A Coastal Cruise from Ilfracombe: What to Expect Aboard the Ilfracombe Princess

Some boats are built for speed. The Ilfracombe Princess is built for the experience of being on the water — a comfortable, licensed vessel that has been sailing the dramatic North Devon coast for more than 40 years.
Licensed for 100 passengers, she offers something genuinely different from the high-speed RIB trips that the area is also known for: space, stability, and a pace that lets you properly take in the scenery.

The North Devon Coastline from the Water

There are things you simply cannot see from land. The cave entrances behind the headlands. The seal colonies on the ledges below the cliff path. The view of the Valley of the Rocks from seaward. The way the light changes on the cliffs between Lee Bay and Morte Point.
From aboard the Ilfracombe Princess, with the coastline of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty laid out in front of you and a trained, local crew providing commentary, these views come into focus in a completely new way.
This coast has been used for everything from smuggling to wartime navigation. The stories are as dramatic as the scenery.

Who the Princess Is Perfect For

The Ilfracombe Princess is one of those rare trips that works for almost everyone. Families with young children who wouldn’t be suited to a high-speed RIB. Older visitors who want to experience the coast comfortably. Groups of friends or colleagues looking for something memorable. Couples wanting a slow, scenic hour or two on the water.
We’re licensed and fully equipped, and the stability of the vessel means that even passengers who are a little cautious about being on the water find it a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Ilfracombe Harbour: Your Starting Point

Ilfracombe harbour is one of the most sheltered on the North Devon coast — a natural harbour surrounded by the hillside that Ilfracombe climbs up. The town itself has been a seaside destination for well over a century, and the harbour retains a genuine character that most English coastal towns have lost.
We’re part of a family of Ilfracombe-based marine businesses that also includes Ilfracombe Sea Safari and Wild Frontier Charters — so whether you’re after a gentle cruise, a high-speed wildlife safari, or an offshore fishing charter, you’re in the right place.
Come and find us on the pier.