At a glance
A practical trip guide before you book.
Mermaid Pleasure Trips suit visitors who want a simple coastal boat trip, a wildlife cruise, or a longer birdwatching day from West Cornwall.
offers a variety of boat trips from Penzance to suit everyone, from family wildlife sea safaris to sightseeing cruises past St Michael's Mount and the Minack Theatre. Through summer there are also regular birdwatching and pelagic seabird trips aboard Mermaid II.
Coastal trip
A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.
Mermaid Pleasure Trips is the sort of coastal experience that feels best when you slow down, watch the weather, and let the sea set the pace.
Wildlife watching, boat trips, sea views and memorable days out.
At a glance
Mermaid Pleasure Trips suit visitors who want a simple coastal boat trip, a wildlife cruise, or a longer birdwatching day from West Cornwall.
Plan the meeting point, parking and boarding time before setting off, especially in busy school holidays.
Best for families who are comfortable around boats, sea air and changing conditions.
Coastal trips can change with tide and weather, so confirm details on the day and bring layers even in summer.
Departure area
Penzance and West Cornwall
Best for
Wildlife cruises, family trips, birdwatching
Trip lengths
Approx. 2 hours, 3 hours, or 6 hours
Wildlife
Seals, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, sun fish, sharks
Trip option
A coastal wildlife cruise towards St Michael's Mount and Cudden Point, with regular chances to spot seals and sea birds.
Approx. 2 hours
Adults from £15
Trip option
A longer sightseeing trip past Newlyn, Mousehole, Lamorna Cove, and towards the Minack Theatre.
Approx. 3 hours
Adults from £22
Trip option
A dedicated offshore birdwatching and wildlife trip for keen coastal watchers and photographers.
Approx. 6 hours
From £55 per person
Nearby reading
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Mermaid II Pleasure Trips
Mermaid Pleasure Trips offer a variety of different boat trips to suit everyone.
Take the family on a sea safari - join a wildlife cruise and get a chance to see dolphins, seals, sharks and even whales in the wild!
See the sights from the Sea - take a sightseeing tour and see landmarks like St Michael’s Mount and the Minack Theatre like you never have before!
Summer Birdwatching Trips - through the summer Mermaid Pleasure trips run regular early morning and evening birdwatching trips.
seal cove safari
Keep your eyes peeled for seals, sun fish, dolphins, porpoises, sharks, whales and a variety of sea birds!
If you are visiting West Cornwall these Coast Cruises are not to be missed! Leave from Penzance and cruise easterly along the striking Cornish coastline to the historic and breathtaking St Michael’s Mount.
You will be taken down the coastline to Cudden Point where the common grey seal is often seen.
En route experience the unseen beauty of the Mount from the seaward side, while you keep an eye out for the dolphins and porpoises very often seen in this location.
TRIPS ARE APPROX 2 HOURS
Adults & 14+ £15.00
Children £10.00
Under 2yrs Free
Family tickets £45.00 (2 Adults, 2 Children)
Basking Shark and Minack Theatre Cruise
A three-hour trip to Porthcurno to see the amazing Minack Theatre from the sea, travelling past the famous fishing port of Newlyn, Mousehole rich in folklore and Lamorna Cove.
A fabulous way to see one of Cornwall’s crown jewels
Exploring all the way in search of the dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, sun fish and even whales
Trips run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and Sunday at 5pm
Adults & 14+ £22.00
Children £12.00
Under 2yrs free
Family ticket £60 (2 Adults + 2 children)
Pelagic Trips
This is a 6hr birdwatching and wildlife trip on board Mermaid II.
Pelagic seabirds are a magnet for keen birders all over the world. The aim is for you to see with your own eyes what most people never get to see – pelagic seabirds in their natural world. On the trip you will head offshore to the best areas for the observation of sea-birds. You will then attract several species by chumming. This usually gives you great opportunity for photography and filming.
Regular sightings; hundreds of Manx Shearwaters, Balearic, Sooty, Great and Cory’s Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Grey Phalarope, Northern Gannet, Great Skua, Pomerine Skua, Artic Skua, Puffin
Not forgetting the Grey Seal, Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Basking Sharks, Minke Whale, Humpback Whale, Atlantic Sun Fish and much more.
These trips run on Saturdays from 1st July to 2nd September 6.30am-12.30pm.
Price is only £55.00 per person!
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
