Articles & Tips

There are multiple ways to get to the Isles of Scilly, the most popular being air travel. When travelling to the Scilly Isles via plane, you can fly from Exeter, Newquay or Lands End. The Skybus is a 16-seater plane with a dog box. They allow up to 15kg of luggage per person and a small cabin bag each. In this article, we tell you how you can get to the Isles of Scilly by plane or helicopter and the pros and cons of each airport. Lands End Lands End Airport is a 20-minute drive from Penzance. This airport is the cheapest way to fly via air to the islands and is perfect for those getting the train to Penzance. The Isles of Scilly Travel company offer bus transfers from Penzance Train Station and car parking at Lands End Airport. How long is the flight? The flight is 15 minutes long, so ideal for making the most of your time on the islands. When can you fly? Flights are usually each hour Monday-Saturday. What does it cost? Flights are from £121.50 for a standard ticket, £91.25 for a child ticket, £27.25 for an infant ticket and £46.75 for a dog ticket. They also offer day trip returns discounted from the usual ticket prices. Newquay Newquay airport is 5 miles outside of Newquay central. This is the perfect option if you’re flying from the top of the country into Newquay and want to go straight to the islands. The Skybus flights line up with a lot of the UK domestic flights. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on flights from Newquay. Car parking is available at Newquay airport; you can book this directly through the airport. Please note there is airport security as usual at Newquay airport, so all liquids must be in a sealed clear bag. How long is the flight? The flight is 30 minutes long. When can you fly? Flights from Newquay are limited, with planes only flying Monday, Friday and Saturday. There are usually 1-2 flights on the days of flying. What does it cost? Flights range from £171.25 for a standard ticket to £128.50 for a child ticket and £44.00 for an infant ticket. Exeter Exeter Airport is located 6 miles outside of Exeter central. This airport is perfect if you want to avoid travelling down to Cornwall. Most UK airports fly to Exeter, so it’s a great option if you want to fly direct to the UK. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on flights from Exeter. Car parking is available at Exeter airport, which you can book directly through the airport. Please note there is airport security as usual at Exeter airport, so all liquid need to be in a sealed clear bag. How long is the flight? The flight is an hour long. When can you fly? Flights from Exeter are usually 2-3 times per day, Monday-Saturday. What does it cost? Flights range from £236.50 for a standard ticket to £117.50 for a child ticket and £69.25 for an infant ticket. Penzance Helicopter When travelling to the Isles of Scilly via helicopter, the heliport is located in Penzance. This mode of travel is the most reliable if fog is around. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on the helicopter. The helicopter is a twin-engine AW139 helicopter that seats up to 12 people and travels directly to St Mary’s and Tresco. There is a car park at the heliport, or they offer a shuttle bus from Penzance train station. How long is the flight? The flight duration is 15 minutes long. When can you fly? Flights from Penzance heliport are usually every couple of hours, Monday-Saturday. What does it cost?  Flights are from £149.50 for a standard ticket.

