Top Poole Tours: Sightseeing & Cruises – A Review

Looking at a trip that involves taking to the sea and also having chances to see some great places? Well, Poole, that gem on the South Coast, offers some brilliant tours, sightseeing trips and cruises that, really, can give you all of that, and more. Thinking of hopping on a boat to experience Poole from the water, seeing sights like Brownsea Island or even heading out to explore the Jurassic Coast? So, finding the right tour matters. We’ve checked out some highly recommended Poole tours to kinda give you the lowdown, hoping you’ll find this helpful in your planning.

1. City Cruises Poole: Exploring the Harbour

City Cruises Poole is one of the names that, seemingly, always comes up whenever folk are discussing boat tours of Poole Harbour. Actually, they have quite a few trips going at various points. There is the Harbour & Islands Cruise, which is very famous because, literally, it loops around all of Poole Harbour’s major landmarks, meaning Brownsea Island with its famed castle and the nature reserves. Or you get to go on a cruise where you go as far, practically, as Sandbanks, where homes are really impressive and also super expensive. You also get the history commentary, meaning all that stuff on pirates, the old tales, the local wildlife, that you possibly could wish for. Anyway, depending on what you fancy, it can be anything from just over an hour to a long afternoon spent on the water.

These guys are popular so too, it’s worth booking. It is almost too late to mention that you are often dealing with fairly big groups but that actually brings its own kind of fun as you all check out the scenery together. That noted, should it be a quiet, romantic, sort of tour that you fancy, just maybe keep hunting for some others! Read our full review: City Cruises Poole Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (City Cruises Poole)

2. Brownsea Island Ferries: A Trip to Wildlife Haven

Now, speaking of Brownsea Island, if you just wanted to visit the island on its own rather than taking a lengthy cruise, you can, you know, just hop on one of the dedicated ferries. Now these boats run to and fro on a very regular basis right from Poole Quay, so accessing the island becomes nice and easy. Plus, that journey only takes around 20 mins! It’s all just a straightforward transfer which means a good slice of your day becomes dedicated, just, to kicking about Brownsea Island itself; walking is that island’s kind of “thing”. Anyway, see, the island is a national treasure almost, conserved by the National Trust and all. So expect a bit of wildlife – think loads of birdlife, plus red squirrels of course. It’s a real change too to see a landscape totally, untouched, well, almost.

While that crossing won’t exactly wow you with like, some kind of “tour guide-like commentary”, it just is such a quick route, basically, which, as a matter of fact, makes the most sense should you only have the wildlife spot firmly in your sights. Is that ferry basically just transport? Absolutely. Anyway, can you argue with simple and efficient? Perhaps not! Read our full review: Brownsea Island Ferries Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Brownsea Island Ferries)

3. Greenslade Pleasure Boats: Jurassic Coast Excursion

Fancy more of an adventure? Like, getting out there and seeing loads more in terms of miles? Well then, Greenslade Pleasure Boats may be a good shout for you. Greenslade provides pretty much daily trips from Poole along the coastline over to the Jurassic Coast. Think of amazing views from out on the water – places like Old Harry Rocks (that formation is absolutely classic), or even maybe as far out, too, as Swanage. You get the boat ride coupled with a proper explanation as well from the crew that really just kinda “knows everything”, I mean that in a good way. So it can work well should you really want to understand that Jurassic Coast’s story.

Basically, what they present becomes a proper outdoor learning opportunity if that’s what people desire. Actually, what is also useful is, I believe they offer multiple choices in regards to duration – maybe pick short jaunts or half day type options according to what you actually wanna see. Anyway if that’s your kind of thing I would book this well ahead. In fact, it is quite important! Read our full review: Greenslade Pleasure Boats Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Greenslade Pleasure Boats)

4. Dorset Belle: Vintage Charm on the Waves

OK, looking for something quite unique when it comes to style? Basically, then the Dorset Belle boat rides must be right up your alley really. You see the Dorset Belle is itself, well, old basically, proper retro stuff. Imagine a vintage boat! So going aboard is just a kinda experience like it has a character that most of those fancy, very, fiberglass yachts fail to match. Also, it travels around Poole Harbour, but also out towards places such as Swanage as well. Think proper chill atmosphere – slow paced cruises and the sounds of yesteryear almost! I think this one’s perfect should you value atmosphere a bit above, for instance, speed. As a matter of fact I believe a ton of photographers actually love taking pics from this specific vessel because the background itself just looks amazing too! Should your trip scream of elegance above pure functional delivery, then it is right up your alley.

Alright well, it’s important just to remember this. So, obviously it will appear a bit older because, clearly, it is just a lot older. Does that, actually, bring its own style to what the tour provides, as opposed to some plain shiny newer kind of build? Yes. In short, there is much to admire if what you want goes beyond mere practicality. Read our full review: Dorset Belle Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Dorset Belle)

5. Private Charters: A Poole Experience

OK here is something more, very, bespoke for you and any others with you; should you need proper control. What about something that suits very particular needs for specific celebrations like, maybe birthdays or team events or something else where there has to be very personalised focus? OK consider hiring a boat on a private charter sort of basis, where routes, catering and pretty much everything is fully managed per instructions.

Charter choices exist almost everywhere around the Poole vicinity in numerous shapes and formats according to what you, maybe, think makes your kind of event go perfectly; some cater maybe to small intimate parties but many are almost like floating party barges! Really ensure that all questions get answered thoroughly during research especially related directly, perhaps, to licenses or any specific itinerary issues when hiring such equipment yourself – proper checks always win versus the dangers if guessing. Now hopefully that will get you set up right! Read our full review: Private boat charters Poole Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Private boat charters Poole)