2026 season timetable, to 31 October 2026: seven sailings each way daily, 10:10-16:10 from Starcross and 10:40-16:40 from Exmouth. The operator says tides and weather can alter times, so these are the normal sailings and not a guarantee. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Starcross to Exmouth Ferry
Map – Starcross Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, single | £6.00 |
| Adult, return | £10.00 |
| Child (1-12), single | £4.00 |
| Child (1-12), return | £5.00 |
| Bicycle (each) | £2.00 |
| Trike or tandem | £4.00 |
| Trailer (folded) | £4.00 |
| Tag-on | £1.00 |
| Dog (single or return) | £1.00 |
Cash only, paid on the boat; the operator does not take cards and cannot pre-book places. Prices are as published on its website for the 2026 season. A return fare is sold only to passengers without bikes. Bikes and trailers are carried only if there is space, tag-ons must be detached, and buggies folded. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Starcross to Exmouth Ferry is a small passenger boat across the Exe Estuary, from the pier at Starcross on the west bank to the Exmouth marina side on the east. It carries foot passengers, bicycles and dogs, not cars, and it exists mainly as a link in the Exe Estuary cycle trail and as a short-cut between the two towns: the operator says it is the quickest route between them and that it lets walkers and cyclists complete a full circuit of the estuary. Its Facebook page describes a family business established in 1985 that also runs pleasure trips from Dawlish, which are a separate excursion product and not covered here.
The point to know at this time of year is that it is a summer-and-autumn service. The operator's website gives the 2026 season as April to 31 October, so the ferry is still running today but has under four weeks left; 31 October is a Saturday. After that no sailings are listed until the 2027 season, whose dates have not been published. The operator says it runs seven days a week, bank holidays included, weather permitting.
The timetable is short. Boats leave Starcross at ten past the hour from 10:10 to 16:10, and leave Exmouth at 10:40 to 16:40, seven each way. An extra 17:10 from Starcross and 17:40 from Exmouth ran only from 1 June to 31 August, so the evening boats have gone for the year. The operator warns that tides and weather can change times and asks passengers to check its Facebook page for up-to-date sailings, so the website list is best treated as the normal pattern rather than a guarantee. Arrive 10 minutes before departure; places cannot be pre-booked.
Payment is cash only, on the boat. An adult single is £6.00, a child aged 1 to 12 is £4.00, and an adult return is £10. Bikes are £2.00 each and dogs £1.00, but passengers with bikes can only buy singles. Buggies must be folded and tag-ons detached before boarding. Starcross Pier is reached by steps over the railway bridge, which the operator says may be unsuitable for wheelchairs. By public transport, the pier is served by Starcross railway station and the Stagecoach number 2 bus.
- Arrive at the slipway a few minutes before departure; vehicle queues build quickly in summer.
- Check the operator's notices before travelling — tides, weather and maintenance affect sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: several crossings are contactless-only.
Frequently asked questions
It should be: the operator's website gives the 2026 season as April to 31 October and says the ferry runs seven days a week, weather permitting. The page it comes from was last edited in March, and the operator says tides and weather can alter times, so check its Facebook page or phone 07934 461672 (9am to 6pm) on the day.
The operator's season runs to 31 October 2026, which is a Saturday. After that no sailings are published until the 2027 season, and the operator has not yet given dates for it.
From Starcross the boats leave at 10:10, 11:10, 12:10, 13:10, 14:10, 15:10 and 16:10. From Exmouth they leave at 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40 and 16:40. The extra 17:10 and 17:40 sailings only ran from 1 June to 31 August.
An adult single is £6.00, a child aged 1 to 12 £4.00, and an adult return £10 (child return £5.00). Bikes are £2.00, trikes and tandems £4.00 and dogs £1.00. Cash is the only payment accepted on the ferry, so bring notes and coins.
Yes, for £2.00 per bike, but bikes are carried only if there is space on board and passengers with bikes can buy only a single fare. Tandems and trikes cost £4.00. Tag-ons (£1.00) must be detached before boarding, and folded trailers are carried for £4.00.
You cannot. The operator says it is unable to pre-book spaces on board, and it asks you to arrive 10 minutes before the departure time. Groups, school trips and private hire are booked by phone on 07934 461672.
Probably not. The operator says Starcross Pier is reached by steps over the railway bridge at Starcross and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs. It also asks for buggies to be folded before boarding.