Portland Cruise Excursions

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Local Tour Guides

Skip the Big Coaches. Travel with Friends.

Hello! We’re Danny, Terri, Spencer and Katey.
We are a passionate, small team of local guides based right here on the Isle of Portland!

We started this adventure because we believe the best way to experience the Jurassic Coast isn’t through the windows of a 50-seater coach with hundreds of other passengers. It’s in a small, personal group, exploring the hidden spots massive buses cannot reach.

Our first priority is getting you back to your ship on time, with stories and views you just won't find anywhere else.

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Why cruise guests choose us

Great value shore excursions

See more of Dorset for your money, with prices often around 40% lower than comparable cruise-line excursions.

Back to your ship on time

Our routes are planned around Portland Port cruise schedules, with sensible return time built into every excursion.

No dock, no worries

If your ship fails to dock at Portland Port, we will refund your excursion so you are not left out of pocket.

Guides, not taxi drivers

We are dedicated local guides who love sharing Dorset’s stories, history, hidden gems and Jurassic Coast viewpoints.

Meet your Local guides

Skip the Big Coaches. Travel with Friends.

Hello! We’re Danny, Terri, Spencer and Katey.
We aren't a faceless international tour corporation. We are a passionate, small team of local guides based right here on the Isle of Portland.

We started this adventure because we believe the best way to experience the Jurassic Coast isn’t through the windows of a 50-seater coach with hundreds of other passengers. It’s in a small, personal group, exploring the hidden spots massive buses cannot reach.

Our first priority is getting you back to your ship on time, with stories and views you just won't find anywhere else.

Contact the Team

Small Group Tours from Portland

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Most Popular Tour

The Steam Train & Jurassic Coast Special

With your Swanage Railway ticket included, enjoy heritage steam travel, spectacular scenery, and dramatic coastal views before exploring the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic highlights on this relaxed small-group adventure.

Duration 6-7 Hours
Group Size Max 8-28 Guests
Price From £129
View Tour Details
Why cruise guests choose us

Shore days should feel easy, local and memorable

From the moment you step ashore at Portland Port, we keep things simple — fair prices, carefully planned timings, local stories and some of Dorset’s best-loved coastal views.

Great value shore excursions

See more of Dorset for your money, with prices often around 40% lower than comparable cruise-line excursions.

Back to your ship on time

Our routes are planned around Portland Port cruise schedules, with sensible return time built into every excursion.

No dock, no worries

If your ship fails to dock at Portland Port, we will refund your excursion so you are not left out of pocket.

Guides, not taxi drivers

We are dedicated local guides who love sharing Dorset’s stories, history, hidden gems and Jurassic Coast viewpoints.

Exclusive Experiences

Prefer a Private Tour?

Turn our tried-and-tested routes into your own exclusive experience. Whether you are traveling as a couple, with family, or a group of friends, a private tour gives you the ultimate freedom.

Choose exactly when you want to depart, linger longer at the spots you love, and travel safely in our comfortable tour vehicles with your own dedicated local guide.

Book a Private Tour Request Custom Quote
Dorset Tours Private Group Vehicle Friends laughing on a private tour
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See our double award winning TripAdvisor reviews

Don't take our word for it...

Very Good Tour. Recommended!

Our tour guide, Terri, was personable and very knowledgeable about the area. She shared many personal touches based on her growing up in the area. I'll state the conclusion upfront: Very good tour, which I recommend.

SanLi
SanLiSpain

Fantastic daytour to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral

We thoroughly enjoyed our shore excursion to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral with Dorset tours. Our driver guide Danny did an excellent job. He was friendly, humorous, professional and provided a lot of interesting history and local information. Booking with Sally was easy and smooth. Highly recommend the Dorset tours team!

Kristina
KristinaCAN

Great beautiful tour!

We were greeted kindly by our wonderful guide Spencer and got through the day with wonderful stories and humor by him. Spencer had read himself excellently as a guide in all the places we visited and highly recommended to undertake this tour with him as a guide.

MikeS
MikeSUSA

A tour you shouldn't miss

The shore excursion Jurassic coast adventure from Portland port, we found it very worth visiting, a day to see a mix of natural coastline, historic Corfe castle and town, the colorful town of Weymouth etc. Sally emailed us couple weeks before and gave very clear instructions for us to meet our guide on that day, very good communication.

Jerry
JerryUSA

Fantastic day tour !

We thoroughly enjoyed our shore excursion to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral with Dorset tours. Our driver guide Danny did an excellent job. He was friendly, humorous, professional and provided a lot of interesting history and local information. Booking with Sally was easy and smooth. Highly recommend the Dorset tours team!

IngaB
IngaBUSA

A tour you shouldn't miss

The shore excursion Jurassic coast adventure from Portland port, we found it very worth visiting, a day to see a mix of natural coastline, historic Corfe castle and town, the colourful town of Weymouth etc. Spencer our guide and driver is local, friendly, informative and accommodating. He is an excellent guide, not only did he cover everything as described in our tour and brought us back on time,

JackiT
JackiTCAN

Amazing day in Portland, England!

