Family Fishing Trips & Days Out in Poole
Fun on the water for the whole family — mackerel fishing, sightseeing, and coastal adventures with skipper Dinger Bell
Book a Family Day OutTrip Length
3–4 hours — perfect for kids
No Experience Needed
Dinger teaches everyone the ropes
Departure
Poole Quay, Dorset
A Proper Family Adventure
Looking for something genuinely different to do with the family? Something that gets everyone outdoors, away from screens, and having a proper adventure together? A family fishing trip aboard Danny Boy 2 is exactly that. No experience required — just a sense of fun and a willingness to give it a go.
Dinger is brilliant with families and kids of all ages. He's got that patient, encouraging manner that comes from decades of military service and from raising his own family. He knows how to keep children engaged, how to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable, and — most importantly — how to make sure everyone has a great time. No barking orders, no pressure. Just good old-fashioned fun on the water.
A typical family trip runs for about 3 to 4 hours — long enough to be a proper adventure, but not so long that the little ones get bored or tired. We'll head out from Poole Quay, find the mackerel (they're usually not far), and get everyone catching fish within minutes. There's nothing like the look on a child's face when they feel that first tug on the line.
What Happens on a Family Trip?
Safety Briefing
Dinger starts every trip with a quick, friendly safety briefing. Life jackets on, a few simple rules, and everyone knows what's what. Takes two minutes and puts everyone at ease.
Steaming Out
We motor out through Poole Harbour — a trip in itself. Brownsea Island, the chain ferry, the harbour mouth, and the open sea beyond. Plenty to see before a line even hits the water.
Mackerel Fishing
We'll find a mackerel shoal and get the feathers over the side. Mackerel are the perfect fish for beginners — they bite readily, fight well for their size, and come up in colourful strings. Kids absolutely love it.
Sightseeing
Depending on the trip length and what the family wants, we can cruise past Old Harry Rocks, along the Jurassic Coast, or around the harbour spotting wildlife. It's your day — you decide.
Back to Shore
We head back to Poole Quay with tired, happy faces and — if the mackerel were cooperating — something fresh for the barbecue. Fish cleaned and bagged to take home.
What Dinger Provides
Everything you need for the fishing: rods, reels, bait, tackle — the works. All you need to bring is warm, waterproof clothing (the sea breeze can be chilly even on a sunny day), suncream, something to eat and drink, and a sense of adventure. The boat has a flushing toilet and tea and coffee making facilities, so we're not exactly roughing it.
The Perfect Age Range
We've had kids as young as four on board having the time of their lives, right up to grandparents in their eighties. Family fishing trips work for everyone because they're tailored to your group. Got a mixed-age family with teenagers who want something more serious? We can balance mackerel bashing with some proper reef fishing. Got little ones who just want to see seals and catch their first fish? That's exactly what we'll do.
Danny Boy 2 is licensed for up to 8 passengers, making her perfect for families. Private charter means it's just your group on board — no strangers, no awkwardness. Check our pricing or get in touch to book your family adventure.
Create Family Memories That Last
Book your family fishing trip with Dinger today. Suitable for all ages, no experience needed.