Christmas Day Swim

A Front-Row Seat for Exmouth’s Famous Tradition

Kick off your Christmas morning with an unforgettable front-row view of Exmouth’s iconic Christmas Day Swim! Setting sail bright and early from Exmouth Marina on 25th December, this special festive excursion takes you out onto the water to watch hundreds of brave swimmers take the chilly plunge. With guaranteed indoor seating in our warm, heated lower saloon, hot drinks served from our bar, and a complimentary warm local mince pie, it is an exceptional, value-for-money way to soak up the magical Christmas morning atmosphere in total comfort.

🕒 Cruise Duration1hour 30mins

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

Adult Price£15.00

Child Price£12.00

🍷Included: Home-Made Mulled Wine and Warm Mince Pie

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

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

Experience the Thrill Without the Chill

Exmouth’s Christmas Day Swim is one of the West Country’s most famous holiday traditions, drawing thousands of spectators to the seafront every Christmas morning. If you want to be part of the electric atmosphere without braving the icy sea or standing in the cold, our Christmas Day Swim Cruise offers the ultimate vantage point. Watch the brave (some say mad) swimmers take the plunge into the waters off Exmouth beach directly from the spacious decks of our vessel.

Guaranteed Indoor Warmth & Festive Cheer

To ensure a completely relaxed and comfortable Christmas morning for everyone, we operate this cruise with reduced passenger numbers. This guarantees plenty of room and comfortable indoor seating inside our warm, heated lower saloon for every single guest. You can watch the spectacle unfold through large panoramic windows while staying snug inside, or step out onto the open top deck to feel the Christmas morning sea breeze and cheer on the swimmers.

Mince Pies & Warming Christmas Drinks Included

To start your Christmas celebrations in style, every ticket includes a delicious, warm local mince pie alongside a festive drink. Enjoy a steaming glass of mulled wine, a creamy hot chocolate, or a hot cup of tea or coffee served with a festive smile by our crew. Our fully licensed onboard bar is also open throughout the trip if you wish to toast the morning with an award-winning Bays Brewery ale, a Sandford Orchards cider, or a glass of prosecco before heading home to the smell and warmth of the Turkey roasting in the oven.

Why Choose Our Christmas Day Swim Cruise?

Unbeatable Spectator Views: Enjoy front-row, panoramic views of Exmouth’s famous Christmas Day Swim directly from the water.
Warm & Heated Comfort: Guaranteed indoor seating inside our warm lower saloon, away from the chilly winter wind.
Mince Pie & Festive Drink Included: Enjoy a warm local mince pie and mulled wine, hot chocolate, or tea/coffee as part of your ticket.
Avoid the Seafront Crowds: Watch the event in complete comfort without fighting for space on the packed beach.
Exceptional Value for Money: A unique, high-quality Christmas morning tradition to share with family and friends.

Our Christmas Day Swim Cruise sails only once a year on Christmas morning and operates at reduced capacity to guarantee maximum comfort and indoor seating. Because spaces are strictly limited, we strongly recommend booking online well in advance to secure your seats on board.

FAQs

The Swim Experience

Question: What is the Exmouth Christmas Day Swim? Answer: The Christmas Day Swim is a legendary local tradition where hundreds, if not thousands, of brave souls plunge into the sea at Exmouth beach. Our cruise provides the ultimate spectator gallery, allowing you to see the action from the water without getting wet!

Question: Do we actually get off the boat to swim? Answer: No. This cruise is strictly for spectators. We provide a safe, elevated, and warm vantage point to watch the swimmers from the sea, offering a perspective you simply cannot get from the crowded beach.

Question: How long is the Christmas Day Swim cruise? Answer: The cruise lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. This is perfectly timed to see the build-up, the main swim at 11:00am, followed by a nice cruise along the River Exe with a mulled wine and mince pie, before we return you to the Marina in time for your Christmas lunch.

Booking & Logistics

Question: Do I need to book in advance for Christmas Day? Answer: Yes. This is one of our most popular annual events and it sells out every year. We recommend booking your tickets as early as possible to ensure you don't miss out on this unique Exmouth tradition.

Question: Where does the boat depart from on Christmas Day? Answer: The cruise departs from Exmouth Marina. We recommend allowing extra time for travel and parking, as the sea-front area becomes extremely busy with thousands of spectators on Christmas morning.

Question: Are children welcome on the Christmas Day cruise? Answer: Absolutely! It is a wonderful family-friendly way to start Christmas morning. Children love seeing the festive costumes of the swimmers from the safety of the boat.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Will I be cold on the boat? Answer: No. While it will be crisp outside, our boats feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows. You can watch the "madness" of the swim in total warmth and comfort. If you prefer to be on the top deck however, please bring a warm coat as it will be cold.

Question: Is there food or drink included? Answer: Every adult ticket includes a glass of warm mulled wine and a mince pie. Children are provided with a festive alternative and a mince pie. Our fully licensed bar is also open for any additional "winter warmers" you may fancy.

Question: Can I pay by card on Christmas Day? Answer: Yes, we accept card payments. However, as mobile signals can be busy on the seafront during the event, we strongly recommend bringing some cash as a backup to ensure you can be served at the bar quickly.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Christmas Day Swim cruise? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are more than welcome to join the festive fun on board free of charge.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 560 reviews

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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.

2 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.

10 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.

11 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.

11 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.

1 year 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.

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.