isles of scilly travel contact number

Isles of Scilly: The Complete Guide

• A Brief History
• The Inhabited Islands
• Things to Do

How to Get There

Getting around.

The Isles of Scilly, about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, are about the same distance from the English mainland as Nantucket is from Cape Cod. They also share an underlying Atlantic ambiance—from the color of the light and the gritty white sand beaches to the local flora—waves of salt grasses, ripening rose hips, and blackberry bushes heavy with fruit.

But there the similarity ends. This remote, low-lying archipelago—the southwesternmost outpost of the United Kingdom—seems a world apart. High granite towers, probably dropped by the receding ice at the end of the last Ice Age, give the island silhouettes wild magic that belies the gentle realities. Shallow waters turn seas as clear and turquoise as the Caribbean. And the Gulf Stream keeps the climate mild enough to support palm trees and subtropical plants year-round.

The population is only about 2,000, with 1,600 residing on the main island of St. Mary's and 400 scattered across the four remaining populated islands: Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher and St. Agnes. They're engaged in fishing, farming, and the tourism industry; they grow narcissus and daffodil bulbs; they're artists, artisans and entrepreneurs, and often a combination of all of these.

A Brief History of the Isles of Scilly

This little group of islands is part of the Duchy of Cornwall, the estates that produce a Royal income for Prince Charles, who, in addition to being the Prince of Wales is also the Duke of Cornwall.

It's likely that as long as 4,000 years ago, the islands were one landmass populated by the tribes of Britons (ancient Brythonic people) who also settled across Cornwall and Brittany. Various Bronze Age monuments that these people left behind are scattered across the islands.

The next group who left traces were the Tudors. The Isles of Scilly were considered the gateway to the English Channel and vulnerable to invasion from France and Spain as well as havens for continental pirates, privateers and smugglers. Some Tudor fortifications were built as well as Star Castle (now a luxury hotel) and the Garrison wall surrounding it. The Spaniard's never invaded. But there were some skirmishes between Royalists and Parliamentarians during the English Civil War, which left military ruins to explore.

The Inhabited Islands of Scilly

Each of the five inhabited islands has its own personality. It's easy and quick to go from one to the other (between 10 to 20 minutes) on the small boats that ply the channels between them—though that inter-island travel is influenced by tides (see more about that below). Island hopping is a big part of any visit to the Isles of Scilly.

St. Mary's

St. Mary's is the commercial hub of the islands and the main access, by boat, to the other four. It has Scilly's main airport receiving flights from the mainland (heliports on St. Mary's and Tresco will open in 2020), and it is the port for the ferry from Penzance.

Hugh Town, the capital of the Scillies, is little more than a tiny village by mainland standards, but this is where you'll find the islands' supermarket, clinic, a small selection of shops, several art galleries, and a good selection of pubs and restaurants. It's connected to the rest of St. Mary's by a narrow neck of land with white sand beaches on both sides.

The entire island is about two and a half miles long and three miles wide, covering an area of about six square miles. It has relatively level though rugged coastal walking, 30 miles of nature trails and just a few paved roads, clustered around Hugh Town.

St. Mary's and St. Agnes are noted for their flower farms—there are nine of them, producing the earliest scented narcissi available in the United Kingdom . If you take a guided tour of St. Mary's, a service provided by Toots Taxi , among others, ask to be shown the flower fields. They are long and narrow, protected all around by tall, robust hedgerows and a rare sight. St. Mary's also has the largest selection and variety of accommodations in the islands. They range from self-catering and B&B accommodations to four-star luxury at the Star Castle Hotel in a star-shaped, Elizabethan fortress within the island's Garrison.

St. Agnes is the southernmost community in the United Kingdom. It is a tiny, peaceful island with a population of only 72. It has a watersports center, St. Agnes Watersports , offering kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling; a handful of artists, an island hall, a small church with beautiful contemporary stained glass windows by local glass artist Oriel Hicks, and the Scillies' only dairy farm.

If you are collecting Guinness World Records, St. Agnes has, in the Turk's Head, the southernmost pub in the UK and, at Troytown Farm , the smallest dairy farm. Their nine cows produce yogurt, milk, and incredibly rich ice cream that you can buy direct from the farm. The farm also has holiday cottages and tent camping. The island is encircled with a (mostly) paved path, suitable for electric golf buggies or farm wagons, and not much more. One of the most pleasant things to do there is to circumnavigate the place, picking wild blackberries, looking out for the enormous range of wildflowers and succulents, and spotting the rare wild seabirds.