There are multiple ways to get to the Isles of Scilly, the oldest being by boat. You can either travel by the Scillonian or private charter. The Scillonian III The first Scillonian was built in 1924 by The Steamship Company. She completed her maiden voyage to St Mary’s on 25th January 1926 and her first time-tabled commercial trip on Thursday, 2nd February 1926, from St. Mary’s to Penzance. The second Scillonian was built in 1956, shortly followed by the Scillonian III in 1977. The Scillonian III is in use 8 months of the year and can transport up to 485 passengers and cargo for the islands. It is an essential lifeline for tourists and locals on the Isles of Scilly. Together with the Council of the Isles of Scilly, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is working on securing funding for the much-needed Scillonian IV . The Scillonian runs Monday-Saturday from 1st March until 1st November, with Sunday sailings throughout July & August. There is one sailing a day with the boat departing Penzance at 09.15 and returning from St Mary’s at 16:30. There are occasionally double sailings when island events occur, for example, Pilots Gig Championship Weekend. How long is the Scillonian boat trip to the Isles of Scilly? The boat takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes and goes in most weather. It is only cancelled if the seas are extremely rough. The Scillonian is the most reliable method of transport to the islands as it isn’t affected by fog which is extremely common around the Isles of Scilly. What is the cost of the boat tickets? Standard tickets are available from £76.25, child tickets (2-11) from £42.75, infant (0-1) from £21.25 and dogs £11.00. The boat departs from Penzance Quay, a 10-minute walk from the train station. The overnight sleeper train from Paddington gets into Penzance in time to meet the Scillonian. There is also car parking available for those that drive down. What is the luggage allowance on the Scillonian? The luggage allowance is 2x hold luggage of no more than 20kg plus 1 x hand luggage of no more than 5kg. You can also book bikes and camping equipment. Once you arrive on the Isles of Scilly, if you have labelled your bags with your name and the name of the accommodation you’re staying, then they will automatically be delivered to your accommodation by our local courier company – Richard Hand. Should you travel down the night before, there are many hotels and B&Bs in Penzance for overnight accommodation. Food and drinks Two cafes on board serve a selection of drinks and snacks. Should you be susceptible to motion sickness, we recommend taking some travel sickness tablets before your journey. Private Charter The alternative way to travel by sea to the Scilly Isles is via private charter. The private charters usually only run when the flights are cancelled due to fog and if the sea conditions are calm. Two private charter companies work together on these trips; Falcon Boating and Raptor Boating . The private charter boats are priced at £100 per person each way. They take approximately two hours, depending on sea conditions. Day Trips If you’re not looking for places to stay on the Isles of Scilly and are only visiting for a day, a day trip is an option via the Scillonian III. The Isles of Scilly Travel offer exclusive day trip deals on the Scillonian III, making it the perfect option for anyone in Cornwall who wants to sample these islands or visit on a budget for the day. Once you arrive at the Isles of Scilly on the Scillonian, you can jump straight on a boat to an off island – perfect if you’d like to see Tresco Gardens in full bloom. Or you can spend the day on St Mary’s browsing the shops, walking the coastline and enjoying lunch with a view from the many restaurants and cafes. Once you’ve confirmed your boat trips, use our website to find accommodation on the Isles of Scilly . We hope that we’ve provided all you need to know about getting to the Isles of Scilly by Sea, but if not, please feel free to get in touch with Scilly Escapes or leave your question in the comments section below.  If this isn’t your preferred way of travel, check out our blog on how to get to the Isles of Scilly by air .

Can you take your dog to the Isles of Scilly? In short, the answer is yes ! The Isles of Scilly is one of the most dog-friendly places to travel to in the UK. If you’re thinking about bringing your doggy friend, then keep reading to find out all you need to know. View our dog-friendly accommodation in the Isles of Scilly . Travelling with your dog to the Isles of Scilly Your dog can travel with you to the islands via plane or boat: Via Plane The plane from Lands End allows dogs to fly with you on an onboard crate. The crate fits either two small or one large dog, and you are seated right next to the crate to keep your dog company. The Isles of Scilly Travel will help you board first with your pet and help you get them into the crate – we recommend you bring some treats with you in your pocket. 😉 The price for the dog crate on the plane is £46.75 each way. Via Boat The Scillonian is incredibly dog-friendly and has multiple dog-friendly areas on board. You are allowed up to two dogs per person. Dogs must remain on leads; however, there are plenty of places to curl up for a snooze or get some fresh air. The price is £11 each way on the Scillonian. Dog-Friendly Beaches on the Isles of Scilly We have lots of dog-friendly beaches on the Isles of Scilly; Little Porth – located to the right of Porthcressa beach Town Beach -overlooks the harbour Porth Hellick – found via many local walks Pelistry Bay – located on the other side of the island Bar Point – located on the other side of the islands with 180 views of St Martins and the surrounding islands All beaches on the ‘off islands’ (St Martins, St Agnes, Tresco & Bryher) are dog-friendly. However, dogs have to remain on a lead whilst on Tresco. Dogs are not permitted on Porthcressa , Porthmellon and Old Town Bay beaches between the 1st of May and the 30th of September each year; however, in the winter, all beaches become dog-friendly.

The Isles of Scilly are beautiful all year round; however, the climate is very similar to that of the rest of the UK, meaning it is best to visit the islands outside of winter. The popular season to visit the Isles of Scilly runs from April until October, with a few significant events and key visiting times that stand out; May: World Pilot Gig Championships (WPGC) The first May bank holiday, which usually falls either the last weekend of April or 1st weekend of May, is the island gig weekend. The WPGC is the busiest weekend of the year on Scilly Isles, with gig clubs from all over the world travelling to the islands for a weekend full of racing and celebrations. It is usually tough to secure accommodation in the Isles of Scilly for this weekend; however, if you manage to, it is definitely a spectacle to look forward to. The atmosphere is incredible, and you’d have an amazing time experiencing the islands at their busiest. June: Otillo Otillo is a swim-run competition that’s held all over the world. Every year around June time they hold races on the islands. There is a “sprint” around St Mary’s and a full race covering multiple islands. It’s another atmospheric time to enjoy the islands. April – July: Puffins Our puffin population frequents the Isles of Scilly between April and July. These famous seabirds are found in the Eastern Isles whilst here. There are various boat trips to visit them in their natural habitat. 

