Brownsea BoatsBROWNSEABoats
Brownsea Boats fleet — Maid of the Lakelands, Maid of Poole and Maid of the Harbour moored at Poole Quay under a red ensign
Sailing daily from Poole Quay

The yellow way
to see the coast.

Two unforgettable sightseeing cruises around Sandbanks, Brownsea Island and the Jurassic Coast — with live commentary, cold drinks and the friendliest crew on the water.

Explore our cruises→Book today
3
signature cruises
3hr
of coastline covered
7 days
A WEEK OF SEA VIEWS
Poole Quay✦Sandbanks✦Brownsea Island✦Old Harry Rocks✦Swanage Bay✦Jurassic Coast✦Poole Quay✦Sandbanks✦Brownsea Island✦Old Harry Rocks✦Swanage Bay✦Jurassic Coast✦Poole Quay✦Sandbanks✦Brownsea Island✦Old Harry Rocks✦Swanage Bay✦Jurassic Coast✦
Four cruises · one harbour

Pick your horizon.

All cruises sail from Poole Quay with our friendly crew, upper and lower decks, and full live commentary from the wheelhouse.

Poole Harbour & Brownsea Island
1 hr 10 min

01 · Harbour Cruise

Poole Harbour & Brownsea Island

Glide across the world's second-largest natural harbour. Spot the millionaires' mansions of Sandbanks, weave past Brownsea Island, and keep an eye out for red squirrels in the pines.

Sandbanks peninsulaBrownsea IslandLive commentary
See the route→
Swanage & Old Harry Rocks
1 hr 40 min

02 · Jurassic Coastline

Swanage & Old Harry Rocks

Break past the harbour mouth and follow 185 million years of coastline. Chalk stacks, hidden coves and the golden cliffs of Swanage Bay — narrated the whole way.

Old Harry RocksSwanage BayJurassic Coast
See the route→
Old Harry & Swanage at Sunset
1 hr 40 minSummer

03 · Sunset Cruise

Old Harry & Swanage at Sunset

The Jurassic Coast route at golden hour — chalk stacks glowing pink, mirror-calm water, the whole coast painted in warm light. A summer-only sailing.

Summer exclusiveGolden hourOld Harry & Swanage
See the route→
Poole Harbour Fireworks Cruise
1 hr 30 minSummer

04 · Fireworks Afloat

Poole Harbour Fireworks Cruise

The same Harbour Cruise route after dark, with a front-row seat to the summer fireworks over the water. Special sailings on 6, 13, 20 & 27 August.

6, 13, 20 & 27 Aug8:45 PM – 10:15 PMHarbour route
See the route→
Maid of the Harbour available for private charterPrivate hire

05 · Bespoke

Chartering & other enquiries

Weddings, stag & hen dos, funerals, corporate days out, custom events — hire the whole boat and shape the day around you.

Make an enquiry→
Brownsea Boats crew in branded jackets
Two of the crew onboard
Skipper at the helm
A+
Crew you'll love
Onboard

A cruise designed for good days.

Everything about a Brownsea Boats cruise is built around the view — comfortable seating, cold drinks in hand, and a crew who genuinely love this coastline.

📣
Live commentary

Our skippers narrate every stretch of coast — the history, the wildlife, the millionaires' houses and the local secrets.

⚓
Upper & lower decks

Sun on the top deck, tables and shelter down below. Move around, take photos, and settle in.

🥤
Cold drinks & snacks

Ice-cold beverages and light bites served onboard — the perfect companion to a sea breeze.

🧭
Hardworking crew

Friendly, safety-first and always up for a chat. We'll help with anything, from photo spots to accessibility.

Red squirrel foraging on Brownsea Island
Local highlights

Poole, Brownsea & beyond

  • Red squirrels

    Brownsea Island is one of the last safe havens for Britain's native red squirrels, with a thriving population in the pine woods.

  • Poole Harbour

    One of the largest natural harbours in the world — a sheltered, shallow expanse teeming with birdlife and maritime history.

  • Brownsea Island

    Famous as the birthplace of the Scout movement in 1907, and now a National Trust haven for wildlife and woodland walks.

  • Sandbanks Peninsula

    A golden finger of sand lined with some of the UK's most sought-after shorefront, plus a Blue Flag beach and calm, clear water.

Voices from the deck

Loved by locals & visitors.

“
A proper Poole afternoon. The kids loved spotting Brownsea and the crew were brilliant with them.
Ella & family
Bournemouth
“
Old Harry from the water is something else. Great commentary, cold pint, five stars.
Marcus H.
London
“
Charming yellow boat, sun on the top deck the whole way. Doing it again next summer.
The Whitmores
Bristol
Cast off

Ready to see it from the water?

Cruises run daily through the season. Book direct, walk up at Poole Quay, or drop us a line — we'll save you a spot on the deck.

Book a cruise→Compare cruises