About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
About Isles of Scilly
Dubbed ‘England’s Enchanted Archipelago’ this outstandingly beautiful, uncrowded and unspoilt group of islands are a world apart in every way. Lying just off the coast of Cornwall there are some 140 islands here, five of which are inhabited.
The main island, St Mary’s, is the first port of call for most visitors and the hub of inter-island travel. The islands offer something for everyone from ancient history and staggering bird life to sub-tropical gardens and dramatic lighthouses.
For the active there are challenging swimming events, sea kayaking expeditions and snorkelling with seals. For families the pristine beaches and clear waters are perfect for exploring, rockpooling or simply relaxing. Great food is a Scilly speciality too with excellent restaurants, cafes and characterful inns along with home-made ice cream from one of England’s smallest dairy herds and the freshest of local food plucked from the surrounding ocean and island gardens.
There are five inhabited islands in Scilly. St Mary’s, Bryher, St Martin’s, St Agnes and Tresco each have incredible circular walks around them, whilst Gugh & Samson offer glorious wild walking routes. For pristine, uninhabited islands try a boat trip to Tean or Nornour. We have some great ideas for your Scilly Isles holiday, and offer ideas for a great island adventure.
Walk from Tresco to Bryher on a low tide event, sing sea shanties at the World Pilot Gig Championship, swim with seals, spot hundreds of dolphins, attend one of the lively music, food or drink festivals or join one of the endurance swim or run challenges. There truly is something here for everyone.
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How to Get to the Isles of Scilly: Your Complete Travel Guide
The Isles of Scilly might feel like another world, but getting there is easier than you think. Whether you’re planning a walking holiday, island-hopping adventure, or a swim-paddle-hike escape, this guide will show you exactly how to reach the islands, where to stay en route, and how to book everything using trusted partners.
Step 1: Get to Penzance
Penzance is the main departure point for ferries to the Isles of Scilly. It’s also a scenic destination in its own right, so we recommend arriving at least a day before your crossing.
By Train:
- Direct trains from London Paddington, Exeter, Bristol, and Plymouth to Penzance Station
- Book via Trainline for best fares
By Car:
- Penzance is about 5.5 hours from London via the A30
- Consider parking options at Isles of Scilly Travel Long Stay Car Park
- Need a rental car? Use Discover Cars for one-way or return options
Step 2: Stay Overnight in Penzance
To avoid early morning rushes and tide stress, spend a night in Penzance. Here are some top-rated options:
- Ship Ashore – waterside chalet, close to rail station Book here
- Treventon Guest House – Classic charm with great breakfasts Book here
- Mount View Overnight – Simple, stylish, and close to the promenade Book here
- Beside Sea – Quiet location, close to seafront Book here
View them all on the map:
Step 3: Travel to the Isles of Scilly
There are two ways to reach the islands: by sea or by air. Here’s how each works:
Option 1: Ferry (Scillonian III)
- Departs daily from Penzance Harbour (March–November)
- Duration: Approx. 2 hrs 45 mins
- Tickets from: ~£60 return
- Book via Isles of Scilly Travel
- Pros: Affordable, generous baggage, scenic
- Cons: Can be rough in bad weather
Option 2: Skybus Flight
- Flights from Land’s End (20 mins), Newquay (30 mins) or Exeter (1 hr)
- Small aircraft, limited luggage (20kg max)
- Ideal for fast, smooth crossings
- Prices from: ~£90+ one-way
- Also bookable via Isles of Scilly Travel
Option 3: Flying from London to the Isles of Scilly
The fastest way to reach the Isles of Scilly from London is to fly via Skybus, which departs from Land’s End, Newquay, or Exeter Airports. From London, you can fly directly to Newquay (via easyJet, Ryanair) or Exeter (limited seasonal routes). Or, once you land in Exeter or Newquay, travel overland to Land’s End Airport to catch the final short hop to St Mary’s.
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From Newquay Airport, it’s about 1 hr 45 min by car or taxi to Land’s End. Compare hire prices via Discover Cars*.
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From Exeter, the drive takes around 2 hrs 30 mins.
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Prefer not to drive? Use Trainline to book rail tickets from Exeter or Newquay to Penzance, then taxi to Land’s End (15 mins).
Alternatively, you can stay overnight in Penzance and walk to the harbour for the Scillonian III ferry.
Tip: If flying, allow for delays due to weather. Build in flexibility.
Step 4: Where to Stay on the Isles of Scilly
Once you arrive on St Mary’s, base yourself near Hugh Town for easy access to ferries, walks, and cafés or take a local boat to Tesco, St Martin’s, St Agnes or Bryher. Here are some ideas for accommodain – check the individual island pages for more ideas:
St Mary’s accommodation
- Star Castle Hotel – Historic luxury inside Garrison walls Book here
- Tregarthen’s Hotel – Views of the harbour and off-islands Book here
- Old Town Inn – Quieter, near a great beach
- The Atlantic – Seafront inn, close to ferry Book here
- St Mary’s Hall Hotel – friendly, great food & gardens Book here
St Martin’s accommodation
- Karma St Martin’s – Stunning location Book here
Bonus: Travel Insurance
Don’t get stranded by the weather. Sea crossings and flights can be cancelled, so we strongly recommend insurance.
Final Planning Tips
- Book early for summer sailings/flights
- Bring sea sickness tablets if ferrying
- Check baggage limits if flying
- Stay flexible with return dates
- Use affiliate-friendly links to support creators
We hope this helps you plan a smooth and unforgettable trip to the Isles of Scilly! Safe travels.
Islands in Isles of Scilly
Read more about the islands in our Islandeering book or our England and Wales Island Bagging book
Where to go Paddleboarding in NW England
We have shared some of our favourite routes below but more can be found on our Route Map page
Bryher walking route
The coast path around Bryher varies between the rugged west coast, pounded by Atlantic waves, [...]
Mar
St Martin’s walking route
A walk around the coast path of St Martin’s passes some of the best beaches [...]
Mar
Tean walking route
The circular walking route around Tean is a wonderful way to explore the history, landscapes [...]
Mar
Samson walking route
The circular walk around Samson offers a blissful walk and plenty of opportunity to re-imagine [...]
Mar
Gugh walking route
The circular walk around the coast of Gugh starts at the island-end of the tombolo [...]
Mar
St Agnes walking route
The circular walk around the coast of St Agnes, Scilly, really does make you feel [...]
Mar
Tresco walking route
An easy circular walk around Tresco taking in all of the islands highlights
Mar
Walk Around St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly: Complete Coastal Route Guide
Discover how to walk the full coast of St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly [...]
Mar
Wild Swimming in the Isles of Scilly | Best Spots for Crystal Clear Waters
Dive into the Isles of Scilly’s best wild swimming spots! Explore crystal-clear waters, secluded coves, [...]
May
