Lifeboat Trips from Dartmouth — Choose Your South Devon Voyage
Six routes. One of the finest stretches of coastline in England. And a boat that has genuinely been to sea in anger.
Choose Your Route
Choose from a coastal hop to Brixham, an offshore run to Salcombe, a Start Bay passage, or build your own bespoke voyage. Every trip departs from Dartmouth town centre or Noss on Dart Marina and is crewed by people with real RNLI experience aboard genuine ex-RNLI lifeboats.
Whether you’re spending a week in South Devon and want something genuinely different, or you’ve followed the RNLI your whole life and want to step aboard one of their vessels — you’ll find your trip here.
Professionally crewed with full safety briefings
Authentic ex-RNLI vessels with real maritime heritage
Suitable for families, groups, and corporate events
Available Trips
Choose from six unique lifeboat routes along the South Devon coastline, each offering a different perspective of this stunning stretch of water.
Noss Marina to Brixham
Head out past the mouth of the Dart and along the South Devon coast to Brixham — one of England's great working fishing ports and home to its own RNLI lifeboat station. Aboard a genuine ex-RNLI lifeboat with an experienced crew at the helm, this is South Devon from a perspective most visitors never see. Approx. 5–6 hours | 4 hours engine time.
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Noss Marina
Collection from our office at Noss Marina, your starting point for the voyage.
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Brixham
Travel along the coastline to the historic fishing port of Brixham.
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Noss Marina
Return journey back to Noss Marina.
Noss Marina to Salcombe
The longest of our standard routes and arguably the most dramatic. Head south-west from Noss along the South Devon coast to Salcombe — one of the most beautiful estuary towns in England, tucked behind the headland at the end of a sheltered inlet. Berth in Salcombe, visit the local lifeboat station, and enjoy time ashore before the return passage. Approx. 6.5–7.5 hours | 5 hours engine time.
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Noss Marina
Collection from our office at Noss Marina, your starting point for the voyage.
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Salcombe
Head south-west to the picturesque estuary town of Salcombe.
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Noss Marina
Return journey back to Noss Marina.
Noss Marina to Start Bay
Head out to Start Bay — a wide, open stretch of South Devon coastline with some of the best sea conditions for putting the boat through its paces. On the return, go behind the scenes at Dart RNLI Station: a working lifeboat station, toured by our crew who know it from the inside. For anyone with an interest in the RNLI, this is the trip that goes deepest. Approx. 4–5 hours | 3 hours engine time.
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Noss Marina
Collection from our office at Noss Marina, your starting point for the voyage.
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Start Bay
Cruise to the sweeping shores of Start Bay and its stunning coastline.
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Noss Marina
Return journey back to Noss Marina.
Start Bay & Simulator Experience
The most immersive experience we offer. A Start Bay passage and tour of Dart RNLI Station, followed by a session on the professional marine simulator at South Devon College — the same technology used to train working mariners. You'll take the helm, read the instruments, and understand what it actually takes to manage a vessel in challenging conditions. Approx. 5–6 hours | 3 hours engine time.
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Noss Marina
Collection from our office at Noss Marina, your starting point for the voyage.
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Start Bay
Cruise to Start Bay for an on-water lifeboat experience.
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Noss Marina
Return journey back to Noss Marina.
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South Devon College Simulator
Visit the marine simulator next to our office for a hands-on session.
What to Expect
Choose Your Voyage
Pick the trip that suits you and get in touch. We'll confirm availability, answer any questions, and reserve your place.
Meet the Crew
On the day, your RNLI-experienced crew will welcome you aboard, brief you on the vessel, and talk you through the plan. No scripts — just people who know what they're doing.
Go to Sea
Board a genuine ex-RNLI lifeboat and head out from Dartmouth. Get hands-on with the boat, take in the South Devon coastline, and understand what these vessels were built for.
Come Back Different
Return to shore having done something that very few people ever do. The kind of day that stays with you — and that you'll want to come back for.
Ready to Book Your Experience?
Spaces fill up quickly during peak season. Get in touch today to secure your place aboard one of our lifeboats.
Book Now