Guided Bird Watching Cruise

Wildlife in Focus: Nature, Photography, and Expert-Led Bird Watching

We believe there is quite simply no better way to witness the spectacular birdlife of the River Exe than from the water. Whether you’re a seasoned ornithologist or a nature enthusiast looking for that perfect wildlife photograph, our cruises provide an unrivalled vantage point to see thousands of migratory birds in their natural habitat. Hosted by our multi-award-winning family business and led by top local experts, this is a relaxed, friendly, and value-for-money experience for all ages. Grab your binoculars and your camera for an unforgettable winter adventure on the water.

🕒 Cruise Duration3hours approx.

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

Adult Price£14.00

Child (to 15)£14.00*

Groups (15+ adults): £12.50 _{Click here for group bookings}*Please note that due to the length and nature of these cruises, we do not recommend them for young children. Dogs are not permitted on our Guided Bird Watching Cruises.

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

Immerse Yourself in an International Wildlife Haven

The River Exe is a world-renowned RAMSAR site, acting as a vital winter sanctuary for thousands of birds migrating from as far away as the Arctic. Our Guided Bird Watching Cruises are specifically timed to coincide with the arrival of these spectacular visitors, allowing you to truly step away from the bustle of modern life and into the wild. From the elegant Avocet to the striking Brent Goose and a variety of rare waders, the estuary becomes a bustling hub of activity. As an award-winning, family-run business with over 50 years of experience, we provide a stable platform that lets you feel part of the landscape, getting you closer to the heartbeat of the nature than is ever possible from the shore.

Expert Insight for Every Level

What makes these cruises truly special is our partnership with leading local ornithologists. Throughout the journey, our expert guides provide live, engaging commentary that is tailored to everyone on board, helping you to interpret the language of the estuary. If you are an experienced birder, you will appreciate the technical detail and sightings of rare species; if you are new to the hobby, our guides are happy to help you identify what you are seeing and explain the fascinating, wild behaviours of the birds. It is a fantastic, relaxed atmosphere where knowledge is shared freely among a community of nature lovers, young and old alike.

Nature Meets Comfort

We believe that wildlife watching should be an accessible and comfortable experience, even when the winter air is crisp. Our vessels allow you to be amongst nature without the need for muddy boots; featuring heated lower saloons with large panoramic windows - perfect for steadying your binoculars or camera - as well as open-top decks for those who want to breathe in the salt air and feel the elements. To keep you fueled, our fully licensed bar serves an extensive variety of hot and cold refreshments, including fruit juices, local ales from Bays Brewery, and crisp Sandford Orchards cider. It is the perfect blend of a professional wildlife excursion and a relaxing, soulful trip on the water.

Capturing the Wild on Camera

We believe there is quite simply no better way to witness the spectacular birdlife of the River Exe than from the water, offering a premier vantage point that allows you to get closer to the action without disturbing the natural habitat. These cruises are a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike; whether you are shooting for a professional portfolio or capturing content for social media, our stable, elevated decks provide unbeatable angles for that perfect wildlife shot. You will sail with the region's top ornithologists, who offer engaging, expert-led commentary for all ages, making it an immersive and educational experience for both seasoned birders and curious newcomers. Delivered by our multi-award-winning team, this trip offers exceptional value for money and total all-weather comfort, allowing you to stay warm in our heated cabins or head topside for an unobstructed view of thousands of birds on the wing. Discover why the River Exe is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe and book your place online in advance to ensure you don't miss out on this seasonal highlight.

FAQs

Trip Logistics & Sightings

Question: What birds can I expect to see on the Guided Bird Watching Cruise? Answer: While sightings vary by tide and season, you can typically see an abundance of migratory birds including Avocets, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlews, and various species of Grebes and Divers. We often spot seals hauled out on the sandbanks as well. We sail at low tide to ensure the best opportunities to spot as many varieties as possible.

Question: Is there an expert guide on board to identify the birds? Answer: Yes. Every cruise features a leading local ornithologist who provides a live, informative commentary, pointing out specific species and sharing expert knowledge about the River Exe Estuary and its wildlife.

Question: Do I need to bring my own binoculars? Answer: We recommend bringing your own binoculars for the best experience. However, if you do not have any, we have a limited number of pairs available on board for passengers to borrow free of charge.

