REVIEW: Lyme Bay RIB Charters Water Taxi

The Best Way to Visit Lyme Regis this Summer

If you’ve ever attempted to drive into Lyme Regis on a hot summer’s day, you’ll know the struggle - queues of traffic, packed car parks and lots of circling around hoping someone leaves.

After trying the brand-new Water Taxi service from Lyme Bay RIB Charters during the May Heatwave, I honestly don’t think we’d do it any other way again.

On one of the hottest days of the year, we swapped traffic jams for sea views and turned a simple day trip into one of the highlights of our summer.

Parking at West Bay Couldn’t Have Been Easier

We drove from Poole to West Bay for our 11am Water Taxi transfer and deliberately left just after 9am to give ourselves plenty of time.

Arriving at West Bay was surprisingly stress-free. We drove straight into an electric charging bay in the main car park, which felt like a huge win before the day had even started. Being able to leave the car charging while we headed off for the day was ideal.

With time to spare before departure, we wandered around West Bay Harbour soaking up the sunshine while the kids tucked into churros.

The atmosphere around the harbour already felt wonderfully summery and relaxed.

Friendly Staff & Excited Kids

The Lyme Bay RIB Charters team are based right on West Bay Harbour and from the moment we arrived, the staff were brilliant.

They greeted us with huge smiles, got everyone fitted into life jackets and were especially fantastic with the children, chatting to them, making them feel confident and explaining exactly what to expect.

The kids were absolutely buzzing with excitement - as were us adults!

The Perfect Conditions for a Jurassic Coast Boat Trip

We genuinely couldn’t have picked a better day for the crossing.

The sky was completely cloudless, the sea was flat calm and the sunshine made the Jurassic Coast look even more spectacular than usual.

The Water Taxi itself was incredibly comfortable and the 30-minute journey flew by. Unlike driving, you actually get to properly appreciate the coastline from the sea.

We spotted stunning views of:

• Golden Cap
• Charmouth
• Eype
• Dramatic cliffs and hidden coves
• Beautiful stretches of coastline you simply don’t see from the road

It felt like seeing Dorset from a completely different perspective.

Arriving in Lyme Regis by Sea Felt Very Smug

One of the best parts? Pulling into Lyme Regis by boat while the roads into town were completely gridlocked.

The traffic queues were at a standstill and the car parks looked chaotic - meanwhile we stepped straight off the boat near The Cobb and onto the beach within minutes.

It felt like such a smart way to travel.

The children immediately cooled off by jumping off The Cobb into the sea while we admired the buzzing beach atmosphere.

A Perfect Lyme Regis Summer Day

Lyme Regis was absolutely heaving with people enjoying the heatwave, but arriving by sea somehow made the whole experience feel much more relaxed.

We found a lovely spot on the beach to base ourselves for the day before wandering through some of the antique shops and independent stores to cool off.

Lunch was booked with my in-laws at Poco Pizza and it ended up being one of those memorable holiday-style lunches you don’t want to end.

Sitting on the terrace overlooking Lyme Regis on a scorching summer’s day felt more Amalfi Coast than Dorset.

We shared:

• Fresh anchovies on sourdough to start
• Delicious pizzas
• Aperol Spritz all round

Absolutely tremendous.

Naturally, no beach day is complete without ice cream, so we stopped at Baboo Gelato before heading back to the beach for more swimming and sunshine.

Getting Back Was Easy Too

Rather than booking a return boat, we decided to make the journey even more adventurous for the kids by catching the X53 FIRST BUS back to West Bay.

The journey itself was lovely, especially from the top deck where the coastal views were fantastic.
Back in West Bay, the children somehow still had enough energy left for a play in the excellent playground next to the car park before we headed home.

Final Thoughts: A Stress-Free Dorset Summer Experience

What we loved most about the Lyme Bay RIB Charters Water Taxi was how stress-free it made the whole day feel.
Instead of:

• sitting in traffic
• battling for parking
• overheating in the car

…we got:

• sea air
• spectacular views
• an exciting boat ride
• a genuinely memorable experience

It transformed a normal beach day into something really unique.

If you’re planning a summer trip to Lyme Regis, especially during busy weekends or school holidays, we honestly can’t recommend the Water Taxi enough.

It’s practical, fun, scenic and such a brilliant way to experience the Jurassic Coast.

FAQs About the Lyme Bay Water Taxi

Where does the Water Taxi depart from?
The Water Taxi departs from West Bay Harbour with Lyme Bay RIB Charters.
How long does the journey take?
The crossing to Lyme Regis takes approximately 30 minutes.
Is the Water Taxi suitable for children?
Yes - our children absolutely loved it. The staff were fantastic with kids and safety equipment is provided.
Do you need to book in advance?
During summer and busy weekends we’d definitely recommend booking ahead.
How much is it?
At the time of writing it is £23.50 per adult and £21.50 per child. If there's a big group of you you can book privately for £258.50 (12 seats)
Is parking available at West Bay?
Yes - parking at West Bay was very easy and there are electric charging bays available too.
Can you do a one-way trip?
Yes - we travelled to Lyme Regis by Water Taxi and returned via the X53 bus to West Bay. These are hourly.
Is it better than driving to Lyme Regis?
On busy summer days - absolutely. We completely avoided traffic queues and parking stress.