The Isles of Scilly is the perfect destination for a Spring stay. This is also a great time to book accommodation in the Isles of Scilly, and you'll benefit from more accommodation to choose from compared to the Summer months.
The island starts to come alive in the early Spring, with flowers blooming and wildlife returning.
Take a look at our beautiful island properties in Scilly, and be sure to book in time for Spring!
The weather
Scilly begins to heat up throughout the Spring. Like all English weather, it can be unpredictable; however, when the sun is out, it can feel like a summer's day.
You can expect temperatures between 8 and 16 degrees celsius throughout Spring, with some days feeling even hotter.
We recommend bringing a sun hat & sun cream in addition to the trusty raincoat!
What is there to do on the islands?
From the first of April, the islands are pretty much fully open. Restaurants and takeaways open their doors, and the St Mary’s Boatmen's Association begin to operate daily.
Have a look at our previous blog post for things to do on Scilly - “One-week travel itinerary for the Isles of Scilly”.
Spring Events in Scilly
Throughout Spring, there are lots of fun events;
Easter Holidays is an event in itself with locally organised Easter egg hunts and Easter Crafts. Visit the Active Scilly Easter Holiday Activities page for more information.
The World Pilot Gig Championships, which sees gig rowers from all over the world travel to the Scilly Isles to compete - keep reading to find out more!
Low tide event between Tresco & Bryher, which allows you to walk between the islands.
The sandbar becomes home to many little stalls making this a great day out. This is on the 20th of April 2023.
Wildlife in Spring
March sees the returns of the puffins, which only stick around until May. These little seabirds nest on The Western Rocks & Annet and can be seen in abundance at this time of year.
If you’re a keen birder, it’s a great time to visit the various sea birds that return for the summer.
You can also visit the seals on the Eastern Isles, with seal snorkelling trips becoming available as early as April.
Sea Swimming
Whilst on the subject of sea swimming, this time of year can bring calm seas perfect for sea swimming. The water is definitely on the colder side; however, you can rent wetsuits locally or brave it without!
Gig Rowing
The annual Pilots Gig Rowing Championships take place on the first bank holiday in May - the busiest weekend on the Isles of Scilly.
If you don’t fancy visiting during this amazing yet chaotic weekend, you can definitely see your fair share of gig rowers out practising and racing throughout April in preparation for the big event. Practice races take place the week before the championships, and you can head out to watch your favourite gigs.
Tourism
You can expect a steady amount of people visiting throughout Spring. However, it is much calmer than the height of Summer (July & August).
Many families visit for the Easter Holidays whilst the surrounding weeks are much quieter, and you can enjoy the calmness of the islands.
Post gig-weekend sees the Isles of Scilly relax and recover from this worldwide event. The town and beaches return to a slower pace, and you can spend the days on the beach with a good book without being surrounded by people.
Flowers
If you’re interested in the different plant & flower species on the Isles of Scilly, then Spring is a great time to visit.
We recommend visiting the Tresco Gardens to see them in all their glory. They are home to over 4000 species of flowers in addition to the re-introduced red squirrels.
Whilst walking on the islands, you’ll enjoy our many shrubs and plants blooming along the coastline.
To conclude, Spring on Scilly is one of the best times to visit. You can avoid the busyness of the summer season yet still enjoy some sunshine, and all the islands have to offer.