Gugh (pronounced "goo") is an island connected to St Agnes by a sandbar at low tide. Like a lot of the Isles of Scilly, it is littered with mysterious Stone Age ruins and has been populated for thousands of years. At the moment, it has a population of three. If you do decide to walk over, stay aware of the tides because there is no boat service to Gugh, and once the tide floods the sandbar, you could be there for 12 hours. The nearest landfall in the opposite direction is North America, some 3,000 miles away.

Tresco is the second largest of the Isles of Scilly but, at about 2.5 miles long, you could still circumnavigate it on a brisk morning walk. It is home to some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the group and the internationally famous Tresco Abbey Garden.

Of all the islands, Tresco probably has the most exciting history . It has been managed by the Dorrien Smith family, under lease from the Duchy of Cornwall, since 1834. Tresco Abbey, a 19th-century baronial mansion, is named for a monastery that had existed on the island for about 1,000 years until Henry VIII dissolved it. Augustus Smith, the founder of the family dynasty, was a follower of Jeremy Bentham and attempted to put Bentham's Utopian ideas into practice in the Isles of Scilly (at one time he managed all of the inhabited islands of the group). That included free compulsory public education decades before it was required elsewhere in England. Islanders had to pay a weekly fee to keep their children out of school. Smith's most significant legacy for visitors is Tresco Abbey Garden , an enormous, sub-tropical paradise in a sheltered valley and part of the ancient abbey grounds. If you do nothing else in the Scillies, a day trip to these gardens with their collection of exotic South African, Australian and New Zealand plants and flowers is a must.

Bryher is the smallest of the inhabited islands at only 330 acres. It's about a mile long and half a mile wide, so it's surprising how much variety you'll find there. The west-facing side has a rugged shoreline with rocky bluffs facing the Atlantic at Hell Bay (which should give you some idea of the possible waves and currents. The island's east side is just a few hundred yards across from Tresco, and on some extreme spring tides, it's possible to walk across the sand (along with several hundred others) between the two islands. As the water (regularly as much as 16 feet deep) recedes, it reveals the outline of Bronze Age settlements and field patterns.

St. Martin's

More sandy beaches, a luxury spa hotel, a vineyard, a pub, a tea shop, and a flower farm are pretty much all you'll find on St Martin's. It's the place to go for a quiet spot of relaxation. But it's also an excellent place for wildlife experiences, like snorkeling with seals and watersports. And a new, community-organized, two-domed observatory. COSMOS , paid for by the EU and local fundraising, is the most southwesterly observatory in the UK. It gives locals and visitors a chance to experience this island's natural dark skies stargazing environment.

More Things to Do in the Isles of Scilly

• Take to the water. By North Atlantic standards, the beaches that face the "pool" of water between the islands are shallow and usually warm enough for what the British refer to as "wild swimming," and the rest of us call swimming in the sea. You may need to wear a wet suit for warmth, though. The calm, inter-island waters are also famous for scuba diving. Scilly Diving , on St. Martin's, offers divers access to at least 155 identified dive sites.
• Get on the water. All kinds of boat hire, from kayaks, rowboats, small powerboats, and sailboats are available from suppliers on several of the islands. There are wildlife safaris from St. Agnes and St. Mary's and boat hire available on Bryher . Chalkboards on the dock of St. Mary's Pool Harbour list the times for a variety of boat excursions. Or check the Tourist Information Center near Porthcressa Beach on St Mary's for information about boating, accommodations, and events.
• Explore the ruins. Every inhabited island in the archipelago has the remains of past civilizations and cultures, from Bronze Age burial sites to Tudor fortifications. Visiting any of them usually involves an interesting walk with glorious views. The English Heritage book, Defending Scilly, downloadable free, online , is packed with information about Tudor, Civil War, and later fortifications for intrepid island explorers. Visit the English Heritage page for Bant's Carn Burial Chamber and Halangy Down Ancient Village , and you'll find further links to seven more prehistoric sites on St Mary's and Tresco.
• Visit an artist. For such a small place, the Isles of Scilly attract and keep a remarkable number of practicing artists. Many of them are happy to welcome you to their galleries or studios and talk to you about their work. Phoenix Crafts in Porthmellon Business Park, just east of Hugh Town on St Mary's hosts many artists and craftspeople, including stained glass artist Oriel Hicks . Also on St Mary's, Peter Macdonald Smith shows his seascapes and abstracts at Porthloo Studios, and Steve Sherris can often be found painting outdoors around St. Mary's. Ceramicist Lou Simmonds makes some of her pots from clay she digs on St. Agnes itself. She often welcomes visitors to her studio in St. Agnes' Island Hall. There are artists and galleries on every one of the islands. Ask at the Tourist Information Office for the Arts Guide, produced with help from the Arts Council. It's a comprehensive list.
• Watch the gig races. Pilot gigs are traditional boats, crewed by six, and a coxswain. They were once used to guide ships into Scilly's ports around treacherous sandbanks and reefs. Today, local men and women race them between the islands. From April to September, visitors and islanders gather along the shores to watch colorful gig races twice a week from about 8 p.m. Women race on Wednesdays, men on Fridays.
• Eat plenty of seafood. Being adrift in the Atlantic, it's a good bet that there's lots of good seafood on offer. Lobster, local crab, mussels, scallops, and all sorts of sea fish are easy to come by. We particularly liked The Beach , a relaxed, rustic restaurant on, you guessed it, the beach at Porthmellon on St Mary's.

