With double sailings on a Saturday and Sunday sailings throughout July and August, there’s no better opportunity for a Saturday night getaway to the islands this summer. Here’s our 24-hour guide to your summer escape to Scilly...

Hop on the early Saturday sailing of the Scillonian III passenger ferry from Penzance and make the most of the weekend. Enjoy the Cornish coastline and look out for seabirds and porpoises on route (or simply catch a few more zed’s) before you arrive in St. Mary’s in time for a late breakfast or brunch. There are some fabulous spots in Hugh Town for some early morning sunshine and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

On the other hand, and you’ll arrive by air in time to hop straight on a 10.15 “tripper boat” to one of Scilly’s amazing “off islands”. (You can leave your luggage, so long as it’s clearly labelled, to be transported to your accommodation straight off the passenger ferry; you won’t have to worry about it until check in!) 

Choose to visit Tresco’s magnificent Abbey Garden with 20,000 species of sub-tropical flora, or potter across the incredible stretches of white sand beaches and wander up to the 17^th Century daymark on St Martin’s. Alternatively, head to the tiny remote islands of Bryher or St Agnes – each with their own distinct charm, including the famous Hell Bay on Bryher and the sea washed sand bar on St Agnes, each easily walkable in one day.

Wherever you choose to go, enjoy the short hop on one of Scilly’s colourful, open-topped boats then take a walk, stroll, trail run or wild swim to truly appreciate the superb natural environment of an archipelago like nowhere else in England.

Each of the “off islands” has one island shop/post office, one island pub and a café or two, as well as a few delightful hotels to choose from - so plenty of opportunities for a spot of lunch, island style. They also have a number of farmers, local artists and craft folk, all of whom welcome visitors to browse their work and are happy to reveal what it’s like to live and work on remote islands.

Saturday night is perfect for a romantic dinner and a starlit walk…our skies are some of the darkest in the UK. There are lots of options on St Mary’s to suit every palette and wallet - from takeaway fish and chips to a gourmet dinner at the Star Castle, although we do recommend you sample some local island shellfish! And make sure you check out the Tourist Information Centre’s official guide to “What’s On” – for an outdoor cinema experience, live music or night walks. 

If you fancy a treat to eat at one of the “off island” restaurants, look out for a “supper boat” that’ll whisk you off to another island for the evening. A delicious meal washed down with local gin, wines and beers, with a not-to-be-missed boat ride home as the sun sets deep into the Atlantic Ocean.

Make the most of Sunday with a wildlife safari to the Western Rocks or Eastern Isles, or indeed to England’s final frontier, Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Look out for our large colony of Atlantic grey seals, and for cormorants, shags and guillemots, and learn about Scilly’s infamous shipwrecks from the last 400+ years.

Or go your own way and hire yourself a bike, kayak, dinghy or stand-up paddleboard. Explore the islands from a different perspective – the sheltered coves and remote white-sand beaches, many of which remain untouched even in the height of summer. All the islands offer options for self-styled sea-faring adventures. And if you’re looking for a bucket list experience, book in advance of your stay to snorkel with seals in the Eastern Isles.

Meanwhile, back on St Mary’s, hiring a bike will enable you to get to see the fabulous Bronze Age sites of Halangy Village, Bant’s Carn and Innisidgen on St Mary’s as well as the stunning beaches at Bar, Pelistry and Old Town Bay. There are options too, to hire a golf-buggy on St Mary’s for less mobile guests.

Or take yourself off for a historic walk around the Garrison. Not only will you get a real sense of Scilly’s Elizabethan history, it’s the perfect walk from where you can enjoy views of the entire archipelago.

Just time then, to treat yourself to a leisurely Sunday lunch by the sea, or picnic on the beach, and a spot of shopping for a Scilly keepsake from our island galleries and Hugh Town shops before boarding the tea-time ferry home to Penzance.