The top 5 River Dart boat trips

Originating from a high moorland plateau in Dartmoor and meandering its way down to the sea at Dartmouth, the River Dart is one of Devon’s most scenic waterways and home to an array of wildlife from seals to dolphins, as well as must-visit attractions like Agatha Christie’s Greenway. 

River Dart boat trips are the best way to experience all it has to offer, so to help you make the most of your experience, we’ve rounded up five of our favourites. 

1. Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat

For the ultimate River Dart sightseeing experience, we recommend the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, as their excursion is the only attraction in Devon where you can enjoy travelling by steam train, boat and paddle steamer all in one day.

Starting in Paignton, around a 50-minute drive from Leonard’s Cove, you’ll hop onto the steam train for a nostalgic journey through stunning Devon countryside to Kingswear, a charming village on the east bank of the River Dart. From here, you’ll board a ferry to cross the river to Dartmouth, before boarding another vessel to enjoy a circular cruise around the river and estuary. 

Taking you to the mouth of the river, the cruise passes many key sights, including Kingswear and Dartmouth castles, Dittisham village, Britannia Royal Naval College and Agatha Christie’s Greenway House. While avid wildlife watchers may catch a glimpse of dolphins, seals, herons, kingfishers and much more.

Steam and cruise tickets start from £35 and offer great flexibility, as you can choose to spend some time in Dartmouth before catching your return ferry to Kingswear. You can even take your four-legged friend along for the ride for just £3.

2. Greenway and Dittisham Ferry River Boat Cruises

If you’re looking for the top River Dart experiences, then visiting Greenway, the home of the late Dame Agatha Christie, should definitely be on your to-do list. And there’s no better way to arrive than by boat.

Greenway and Dittisham Ferry River Boat Cruises specialise in crossings to Greenway with ferry services at Dittisham on demand every few minutes through summer - simply ring a bell on the river’s edge to announce your arrival. Or you can catch one of the hourly ferries across from Dartmouth. The Dittisham crossing costs £3.50 per adult, while the crossing from Dartmouth is £15. But for the best value for money, we recommend their 1-hour Dartmouth River Cruise, which costs just £7.50 per adult. 

We recommend boarding the ferry at Greenway, just over a 45-minute drive from our holiday park, and enjoying the views as the ferry makes its way to Dartmouth and Dittisham before heading back to Greenway, where you can disembark and explore the grounds. 

3. The Banquet Boat

If you’re looking for South Devon River excursions with a difference, then The Banquet Boat is perfect. This luxury cruise offers you the chance to enjoy the picturesque scenery all whilst tucking into the finest locally sourced food and wine.

With a range of set menus celebrating local produce and delicacies, like a classic West Country Cream Tea, to the freshest seafood, there is something to tempt everyone. Prices vary depending on your chosen menu, with afternoon tea starting from £42 per person, including the river cruise. 

Although moored in Dartmouth, they also offer pick-ups in Dittisham and Kingswear. They also offer private hire with bespoke menus and themes for groups up to 12, perfect if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

4. Dartmouth Castle Ferry

If you’re looking for more conventional River Dart boat trips, then Castle Ferry is your best bet. With its traditional open launches, it is one of the best and simplest ways to get close to the water.

You can board the ferry at Dartmouth or Dartmouth Castle, and trips only take around 10 minutes, making it ideal for those with younger children who may not sit still on a long cruise. 

Along the route, there’s plenty of opportunity for sightseeing as it passes Lower Ferry, the last remaining tug and float ferry in England and Bayard’s Cove, with its charming, cobbled quay and waterfront houses, before reaching Dartmouth Castle and the Castle Tea Rooms. 

Once at Dartmouth Castle, there are some great swimming spots at Castle Cove, immediately adjacent to the castle entrance, and Sugary Cove, just a few minutes walk from the castle. If walking is more your thing, several circular walks start at Dartmouth Castle, or you can join the South West Coast Path.

Tickets for over 14s cost £3.50 and under 14s just £2.50, and dogs travel free, making it one of the most fun and affordable River Dart boat cruises for all the family.

5. Dartmouth Boat Hire

Finally, for those who prefer to steer their own course, Dartmouth Boat Hire offers self-steer hire boats. With various hire periods available during the daytime and evening, they offer you complete freedom on the water. 

Full instructions are provided before your hire period to ensure you’re confident with the controls before you set off, and essential safety gear and fuel are included in the hire charge.

River Dart sightseeing tips

To make the most of River Dart boat trips, we recommend:

1. Packing a picnic or researching local eateries to make a real day of your river boat trip.
2. Exploring local walking routes you can tie into your boat trip - there are some great paths to explore, including the South West Coast Path.
3. Packing your camera or having your phone handy to capture pictures of local wildlife, tourist hotspots and scenic views.
4. Checking tide times, especially if you’re planning to hire a boat and take it out on the river yourself. 
5. Planning your boat trip around popular wildlife sighting times – for example, dolphins are usually spotted early in the mornings and evenings. 

Enjoy more of South Devon

River Dart sightseeing is just one of the many activities on offer in South Devon, so if you’re keen to explore more of this exceptional county, why not book a stay at Leonard’s Cove? Our South Devon holiday village is located just moments from the award-winning Blackpool Sands beach and offers uninterrupted sea views, making it the perfect place to enjoy all the stunning South Devon coastline has to offer.