Depending upon where you start from, getting to the Isles of Scilly can be something of an adventure. You can arrive on the islands by plane, ferry, or (after March 2020) by helicopter, but first, you have to get to one of several departure points in Cornwall or Devon. If you are traveling from London by train, that can take between three and a half hours (to Exeter in Devon, the closest ) and five and a half hours to Penzance. You can also fly from London to Exeter or Newquay (an hour and ten minutes for either)

Whatever you do, don't plan a travel schedule that depends upon precise timing and tight connections. Weather in this part of the world can cause delays or cancellations from wind, fog, or rough seas. If you're heading back to London for a flight home, invest in a cushion of a day or two extra, just in case you are delayed getting off the islands. We were warned by other travelers that flights between St. Mary's Airport and Lands End, while short, were notorious for fog cancellations. Sure enough, a canceled return flight meant we were transferred to a ferry and arrived two hours too late for the last train back to London.

Isles of Scilly Travel operate Skybus fixed-wing flights to St Mary's Airport from Exeter, Newquay, or Lands End. The fastest, cheapest flights are from Land's End, costing 90 pounds (around $115) each way for a 20-minute flight, with up to 21 flights a day in peak season. The standard one-way fare from Newquay is 116 pounds and 75 pence and takes 30 minutes, five flights a day in peak season. Flights from Land's End and Newquay are scheduled year-round. Skybus flies from Exeter from March through October. It takes 60 minutes and costs 170 pounds and 75 pence each way. These are tiny planes so do plan to travel light. You can take two pieces of hold luggage with a combined weight of not more than 33 pounds. Carry-on is limited to one piece—a handbag or a camera, for example, but not both.

If you need to carry more, consider taking the ferry. The Scillonian , also operated by Isles of Scilly Travel, sails between Penzance and St Mary's from late March to the end of October. Standard one-way adult fare is 55 pounds (around $70), and the voyage takes two hours and 45 minutes.

Penzance Helicopters are scheduled to start flying from Penzance to St. Mary's and Tresco on March 17, 2020. The heliport is near Penzance train station with an electric shuttle bus service between the station and the helipad. The year-round flights will take 15 minutes, and costs start at 122 pounds ($159) each way. Passengers can check one item of luggage in the hold, but it can weigh up to 44 pounds. Carry on is limited to one small piece—a coat or a handbag, for example.

Visitors are not allowed to bring cars to the islands, and most people get around on foot, by bicycle or on electric golf carts that can be rented on St. Mary's, the biggest island. There are taxi services, airport, and hotel shuttle buses, as well as cars owned by locals on St. Mary's. And on Tresco, you'll occasionally see little green electric Tresco Estate service vehicles whizzing around.

All of the islands are connected by boat services, with small motorboats traveling between them several times a day. Boatmen's associations run the boats on the different islands and, because travel between the islands is so dependent on the tides, their schedules are usually only posted the day before. Look for them on chalkboards on the docks and published in the Tourist Information Office. The St. Mary's Boatmen's Association posts a seasonal schedule online, but it is subject to change, so its best to ask your hotel to check for you the day before. The Tresco Boatmen's association posts its next day schedule online. Tresco Boat Services and St. Agnes Boating coordinate with St. Mary's to provide services to the off islands. Trips are short, just 15 to 20 minutes, and relatively inexpensive. For the most part, the inter-island waters are calm. Sailing to St. Agnes, the southernmost island, involves crossing the main deep water channel to the sea, and some may find the swells unnerving in the small open boats. Tides wait for no one, and neither do the Isles of Scilly inter-island boats. Be at the dock at the appointed time, or you could find yourself left behind until the next high tide.