Hiring a private tour for a day docked in Portland was THE way to go. Terri got us to Stonehenge, we saw Salisbury cathedral and the Magna Carta, villages, monuments and more. Terri was fantastic with her ability to provide history and local information, and intuitively knew what would be of interest to us. Highly recommend this company!

LarryG
LarryGUSA

Very Good Tour. Recommended!

Our tour guide, Terri, was personable and very knowledgeable about the area. She shared many personal touches based on her growing up in the area. I'll state the conclusion upfront: Very good tour, which I recommend.

ShellyR
ShellyRGERM

Jurassic Coast highlights

Visit Dorset’s famous coastal landmarks, viewpoints, villages and historic places during your day ashore.

Ship-friendly timings

Our cruise excursions are planned around Portland Port arrival and departure times, with sensible return time.

Portland focused

Clear joining instructions for cruise passengers visiting Portland, with local support if you need help.

Small-group tours

A more personal way to explore Dorset than a large coach excursion, guided by local people.

Make the most of your day ashore in Dorset.

Our Portland cruise excursions are designed for passengers who want to see the best of the Jurassic Coast without worrying about transport, timings or planning.

Choose from our scheduled small-group shore excursions or enquire about a private tour built around your ship’s schedule, group size and must-see places.

Find Your Shore Excursion

Frequently Asked Questions

Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before the activity start time. If you cancel within 48 hours of departure, or fail to attend, no refund will be issued.

More than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: 100% refund
Less than 48 hours’ notice before the tour: No refund

No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after the scheduled departure time.

Ship Unable to Dock

In the event that your ship is unable to dock due to bad weather or an itinerary change, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Please note: Stripe, our payment processing provider, may retain a reversal processing fee of up to 3.25% to 4.9%, which is beyond our control.

Your tour time is planned around your ship’s arrival and departure. We will email your exact meeting time about 2 to 3 weeks before your cruise date.

We always make sure all booked guests are accounted for before we depart.

If you have booked a private tour, we can adjust the start time to suit you.

You can find our exact location here: Find Us

We meet just outside the main port gates at the historic Portland Castle.

Because Portland is a busy commercial port, free roaming is not allowed. You are permitted to use the free shuttle to exit and enter the port whilst your ship is in dock.

Finding us is easy:

  • Step off your ship and board the free blue port shuttle.

  • Stay on for a quick 3-minute ride to the castle.

  • We will be waiting for you as you step off the shuttle!

Watch our 1-minute video guide here: 

Any questions?
Email Sally at info@dorsettours.com

Our first priority is getting you back to the ship on time.

We ensure you arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure time.

If your time on shore becomes limited, some of the attractions on the itinerary may vary in order to get you back to the ship on time. This is not negotiable.

Our group sizes are no larger than 15 passengers per group, but can often run with as little a 4, 6 or 8 to a group.

Yes.

Like many small tour companies, we do require a minimum number of passengers to run any of our tours. We like to keep this number as small as possible and often run tours with just 4 people!

If the number of passengers is not met you will be notified around 72 hours before your tour departure and offered an alternative date. *Subject to availability.

If we need to cancel your tour due to insufficient numbers, you will be refunded in full.

Most of our tours include light to walking. Some locations, such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, involve uneven paths and gentle slopes. We always explain walking distances on the day, and participation is optional where possible and your guide can explain an alternative route if possble.

Yes. Many of our guests travel from cruise ships and prefer a relaxed pace. We allow free time at each stop and can advise in advance if certain walks may be challenging.

Most tours include a driver guide who provides commentary throughout the day. Some tours, such as Stonehenge transfers, operate as transport with orientation and free time.

There are no entrance fees for the attractions on the Jurassic Coast, however it does cost around £7-10 to enter Corfe Castle. We find that 90% of our clients like to explore the wonderful village of Corfe and take pictures from outside the castle.

Entrance fees to Stonehenge or Salisbury Cathedral are not included in our tours. 

We generally advise against pre-purchasing Stonehenge tickets, as they are non-refundable. For example, if you are unable to make the tour, your ship misses port, or we are unable to operate the tour for any reason, your Stonehenge tickets would not be refunded by English Heritage.

Entrance fees to these attractions can be purchased on the gate at the time of your arrival without issue. 

Stonehenge never run out of tickets on the day.

Please be aware, that during mid season there maybe lines to get your tickets.

Here in the UK we use GBP £.

All tours must be booked through our website and will be taken in GBP £ (British Pound).

In the event that your ship is unable to dock due to bad weather or an itinerary change, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Please note: Stripe, our payment processing provider, may retain a reversal processing fee of up to 3.25% to 4.9%, which is beyond our control.

Our tours vary depending on the locations and sites visited, and some may be more suitable than others depending on individual mobility needs. Please note that some walking is necessary to access certain sites along the Jurassic Coast.

We are always happy to advise. Please contact a member of our team by email to discuss any concerns, and we will help you choose the most appropriate option.

Yes. Children are welcome on our tours.

However, please note that due to local government regulations If your child requires a booster or child seat, you must supply and fit your own.

We do not offer specific children’s rates for our tours. The ticket price remains the same for all participants, regardless of age.

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