After arriving at the tony South Sands Hotel, just outside of Salcombe in Devon, I threw open the curtains to enjoy a view of the beach. That's when I was confronted with what looked a bit like Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine, being driven out into the Salcombe Estuary. And the strange, canopied contraption, with a set of stairs behind, appeared to be heading out to meet a boat.
The odd looking canopied vehicle is a sea tractor and the landing stage for the South Sands Ferry to the center of Salcombe. During the spring and summer (April through October), the tractor is the first stage of a two-stage ferry trip to Whitestrand, the harbor at the heart of this pretty South Devon sailing resort. The ferry spares vacationers at the hotels and summer rentals along North and South Sands beaches the difficult journey up and over the steep narrow hills into the tiny village. And it's also a great way to see the homes, estates, secret beaches and castle remains along the estuary. With no place to dock and a high tide that can completely swallow the flat sand beach, the tractor is the only way to board the litte boat.
South Sands Ferry Essentials
- The ferry leaves every half hour, from the beach or Whitestrand harbor.
- The fare for the 15 minute trip is £3 each way.
- Service starts from Whitestrand at 9:45 and from South Sands beach at 10 a.m.
- Last ferry run is 5:15 p.m. from Whitestrand and 5:30 p.m. from South Sands. There is an additional sailing, a half hour later, in August.
- Visit their website or ring +44 (0)1548 561 035 for more information.