The Pembrokeshire Coast: A Complete Guide

Your Trip to Kauai: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Bermuda: The Complete Guide

The 12 Best Things to Do Along England's Jurassic Coast

Virgin Islands National Park, St. John: The Complete Guide

Romantic Getaways in 2019: Go Here, Not There

Your Trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands: The Complete Guide

Explore the Hottest Attractions in St. Barts

Acadia National Park: The Complete Guide

The Best Things to Do in Venice, Italy

Planning a Trip to Fiji

Your Trip to Charleston: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Barbados: The Complete Guide

North Coast of France: The Ultimate Road Trip From Dieppe to Calais

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: The Complete Guide

Top 15 Destinations in the French Riviera

• Special Offers

My Itinerary

• Request a brochure
• E-Newsletter Sign Up

• St Martin's
• Bed and Breakfast
• Half Board Accommodation
• Self-Catering Accommodation
• Dog Friendly
• Special Offers & Late Availability
• Going solo?
• Accessible Accommodation
• Accreditation and Gradings
• Scillonian III Ferry
• Private Plane
• Cruise ships
• Yacht and Motorboat
• Car Parking Facilities
• Travel by Train
• Overnight in Penzance
• Off Island Transfers
• Airport Transfer
• Bus Services on St. Mary's
• InterIsland Boating
• Private Hire Vehicles
• Accessible Scilly
• Indoor Activites
• Viewpoints/Scenery
• Birdwatching
• Flora and Fauna
• Arts and Crafts
• Family Attractions
• Scilly on a budget
• Each Island
• Flower Farming
• Local Produce
• Uninhabited
• Download Electronic
• Request Printed
• Weather/Tides
• Harbour Link
• Scilly on Film
• Shop Scilly
• Keeping Scilly Special
• Getting Married
• Itineraries
• Day Visit- The Great Escape
• Tresco and Bryher Food and Drink Festival

You are here: Plan Your Visit > Tourist Information Centre

Search Accommodation

• Awaiting Grading
• Advanced Search
• Search by Location

Search Eating Out

Search things to do, search events, islands to treasure.

Memories to treasure

Tourist Information Centre

There is one Tourist Information Centre serving the whole of the Isles of Scilly.

It is located overlooking Porthcressa Beach in Hugh Town only 600 meters from St. Mary’s Quay. 

The Tourist Information Point is open all year  and is located within the Schiller Shelter on Porthcressa beach front. We offer a range of services including accommodation availability searches, mainland accommodation booking, and boat ticket sales.

The office stocks a range of literature and maps, and  welcomes payment by cash, debit and credit cards.

Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Point

Schiller Shelter

Porthcressa

St. Mary’s

Isles of Scilly

+44 1720 424031.

Alternatively email our friendly team and we will be in touch as soon as we can.

• Email this page
• Accessibility Statement
• Data Protection Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Press and PR
• Trade & Members' Area
• Job Vacancies

come2scilly.com

For the personal touch of self catering holidays on the isles of scilly, find your holiday property, about the islands, availability at a glance, getting to scilly.

come2scilly are the specialists for your self-catering holiday to the Isles of Scilly and we pride ourselves on both our personal touch and knowledge of these stunning islands, as all our staff live and work on the islands.

As a company we have hand picked an exclusive range of holiday accommodation on St Mary’s and we are sure that we will have something to suit your requirements.

Whether you are a first time visitor to the islands or have been visiting for many years, if you’ve got a question about any of our properties or would like some advice on where to stay, then we would love to help you.

Have a look online now or give us a call on 01720 423 523

What our customers say...

“everything about our stay was fantastic and we really appreciated the very high standard of accommodation in general and the thoughtful touches like the fresh flowers.”, “sanderlings is an amazing property, we had a lovely stay there. stunning views and peace and quiet and a short walk down the road to the town, quay and beaches. we loved watching the wildlife in the garden, incredible sunrises and sunsets from the decking. comfortable accommodation with everything we needed provided. we enjoyed exploring all the islands. great weather and a fabulous holiday.”, “a really lovely light, bright house, very well equipped and superbly situated for the ferries to the islands and the beaches. we had a lovely stay.”, “from start to finish the whole scilly experience has been truly amazing. rockside cottage is beautiful, home from home, calm and relaxing, such a beautiful view over the harbour and town beach.” “had a wonderful stay. the house was clean, comfortable and very conveniently located for everything we need - beach, boat trips and shops. found your company very easy to deal with - many thanks”, latest news.

