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Active & Outdoors

Get out and about on Scilly

There are plenty of ways you can get out and about to enjoy Scilly - on guided tours and excursions or simply by heading out with map in hand to explore.

As a tiny archipelago, one of the greatest pleasures here is to island hop! Whichever island you're staying on, there are loads of boating options - and it's very easy to do an island a day.

Guided walking tours tend to originate on St. Mary's but every day there are options to join walks to all the other islands - uninhabited ones too. Choose from general guided walks or ones that specialise in wildlife, archaeology, maritime history and gardens. The Tourist Information Centre has all the information!

There are regular guided bus, bike and taxi tours and horse rides around St. Mary's too as well as a wealth of scenic boat trips and wildlife safaris to the Eastern Isles or the Western Rocks to spot seabirds and seals – particularly good at low tide as they bask on the rocks - or head out to Bishop Rock Lighthouse, England’s final frontier.

For the more adventurous, Scilly is a playground of activities - have a go at kayaking, sailing or paddleboarding; coasteer our coastline if you dare, venture out for a guided sea swim, dive the wrecks, or perhaps book yourself a unique opportunity to swim with seals.

Evening trips are also special – as the sun dips down at the end of the day, why not jump aboard a tripper boat and cheer on your favourite pilot gig crew? You can do this every Wednesday and Friday evening throughout the summer. Alternatively, wrap up warm and take to the water on one of many evening boats which will take you to an off-island for the option to enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant of your choice. There’s nothing more beautiful than heading back home as the sun sets on the horizon!

Activities - On the Water

There’s a reason why Scilly has been discovered as a scuba diving, snorkelling and coasteering Mecca, why it attracts hundreds of gig rowers and sea swimmers each year to take on island-to-island challenges, and why brave kayakers and paddle boarders attempt to circumnavigate the islands or even head back to Cornwall from Scilly itself.
Activities - On Land

Sometimes, when on Scilly, it is enough to just observe and absorb what’s around you. At other times you feel like exploring, and it is for those moments of discovery that we have gathered together a few thoughts about some of the people and places that make the Isles of Scilly so special. From walking (or running!) the coastal paths or cycling quiet, traffic-free lanes to horse riding on the beach or a round of golf with some of the most spectacular views in the country.