River Dart Private Charters

A TRULY SPECIAL SETTING FOR ANY CELEBRATION.

Magnificent, panoramic and ever changing views.

Sit back and relax as you cruise along the River Dart while sipping champagne on the open deck or from the saloon. Watch the sunset over rolling Devon hills and see Dartmouth and Kingswear sparkle in the moonlight.  We have been host to a wide range of private hire events.

Don’t just throw a party, throw a legendary event that they’ll be talking about for years to come! When you charter the Dart Explorer from Dartmouth River Boats you and your friends and family will enjoy the stunning and unique backdrop of one of the most beautiful rivers in the country.

• On board amenities include outdoor deck space, indoor heating, large windows made for sightseeing, dance floor and restrooms.
• Fully licensed bar serving hot and cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits.

Contact us to discuss your plans and look ahead to stepping back and experiencing a more relaxed and gentle pace of life.

Private charter of our Steam Train

Charter of our steam train is via in-person enquiry only and is bespoke to each occasion. Contact our Railway Operations Manager for initial guidance.

CATERING, BAR & MUSIC

To make your celebration or event even more special, you are free to engage the services of a caterer and, if so desired, a disco or band for music and dancing.

There are a couple of locally based caterers that we can recommend and are detailed below (and are familiar with the vessels and crews). You are of course more than welcome to choose another caterer or indeed to cater yourselves.

The Cellar Door

The Cellar Door are based just outside Dartmouth and provide a premium event catering service from their smallholding.  With a combined 40 years of experience in the catering industry, they built the highly successful al fresco restaurant, The Cellar Door, at Sharpham Vineyard. However, after four busy seasons the vineyard was relocated to Stoke Gabriel - which prompted their change of focus to event catering. Their sample menus are well worth a look!

Contact Charlie or Dan at info@thecellardoordevon.com

The Angel, Dartmouth

The Angel has a long and celebrated history and connection with Dartmouth since the renowned Joyce Molyneux founded the Carved Angel in the town in 1974 becoming the first woman to be Awarded a Michelin Star. In 2016, the Holland Group, a family-owned enterprise overseeing diverse businesses in Dartmouth, including restaurants, holiday apartments, and retail establishments, acquired the building and revived the ground floor into a fully operational restaurant, reclaiming its original name of the Angel. Head Chef Elly Wentworth passionately champions the use of fresh, seasonal, and sustainable produce in her dishes and collaborates closely with local suppliers who understand her culinary vision.

Contact Jo Howard at jo@hollandgroup.co.uk

The Wandering Cook

Jake has been cooking for 20 years, with over a decade of experience at Mitch Tonk’s award winning Seahorse Restaurant, formerly as the Head Chef. Throughout his career, Jake has been very fortunate to have worked alongside some of the industry greats – Angela Hartnett, Mark Hix, Henry Harris, Matt Tebbutt and more – and to have collaborated in Italy and Spain with the incredible Al Gato Nero in Venice, Dario Cecchini the Tuscan butcher and Cal I’ilsidre in Barcelona. Jake’s culinary style is led by seasonal ingredients and characterised by its simplicity, with Italian and Mediterranean influences.

Contact Jake at jake@thewanderingcook.co.uk

Aboard all our vessels you will find a fully licensed cash bar and, with permission, you have the right to board your own wine and/or champagne. We would need prior knowledge of the number of bottles and each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of £12.00 (£14.00 for sparkling and Champagne). We provide glasses but do not serve (do discuss serving with your caterer).

Your Vessel

MV Dart Explorer

Our flagship  the ‘Dart Explorer’ is a wonderfully appointed vessel. This 300-seater luxury Catamaran can accommodate a maximum of 120 guests for informal dining and up to 90 guests for formal dining. The Dart Explorer is equipped with a fully stocked bar and small dance floor and is regularly used as a wedding reception, corporate or party venue.

The Dart Explorer departs and returns to Dartmouth only.

Our Access Page offers advice and regulations regarding safe access to the vessel.

NOTE: We no longer offer charters to/from Totnes.

2026 TARIFF

All charters are for evening hours only.

• High Season (June, July, August)
  • £2,060 for 3hrs duration (evening)
• Low Season (May, September, October, November)
  • £1,650 for 3hrs duration (evening)

NOTES

• A charter duration of 3hrs is strongly recommended. However, subject to circumstances and prior agreement, we may consider an extension of an extra half hour (fee £345) or an extra hour (fee £685).
• Daytime charter is occasionally possible but are subject to a 50% surcharge on the above tariffs. This is due to the fact that a vessel and crew have to be brought into service to cover the daytime scheduled services.
• Vessel hire is zero rated for VAT.

We would like to sincerely thank James Archibald Photography for the use of a selection of his images.