6 best river cruises in Devon and Cornwall
In Devon and Cornwall, rivers and estuaries carve out the land. Exe, Fowey, Dart, Fal and the mighty Tamar surge to meet the sea, with villages and towns on either side where life revolves around the water.
The best way to experience these estuaries? On the water of course, with a river cruise!
If you’ve done cruises elsewhere in the world, adjust your expectations – a Danube river cruise might last a few days, but these just take a few hours, with deck or below-deck seating, a commentary and often a bar.
Still, they’re among the best things to do in the region!
Here are some of my favourite South West river cruises.
Stuart Line Cruises (Exmouth)
Stuart Line Cruises is an Exmouth institution.
Their sightseeing ferries run along the coastline from the seaside town, along the Jurassic Coast and up the River Exe. Some ferries are round-trips to and from Exmouth, others dock in Topsham.
The River Exe cruise runs all year round, thanks to the river’s calm waters. Winter’s actually ideal for birdwatching!
Click here to read more things to do in Exmouth.
Totnes to Dartmouth Cruises
The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company offers a sightseeing 90 minute trip between the two towns.
I took it from Totnes, and enjoyed the commentary of villages and towns along the Dart, before arriving in Dartmouth – a naval town – by sea. Being right amongst the harbour’s boats is a Dartmouth experience everyone should have!
As the company also operates the Dartmouth Steam Railway, you can return via the Kingswear to Paignton train.
I purchased a “Round Robin” ticket, the itinerary for this was:
- Arrive in Paignton
- bus to Totnes
- sightseeing cruise to Dartmouth
- water taxi to Kingswear
- steam train to Paignton
It’s a wonderful day out where you’ll experience some of the best South Devon scenery!
Truro River Cruises
Truro sits on the River Fal, which winds down to the coast at Falmouth.
A few companies operate cruises, including Enterprise Boats and AK Wildlife Cruises. Some stop at Trelissick and Malpas on the way.
You might see seals and coastal birds and will learn about Pendennis Castle, Carrick Roads, the importance of Falmouth’s harbour and Truro’s important position as Cornwall’s only city.
River Fowey Cruises
With its source on Bodmin Moor, the River Fowey may not be as mighty as some on this list, but it’s charming enough, and has links to Daphne du Maurier!
From the medieval town of Fowey, walk to the harbour and hop onto a sightseeing cruise ship that’ll take you up and down the river.
You’ll see the tucked-away Readymoney Beach and the house that Daphne du Maurier once lived in, plus the Fowey docks where the modern Cornwall china clay industry is ever-present.
River and harbour cruises run with Fowey River Cruise.
Helford River Cruises
These river cruises are lower key; the “HannahMolly” boat traverses the lush waterway which is surrounded by an AONB.
The Helford River is actually a ria (as are others in the South West!), a valley that was flooded at the end of the last ice age.
Tours take you past Trebah Gardens and Frenchman’s Creek, looking out for wildlife as you go. It’s a much smaller affair than some of the others, with only 10 spaces (private charter also available), but for such a lush, wild-feeling river, it’s perfect.
Tamar Cruises (Plymouth)
Forming the boundary between Cornwall and Devon (once upon a time, between Anglo-Saxon England and the Celtic Kingdom of Cornwall), the Tamar is actually one of the oldest borders in the world.
Hop on a sightseeing cruise in Plymouth, and you’ll pass the city’s sights, learn about Devonport and the navy and see the sprawling Edgcumbe estate on the Cornish side. You’ll spot Brunel’s imposing bridge that links the two regions and catch glimpses of the coast and countryside on Plymouth’s boundaries.
Plymouth gets a bad rep, but this cruise – amongst other attractions – reminded me of just how much history and culture there is here! Plymouth Boat Trips run the harbour cruises – along with ferries to Cremyll, Cawsand and Mount Edgcumbe.
You have to do a Devon or Cornwall river cruise while you’re in the area – you’ll experience some of the region’s best nature and also learn about how the waterways have been so fundamental to life in the South West (and continue to be).
See my lists of the best things to do in Cornwall and the best places to visit in Devon for more tips!
