Mini Coastal Cruise

A Seafront Adventure for All Ages

Perfect for young families and those looking for a quick escape, our 1-hour Mini Coastal Cruise offers a refreshing burst of sea air along the 2 miles of Exmouth's vibrant seafront. This "taster" trip is a wonderful, value-for-money way to keep minds of all ages entertained as we get you up close and personal with the towering red cliffs of Straight Point—the gateway to the UNESCO Jurassic Coast. With a warm welcome from our friendly crew and a relaxed, family-run atmosphere, it’s the ultimate addition to your day at the beach.

Cruise Duration: 1hour
Departure Point: Exmouth Marina
Adult Price: £9.50 | Child Price (ages 15 or under): £6.50
Groups (15+ adults): £8.50
_{Click here for group bookings}

View Trip Times

Click Map To Enlarge

Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

A Homage to Our Roots

The Mini Coastal Cruise holds a special place in our hearts, as it’s a nod to how Stuart Line Cruises began over 50 years ago. In the early days, we would shout out from the shore to welcome visitors on board for a quick spin around the bay! Today, while you can book with ease online, we’ve kept that same lively spirit and passion for the water. It’s a classic Devon experience that connects our family’s history with yours.

The Perfect Family "Taster" Session

We know that for those with younger children, a full day at sea might feel a bit daunting. That’s why this 1-hour trip is designed to be the perfect length - long enough to feel like a real coastal adventure, but short enough to keep little explorers engaged from start to finish. We sail right along the Exmouth seafront, providing a unique perspective of the golden sands before heading towards the dramatic cliffs of Straight Point.

Up Close with the Jurassic Coast

There is nothing quite like seeing the start of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast from the water. Our modern, all-weather vessel, the Pride of Exmouth, allows us to get you close to the rock formations, where our close-knit crew will share live commentary as you watch the sea birds. Whether you’re sitting up top in the sunshine or tucked into our cosy, heated lower saloon, you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to some of England’s most spectacular geology.

Why Families Love the Mini Coastal Cruise:

Great Value for Money: An affordable way to get the whole family out on the water without breaking the bank.
Just the Right Length: A 1-hour round trip that’s perfect for short attention spans and busy holiday schedules.
A Friendly, Personal Touch: Experience the warm hospitality and local pride that only a long-standing family business can provide.
Dog-Friendly Fun: We believe dogs are part of the family, so they are more than welcome on board for free!
Comfort Whatever the Weather: Enjoy the views from our open decks or stay warm in our heated saloon with a drink from the bar.

Make some memories on the Exmouth seafront today. We always recommend booking directly through our website to secure your seats and get the best seasonal rates!

FAQs

The Cruise Experience

Question: What is the Mini Coastal Cruise? Answer: The Mini Coastal Cruise is a 1-hour "taster" trip that takes you out of the estuary and along the very beginning of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the perfect choice for those who want to experience the open sea and see the iconic red cliffs without committing to a longer voyage.

Question: What will I see on this trip? Answer: You will sail past Exmouth Seafront and out toward the Orcombe Point Geoneedle, which marks the official start of the Jurassic Coast. You'll see the striking Triassic red sandstone cliffs and enjoy panoramic views across the bay toward Dawlish and Berry Head.

Question: Is there a commentary on board? Answer: Yes. Our Skipper provides a live, informative commentary throughout the hour, pointing out local landmarks, sharing snippets of maritime history, and helping you identify the coastal birds often seen diving near the shore.

Booking & Suitability

Question: Is this cruise suitable for people who get seasick? Answer: Yes. Because this is a short, 1-hour trip that stays relatively close to the shore, it is the best option for those who are concerned about sea conditions. We monitor the weather closely and only sail the Mini Coastal if conditions are calm and comfortable for our passengers.

Question: Do I need to book in advance? Answer: We always recommend booking online in advance to secure your seats, especially during the summer. However, as this trip runs frequently, we do often have space for "walk-on" passengers at our Exmouth Marina office.

Question: Is the Mini Coastal Cruise suitable for children? Answer: It is fantastic for children! The 1-hour duration is perfectly suited for younger families, providing just enough time to see the "big" waves and red cliffs before returning to the calm of the marina.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Mini Coastal Cruise? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are more than welcome to join you for a breath of sea air free of charge.

Question: Is the boat wheelchair accessible? Answer: Yes. Our vessels are accessible for standard manual wheelchairs. Our crew is always on hand to assist with boarding at Exmouth Marina to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone.

Question: What if it rains during our hour at sea? Answer: You will stay dry and warm. Our boats feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, so you can enjoy the coastal views in total comfort regardless of the weather.

Question: Is the bar open for such a short trip? Answer: Yes! Our fully licensed bar remains open for the duration of the cruise, serving local ales, hot and cold drinks, and light snacks.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 511 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.

2 Great Excursions, 1 money-saving ticket!

With any Mini-Coastal Cruise, you have the option to add on a money-saving ticket for the World of Country Life, a family-owned visitor attraction in Exmouth, showcasing museums, animals, play areas, and entertainment. Fun for all the whole family, whatever the age, whatever the weather! Located approximately a 10-minute drive from Stuart Line Cruises at Sandy Bay on the outskirts of Exmouth, right next door to Haven's Devon Cliffs site.

Just choose the joint ticket whilst making your booking with us. Your World of Country Life Ticket can be redeemed directly at the World of Country Life at a later date without booking.