Our harbour webcam is now live so you can see what is going on throughout the day.

Call 01720 423 523 [email protected]  

/come2scilly

Phone Number

0300 1234 105

Council of the Isles of Scilly Town Hall St Mary’s Isles of Scilly TR21 0LW

[email protected]

Reception opening times

Social media.

Twitter  Facebook

• About the Council of the Isles of Scilly: our corporate narrative
• Councillors & Committees
• Attend a Council Meeting
• Become a Councillor
• Council Finances
• Council Corporate Plan
• Jobs at the Council
• Council Archives
• Open Data & Transparency
• Your MP and MEPs
• Watch Meetings Online
• Planning Policy
• Planning Applications
• Building Control
• Planning Appeals
• Land Searches
• Custom/Self-Build Register
• Bookable Planning Advice Service
• Planning Enforcement
• Biodiversity Net Gain
• Brownfield Register
• Heritage, Conservation & Environment
• Infrastructure Funding Statements
• Phone Box Removal - St Mary's BT Consultation
• Specific Local Need Policy
• Animal Health and Welfare
• Business Rates
• Environmental Health
• Economic Development
• Smart Islands
• Community Renewal Fund
• Weddings & Civil Partnerships
• Renewal of Vows
• Civil Naming Ceremony
• Registering a Birth
• Registering a Death
• Citizenship Ceremonies
• Family History
• Ceremony Venues
• Licensing of Premises for Ceremonies
• Registration Fees
• Active Scilly
• Citizens Advice
• Learn Scilly
• Waste & Recycling
• Public Realm and Open Spaces
• Local Flood Risk Management
• Climate Emergency
• Local Nature Recovery Strategy
• Isles of Scilly National Landscape (AONB)
• Environmental Growth Strategy
• Concessionary Travel
• Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority
• Water and Sewerage
• Children’s Social Care
• Supporting Healthy Relationships
• Isles of Scilly Local Offer
• Pre-School & Primary
• Schools & Colleges
• Youth Services
• Children’s Policies
• Adult Social Care
• Disabled Person's Blue Badge
• Mental Capacity Act
• Safeguarding Adults
• Healthcare complaints and advocacy services
• Mental health
• Safer Scilly
• Housing Delivery
• Emergency Planning
• Fire & Rescue
• Safety Advisory Group
• Community Covenant Grant Scheme
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and advice
• Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
• Charitable trusts
• Hardship support
• Porthmellon Enterprise Centre

Our winter flight schedule operating out of Land’s End Airport is now LIVE and ready for bookings!

Isles of Scilly Travel Contact

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll do our best to help you.

+44 (0)1736 334220

[email protected]

LIVE CHAT AVAILBLE

Monday to Thursday  | 08:30 – 12:00 | 14:00 – 16:30

Friday  | 09:00-12:00  | 14:00 – 16:30

Contact our Passenger Relations Team

We’re here to help

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll do our best to help you.

Phone lines are open: (Please note opening hours may vary) Monday : 0900 – 1645 Tuesday : 0900 – 1645 Wednesday : 0900 – 1645 Thursday : 0900 – 1645 Friday : 0900 – 1645 Saturday : Closed * Sunday: Closed

*During peak season and busier periods, travel centre representatives will be available via email.

St Mary’s Hub open to the public, Monday to Saturday 09:00 till 15:00

Weighbridge Ticket office, open to the public Monday to Friday 07:30 till 11:45 & 13:00 till 16:30 . Saturdays 07:30 till 09:00 (Easter to September only)

Please note:   The Hub & Weighbridge will not open on double sailings and t he opening time of the Weighbridge  ticket office will vary depending on sailing time of Scillonian.

Please visit Isles of Scilly Freight for freight contact details.

Customer service

If you have any concerns or queries, please email [email protected] or alternatively write to Customer Services, Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Ltd, Steamship House, Quay Street, Penzance, TR18 4BZ.

Please mark all correspondence for the attention of Customer Services Department and include your booking reference number, passenger name and date of travel. This will assist us in locating your booking.

