Oyster The Boat

Salcombe boat holidays for landlubbers

Oyster The Boat is a truly unique place to stay in Devon. Permanently moored high up on the foreshore of the Salcombe Estuary, she floats on the high tide in a fixed position, meaning land-loving guests can get a taste of life at sea without ever having to set sail.

Completely off-grid, Oyster is a beautiful, comfortable boat set in an idyllic spot. Perfect for couples or solo travellers who want to be secluded by and close to nature, life aboard is back to basics and immersed in the gorgeous surroundings. Nearby, on-shore is a modern waterless loo, hot shower, fridge and access to mains water and electricity.

Moored in a remote spot on the East Portlemouth side of the water, guests have easy access to some of the area's most beautiful beaches, while Salcombe is just a quick passenger ferry ride away. But if all that sounds too much, we honestly struggle to think of a better place to escape the world and unwind than on board Oyster The Boat.

Key details

Off-grid with basic lights, torches and an alcohol stove
Suitable for couples and solo travellers (not children)
Two cabins - one main cabin and one small cabin in the bow
Nearby field shelter with hot shower, tap water, fridge and electricity
Waterless loo on land (camping loo on board for emergencies)
All essential kitchen and cooking equipment
All linen and towels are provided
Duvets, four pillows and blankets provided

Canvas cover to pull over the cockpit during inclement weather
Parking in a field 50 yards away
Access is via a gangplank
Oyster is far up the foreshore so doesn't rock much
Guests can be collected from Kingsbridge or Salcombe
Full handover and tour on arrival
Endless creeks and coastal or inland walks to explore
Local milk, bacon, sausages and eggs available to buy

BOOK NOW

What our guests say

Wonderful location. Super cute place to stay set up very lovely and just what we wanted.

Charlotte, April 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Oyster. John and Liz were lovely hosts, very informative of the local are, relaxed and easy to talk to. Would easily have enjoyed a drink with them! Oyster herself was lovely, very thoughtful, cosy and respectful decor. The location was perfect, very peaceful and serene...yet a short and picturesque walk to the ferry and Salcombe. The accommodation made our stay that extra special and we would definitely come back to stay!

Bryonny Slade, May 2021

Location

In her beautiful resting place, Oyster offers guests the chance to stay on a boat without ever having to leave this perfect spot on the banks of the Salcombe Estuary. Not far from a small hamlet and creek known as Goodshelter, Oyster the Boat is a 20-minute walk from East Portlemouth village with its beaches, small cafe and the passenger ferry to Salcombe which runs regularly throughout the day from spring until autumn. During the summer season, water taxis can be arranged for evening transport back from Salcombe to the East Portlemouth side.

On the East Portlemouth side of the water, the Gara Rock hotel, restaurant, cafe and beach can be reached by walking the South West Coastal Path or inland route. Slightly further afield, there is a well-stocked Spar shop and petrol station 15-minutes drive away in East Charleton, with the bustling town of Kingsbridge 20-minutes away by car where you'll find a great choice of cafes, shops and two supermarkets. Popular Dartmouth and Totnes are all within 45-minutes by car.

Please note, the road that leads to the parking for Oyster is tidal and during high spring tides is covered for about three hours meaning you've every excuse just to sit, read and watch the world float by.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the nearest shop?

Once aboard Oyster you can get supplies by going to Salcombe on the foot ferry where there are shops, or by heading by car to Piglet Stores in East Prawle, the amazing farm shop at Stokeley, the garage at West Charleton or the supermarkets in Kingsbridge.

On-site, we often have our own bacon, sausages and eggs available to buy. We also buy in bottles of milk from Dartmouth dairy that you can also buy from us if you need to.

Make sure you bring some supplies for your first night.
Does the boat stay dry?

Yes, Oyster is a dry boat.
Can we arrive by public transport?

If you don’t have a car you can get the train to Totnes, bus to Kingsbridge or Salcombe and we are happy to pick you up by prior arrangement.

We'll even knock 10% off your bill as a thank you for taking the eco-friendly option.
Is it easy to access Salcombe?

If you want to spend a lot of time in Salcombe it is easy during the day as there is a regular ferry that runs from a pier about 20-minutes’ walk away. In the evening it can be more challenging as the ferry stops though water taxis can be arranged in high season. If you have specific questions about local knowledge and access please call us and we will help where we can.
How much headroom is there in the main cabin?

Oyster has a low cabin room (about 5 foot 9). John, the owner is 6 foot and has no problem spending time on her.
Can we bring our own dinghy or paddleboards?

Some people ask if they can bring a dinghy/paddleboard/canoe with them. This is done by prior arrangement with us and you will need to pay any relevant harbour dues to the harbour authority. Contact us for more information.
Can we bring bikes?

There are lots of opportunities to cycle down here so bring a bike if you like. The hills can be quite steep though, and the roads narrow.

On the farm we have a selection of reconditioned bikes that guests are free to borrow.
How do we get there?

If you're coming to stay on the boat, head to Meadow Barn Farm first and we will then guide you on to Oyster from there for an induction into boat life before leaving you to enjoy your time.

It's important to avoid the tidal road which often floods and is in poor condition. Stick to the directions we provide by heading to Stokenham and heading to the farm along the main road.