"LET'S GO by boat" is a familiar cry from children and an exciting way to travel. There are plenty of opportunities in Weymouth and Portland with the number growing each year.

They range pottering around in the harbour, journeying across the undersea world of the Fleet in a glass-bottomed boat, taking a boat from Weyouth to Lulworth along our fabulous Jurassic Coast or to Portland Castle. You can even cross to the Channel Islands by ferry from Weymouth.

By contrast and also a not-to-miss experience is the rowing boat ferry across the harbour which you will find at the steps near Weymouth Pavilion.

It was once known as the ‘Penny Ferry’ and is still great value.

There are angling and diving boats around the harbourside for hire for parties or you can go along as an individual and enjoy a day’s fishing. There is also a renowned diving centre at Castletown on Portland.

For learning to sail, windsurf and other water sports activities please see our section on Water Sports.

Brand new this year, and offering another opportunity for getting to Durdle Door and Lulworth from Weymouth by sea is the service just started by the Bowleaze Boat Company.

In a specially built boat for a journey between Scottish islands, this unusual ferry – about to be renamed The Matthew – can land on the beach.

It will even stop at Osmington Mills and Ringstead with prior warning (and pick you up later in the day) and can be hired by parties of 28.

The ferry runs from Weymouth Pleasure Pier to Lulworth Cove with the service starting at 8.15 am providing the owner, Steve Leake, gets five prior bookings. Last run from Lulworth Cove to Weymouth is 4.15 pm.

Brand new last year was the opportunity to take a trip up the breathtaking Jurassic Coast to Lulworth with White Motor Boats or on a Portland cruise. So popular have their services been, this year the company now has five services, all leaving from the Sand Jetty on the Hope Square side of the harbour.

They have a new fast inflatable boat to act as a water taxi and their boats also ply between Weymouth harbour and the Turdor fortress, Portland Castle. In addition to the Jurassic Coast Cruise they offer a cruise around the rugged east coast of Portland.

Their boats include the historic boat My Girl’ which served in the Second World War, the Enchantress and their fast motor boat Ktoo.

And as with the Bowleaze Boat Company passengers can get several hours ashore at Lulworth.

The Fleet Observer is a specially-designed shallow-drafted, glass-bottomed boat, built to explore the wonders of the Fleet Lagoon behind the spectacular Chesil Beach. Explore the underwater.

She sails daily from Easter to October from near Abbotsbury Oyster Farm, Ferrybridge, Wyke Regis. Services start at 9.30 am but it’s always better to book ahead and check the times beforehand.