Travel news and updates: We’ll let you know first

For information, offers and services, follow @IOSTravel For the latest travel updates follow @IOSTravelUpdate

Telephone and email

Please call us on +44(0) 1736 334220 or email [email protected] .

The Ultimate Isles Of Scilly Travel Guide | England

With sandy white beaches and swaying palm trees, you may think that you’ve arrived on some tropical paradise island. However, you haven’t landed in the Caribbean or Mediterranean but you’re actually in the Isles of Scilly in England! Want to know more? I’ve put together this Isles of Scilly travel guide so you can plan your own trip to this little gem tucked away in the corner of England.

I had heard about the Isles of Scilly before and we recently had the chance to visit them. It had always intrigued me how such a place could exist in England. Somehow, the islands still manage to keep their British charm. You may be on a sandy beach or be walking past palm trees but you almost feel like you’re at a British seaside town back on the mainland.

We had an amazing time on the Scilly Isles and now I want to share everything we learnt from our trip. Enjoy this Isles of Scilly travel guide and plan your own trip to this little slice of paradise in England.

Read More | The Ultimate UK Bucket List

Where Are The Isles Of Scilly?

The secret is out and more and more people are finding out the Isles of Scilly are located in… England! You may be forgiven for thinking that they are located in the Mediterranean but they’re located 45km (35 miles) from the tip of Land’s End, so they are still part of Cornwall in England’s southwest.

The 250-mile journey to Cornwall from London takes around 5 hours by car. Luckily for you, Cornwall is one of England’s most beautiful counties with plenty to do and see. With stunning beaches and beautiful little seaside towns, it’s well worth taking the time to explore this part of the country.

Weather On The Isles Of Scilly

You may have heard people calling the Isles of Scilly ‘the UK’s answer to the Caribbean’ or ‘England’s tropical hidden gem’ but the weather isn’t quite as warm as that. Sure some of the beaches may look like they’ve come straight out of a Caribbean postcard, but the islands are still part of England don’t forget!

The weather follows the typical seasons in the northern hemisphere. August is the warmest month to visit with an average temperature of 19-20°c. The islands are positioned on the end of the North Atlantic Current so temperatures may seem milder compared to the rest of England. There’s a high chance of rain from November to February while the driest month is May.

We visited in July and while we had some long sunny days we also had spots of rain. But I’ve spoken to others who have had nothing but sunshine during the summer months.

How To Get To The Isles Of Scilly

Getting to the Isles of Scilly is half the fun, and needs a bit of planning due to their location. First, you need to make your way to the town of Penzance in Cornwall. So if you’re staying in London for example, you would need to take a train or hire a car. From Penzance, you can make your way over to the island of St. Mary’s by air or by sea!

The Scillonian Ferry

Probably the most common way to get to the Scilly Isles is by ferry. The Scillonian III to be precise! Although a standard adult fare of £65.95 ($81/€76) is not cheap, it is still the most cost-effective way to get to the islands. You will need to purchase a return trip at the same cost!

The ferry journey takes around 2 hours 45 minutes and runs from April to November. It’s quite a nice relaxing journey with comfortable seats and a small cafe on board. If you’re lucky you may even see dolphins or seals on your trip. However, there is only one ferry to St. Mary’s in the morning and one returning in the afternoon. So don’t miss it!

For more information on the Scillonian, head to the website , where you can view an up-to-date timetable and prices.

Day Trip | You can purchase a day trip ticket for £35.00 ($43/€40). I would only recommend this if you’re really, really short on time as you would arrive at St. Mary’s at around 12:30pm and leave again at 16:30pm (average departure times.)

A more convenient way to travel to the Isles of Scilly is the Sky Bus. You can get flights to the Scilly Isles from Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End airports. Depending on the airport, the journey is much quicker – 60 mins from Exeter and only 20 mins from Land’s End!

It’s quite a cool experience on the Sky Bus. If you fly from Land’s End, you can pay for a transfer from Penzance to the tiny little airport. The planes are also very small with only around 8 passengers on board and you even see the pilots doing their thing in the cockpit!

A standard adult ticket starts at £105 ($130/€122) each way so it’s a more expensive option but you can’t put a price on time! There are multiple flights throughout the day, making a day trip (£127) to the Scilly Isles a more tempting option than on the Scillonian.

Check out the official website for timetables and booking.