Excursions

Winter on the Isles of Scilly is a quiet affair; think relaxing walks and cosy fires. Due to it being a quieter period, this is also a great time to book accommodation in the Isles of Scilly at great prices. November November sees the tail end of the season. There are still some bird watchers here and a few tourists that enjoy the quiet time on Scilly. The last Scillonian is usually the first Monday in November. After this, the only option is to fly. There are no scheduled events throughout November; we recommend walking around the islands. You can organise special boats to the off-island; however, boating is limited. December Christmas on Scilly can be magical. The streets are lit with Christmas lights, and the atmosphere has a subtle buzz. The first weekend in December sees the Christmas market at On The Quay with lots of local makers, music, food and drink. Keep an eye out for other small markets throughout the month. The yearly Christmas street market is the week before Christmas. You’ll find stalls serving mulled wine, tasty treats and live music. Lots of local shops and cafes open up for the evening. There is a kids’ Santa sleigh that throws out sweets, and your little ones can meet Santa Clause in the Atlantic. The Island Cinema show Christmas films on the big screen in town, and local carollers and bands play music. The Islands Partnership put on boats for the off-island locals. It’s one of the best nights of the year. The local pubs come alive the week running up to Christmas, with most locals finishing up work for the holidays. Christmas Eve is usually bigger than New Years, with The Mermaid Inn being the centre of the festivities. You’re bound to have a good time on Scilly this week.

There are many different things to do on The Isles of Scilly, and if you’ve been before, you’ll have an idea of what you’d like to do. However, for first-time visitors, this Itinerary will allow you to see everything the island offers in just one week. Day 1 Arrive via plane or boat and drop your bags at your accommodation. Take the afternoon to wander around St Mary’s and get your bearings. Enjoy lunch with a view in one of our many restaurants, or even get a takeaway pasty to enjoy on the beach. Pop down to the quay to purchase some boat tickets for the week. This will ensure you miss the morning rush before boarding your boat. Check the daily boat times in town, as they will be similar to the following day. Visit one of our supermarkets (Co-operative, The Store or Old Town Stores) to stock up on weekly groceries. You can either click and collect, arrange delivery or pop in to get everything you need for the duration of your stay. If you have booked accommodation with Scilly Escapes , we’ll organise this prior to your arrival. In the evening, I recommend fish & chips from The Galley or a simple pub dinner before heading back to your accommodation to prepare for an adventurous second day. Day 2 Head to the quay at around 10 am and pop on a boat to Tresco Island. (You’ll find the daily boating times posted on the St Mary’s Boatmens Association Facebook each morning or written on the board at The Atlantic slip). Once you arrive at Tresco, depending on which quay you get dropped to, we’d recommend heading straight for The Tresco Gardens. Here you can walk around the stunning Gardens and enjoy a cup of tea in the Garden Cafe. After the gardens, spend the day either walking up to Cromwells Castle, relaxing on the beach or enjoying one of the many swimming pools on the island. In the afternoon, you can browse the Tresco stores and enjoy a pint in the sunshine outside The New Inn before catching the boat back to St Mary’s. Once on St Mary’s, enjoy a meal at one of the many available restaurants and take a sunset walk along Town Beach. Day 3 Another day another island. Head to the quay around 10 am to catch the boat to St Martin’s. This island is just a paradise with long sandy beaches. We’d recommend a stroll along them on arrival, trying to find cowries on the St Martins flats whilst the tides are out. Enjoy lunch with one of the most stunning views on The Isles of Scilly at The Sevenstones Inn. No trip to St Martin’s is complete without a visit to Middletown Barn to see the offerings of the local Makers and to Fay Page for the most stunning island-inspired jewellery. In the afternoon, wander down to Karma St Martins to enjoy an afternoon tea or even a cocktail in the sunshine before heading back to St Mary’s. Enjoy another one of St Mary’s many eateries in the evening – or even a Thai takeaway. Day 4 Enjoy a day on St Mary’s, walking the coastline and visiting the various coffee shops en route. You can walk the coast path in around 5 hours or choose from many smaller coastal walks. If walking the entire coast, we recommend popping into Carn Vean for lunch by Pelistry Bay and Juliets on your way back for an afternoon drink with a view. In the evening, we’d recommend an early or a late dinner so you can enjoy the local Gig Racing (Wednesdays & Fridays). You can watch from the quay or hop on a tripper boat to watch the race close up. Day 5 Time to head off boating again. This time Bryher is calling. This little island is a hub of activity with lots to do. You can walk the coast, spend the day on the beach with various watersports or even play mini golf. We’d recommend lunch at Hellbay Hotel for a spot of lunch. Enjoy the rustic walk to the Fraggle Rock in the afternoon for a drink before heading back to St Mary’s. In the evening, pick one of our many beaches for a little beach barbecue. Day 6 I’m sure by now you’re ready for a chilled beach day. Head to Porthcressa and grab a spot for the day. Enjoy lunch at the close by Dibble & Grub with an afternoon sea swim or paddle board. In the evening you can hop on a supper boat to St Agnes. The Turks Head is another great pub with a view; we recommend the local fish and chips. Take a little sunset stroll before heading back to St Mary’s at around 9 pm. Day 7 It’s sadly time to pack up your bags and pop out to enjoy your last day on our little island. Pop into town and hit up all our independent local shops for all your gifting needs. We’d recommend Made on Scilly, which is filled with local handmade artisan gifts, The Foredeck for your Scilly Sweat and try and grab some Tattie cake on Church Street. After all this, you’ll be sure to sleep on the way home, but you’ll be left with the most magical memories.  If you’re ready to experience this beautiful week on our islands, get in touch with us to book your holiday accommodation in the Isles of Scilly .

