There’s a particular frustration familiar to anyone who has tried to drive between Falmouth and Flushing. The two settlements are separated by a few hundred metres of water – you can look across and see exactly where you’re trying to get to. But to do it by road, you have to go all the way around the creek via Penryn, which adds a significant chunk of distance and time to a journey that, logically, shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
The water taxi solves this problem in the most direct way imaginable.
The Village Across the Water
Flushing is one of those Cornish villages that tends to get overlooked precisely because it’s so close to a more famous neighbour. It sits directly across the Penryn River from Falmouth town, with a cluster of colourful Georgian and Victorian houses facing the water, a couple of good pubs, and a generally unhurried atmosphere that contrasts nicely with Falmouth’s busier waterfront.
The village was historically associated with the packet ships that operated out of Falmouth – the postal service that connected Britain to the Americas and beyond in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the captains and owners settled in Flushing, which explains the quality of some of the older houses.
The Water Taxi Route
Falmouth Water Taxi connects Flushing Quay directly with Custom House Quay in Falmouth town, along with Greenbank, Trefusses, and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. The crossing itself is short and straightforward – ideal for a quick trip into Falmouth for shopping, lunch, or an evening out, and equally practical for the return journey.
Prebooked fares are £4.00 single or £7.00 return on this route. Return tickets are valid for the same week of issue, which gives you flexibility to come and go as needed.
For Visitors and Locals Alike
If you’re staying in Flushing, the water taxi means you can treat Falmouth’s harbour, restaurants, and town centre as being genuinely nearby rather than a twenty-minute drive away. For visitors to Falmouth, it’s a simple way to explore Flushing for an afternoon without moving the car.
For sailors on moorings in the harbour, it’s often the easiest way to get ashore in either direction. You can call the taxi on VHF Channel 12, which saves the need to organise a dinghy.
How to Use It
The best approach is to prebook, which gives you a guaranteed slot and the lower fare. Walk-up passengers are taken during operating hours when the boat is available, but if you’re planning your day around the crossing, it’s worth confirming in advance.
Bookings and current operating information are at falmouth-watertaxi.co.uk. You can also call or text on 07593 906143, or hail on VHF Channel 12 if you’re already on the water.
