Sidmouth Air Show

The Best Seat in the Bay: Our Sidmouth Airshow Cruise

Skip the traffic, bypass the crowded promenades, and experience Devon's most spectacular aerial event directly from the water. Departing from Exmouth, our Sidmouth Airshow Cruise takes you right into the heart of the action, offering an uninterrupted, grand-stand view of the displays as they roar over Lyme Bay. Hosted on our comfortable, all-weather vessels and delivered with our signature friendly service, this is a fantastic, value-for-money way for the whole family to experience the thrill of the skies against the breathtaking backdrop of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast.

🕒 Cruise Duration5hours 15minutes

📍 Departure PointExmouth Marina

All Fares£25.00*

Please note: This cruise is not suitable for young children or pets due to the lengthy duration. Specific timings are subject to change based on the official airshow programme.

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

Unrivalled Views from a Natural Amphitheatre

There is quite simply no better way to experience the spectacular Sidmouth Regatta Airshow than from the steady, elevated deck of our flagship vessel. As the aircraft use the unique, sweeping shape of the South Devon coastline as their natural amphitheatre, you will enjoy a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the action that is impossible to replicate from a crowded beach. From the historic Flight's to high-octane civilian aerobatics and the world-famous RAF Red Arrows, you will feel the true rumble of the engines as they echo off the towering red Triassic cliffs.

Beat the Holiday Traffic

The Sidmouth Regatta weekend attracts thousands of visitors to the region, making local roads and parking spaces exceptionally busy. Our cruise offers the ultimate stress-free alternative. By setting sail directly from Exmouth Marina, you can leave the car behind and swap gridlocked lanes for a smooth, scenic voyage along the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Our Skippers will guide you effortlessly across the water, sharing fascinating local history and landmarks along the way, ensuring that your journey to the display is just as relaxing and enjoyable as the airshow itself.

Relaxed Onboard Comfort and Celebration

We believe in providing total comfort while you soak up the electric holiday atmosphere. Our purpose-built vessels feature spacious open-top decks perfect for photography and scanning the skies, alongside heated lower saloons with large panoramic windows if you want to step inside and relax. Our onboard bar is fully licensed and well-stocked with a fantastic selection of local South West favourites, including crisp Sandford Orchards cider, award-winning ales from Bays Brewery, and a selection of hot and cold refreshments to enjoy as the world-class entertainment unfolds overhead.

Why Choose Our Airshow Cruise?

The Ultimate Vantage Point: Completely uninterrupted, front-row views over the water, far away from the seafront crowds.
Stress-Free Travel: Avoid the chaos of event-day traffic and parking by arriving seamlessly by sea.
Friendly, Family Hospitality: Enjoy the day with a close-knit crew dedicated to making your experience unforgettable.
Exceptional Value for Money: A breathtaking Jurassic Coast cruise and a world-class airshow experience rolled into one seamless ticket.
All-Weather Facilities: Benefit from clean, modern toilets, comfortable seating, and a fully stocked local bar on board.

The Sidmouth Regatta Airshow is one of the absolute highlights of the Devon summer calendar. Because this special event sails only once a year and availability is strictly limited, we highly recommend booking online in advance to secure your place on deck.

FAQs

The Airshow Experience

Question: What makes the Sidmouth Airshow cruise unique? Answer: Our cruise offers an unparalleled view of the aerial displays from the water, directly in front of the Sidmouth Seafront. Being on the boat means you avoid the crowded beaches and Esplanade, giving you a clear, "front-row" seat to the action.

Question: Will I see the Red Arrows on this cruise? Answer: While the line-up is subject to change by the organisers, the Red Arrows are usually a staple of the Sidmouth Airshow. We position the boat for optimal viewing of their high-speed maneuvers and iconic smoke trails.

Question: How long is the Sidmouth Airshow cruise? Answer: This is a comprehensive coastal excursion lasting approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. This includes the scenic cruise from Exmouth along the Jurassic Coast and the full duration of the flying displays.

Booking & Logistics

Question: Do I need to book in advance for the Sidmouth Airshow? Answer: Yes. This is one of the busiest events in the East Devon calendar and our boat reaches capacity very quickly. We highly recommend booking your tickets online as soon as they are released.

Question: Where does the cruise depart from? Answer: The Sidmouth Airshow cruise departs from Exmouth Marina. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth boarding process for this popular event.

Question: Is this cruise suitable for children? Answer: Yes! Children are fascinated by the fast jets and aerial stunts. However, as it is a longer trip on the water, please ensure it is suitable for your child's comfort level.

Comfort & Facilities

Question: Will I be able to go ashore at Sidmouth? Answer: No. To ensure we provide the best viewing platform for the duration of the airshow, the boat remains at sea. You will have a fantastic view of the town and the displays from the comfort of the vessel.

Question: Is there food and drink available on board? Answer: Yes. Our fully licensed bar is open throughout the trip, serving hot and cold drinks, local ales, and light snacks. Given the length of the cruise, we recommend bringing a packed lunch or snacks to enjoy during the displays.

Question: Can I pay by card on the boat? Answer: Yes, we accept card payments. However, as we move along the coast towards Sidmouth, mobile signal can be intermittent. We recommend bringing some cash as a backup for bar purchases.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Sidmouth Airshow cruise? Answer: No. Due to the extremely high-decibel noise of the jet engines and the low-flying aircraft, which can be very distressing for animals, dogs are not permitted on this cruise for their own welfare.

Question: Is the boat undercover? Answer: Yes. Our vessels feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows, so you can enjoy the airshow in total comfort regardless of the weather.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 540 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.

8 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.

9 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.

Book Online

For group bookings of 15+, we tailor a schedule to suit your needs.
Please call us as the timetable listed is not intended for group bookings.

Please note, times may change but we will notify you beforehand.

Sidmouth Air Show

The Best Seat in the Bay: Our Sidmouth Airshow Cruise

Unrivalled Views from a Natural Amphitheatre

Beat the Holiday Traffic

Relaxed Onboard Comfort and Celebration

Why Choose Our Airshow Cruise?

Book Online

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