Booking & Suitability

Question: Are children allowed on the Guided Bird Watching Cruise? Answer: Yes, we welcome all ages and is an ideal cruise for all those interested in nature. Please note that these cruises are three hours long and focus on quiet observation and expert commentary. For this reason, we generally do not recommend them for very young children who may find the duration challenging.

Question: Can I bring my dog on this cruise? Answer: No. To avoid disturbing the migratory birds and to ensure a quiet environment for all passengers, dogs are strictly prohibited on our Guided Bird Watching Cruises (with the exception of registered assistance dogs).

Question: Why are the departure times different every day? Answer: These cruises are tide-dependent. We schedule our departures to coincide with the rising tide, which pushes the birds off the mudflats and closer to the boat for the best possible viewing opportunities.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Will I be cold during the three-hour cruise? Answer: Not necessarily. While we recommend dressing warmly with layers, our vessels feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, allowing you to watch the birds in total comfort regardless of the winter weather.

Question: Is there food and drink available? Answer: Yes. Our fully licensed bar is open throughout the cruise, serving hot drinks, local ales, and light snacks. We find a hot chocolate or coffee is very popular during these winter birding sessions!

Question: Can I order a pasty on the cruise? Answer: Maybe. We recommend pre-ordering your pasty, which can be done 1 week or more in advance. Whilst we do carry a few spares, we will not guarantee availability on the cruise if you have not pre-ordered.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 513 reviews

review us on

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.

Meet the Experts

Dave SmallshireAn avid bird watcher for over 50 years, with a special interest in wetland birds. Dave has an intimate knowledge of the Exe Estuary’s wildlife, which has been his ‘local patch’ for over 30 years. He does the Wetland Bird Survey counts every month on the estuary between Starcross and Dawlish Warren. His interests span all aspects of wildlife, notably dragonflies – about which he has written two highly acclaimed field guides.

Derek CarterA volunteer with Devon Wildlife Trust and helped out for over 8 years with the RSPB in East Devon & The Exe Estuary. He is an avid local wildlife enthusiast and has had a love of birds from an early age. Living in Exmouth, with the Exe Estuary in his backyard, Derek is well situated to keep up to date with the flow of birds during the Winter period. Derek is a very keen wildlife photographer capturing many of the estuary’s visitors throughout the seasons.

Peter HopkinPeter Hopkin has been watching birds on the Exe for fifty years, and is passionate about the value of nature encounters supporting the cause of conservation. He is a specialist volunteer for the RSPB and other wildlife organizations, working on seabird recovery schemes and censusing marine life on trips to Lundy Island. He is a member of the Devon Birds Records Committee and contributes to bird population trends across the UK.

Steve ManningI have been bird watching most of my life with the Exe estuary being my local patch for the last ten years or so. I’m a regular volunteer for the RSPB at Bowling Green Marsh where I offer wildlife guidance, guided walks and generally enthuse about the Estuary and its bird life. I also help with the Wetland Bird Survey and once a year endure the cold to count gulls for the winter gull survey.

Bird Watching Blog

Guided Bird Watching Cruise – 5th November 2025

5 November 2025

It was a full boat that set off up the Exe estuary under cloudy skies, but there was mercifully no rain. Our…

Guided Bird Watching Cruise 3rd November 2025

3 November 2025

The weather was dry overcast mild and windy visibility was good and set fair for the duration of our cruise. The Pride…

Guest Blog – Helping Local Wildlife

24 September 2025

Stuart Line Cruises is passionate about the beauty of the Exe Estuary and the incredible wildlife that calls it home. We’re excited…

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Why not enjoy a locally made Chunk Pasty?

Why not add an optional award-winning Chunk pasty, made locally in Ottery St Mary, you have a choice of either the ultimate steak or the mouth-watering vegetarian pasty.

Served warm, this is the perfect addition to the Guided Bird Watching Cruise.

Pasties must be pre-ordered at least 48 hours in advance of the cruise, you will be given the option on the booking page.

Book Online

If we do not have availability for your desired date, please email info@stuartlinecruises.co.uk
with your name, telephone number, desired date and email address so that we can add you to our reserve list.