Burgh Island Sea Tractor - Kingsbridge

Lucy G.

Well... Just missed it so thought we'd wait for the next lift across. About an hour later the tractor came back. Driver disappeared and came back about 15minutes later with 5 hotel guests who got straight on. They then called for any hotel guests and a hoard of tourists stepped from the back of the cue straight on leaving only 7 places left for anybody else who had been patiently queuing (the maximum capacity per trip is 30).
So naturally after an hour of waiting we didn't get on and gave up. Wasted money on the car park. They should've had a sign saying that hotel guests would be prioritised (or perhaps a separate queue for hotel guests and others) so you can at least have a realistic expectation about whether you'll get on and not waste the afternoon waiting.

Ian B.

Fun way to get to and from Burgh Island when the tide is in.

The day we visited plenty of people walked or waded across, as it was very calm and shallow enough. There are a few signs saying don't do it though due to currents etc.

£2 each, but didn't charge for my kids. Driver was a pleasant chap.

However...

This isn't a constant thing - despite queues, it didn't go back and forth. There was a small 'timetable' saying they were hourly. It would be far better to do it constantly or on demand.

This caused a huge problem as the residents at the hotel take precedent - meaning us plebs had to waiting almost two hours to get back. A good job it wasn't raining. The pub is lovely, but the barmaid was miserable and prices were predictably sky high...

Craig S.

Timetable posted is a complete waste of time. We waited around like losers whilst driver waited for 'hotel guests'. Tractor was supposed to leave for the island at 1410, it ended up leaving nearer 1440 which was too late because I had already paid for car parking. Stood around in the cold, with no seats for 30mins with zero communication/updates. Very Disappointing. Prioritise the general public/tourists and not hotel guests who can't be bothered to show up on time.

Kevin S.

Stood in the queue and waited. Tractor arrived and spent 10 minutes unloading a load of cases into a 4x4. We then waited another 40 minutes. 4x4 came back and they put a load of cases on tractor. By now queue is massive. Then bloke calls out to load of posh people to get on in front of all of us! When he finally lets people on, says only room for 25. We didn't make the grade, and gave up. At know time did the bloke come up the queue and suggest numbers. Not happy having stood there all that time especially as one of our group was in her 80s.

Robin C.

Spoke to chap, tide was turning. He said "next crossing was at quarter past." It was twenty past, so I sought clarification and he said yes in an hour.

9 of us rapidly wade across as tide turns. We get halfway and he overtakes us with tractor.

It makes me wonder if the chap has poor communication... or if it's on purpose and they don't like tourists on the hotel's island?!

(Took 2 hotel guests over)

Paul C.

Disturbing incident tonight. In the queue were 3 black lads. When they got to top of the stairs the driver said he was full and he would come straight back for them so they got off. He then let a white guy onto the tractor. I watched and the tractor did not come straight back for the 3 lads. Might just be a coincidence......

tom J.

It was amazing experience

Barrie K.