There are 3 boat companies offering daily boat trips and harbour cruises from Poole Quay with regular departures (every half hour during the summer months).
As you walk along Poole Quay you will see the colourful ferry kiosks advertising their services and departures times and you might also see one of their boats moored up at the quayside. Most visitors just turn up and book on arrival but you can book in advance on their website if you like to be more organised.
Brownsea Island Ferries – Yellow kiosk – www.brownseaislandferries.com
Greenslade Pleasure Boats – Orange kiosk – www.greensladepleasureboats.co.uk
City Cruises Poole – Red and white kiosk – www.citycruisespoole.com
1. Boat Trips from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island
Take a boat trip from Poole Quay to visit Brownsea Island (journey time 20 minutes each way). This ferry service is operated by Brownsea Island Ferries
Website: https://www.brownseaislandferries.com
There are regular departures throughout the day starting at 10am.
The ferry ticket price doesn’t include the entrance fee to Brownsea Island. Check out our Brownsea Island webpage for more detailed information and admission charges. It is recommended that tickets are booked in advance on the National Trust Brownsea Island website.
Brownsea Island Ferries Ticket Prices
| Brownsea Island | Return |
| Adult | £13.00 |
| Children | £6.50 |
| Family (2A+3C) | £32.50 |
| Family (1A+3C) | £19.50 |
2. Poole Harbour Cruise
Greenslade Pleasure Boats offer a 1-hour cruise of Poole Harbour. You’ll get to see Brownsea Island but you won’t be able to get off the boat to visit. If you want to visit Brownsea Island then you need to book with Brownsea Island Ferries in conjunction with the National Trust (see above). The cruise also includes a look at the other 4 islands in Poole Harbour as well as enjoying great views of the Isle of Purbeck. On-board commentary is given.
Website: https://www.greensladepleasureboats.co.uk/
Tickets can be booked in advance on the Greenslade Pleasure Boat website
| Poole Harbour Cruise | Price |
| Adult | £11 |
| Children 1-12 yrs | £6 |
3. Boat Trips from Poole Quay to Wareham
Greenslade Pleasure Boats
Website: https://www.greensladepleasureboats.co.uk
Greenslade Pleasure Boats offer a cruise from Poole Quay to Wareham Quay once a day (from the end of March until October). The cruise take about 1 hour 10 minutes each way with 1 hour 10 minutes at Wareham (Total tour duration 3 hours 30 minutes). The exact departure times will depend on the tides so check their website for details.
Tickets can be booked in advance on the Greenslade Pleasure Boat website
| Wareham River Trip Return | Price |
| Adult | £18 |
| Children 1-12 yrs | £10 |
| Adult + fish & chips | £24 |
| Children 1-12 yrs + fish & chips | £19 |
City Cruises Poole
Website: https://www.citycruisespoole.com
This is a similar service to that offered by Greenslade Pleasure Boats above except that the boat departs in the early evening and there are only a few departures each month.
The cruise take about 1 hour 10 minutes each way with 1 hour 10 minutes at Wareham (Total tour duration 3 hours 30 minutes). The exact departure times will depend on the tides so check their website for details. A fully licensed bar is also available on board.
Tickets can be booked in advance on the City Cruises Poole website
| Wareham River Cruise | Price |
| Adult (17+) | £13.50 |
| Children (5-16) | £9 |
| Under 5 | Free |
Dorset Cruises
Website: https://dorsetcruises.co.uk/
This is a more luxurious river cruise using the beautiful Dorset Queen 1938 vintage motor yacht.
There are only a few departure dates during the summer months so check their website for details. The trips takes around 4 hours with just over an hour ashore at Wareham. The minimum age is 12 years and the bar is open throughout the cruise.
| Wareham River Cruise | Price |
| All passengers | £18 |
4. Boat Trips from Poole Quay to Swanage
City Cruises Poole
Website:
https://www.cityexperiences.com/poole/
Daily departures April – October
Departures from Poole Quay: 09:15, 10:30, 11:45, 13:00, 14:45 or 15:45
Departures from Swanage Pier: 10:30, 11:45, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 or 16:45
The boat takes about 1 hour each way.
Advance booking is highly recommended. You can select the date and time of departure and return on their website
https://www.cityexperiences.com/poole/
| Ticket Type | Single | Return |
| Adult (17+) | £15 | £20 |
| Child (5-16) | £8.50 | £15 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free |
| Dog | £2 | £2 |
| Cycle | £2 | £2 |
5. Boat Trips from Poole Quay to the Jurassic Coast
City Cruises Poole
Website:
https://www.cityexperiences.com/poole/
Daily departures April – October
09:15, 10:30, 11:45, 13:00, 14:45 and 15:45* from Poole Quay
* this trip doesn’t stop at Swanage Pier when travelling on Solent Cat.
This is a circular cruise and the boat trip takes around 2 hours 15 minutes. The boat stops at Swanage Pier and some passengers will get off but with this ticket you’ll have to stay on the boat. If you want to get off at Swanage then you need to pay for a Swanage return ticket which is more expensive (see above)
More info at:
https://www.cityexperiences.com/poole/
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Adult (17+) | £18 |
| Child (5-16) | £14 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Dog | £2 |
| Cycle | £2 |
Related Pages: Dorset Boat Trips / Boat Trips from Sandbanks / Boat Trips from Wareham / Boat Trips from Swanage / Boat Trips from Christchurch