Foot Ferry
From April to September Brightlingsea Harbour runs a foot ferry service linking Brightlingsea, Point Clear and East Mersea. Running 7 days a week with various schedules for low, mid and high season. During low season, online booking is essential to guarantee your crossing. Without an online booking the ferry will not take you across. Mid and high season online bookings will take priority over non-booked passengers. The ferry will endeavour to collect non-booked passengers when seats are available or alternatively run repeat trips especially during the high season. The ferry is able to carry up to 12 passengers as well as bicycles, buggies and dogs.
By taking the ferry you will improve your environmental footprint as a round trip from Point Clear to Brightlingsea by our ferry is only 3 minutes, by car it is 21 miles. From East Mersea it's only 9 minutes by ferry but a return visit is 40 miles by car.
Online tickets can be bought via the website or download our Brightlingsea Harbour App for free, from the App Store or Google Play Store . Visit our Facebook page @BrightlingseaFootFerry for the latest news or call the Harbour Office on 01206 302200 for more information. Occasionally due to weather the ferry maybe cancelled.
Click here to download Ferry Timetable 2025
Discover Brightlingsea
The ferry drops you off at the Jetty and if you require further information on how to spend your day, pop into the Harbour office. You will leave with a wealth of information, from walking booklets, where to have lunch or what to see and do. Alternatively head straight to the seafront with its colourful beach huts, Lido and Blue Flag Beach or venture into town for some retail therapy, a buoyant high street filled with independent shops awaits. Brightlingsea Museum.is well worth a visit too, whether you drop in for half an hour or half a day, there is plenty to explore, engage and excite you, whatever your age or interests. If you like gardens, then a visit to Springmead Garden is a must.
Point Clear
There is more to Point Clear than you may think. Take a stroll along the beach with stunning views of Brightlingsea and the estuary, for light bites take a break at T & Cake café or explore Martello Tower.
Perhaps blow away the cobwebs and enjoy a stunning coastal walk to St Osyth Boatyard restoring Thames barges.
East Mersea
The ferry drops you off at the edge of Cudmore Grove County Park, East Mersea. A nature reserve with an inspiring coastal landscape, sandy beaches and salt marsh, rolling grasslands and meadows buzzing with wildlife. It's the perfect place to paddle, picnic, bird watch, beachcomb plus a pirate themed kids play area. . There is something for everyone whatever your age.
