The Friends of Dolphin Boat Trips

About Us

The Friends of Dolphin presents: Dolphin III, a specially designed boat that offers free and fully accessible trips around Poole Harbour.

The boat operates every day, except Sunday, from May to September, making around 200 trips each year.

Dolphin III is crewed entirely by volunteers, with an experienced skipper in charge of every trip. There are over 40 volunteers on the crew list and nobody in the organisation is paid.

Trips around the harbour last about 1.5 hours. When the tides allow, the boat makes a trip to Wareham, to include the chance to buy a fish and chip lunch:  This usually takes around four hours.

Dolphin III is enjoyed by people with a wide range of abilities and of all ages. Whilst the majority of passengers come from Dorset and Hampshire, holiday makers and those who live further away are most welcome to book a trip. Dolphin III can take up to six wheelchairs and has ample seating for ambulant passengers and carers. The boat has easy access for wheelchairs with a sturdy ramp between the boat and the pontoon giving level access.

Our only stipulation; due to our charitable status and the generosity we receive from local organisations such as The Harbour Commission, The Fisherman’s Association and Poole Quay Yacht Haven; is that excluding accompanying carers and family, the prime passengers in each group should not reasonably be able to access one of the other commercial boats that operate in the harbour. All of these boats have steep entrance and exit ramps and steps on board, whereas Dolphin III was designed specifically with access by wheelchairs and those with less mobility.

The maximum capacity of the boat is 12 people (including carers) and a wheelchair accessible toilet is available onboard.

In 2018, Dolphin was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, known as the MBE for charities.

Each year, an average of 2,000 passengers are taken on free trips around Poole Harbour and in 2018, Dolphin carried her 50,000th passenger.

Watch the Friends of Dolphin youtube video for further information. 

To book a trip see our website and in case of difficulty email Bob Irwin direct.