Portland

Photo: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov in the immediate vicinity of the , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Portland is a docked port on the Jurassic Coast, but it is not in Weymouth. You need a shuttle, taxi or tour to reach town. The coast sights are spread out, so plan your transport first.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townWeymouth town is a few miles away across Portland Harbour (exact distance unverified).
Gateway forWeymouth, Portland Bill lighthouse, Chesil Beach, Jurassic Coast (UNESCO), Lulworth, Dorchester.
Cruise shuttle or taxi to WeymouthAbout 15-20 minutes (unverified) · Shuttle set by ship; taxi fare unverified
On the chart

Where Portland lies

Where your ship docks

Ships dock at Portland Port, Castletown, on the Isle of Portland. The port's cruise pages do not give berth details for passengers.

Shuttle. Most ships run a shuttle to Weymouth (unverified). Ask before you sail.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Cruise shuttle or taxi to WeymouthAbout 15-20 minutes (unverified)Shuttle set by ship; taxi fare unverified
Taxi or tour to Portland Bill lighthouseShort drive (unverified)Lighthouse tours paid
Coastal Vibes Cruises from Weymouth to Jurassic Coast boat cruiseCheck operatorCheck operator

Cruise shuttle or taxi to Weymouth

Time About 15-20 minutes (unverified)Cost Shuttle set by ship; taxi fare unverified
  1. Take the ship's shuttle, or call Local Taxi (+44 1305 777777, listed by the port).

Taxi or tour to Portland Bill lighthouse

Time Short drive (unverified)Cost Lighthouse tours paid
  1. Taxi from the port.

Visitor center and lantern tours.

Coastal Vibes Cruises from Weymouth to Jurassic Coast boat cruise

Time Check operatorCost Check operator
  1. Get to Weymouth harbor first.
Worth the trip

What to see

Weymouth harbor and beach

Georgian seafront and harbor.

How
Shuttle or taxi.
Time
2 hours
Tickets
Free

Nothe Fort

Victorian fort at the harbor mouth.

How
Walk from Weymouth harbor.
Time
1.5 hours
Tickets
Paid

Portland Bill lighthouse

Clifftop lighthouse with tours to the lantern room.

How
Taxi or tour.
Time
1.5 hours
Tickets
Paid

Chesil Beach

18-mile pebble beach; Wild Chesil Centre beside it.

How
Taxi or tour.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free

Lulworth Castle and Park

17th-century hunting lodge, fire-damaged in 1929 and restored.

How
Tour.
Time
Half day
Tickets
Paid
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. 9:00 Off the ship; shuttle to Weymouth.
  2. 9:45 Walk the harbor and seafront.
  3. 10:45 Nothe Fort.
  4. 12:30 Lunch at the harbor.
  5. 13:30 Taxi to Portland Bill lighthouse.
  6. 15:00 Taxi back to the port.
  7. 15:30 On board, 1 hour early.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Port is outside town; you depend on shuttles or taxis.
  • Taxis are limited when many ships' passengers leave at once (unverified).

Do this

  • Pre-book a taxi back if you leave the shuttle route.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • No UK cruise passenger tax known.

Accessibility

Docked. Weymouth seafront is flat. Portland is hilly.

Money

British pound (GBP). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, including buses.

Onward

More of the The British Isles

Sources & what we could not confirm · 3 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Shuttle details and distance to Weymouth.
  • All attraction prices.
  • Durdle Door access (not on port page).