Brightlingsea Harbour
  • Brightlingsea Harbour
  • Brightlingsea Boat Trip
  • Brightlingsea Foot Ferry
  • Brightlingsea Harbour ferries on the town jetty ready to take you across to Point Clear and East Mersea
  • Birds eye view of Brightlingsea showing the harbour, Brightlingsea Lido, boating lake, Cindery Island and Point Clear

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About

We offer a range of boat trips departing from Brightlingsea:

 

Pub Lunch River Cruise (Brightlingsea - Wivenhoe) 
Find out more information, dates and times here

Harbour Tours
If you are short for time and you want to take a closer look at the yachts and power boats moored within our harbour why not take advantage and book a harbour tour. The ferry takes you around Cindery island which is a salt marsh and is home to many local birds and wildlife, you may even be lucky enough to spot our residential seal or If tides are right you could even pass one or our frequent commercial 90 metre cargo ships.

Ferry trips across to East Mersea and Point Clear.   

Close to the mouth of the Colne Estuary where it meets the Blackwater and Thames Estuaries you will find Brightlingsea, an historic cinque port rich in heritage.  As well as the cultural aspect, Brightlingsea is an exciting, fun place to explore no matter what your age is; whether it be an afternoon crabbing, a day at our very own Lido, a ramble along the beach taking in the stunning views or simply a nice lunch in one of our many delightful eateries. Our Harbour ferry provides not only a means of crossing the creek but opens up opportunities to explore the local area and attractions. Use of the ferry greatly reduces road miles – typically a round trip by road between Brightlingsea and St Osyth is 20 miles but takes just 3 minutes on the ferry. The round trip by road to East Mersea is 40 miles, but only takes approximately 9 minutes by ferry.

East Mersea & Beyond
Explore Cudmore Grove Country Park by foot or why not take your bike and admire the coastline. Take the opportunity to not only explore East Mersea but the rest of the island itself. Cudmore Grove Country Park has an excellent coastal themed play area which will keep the younger visitors entertained for hours, or maybe take a walk along the numerous zig zagging paths across the park. Alternatively, if you would like to go further afield why not enjoy the various pubs, café and eateries such as afternoon tea and locally brewed beer at Mersea Island vineyard or indulge in the locally caught oysters at Seafood at Dawn, seafood restaurant.

Brightlingsea Harbour accepts credit cards (no fee). Other amenities are available in Brightlingsea and the harbour office can pass on details.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Brightlingsea to Point Clear one way Adult £3.00 Child under 16 £2.00 Bikes £1.50 Dogs Free
Brightlingsea / Point Clear to East Mersea one way Adult £4.50 Child under 16 £3.50 Bikes £2.50 Dogs Free
Harbour Tours £7.00 per person
Brightlingsea to Wivenhoe Pub Lunch River Cruise Adult £31.00 Child under 12 £24.50

Events

Monday, 1st April 2024 - Tuesday, 24th September 2024

Brightlingsea Harbour ferries on the town jetty ready to take you across to Point Clear and East MerseaBrightlingsea Boat Trips and Foot ferryApril 1st to September 24th 2023 Brightlingsea Harbour is running its daily foot ferry service to Mersea Island and Point Clear. To book your ferry tickets visit website www.brightlingseaharbour.org
more info

Map & Directions

Road Directions

By car: From Thorrington Cross take the B1029 to the Harbour Office. Brightlingsea Harbour is 11 miles from Colchester and 12 miles from Clacton on Sea and 15 miles from the A12, Exit 28

Public Transport Directions

Accessible by Public Transport: Alresford station is 4.4 miles away.

First Group Bus Service 62 from Colchester via Wivenhoe

Brightlingsea Boat Trips

Type:Boat Trips

Harbour Office, 4 Copperas Road, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex, CO7 0AP

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 54 reviews54 reviews
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Tel+44 (0)1206 302200

Opening Times

Season (1 Apr 2024 - 24 Sept 2024)

* Brightlingsea Harbour Foot Ferry to Point Clear and East Mersea runs every day from 1stApril - 24th September. The first ferry leaves at 10am. For further details download our timetable or visit https://www.facebook.com/brightlingseafootferry/
Brightlingsea to Wivenhoe Pub Lunch River Cruise runs from April 1st to 24th September on specific days during each month. visit https://www.facebook.com/brightlingseafootferry/ or log on https://www.brightlingseaharbour.org/ or email the Harbour Office mail@brightlingseaharbour.org for the latest information.

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