Boat Trips & Charters
Curious seal by Jess Pearson
From the North Devon coast you can head along the dramatic coastline out of Ilfracombe, Clovelly or Lynmouth, soaking up its history while keeping a whether eye out for sea mammals, seabirds, basking sharks and giant sunfish. You can take a trip out to Lundy, aboard the iconic ferry the Oldenburg, walk around the island and have lunch in the famous Marisco Tavern. Or you can take a leisurely amble upriver, along the Torridge from Appledore and hear the stories of the ancient wrecks which line the river. We recommend all these trips as exhilarating, memorable days out for all the family.
If you’re not sure about boats try one of the shorter trips like the ten minute estuary crossing on the Appledore & Instow ferry, the fifteen minute trip aboard Neptune from Clovelly harbour or the half hour tour of Ilfracombe harbour aboard the historic lifeboat – the Hampshire Rose. The season will start for most of these boats at the beginning of April or during the Easter holidays and usually runs on until October half term.
If you’re not sure about boats try one of the shorter trips like the ten minute estuary crossing on the Appledore & Instow ferry, the fifteen minute trip aboard Neptune from Clovelly harbour or the half hour tour of Ilfracombe harbour aboard the historic lifeboat – the Hampshire Rose. The season will start for most of these boats at the beginning of April or during the Easter holidays and usually runs on until October half term.
Dave Gabe on the Torridge
If you have a couple of hours to spare take the family-friendly Ilfracombe Princess along the coast or try your hand at mackerel fishing available from most harbours.
The more adventurous should book a place on one of the charter boats to try an experience of a lifetime: swimming with seals with the Jessica Hettie from Clovelly - or all day, snorkelling, diving or fishing trips aboard charter boats like the Obsession 11 or Jay-Jay out of Ilfracombe.
Charter boat hoardings Ilfracombe
Boat Stories is lucky enough to have been out on many of these boats – so read our posts or watch our films! to get a flavour of the trip. We are adding to them all the time. And remember all boat trips are tide and weather dependent so book and check with the local operators.
The Ilfracombe Princess
Boat Stories caught up with Paul Barbeary, skipper of the Ilfracombe Princess in Ilfracombe this week as he made final preparations to open for the season. Paul was also musing whether Dave the Dolphin would make a return to Ilfracombe this summer. If we hear any news, we’ll let you know. Meanwhile to give you a flavour of the trip - below is an edited version of an article I wrote for the North Devon Journal, a few years ago after a ride on the Princess.
To Lundy Island
Boat Stories loves going to Lundy.
Lundy ferry sailings begin around Easter right through to October on MS Oldenburg! Watch our film 'Living & Working on Lundy Island' told by warden Beccy MacDonald on our films page to get a taster of the island. The Oldenburg ferry features in the film so you can check her out before you book. There's also a video blog with 4 outtakes if you want to find out more... Lundy is open during the winter months -flying in and out via helicopter Spring is a fantastic time to visit because the puffins are back! And there numbers seem to be increasing every year. more & more seabirds are arriving on the island to breed & the rare Lundy cabbage is in flower The walks along the coastal path and the views are stunning. The seals, the deer, the goats and the ponies are still there & many of the domestic animals have young At the quieter times of year, (April-June) (Sept-Oct) MS Oldenburg often sails with plenty of space so you can book at short notice when the weather is promising & if you're lucky there might be space in one of the cottages - check the Lundy website for details. More Boat Trips from Ilfracombe
Why not go out on a charter boat or boat trip with a qualified skipper from Ilfracombe?
THE HAMPSHIRE ROSE: harbour trips in a traditional lifeboat OBSESSION II : diving and charter boat Blog on Boat Stories day out with Obsession 11 now on the news page! |
Up the River Torridge
Why not take a boat trip up the beautiful river Torridge? Note the changes from wide open estuary, past busy town harbours and quays to a narrow river with water meadows and trees dipping their branches in the water. As Dave says “the Torridge has so much history". Skippers (Dave Gabe on Cheeky Monkey or Gary Stanbury on the Fender) regale you with so many stories, you need only go once and you will remember at least one fascinating or fantastical tale to regale your friends and visitors with. Don't forget to watch our film Life's Journey on the Torridge with Dave Gabe on our films page!
Appledore & Instow Ferry
“Ferry coming in, mind your legs!” shouted Sue Lane. The line of children, crabbing all the way up Appledore slipway, dutifully tucked in their legs and brought in their crab lines, as the Appledore and Instow Ferry turned broadside into the quay. As Sue helped the next twelve passengers onboard, I asked her if I could catch the ferry later. “We’ll be here if the tides here,” she said laughing. The ferry runs back and forth between Appledore and Instow for the three to four hours around the high tide between the hours of 9.30 and sunset.
Swimming With Seals
Several charter boats will take you out for the chance to swim with seals, off the coast of Lundy. Remember not to corner or chase the seals - they'll come to you if they want to. The following is an edited version of an article I wrote for Devon Life, after an amazing day out on the Jessica Hettie.
We lie back soaking up the sun, watching the dramatic coastline slip by, as our skipper steers the little fishing boat through calm, azure seas, towards the island. Find the secret surf breaks with Hecate
From her base in the Taw, Torridge estuary Hecate can take
you up the stunning North Devon coast to Lynmouth, via Ilfracombe, down to
Hartland Point, via historic Clovelly or across to Lundy Island. Weekend breaks
or week long trips round to the Scillies or over to Pembrokeshire and Skomer
island. Her twin hull means she is relatively stable when the swell gets rough
and her low draft allows her to slip into shallow tidal estuaries and rivers. Scrumptious
picnics prepared by Suzanne can be included in the deal or you can be dropped
off at your favourite restaurant or beach for a barbecue. Talk to skipper Matt
Knight about what you would like to see or do and if hitting the secret surf
breaks is on your wish list then this is the boat for you. For more details
call Matt on 07789 746970 or find Crystal
Voyages on facebook. She will be back in the water for the May bank holiday.
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