Sail with Santa Cruise
Passengers embark on a smooth-water festive cruise along the River Exe aboard a decorated vessel with a heated lower saloon and open top deck. Children meet Santa Claus in his cosy onboard grotto to receive a gift, accompanied by face painting and live entertainment from a professional children's entertainer. Adults are served warm mulled wine and local mince pies, with additional drinks available from the licensed onboard bar.
What to Expect
Festive River Exe boat cruise featuring Santa's onboard grotto and entertainment.
Event Details
Duration
One hour.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Stuart Line Cruises
Food & Drink
Adults receive warm mulled wine and a local mince pie; children receive juice and a chocolate bar, and the onboard bar serves additional drinks.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children who want a festive santa experience
Vibe
Festive and cozy
Energy Level
Low
Budget
£
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Adults £15.00; children up to age 15 £15.00; under 12 months £7.50. Groups of 15 or more adults: £14.00 per adult. A £2.50 booking fee is applied at checkout. The cruise includes a present, drink, entertainment and treat; the FAQ specifies a gift and juice and chocolate bar for each child, and warm mulled wine and a locally made mince pie for adults. – Get tickets
- Parking: Allow plenty of time for parking because the marina can be busy during the festive period.
- Accessibility: Pram space is limited, so a carrier is recommended, though the crew will try to fit prams on the heated, undercover lower deck.
- Pets: We have a dog friendly range of cruises that can be found here.
Tips & Advice
- Book as soon as tickets are released, because these cruises almost always sell out months ahead and that's the only way to get your preferred date and time.
- Join the Stuart Line Cruises newsletter if you want to hear when the Sail with Santa dates are released.
- Have each child's age and gender ready when you book, because Santa's gifts are picked to match every child on board.
- Bring a baby carrier rather than a pram if you can, because space on board is limited by the entertainment and Santa's grotto.
- Leave plenty of extra time to park at Exmouth Marina, because it gets busy over the festive period and you'll want to board on time.
Special Events & Promotions
- Groups of 15 or more adults get a reduced per-adult rate.
- Babies under 12 months travel at a reduced infant rate that still includes a gift from Santa.
- Sold-out sailings have a waiting list you can join.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included for the kids and the grown-ups?
Every child gets a hand-picked gift from Santa chosen for their age and gender, plus a juice and a chocolate bar. Adults get a glass of warm mulled wine and a locally made mince pie. Music and face painting are included too.
Does my child get to meet Santa properly?
Yes. Santa is on board for the whole cruise. He spends time with each family on its own to hand out gifts and pose for photos. Numbers are kept low so nobody feels rushed.
Do babies need a ticket?
Yes. Everyone on board needs a ticket because of strict passenger limits. There's a reduced infant rate for under-12-month-olds, and it still includes a gift from Santa.
Can I bring a pram on board?
Yes, but pram space is limited because the entertainment and Santa's grotto take up room. A baby carrier is best if you can use one. Otherwise the crew will do their best to fit your pram on the lower deck.
Will we be warm enough on the boat?
The lower saloon is heated and undercover, with large panoramic windows over the Exe Estuary. If you'd rather be out in the winter air, head up to the top deck and wrap up in one of the boat's blankets.
More Christmas Events Near Exmouth
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.