Getting around · Poole Harbour
Sandbanks to Brownsea Island Ferry
Brownsea Island sits directly across Poole Harbour from Sandbanks — close enough to see from the peninsula, but reached by passenger boat rather than by road.
The normal public passenger ferry from Sandbanks to Brownsea Island is currently suspended. For a Brownsea day visit in 2026, travel to Poole Quay and take the Greenslade passenger ferry from there.
Sandbanks Peninsula Editorial
Sandbanks ferry update · September 2026
Current status
The regular public passenger ferry from Sandbanks to Brownsea Island is currently suspended.
For a Brownsea Island day visit in 2026, travel to Poole Quay and take the passenger ferry from there.
The National Trust currently expects visitor ferry services from Sandbanks to return in 2027.
The Sandbanks facility is currently operating only a limited boat service for staff and volunteers — not the normal public passenger ferry. Specialist arrangements such as accessible Brownsea Seahorse sailings are not the normal public Sandbanks ferry.
At a glance
Quick reference for the current public Brownsea passenger service. Ferry fare and island admission are separate charges.
- Current departure
- Poole Quay
- Crossing
- Around 20 minutes
- Adult return ferry
- £14.50
- Child 5+ return
- £6.00
- Under 5
- Free
- Booking
- Usually not required for individual visitors
- Sandbanks public service
- Expected to return in 2027
- Last verified
- September 2026
Times
Brownsea Island ferry times
These are the current published 2026 times at the time this guide was checked. Services can change because of weather, operational requirements or seasonal arrangements.
Last verified September 2026. The National Trust notes that the last ferry of the day leaving Brownsea at 17:00 for Poole Quay can be busy — particularly at weekends and in school holidays.
Poole Quay → Brownsea Island
- 10:00
- 11:00
- 12:00
- 13:30
- 14:30
- 15:30
- 16:30
Brownsea Island → Poole Quay
- 10:30
- 11:30
- 12:30
- 14:00
- 15:00
- 16:00
- 17:00
Published pattern is roughly hourly outbound, with no 13:00 sailing from Poole Quay (next is 13:30). Confirm on the National Trust travel page (opens in a new tab) before you set out.
Prices
Brownsea Island ferry prices
The ferry fare and island admission are separate.
Return ferry fare
Paid to the boat operator · verified September 2026
- Adult£14.50
- Child aged 5+£6.00
- Under 5Free
Ferry fare is paid to the boat operator. National Trust membership does not cover the ferry fare.
Island admission (non-members)
National Trust · verified September 2026
- Adult£12.00
- Child£6.00
- Family (2 adults + up to 3 children)£30.00
National Trust members: island admission is included with membership (bring your card). Ferry fare is still payable.
Under-5s: island admission and ferry fare are free of charge.
Getting there
How to get to Brownsea from Sandbanks in 2026
- Leave Sandbanks and travel to Poole Quay.
- Head to the Brownsea Island ferry departure point — the orange Greenslade kiosk opposite Tesco Express (BH15 1HJ).
- Purchase or arrange the passenger ferry as appropriate. Ordinary individual visitors generally travel first come, first served. Pre-booking is not normally available except for larger groups (15+) and certain special arrangements.
- Cross Poole Harbour to Brownsea Island (around 20 minutes).
- Allow enough time for your chosen return sailing — boats can fill at busy periods, and waits of around 30–50 minutes can occur.
Operator: Greenslade Pleasure Boats. More detail: Greenslade Pleasure Boats (opens in a new tab).
Getting from Sandbanks to Poole Quay
Because the public Sandbanks–Brownsea passenger service is suspended, the practical first step for most visitors staying on the peninsula is simply getting into Poole town centre / Poole Quay.
Car or taxi — follow signs into Poole and then to Poole Quay. For parking near the ferry, the National Trust points visitors to the Quay Visitors car park (BH15 1SB). For taller vehicles (1.90m+), National Trust directs visitors to surface car parks at Baiter — about a 15-minute walk to the Quay (BH15 1UX). Do not treat Sandbanks beach parking as the right place to leave the car for this trip — see our Sandbanks parking guide for peninsula parking, and confirm Poole charges locally.
