Devon Tours: The 15 Best, and Who Each Suits

1.Torquay Coastal RIB Seafari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $51Our pick

Set out from The Pavilion in Torquay for a one-hour RIB ride along the Devon coast. Your skipper, possibly Greg, Glen, or John, combines local stories with fast runs toward Thatcher Rock and Ore Stone. Bring warm layers, wear the provided lifejacket, and keep watch for seals, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.

“We went out on the rib coastal, what an amazing experience as my coworker had never done anything like it before, its was amazing seeing the grey seals but most of all, all the dolphins. We would highly recommend it well worth every penny. Thank you.”

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2.The story of Agatha Christie’s extraordinary life

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 333 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet Graham Kerr at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre for a relaxed, English-language walk through Agatha Christie’s Torquay. You’ll see the Pavilion, Princess Pier, Torre Abbey, her bust, and memorial seat, while Graham uses photographs, stories, quizzes, and a little theatrical fun to bring her life into focus.

“Brilliant! Graham Kerr was a fantastic tour guide. Thoroughly enjoyed our 2 1/2 hour 2 1/2 mile walk around Torquay learning about Agatha Christie.”

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3.Coasteering

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

Set out from Ilfracombe for a 2.5-hour coasteering session along North Devon’s rocky coast. Your guide chooses a route to suit the conditions, then leads you across cliff bases, through gullies and caves, and over jumps ranging from gentle to bold. Wetsuit, helmet, footwear, and buoyancy aid are supplied.

“Absolutely fabulous company & team - faultless from booking through to saying farewell. The kids absolutely loved the activity and staff.”

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4.30-Minute Raptor RIB Ride Activity in Torquay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 182 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Set off from Torquay Marina for a 30-minute Raptor RIB ride along Torbay. Expect fast runs, sharp turns, playful donuts, coastal commentary, and possible seal sightings around coves, caves, islands, and bays. Crew members such as Ginger, Paul, and Rue are praised for safety and local knowledge. Minimum age is 10 or 11, with a 25-inch inside leg requirement.

“Great views, excellent hosts with clear commentary. Felt safe and crew were competent. I would recommend to anyone wanting a good thrill ride educational experience.”

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5.Coasteering Geopark Adventure In Torquay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Join Ziggy and his team at Maidencombe for a 2.5-hour coasteering trip through Torquay’s UNESCO Geopark. You’ll wear a wetsuit and safety kit while bouldering, climbing, swimming, and jumping from rocky ledges. Along the way, hear stories about pirates, smugglers, geology, ghosts, and the ancient forest beneath the coast.

“Really fun afternoon of coasteering celebrating our son’s 13th birthday. Great mix of jumps, climbs and challenges, sprinkled with some interesting stories and geology chat. We all loved it and will definitely be back for more - thanks Ziggy!”

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6.Guided Wildlife and Sea Cave Kayak Safari in English Riviera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Join Kieran for a three-hour tandem kayak trip along the English Riviera, with sea caves, rock formations, remote coves, fossils, wild coastal herbs, and a beach campfire. You’ll receive paddling instruction, safety gear, and technical clothing if needed. Wildlife sightings can include seals, seabirds, and cetaceans, but are never guaranteed.

“We all had a fab time. Really enjoyed it and would highly recommend. We were really lucky to have beautiful weather and manged to see lots of wildlife.”

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7.Private Coastal Boat Tour in Torquay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews

Meet your skipper at Torquay Marina and spend about an hour aboard a private RIB along the Devon coast. You may see Berry Head, seals, dolphins, porpoises, caves, and quiet bays, while your skipper explains the geology and local past. The boat and skipper are reserved for your group of up to four.

“The caves The Dolphins The sea lions The whole journey was interesting and full of vibes from our Captain”

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8.90 Minute Coastal Explorer in Torquay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Join Torquay Watersports at 2:30 pm for a 90-minute RIB cruise from Torquay Marina. A skipper handles the boat while you explore Meadfoot, London Bridge, Berry Head, Thatcher Rock, and Babbacombe, with chances to spot seals, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, caves, and striking rock formations.

“We were a group of 2 adults and 2 teen children. We were lucky enough to have a sunny day for our trip although a bit windy. Our guide was excellent, very knowledgeable of the area and of the animals we encountered. We saw dolphins, a seal and lots of birds. Our guide also took us into a small cave and an inlet and explained the rock formations. The rib ride was exciting and we all had a fantastic time.”