Fly & Sail | A great option for those who are undecided is to fly one way and sail the other. This is what we did on our trip to the Scilly Isles. This way, you’ll get to experience the best of both worlds

Penzance Helicopters

For a truly grand entrance, why not arrive by helicopter and feel like an A-list celebrity? Penzance Helicopters offers journeys from Penzance to either St. Mary’s or Tresco in only 15 mins! Prices start at £134.50 ($165€156) off-peak and you can book on their website .

Isles Of Scilly Accommodation

The Isles of Scilly are not what you would call a budget travel destination. Although the prices are similar to the rest of the UK in terms of food and drink, accommodation is a little pricey for your typical hotel, B&B. A quick look on Booking.com shows properties for over £200 ($230) per night.

For those who want to travel on a budget, I recommend booking early on Airbnb and staying in Hugh Town, St. Mary’s. This is probably the best bet for cheaper accommodation and there are more options available compared to the other islands. We stayed in an Airbnb for under £100 ($115) per night and were able to explore the other islands using Hugh Town as our base.

Another option is camping. Many of the islands have camping grounds and this is a great option for those who love the outdoors. Prices range from £11 ($12.60) to £55 ($63) per night.

Getting Around The Isles Of Scilly

The Isles Of Scilly consists of 5 inhabited islands and all are well connected by boat. While most visited will be staying in St. Mary’s there are some accommodation options on the other islands.

The islands are only 5-20 minutes apart and are easily accessible from the quay. Times are usually posted on notice boards as well as each island’s own boat service Facebook pages.

Our plan of action was to take a walk to the quay the day before and check out the departure and return times. These may be different due to the tides. We would then buy our tickets (not timed) ready for our trip the next day.

Best Things To Do On The Isles Of Scilly

Eat fresh sea food.

The local farmers and fishermen will tell you that the Scilly Isles have some of the best food in the UK. The food is locally sourced and reared on or around the islands themselves so you know it’s going to be fresh and you’ll be doing the environment a favour by reducing the carbon footprint.

There are many award-winning restaurants and eateries dotted around the isles for you to sample. It goes without saying that seafood should be the top choice when exploring these islands. From fresh fish to lobster, you’ll find an amazing choice of fresh seafood all over the islands and you have to try the lobster roll… yum!

See St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s is the largest of the Scilly Isles and the gateway to the rest of the islands. It is where the airport is located and where the Scillonian arrives and departs. Hugh Town is the main hub where you’ll find shops, cafes, restaurants and the Scilly Isle’s only banks (so withdraw your cash here if you need it!)

St. Mary’s is the best place to base yourself if you want to explore the other islands. You’ll find more accommodation options and there is also plenty to see and do including gin distillery tours and riding around in golf carts.

Island Hopping

There are 5 inhabited islands in Scilly – St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martins, St. Agnes and Bryher. Each one is different and a visit to at least one other island is a must! From the gardens of Tresco to the beaches of St. Martins, it’s really worth taking the boat out to all the other islands in this region.

While most people are happy to visit the main islands, there are over 140 more scattered around the archipelago. Many are home to wildlife whilst others are worth exploring due to their uniqueness such as Bishop Rock where a lighthouse sits on the world’s smallest island!

Wildlife Spotting

As previously mentioned, the Scilly Isles are home to an array of marine and sea life. It’s not uncommon to spot dolphins and porpoises whilst out at sea and there are several seal colonies around the islands.

Boat trips are available from the quay but you may have to book in advance and these are very popular in high season. Popular boat trips include the seabird sanctuary island of Annet and the islands east of St. Martin’s where seals and seabirds love to hang out. Another popular option is the glass bottom boat trips from St. Mary and St. Martin’s.

Enjoy The Beaches At St. Martin’s

St Martin’s has some of the best beaches on the Isles of Scilly and it’s the island you want to be on if sunbathing is your thing.

It’s on St Martin’s that you’ll find Great Bay – an untouched, white sand beach with crystal clear waters considered to be the best in the Scilly Isles. You’ll feel like you’re spending the day in the Caribbean instead of England!!

You won’t find any shops or cafes on the beaches so it’s best to stock up on food and drink (take your rubbish/trash please!) The Island Bakery or convenience store are the best places to buy snacks.

Explore The Island Of Tresco

This subtropical island is classy yet chilled! Tresco is a Royal favourite with William and Kate visiting two summers in a row. We enjoyed a beer and snacks at the Ruin Beach Cafe where a local told us William had visited recently.