Bus — local Morebus services connect the wider Poole area with the Quay and town centre. Check current routes and times before travel rather than relying on remembered numbers.
Cycling — Poole has cycle routes towards the Quay and cycle storage options in town. Bicycles cannot be taken onto Brownsea Island itself.
The crossing
What is the ferry journey like?
From Poole Quay the crossing takes around 20 minutes through Poole Harbour to the Brownsea landing. It is a working harbour route — expect other vessels, channel markers and changing light on the water — rather than a theme-park cruise.
Open deck areas can feel cooler and more exposed than the Quay, even on a mild day. An extra layer is sensible. Covered saloon seating is available on Greenslade vessels, though access to lower decks may involve steps.
On-board facilities
Greenslade says its ferries have toilets and a bar serving drinks and snacks, with open and covered deck areas and heated saloon accommodation. Facilities and access can vary by vessel; toilets are typically on a lower deck reached by steps. Check with the operator if a particular facility is essential.
Practical notes
Dogs
Greenslade indicates space for well-behaved dogs at the Master’s discretion on its vessels.
Pet dogs cannot normally land on Brownsea Island. Clearly identifiable assistance dogs are the exception under National Trust rules.
For an ordinary Brownsea Island visit, do not bring a pet dog expecting to take it onto the island.
Children and pushchairs
Families can visit. Under-5s currently travel free on the ferry and receive free island admission. Pushchairs can be carried, but passengers are responsible for lifting larger items on and off the boat — do not expect step-free boarding or staff assistance with pushchairs.
Accessibility
The National Trust notes a steep gangway onto the passenger ferry and steep steps down to the lower, covered deck. The standard Poole Quay service may not suit every wheelchair user.
The National Trust operates the accessible Brownsea Seahorse landing craft on selected bookable dates. Pickup is from the Sandbanks Yacht Company slipway (BH13 7RD) — this is a restricted accessible service, not the normal public Sandbanks passenger ferry.
Read the current National Trust accessibility information for Brownsea Island (opens in a new tab) before booking or travelling.
On the island
Brownsea Island
Once ashore, Brownsea is a National Trust nature reserve in the heart of Poole Harbour. Expect woodland, heathland and a lagoon — widely known for red squirrels and birdlife. Walking trails, harbour views and quieter corners reward a slow pace.
The Villano Café offers indoor and outdoor seating with light meals, drinks and ice cream when open. Seasonal refreshments may also be available at the Outdoor Centre.
The National Trust recommends allowing at least 3 hours on the island. Plan your return ferry with that in mind — especially if you are aiming for the busy late-afternoon sailings.
A fuller dedicated Brownsea Island visitor guide may follow on this site. For the authoritative island overview, see the National Trust Brownsea Island page (opens in a new tab).
Looking ahead
When will the Sandbanks to Brownsea ferry return?
The previous Sandbanks jetty deteriorated after nearly three decades of use. In November 2024, a significant portion collapsed as the sandy seabed eroded beneath it. Large visitor ferries from Sandbanks were already affected before the collapse, and the public structure was subsequently closed and dismantled.
A replacement jetty project followed. The Sandbanks facility is currently operating only a limited boat service for staff and volunteers — not the normal public passenger ferry.
The National Trust currently expects visitor ferry services from Sandbanks to return in 2027.
We are not inventing an exact reopening day, public timetable or Sandbanks fare. This page will be updated when the National Trust confirms visitor arrangements. Background: Sandbanks Jetty project (opens in a new tab).
Not the Sandbanks chain ferry
The Sandbanks chain ferry to Shell Bay / Studland is a completely separate service from the Brownsea Island passenger boat. If you need the vehicle and foot crossing between Sandbanks and Shell Bay for Studland and the Purbecks, use our Sandbanks Ferry (chain ferry to Studland) guide instead.
Questions
Brownsea Island ferry FAQs
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FAQFerry service
FAQTimes & tickets
FAQOn board
FAQVisiting Brownsea
Trust note
Ferry times, fares, island admission and access arrangements can change with weather, operations and season. Confirm details with the National Trust and the ferry operator before you travel. Research for this guide was verified in September 2026.