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9.Ilfracombe Harbour Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Walk from Ilfracombe’s oldest pub, the George and Dragon, to the Pier Tavern with guide Mark, hearing stories of poltergeists, fires, shipwrecks, and unexplained events. Expect a small group, gentle walking pace, historic photos and sound clips, plus plenty of time standing outdoors.

“This was a fantastic and fascinating tour, the guide really brought the stories to life. It was a really good mix of history and the paranormal and has left me with a long list of things to Google. It rained for a lot of the tour but that did not matter in the slightest, it did not dampen the guides enthusiasm or our fascination.”

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10.Gin Making Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $82

At The Gin Nest in Torquay, Paul guides you through gin history, styles, distillation, and botanicals before you create and bottle your own spirit. This relaxed two-hour class includes wine or gin, a private format, and a choice of morning or afternoon start.

“Really enjoyed this afternoon in a relaxing environment. Tested our creativity but we all came away with something tasty and had excellent, attentive service and instruction from Paul. It is worth not driving so you can sample the delicious G&Ts during the session. Looking to book again later in the year and invent a whole new flavour profile!”

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11.Wooden Duck Painting or Pottery Painting-Take item home same day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $13Best value

Spend about 2.5 hours at Arty Boat in Exmouth, choosing and painting a wooden duck or ceramic item with help from a local host. Your reservation includes professional materials, a hot or cold drink, and cake. Pay separately for the item you paint, then take it home that day.

“The cost of the wooden duck was more than advised on the chat when I enquired. However we had a great time”

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12.The Fawlty Tours walking experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Join Graham of English Riviera Walking Tours for a two-hour, interactive walk through Torquay linked to Fawlty Towers. You’ll hear how John Cleese and Connie Booth found inspiration at a local hotel, learn what became of the characters, inspect the show’s famous signpost joke, and act out scenes from the original episodes. The tour starts at 2:30 pm and ends near Abbey Park.

“A fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable tour. It was highly interactive, filled with plenty of laughter, and included a wonderful selection of Fawlty Towers trivia that added real charm to the experience. Our guide, Graham, was exceptional — knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely committed to ensuring everyone had a memorable time. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a well-organised, entertaining, and truly unique experience.”

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13.Dartmoor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $325

Spend about eight hours exploring Dartmoor in a private Land Rover Discovery with guide Nigel. Visit Ashburton, Princetown, Foggintor Quarry, and Haytor Vale, with bottled water, binoculars, ponchos, parking, and pickup included within set areas. Lunch is available at your own cost, and the route can suit interests in history, nature, animals, or literature.

“We had a wonderful day with our guide, Nigel. We experienced and discovered so much and heard so many stories. My family (young and old) really enjoyed it, and we would never have discovered all these enchanted places, natural wonders, and legends on our own. Thank you so much for this amazing tour, which we can only warmly recommend to everyone.”

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14.Ilfracombe Seafront History Walking Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Mark of Devon History Tours at 2pm for a 90-minute walk from the Landmark Theatre along Ilfracombe’s seafront and harbour. Hear Victorian hotel stories, unusual local tales, and ghostly episodes before finishing at St Nicholas Chapel, the town’s medieval seamen’s chapel and working beacon.

“An asset to the town this tour adds another dimension to your Ilfracombe experience. The History is explained in detail and with enthusiasm. Once a resort of a grandeur reminiscent of the Mediterranean Rivieras but 100 years earlier. Regular steam ships brought the rich and famous to come and stay. Today's town has undergone 2000 years of evolution since it started life as an Iron Age Hill Fort. Castles, churches and grand buildings have come and gone. It has been touched by Wars and even played a part in starting WW1 ! All the time looking out towards Wales and the Atlantic Ocean focused on what the sea will bring.”

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15.Half Day Sea kayak Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

Spend about four hours sea kayaking from Teignmouth with Paddle Devon. After a safety briefing, guides such as Nils, Nile, or Dave help you learn the basics before a relaxed paddle toward Teignmouth Town Beach and a 30-minute beach stop. Equipment is supplied, but you need your own wetsuit or clothing that can get wet.

“Nils was a great host. Very friendly and welcoming. He was also an excellent instructor. Two novice adults and two beginner children with only one capsize between us! A super day out.”

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