There are plenty of other things to do on Tresco besides following the Royals and a hike to Cromwell’s Castle is a particular highlight. There are also a few beaches on the island to explore and you can also play a round of golf, or enjoy a spa treatment or yoga session.

See The Tresco Abbey Gardens

The famous Tresco Abbey Gardens are a must-see when visiting the Isles of Scilly. Located on Tresco, there are around 4000 different specimens in the gardens from over 80 countries. Quite incredible if you consider that many of these plants wouldn’t survive anywhere else in the UK.

The entrance to these fabulous gardens costs £18 and there’s no need to book. There’s a cafe and shop there too so you can enjoy a tea or coffee and a sandwich in true Brit style! You can find out more about the gardens on their website .

Walk From Tresco To Bryher

Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited islands, is a contrast of rugged coastlines on the west and calm and sandy on the east. It’s a great place for walks, picnics and beach days. However, several times a year everyone wants to get to/from Bryher and not by boat!

The location, around 230 metres or so from Tresco, can be walked at very low tide! This can only be done a few times each year so it’s quite a popular event! Check out the dates & times when the tide is low if you want to time your visit with this unique event.

Walking On St. Agnes

The Isles of Scilly’s most south-westerly island is wild and untouched. The island is great for walking and you can walk the coast, through little villages and onto untamed beaches. Don’t miss the Gugh sandbar that’s only visible during low tide and if you like Troytown Farm ice cream, well the farm is found right here!

Don’t forget to grab a pint at the famous Turk’s Head pub – the Most South Westerly Pub in the British Isles!

Snorkel With Seals

One of the best things to do in the Scilly isles is to swim with some resident Atlantic grey seals. These cute critters live off the coast of St. Martin’s and you don’t need any experience to participate. The seals are friendly and inquisitive and you’ll be well looked after by Seal Snorkelling Adventures .

The experience costs £55 ($67/€64) and lasts for around 2.5 hours. There are only 2 sessions per day and a maximum of 10 people per group. This is so the seals don’t get too used to having people around. Make sure you book early, especially in the summer months.

I hope you enjoyed reading this Isles of Scilly travel guide. If you have any questions or suggestions then feel free to get in contact. Or just let me know in the comments below .

Share this post...

Jeff Yip is the owner and author of Life of Y, a blog that helps travellers find adventure travel on a budget. As a travel expert, Jeff has explored over 50 countries (many as a solo traveller), been to 6 continents, and seen all 7 World Wonders. Jeff shares his tips and hacks on Life of Y so others can follow their dreams without breaking the bank.

Our winter flight schedule operating out of Land’s End Airport is now LIVE and ready for bookings!

How to Get to Isles of Scilly

Direct routes to the islands.

Travel from Penzance, Land’s End Airport, Cornwall Newquay Airport and Exeter International Airport to the Isles of Scilly. Enjoy Cornwall’s iconic coastline from a whole new perspective few others get to see. We’re experienced at flying and sailing people to and from the Islands, so whichever of our four departure points you choose, we’ll try to ensure your experience of Scilly starts before you’ve even arrived.

Fixed Wing Plane

Land’s End Airport – 20 minutes, year round Newquay Airport- 30 minutes, year round Exeter Airport- 60 minutes, from March to November .

Passenger Ferry

Scillonian iii.

Penzance Harbour to St. Mary’s Harbour- 2hrs 45 minutes journey time Scillonian operates from March – November .

Fixed Wing Plane and Ferry

Fly from Land’s End Airport on Skybus to St. Mary’s (20 mins). Return on Scillonian passenger ferry from St. Mary’s Harbour arriving into Penzance Harbour (2hrs 45 minutes) Fly + Sail tickets are available from March – November .

Get in touch

Our team would be delighted to hear from you. Give us a call, email us, pop in to see us or write to us...

t. 01720 422153 e.  [email protected] a. Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Trenoweth St Mary's Isles of Scilly TR21 0NS

Our office is open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. We will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible. You can also follow us and get in touch on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  

Media enquiries

If you have a media enquiry and would like to talk to our team about a news story, filming opportunity or press visit, please contact us via email at [email protected] . Please email with your name, number and the nature of your enquiry. Or you can give us a call or leave us a voice message on the office line on 01720 422153. We are always happy to help.

Porth Hellick (c) Ed Marshall

Kittiwakes (c) Ed Marshall

Samson (c) Ed Marshall

Wildlife stories