Stunning Beaches

Enjoy your own private beach and soak in the beauty of our stunning shores.

With their turquoise water and pale, fine sand, Scilly’s beaches are stunning - beautiful enough to rival any in the world. There are more than 35 such examples spread across the archipelago, which is good news if you are looking for your own private, secluded beach.

Our particular highlights include Pentle Bay on Tresco for the sheer romance of it; Porthloo Beach on St. Mary’s for rock pooling, Town Beach on St. Mary’s for beachcombing, Great Bay on St. Martin’s (voted the best in the UK) for swimming, and Great Par on Bryher for a fabulous family day out. The Bar which separates St. Agnes and Gugh at low tide is also a perfect sheltered spot for watching the tripper boats come in (but not when the Bar is covered). 

That’s just half the story, however. For those after variety, Scilly also boosts a plethora of dramatic, rugged coastlines – steep rock faces and deep inlets caused by the continuous pounding of huge rollers coming in from the Atlantic Ocean and the site of many a great storm during the winter months. There are plentiful rocky coastal walks across landscapes often cloaked in heather and flowering gorse or with castle ruins atop a promontory. All enjoy sensational views. The aptly named Hell Bay at the northern end of Bryher springs to mind as an excellent vantage point, as does Peninnis Head on St. Mary’s. 

So, whether it’s drama or d’amour you’re after, there’s a beach or coastline out there waiting just for you.

Beaches of St. Mary’s

Blessed with nearly 10 miles of coastline, you’ll be spoilt for choice for some great beaches on St. Mary’s. The most accessible beaches from Hugh Town are Porthcressa, facing south, and Town Beach and Porthmellon beaches, facing north. Check the wind direction to find the most sheltered one. Town Beach by the quay is often busy with boats and dinghies and is a great spot for beachcombing as well as watching the world go by.

Both Porthmellon and Porthcressa are popular spots for sunbathing, SUP-ing and wild swimming – you can’t beat the fantastic visibility and the amazing kelp beds on a calm day. The further you venture from Hugh Town, the quieter the beaches – though none is particularly busy truth be told. Firm favourites are Old Town Bay, the secluded Pelistry Bay (where you can wander across to Tolls Island at low tide), tiny Watermill Cove and Bar Point to the north.

Image credit: Pelistry & Toll's Island, St. Mary's

Beaches of Tresco

Just about every corner you turn on Tresco, especially towards the southern end of the island, you’ll be presented with yet another glorious expanse of white sand beach, caressed by clear blue waters.

Our pick of the bunch must be the long, uninterrupted Pentle Bay to the southeast of the island, but closely followed by the equally impressive Appletree Bay to the west, and Rushy Porth up to Block House Point and onto Green Porth beyond. Protected by Marram grass, these beaches are simply incredible.

And if you’re looking for a little spot rarely visited for a beautiful beach to yourself, then head up to Gimble Porth, on the footpath north of Old Grimsby.

Image credit: Appletree Bay, Tresco

Beaches of St. Martin’s

There’s a beach or two on St. Martin’s that have been voted the best beaches in the UK (they jostle for that headline with one or two on Tresco!).

The two stand out beaches here are the south facing Higher Town Bay, and the northeast facing Great Bay and baby sister next door, Little Bay. Both are magnificent; the latter more so if you are looking for a beach to yourself, even at the height of summer, and enjoy watching for wildlife. But don’t dismiss Lawrence Bay and the St. Martin’s Flats – truly impressive at low tide as you can walk and wade out for miles between the two quays. This beach is also fantastic for beachcombing for cowrie shells.

Image credit: Sand bar off St. Martin's

Beaches of Bryher

Bryher gets battered by storms on its western and northern coastline, particularly in winter, but the southern and eastern shores give way to some truly lovely white sand beaches.

A firm favourite is Rushy Bay to the south which looks out towards Samson. The sand is so white, and the water adorned with beautiful kelp. Just south of Hell Bay Hotel nestles Great Porth, an arc of a beach so sheltered and calm – perfect for a wild swim or family paddle, whilst Green Bay, south of the quay is another beautiful spot and a great place to get out on a kayak!

Image credit: Rushy Bay, Bryher

Beaches of St. Agnes

Of all the islands on Scilly, St. Agnes is perhaps the most rugged, but there are several standout beaches, not least the Bar, Beady Pool and Periglis Cove.

The Bar separates St. Agnes from the island of Gugh at high tide. As the sea recedes, it reveals the most beautiful sandbar looking out yonder beyond The Cove. Ideal for swimming and sunbathing for the few hours it allows. Further to the south is Wingletang Bay and tucked within, Beady Pool, so called because ceramic beads from a 17th Century Venetian shipwreck continue to be found on the beach to this day!

Periglis Cove to the west of St. