coastal cruise (about 2 hours cruise each way) that departs from Exmouth and travels along the stunning South Devon coastline into Torbay. Passengers can choose to disembark at the lively town of Torquay or stay on board a little longer to visit the historic fishing port of Brixham.

Question: How long do I get to spend ashore? Answer: Generally, those who disembark at Torquay enjoy approximately 3 hours of leisure time, while those travelling onward to Brixham have approximately 2 hours ashore. This allows plenty of time for a relaxed lunch, a stroll around the harbours, or a bit of shopping.

Question: Can I visit both Torquay and Brixham on the same trip? Answer: No, you must choose one or the other. The boat stops at Torquay first to drop off passengers before continuing to Brixham. On the return journey, we pick up from Brixham first and then stop at Torquay to collect the remaining passengers before heading back to Exmouth.

Question: What will I see during the cruise? Answer: You will enjoy a unique perspective of the South Devon coastline, passing exclusive coves and dramatic rock formations that are only visible from the water. As we enter Torbay (the English Riviera), you will see the beautiful sweep of the bay and its famous seaside towns.

Booking & Logistics

Question: Where does the boat depart from? Answer: The trip departs from Exmouth Marina. We ask all passengers to report to our booking office at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time so we can direct you to the correct vessel.

Question: How do I know when to come back to the boat? Answer: Your Captain will give a very clear departure time before you disembark at your chosen destination. It is essential that you are back at the landing stage and ready to board in plenty of time for the return journey, as the boat must stick to a strict schedule.

Question: Is this trip suitable for everyone? Answer: This trip is best suited for passengers with good mobility. Landing at Torquay and Brixham involves navigating harbour steps or ramps which can be steep depending on the tide. If you have concerns about accessibility, please contact our team for advice before booking.

Question: What happens if the sea is rough? Answer: As this is a sea-going cruise, it is subject to the conditions of the English Channel. If the weather or sea state is unsuitable for a comfortable journey, we reserve the right to cancel. In such cases, we will contact you to offer a transfer to another date or a full refund.

On Board Facilities

Question: Is there a commentary during the trip? Answer: Yes, the Captain provides a live, informative commentary throughout the journey. They will share stories about the local history, pointing out geological features and spotting local wildlife.

Question: Will we see dolphins? Answer: We are frequently lucky enough to be joined by pods of dolphins or see seals lounging on the rocks. While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, the route into Torbay is a fantastic area for spotting them.

Question: Are there refreshments on the boat? Answer: Yes. Our vessel, the Pride of Exmouth, features a fully licensed bar serving a range of hot and cold drinks, local ales, and light snacks. You can enjoy these in our heated lower deck with large viewing windows or up on the open-air top deck.

Question: Are there toilets on the boat? Answer: Yes, there are clean and well-maintained toilet facilities on board for your comfort throughout the 7-hour duration of the trip.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 522 reviews

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Roo

4 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

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

8 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.

David P.

8 months ago

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.

9 months ago

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.

10 months ago

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.

10 months ago

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.

Lucy W.

10 months ago

I have been on 3 different trips this year so far and each was great.
The staff are always welcoming and get the balance between being friendly and still professional.

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.