You’ve booked your accommodation in the Isles of Scilly , the itinerary is set, and now you’re trying to decide all the things you need to pack. This holiday packing guide will help you with everything you need to enjoy your trip to the Scilly Isles. The Essentials Comfy shoes for walking are an absolute MUST when visiting the islands. These don’t have to be professional hiking boots, but they must be comfortable enough to wear throughout the day and waterproof in rainy weather. Trainers and comfy flip-flops would also be adequate, depending on how much walking you plan on doing and if the weather is predicted to be sunny for your stay. A lightweight rain jacket is recommended, ideally one that can pack away compact in your bag if it isn’t required. The weather on Scilly can often change very quickly. You can wake up with the weather drizzly and foggy in the morning and then be sunning yourself on the beach by lunchtime. Even though the weather can be unpredictable, suncream is an essential item. Even when overcast, the sun on Scilly can still shine through, so make sure you protect your skin whilst you’re here. Swimwear is essential if you’re planning on getting into the gorgeous sea here in Scilly. I wouldn’t worry about bringing a wetsuit unless you plan to swim long distances daily, as you can rent them from the local Watersports centre at Porthmellon Beach. Cash is recommended for shopping at your favourite honesty shops. Local makers have honesty shops and stalls dotted around the island, and although some offer card payments, most prefer cash. You can get cash from the post office; however, to avoid long summer queues, we’d advise bringing some, as our local bank recently closed. Example Packing List for one week holiday on the Isles of Scilly Comfy Footwear Waterproof Jacket Clothing & underwear for 7 days Toiletries Swimwear Jumper Flip Flops Sunglasses Suncream Hand sanitiser Phones, cameras and chargers ID for the plane/ferry Travel Insurance Cash Things you can get on the Island You don’t need to pre-book boat tickets. You can purchase these at The Quay on arrival to the islands or before your boat journey. Groceries are readily available here on the island. The local Co-operative is located in town in addition to The Store and Old Town Store. You can order a click-and-collect from the Co-op. The Store offers a delivery service to your accommodation. If you’re looking for clothing, including sun hats, waterproof jackets and socks, you can get this in addition to gift ideas from The Foredeck and various other shops on the island. Wetsuits, paddle boards and other large Watersport equipment are available for rental at Porthmellon Beach. Maps will be available in your accommodation if you’re staying in a Scilly Escapes property; however, if not, you can pick up a map from the Tourist Information Centre located on Porthcressa Beach. Things you can rent from Scilly Escapes Beach towels are highly recommended on Scilly, especially if you plan on visiting the beach. You can rent these in addition to beach chairs and pop-up tents – everything you need for sunning yourself on white sands. Beach toys & floats, including the all-important bucket & spade, are available daily or weekly. Room fans were impossible to find during the July heatwave this summer, so we have stocked up on these for the 2023 season. You can rent these weekly. Fancy a beach barbecue but don’t get on with the disposable ones? We’ve got portable coal barbecues available to help you cook up a storm. Pair this with a cool box for drinks, and you’re sorted for the day. Travel cots, bedding and high chairs to ensure the comfort of your little ones during your stay. These will be set up in your property before arrival, so no naps are missed. Fishing rods with reel and line are available for all your fishing needs. We’ll also give you a map with all the best locations for fishing on the islands. Snorkel & masks are available if you want to look at what is under the sparkling ocean here on Scilly. Visit our accommodation booking extras page for more information.