Jurassic Coast Cruise from Sidmouth

A Prehistoric Voyage: Jurassic Coast Cruise from Sidmouth

Step off the pebbles and onto the water for the ultimate exploration of England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Departing directly from Sidmouth Beach, this immersive circular cruise takes you on a spectacular journey along the oldest section of the Jurassic Coast, showcasing millions of years of Earth's history sequentially exposed in dramatic, towering cliffs. Delivered by our friendly crew on our comfortable, all-weather flagship vessel, this excursion offers an exceptional, value-for-money afternoon of discovery for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike, with the fun of a beach landing!

🕒 Cruise Duration3 hours approximately

📍 Departure PointSidmouth Beach Landing

Adult Price£14.00

Child (to 15)£12.00

Groups (15+ adults): £12.00 _{Click here for group bookings}Please note: We do not recommend this cruise for children due to the duration. Why not take a look at our Sidmouth Bay Cruise for a shorter, family-friendly trip!

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

An Unrivalled View of the Triassic Era

Sailing directly from Sidmouth, this cruise provides a truly unique perspective of the famous "Red Cliffs" that define the Triassic period - a time dating back some 185 million years. As we glide through the water, we sail close to the towering rock faces to give you an incredibly detailed view of the intricate layers, secluded caves, and dramatic sea stacks at Ladram Bay, before moving further out into Lyme Bay to offer a sweeping, panoramic view of the coastline. Our Skippers provide live, professional commentary throughout the voyage, bringing the geological secrets and rich maritime history of the region to life.

The Thrill of a Direct Beach Boarding

Part of what makes this cruise so memorable is the traditional beach landing. Our friendly shore crew will meet you on the pebbles of Sidmouth seafront (opposite The Bedford Hotel) to guide you safely onto our vessel via our specialized boarding ramp. Because we board directly from the beach, it is worth noting that this trip involves walking on shifting pebbles and navigating a relatively steep bank, meaning it is best suited for passengers with good mobility and is not recommended for wheelchair users. It is an authentic, seafaring start to a grand afternoon on the water.

A Relaxing Afternoon on the Water

Spanning approximately 3 hours, this cruise is a deeper, more relaxed exploration designed to let you completely unwind. You will be sailing on our flagship vessel, the Pride of Exmouth, which is perfectly equipped for a longer sea-going voyage. You can soak up the fresh sea air from our spacious, open-top upper decks - ideal for photography and taking in the scale of the landscape - or retreat to the shade of the lower saloon on those sunny days, with its large panoramic windows. Please note that due to the longer duration, we generally recommend this cruise for adults and older children.

Why Choose Our Sidmouth Jurassic Coast Cruise?

An Immersive 3-Hour Journey: Ample time to sit back, relax, and take in the absolute best of the local coastline.
Direct Beach Boarding: A rare and exciting boarding experience straight from the Sidmouth shore.
Comfort and Facilities On Board: Enjoy clean, modern toilets, comfortable seating, and a completely all-weather design.
A Fully Licensed Local Bar: Treat yourself to a selection of South West favourites, including local ales from Bays Brewery, crisp Sandford Orchards cider, and hot drinks.
Friendly, Expert Insight: Learn the fascinating stories behind the landmarks with live commentary from our close-knit crew.

Because boarding from the beach is highly dependent on the tides and weather conditions, spaces are strictly limited. We highly recommend booking directly through our website in advance so we can easily contact you with any seasonal schedule updates.

FAQs

The Sidmouth Experience

Question: What is unique about the Jurassic Coast Cruise from Sidmouth? Answer: This trip offers the rare and exciting experience of boarding the boat directly from Sidmouth Beach via a direct beach landing, offering an unrivalled view of Sidmouth’s iconic Regency seafront from the water.

Question: What will I see on the Sidmouth Jurassic Coast Cruise? Answer: You will sail close to the towering red sandstone cliffs that define this part of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the spectacular sea stacks at Ladram Bay, the nesting colonies of coastal birds, and the ancient rock formations dating back to the Triassic period.

Question: Is there a commentary on board? Answer: Yes. Our Skipper provides a live, informative commentary. They will share the history of the "Red Cliffs," explain the unique geology of the area, and point out local landmarks that are only visible from the sea.

Booking & Logistics

Question: How long is the Jurassic Coast Cruise from Sidmouth? Answer: The cruise typically lasts approximately 3 hours. It is the perfect duration to experience the best of the local coastline before returning to the beach for more exploring in town.

Question: Do I need to book in advance? Answer: Yes. Because boarding from the beach is highly dependent on the tide and weather conditions, we strongly recommend booking online in advance. This ensures we can contact you easily if conditions change and require us to adjust the schedule.

Question: Where do I meet the boat in Sidmouth? Answer: We board from Sidmouth Beach, opposite The Bedford Hotel (EX10 8NR). Look for our Stuart Line Cruises friendly shore crew who will guide you to the que and how to board safely.

Comfort & Suitability

Question: Is beach boarding suitable for people with limited mobility? Answer: While we strive to be as accessible as possible, boarding from the beach via our mobile ramp can be more challenging than at our Exmouth Marina base. It involves walking over pebbles and up a steeper incline. If you have significant mobility concerns, we recommend our Exmouth-based cruises for the easiest access.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Sidmouth cruise? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on board free of charge. Please note that they will also need to walk across the pebbles and up the boarding ramp with you.

Question: What happens if the weather is bad? Answer: Coastal cruises from Sidmouth are particularly sensitive to sea swell. If the conditions are unsuitable for a safe and comfortable beach landing, we will notify you as soon as possible to offer an alternative trip from Exmouth or a full refund.

Question: Is there a bar and toilets on board? Answer: Yes. Despite boarding from the beach, you will be on one of our large, modern vessels equipped with clean toilet facilities and a fully licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 549 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.

8 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.

10 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.

12 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.

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.