Book your visit from Sandbanks
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Find out how to book the Sandbanks Jetty boat service to Brownsea Island and learn more about the Sandbanks Jetty refurbishment project.
Brownsea Island is now closed for the winter. We look forward to welcoming you back on Sat 15 March 2025.
The Sandbanks Jetty pre-bookable boat service is available from 16 March to 3 November 2024. When you book, you'll have fixed departure and return times. Please note that due to the fixed boat timings your visit to the island will last between 3 - 4 hours. For an alternative crossing, see the information on the walk-on ferry service from Poole Quay.
Depart Sandbanks |
Depart Brownsea |
10:00 |
13:20 |
10:30 |
14:20 |
11:00 |
14:50 |
12:00 |
15:50 |
All visitors, including members, are required to pay the boat fare. This is paid for in advance when you book your travel from Sandbanks. Island admission also applies if you're not a member of the National Trust.
Island admission is free for members, so please bring your membership card with you.
Non members will need to pay admission as well as the ferry fare, payable on booking. See the homepage for 2024 prices.
Large group visits (schools, community groups etc.) must come via Poole Quay and book their visit in advance through the Property Office on 01202 707744. Campers will pay for their ferry as part of the booking process and will need to travel from Poole Quay, please see the camping pages for more details.
The landing jetties at Sandbanks and Brownsea Island have steep steps and are subject to varying tidal conditions. We strongly recommend that passengers with restricted mobility use the walk-on service from Poole Quay, and those with wheelchairs or mobility scooters pre-book our accessible vessel, the Brownsea Seahorse.
Although the boat is exposed to the elements, it's only a short ride to the island - approximately 10 minutes.
Dogs are not permitted on Brownsea Island as it is a designated nature reserve. Registered assistance dogs are welcomed but should be clearly identifiable. If you are planning to bring your own pushchair or large picnic baskets please use the ferry from Poole Quay, as we cannot accept these on the Sandbanks boat due to limited space on board. All-terrain pushchairs are available to hire on the island free of charge and can be reserved by calling ahead on 01202 492164.
Visitors wishing to travel to Brownsea from Sandbanks will need to head to the Sandbanks Jetty located on the opposite side of the road to the Haven Hotel. The jetty is to the right of the Chain Ferry if accessing from Sandbanks. Postcode for Sat. Nav. BH13 7QJ.
For visitors travelling across to Sandbanks on the Chain Ferry from Purbeck, when you alight the Chain Ferry the National Trust jetty will be immediately on your left.
There is limited parking nearby, so please allow plenty of time before the ferry departs. The parking on the peninsula is payable at roadside meters or via phone. Charges apply in all residential roads in Sandbanks from March to November. There is no dedicated disabled badge holder spaces in close proximity to the ferry that offer sufficient time for a visit, including the Ferry Way short stay car park next to the Chain Ferry. For more information Search for parking on the Sandbanks peninsula.
The Beryl bike scheme has a parking bay nearby, visit Beryl Bike Scheme
If travelling from Purbeck, there is parking at Shell Bay (National Trust car park) enabling visitors to use the Chain Ferry as a foot passenger. This is dependent on whether the Chain Ferry is in operation at the time of your visit. Parking spaces at Shell Bay are not guaranteed, as it can be very busy during peak times, such as bank holidays, school holidays and weekends. You can view the Chain Ferry timetable here.
To help keep everyone safe, please pay attention to instructions from staff, crew and skippers whilst boarding, on board and alighting the ferry.
Once seated we will ask you to remain there for the duration of the crossing. There is some shelter offered on the Enterprise but not all seating is under cover. The journey from Sandbanks is less than 10 minutes to the island.
Read all the visiting information and ready to book your tickets?
In this article you'll find all you need to know to plan your visit to Brownsea, including how to get here by ferry.
To ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the island, discover how we're making Brownsea accessible to all.