Long River Cruise

The Ultimate Estuary Escape: Our Long River Exe Cruise

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the South West with our extended River Exe adventure. This circular 2-hour and 15-minute cruise takes you deeper into the tranquil waters of the Exe Estuary from Exmouth to Topsham, offering even more time to relax, unwind, and soak up the stunning Devon scenery. With live commentary from our friendly crew and the comfort of our modern, all-weather vessels, it is a fantastic, value-for-money way to explore this designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Cruise Duration: 2hours 15mins
Departure Point: Exmouth Marina
Adult Price: £12.50 | Child Price (ages 15 or under): £9.50*
Groups (15+ adults): £10.50
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Please note we do not recommend this cruise for young children due to the duration. Why not take a look at our River Exe Cruise? For a shorter, family-friendly cruise on the River!

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Trip Description

More Time to Discover the Devon Coastline

Our Long River Exe Cruise is designed for those who want to see a little more. Departing from Exmouth, this extended journey glides through the calm, sheltered waters of the estuary, providing a unique perspective of the rolling hills and historic landmarks that line the riverbanks. As a family-run business with over 50 years of experience, we love sharing the hidden gems of our local waters with visitors and locals alike.

A Haven for Wildlife and History

Because this cruise offers extra time on the water, you’ll have even more opportunities to spot the incredible wildlife that makes the River Exe so famous. From the resident Seals to the bird life that call the river home, there is an extensive variety of nature to discover. Our close-knit team provides live, informative commentary throughout the trip, bringing the maritime history of the region to life in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.

The Best Seat on the River, Whatever the Weather

We believe that a great day out shouldn't depend on the forecast. Our vessels are purpose-built for year-round cruising, featuring heated lower saloons with large panoramic windows - perfect for a cosy afternoon on the water. If the sun is out, our large open-top decks offer the best views in Devon. With a fully licensed bar on board serving hot and cold refreshments, you can settle in and enjoy the journey in total comfort.

Why Choose Our Long River Exe Cruise?

Exceptional Value for Money: More time on the water for a great price, making it an ideal choice for families and groups.
Warm, Professional Service: Our crew is famous for their friendly welcome and expert knowledge of the river.
Extensive Variety of Sights: From historic Powderham Castle to the bustling boats at Topsham, see more of the estuary’s landmarks.
Dog-Friendly Adventures: We are proud to be a dog-friendly attraction, and four-legged friends are always welcome on board for free.
Easy Access for All: Our boats are designed to be accessible for manual wheelchair users, ensuring everyone can enjoy a long, relaxing cruise.

FAQs

The "Long" Cruise Experience

Question: What is the difference between the standard and the Long River Exe Cruise? Answer: The Long River Exe Cruise is an extended 2 hour 15 minute voyage. This extra time allows us to travel much further into the upper reaches of the estuary, providing a more in-depth exploration of the wildlife habitats and hidden historical corners of the river that our shorter cruises cannot reach.

Question: What wildlife will I see on the Long River Exe Cruise? Answer: Because we spend more time in the quiet, sheltered areas of the estuary, your chances of seeing the resident seal colony and a vast array of migratory birds are greatly increased. Depending on the season and tide, the range birds you see will vary.

Question: Is there a commentary on this longer trip? Answer: Yes. Our Skipper provides a live, detailed commentary. With over two hours on the water, they can go into much more depth about the maritime history of Topsham, the local fishing heritage, and the specific ecological importance of the River Exe Estuary.

Booking & Suitability

Question: Do I need to book in advance for the Long River Exe Cruise? Answer: Yes. These trips run less frequently than our standard cruises and are highly popular with wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. We strongly recommend booking online in advance to secure your space.

Question: Is this cruise suitable for children? Answer: Yes, although it is a longer trip at 2 hours 15 minutes. We find it is perfect for children who have a keen interest in animals and nature, but parents of very young children may prefer our shorter 1 hour 15 minute River Exe Cruise.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Long River Exe Cruise? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on board free of charge. The calm river waters make this a very comfortable trip for our four-legged passengers.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Is the boat wheelchair accessible? Answer: Yes. Like our flagship cruises, our vessels are accessible for standard manual wheelchairs. Our crew is experienced in assisting with boarding to ensure everyone can enjoy the scenery.

Question: Will I be cold on the water for over two hours? Answer: Even in summer, it can be breezy on the river. However, our boats feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, allowing you to enjoy the full duration of the trip in total warmth and comfort.

Question: Is there a bar and toilets on board? Answer: Yes. Our fully licensed bar is open throughout the cruise serving local ales, hot and cold drinks, and light snacks. Clean toilet facilities are also available on board.

Question: Can I pay by card on the boat? Answer: Yes, we accept card payments. Please be aware that mobile signal can occasionally be weak in the upper reaches of the river, so we recommend bringing a little cash as a backup for the bar.

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.

Gallery

Fancy a Devon Cream Tea with your Boat Trip?

Add a freshly-baked fruit scone from our favourite local bakery and our locally-sourced clotted cream and strawberry jam – our Devon Cream Tea is one your tastebuds will not argue with!

The cream teas are served the Devon way with heaps of fresh clotted cream on the bottom and finished off with an indulgent dollop of scrumptious strawberry jam – all accompanied with a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee – a match made in Devon!

Add your optional Cream Tea at the time of booking below on selected Cruises.

Gluten-free options are available. Please let us know by calling or emailing if you require this option.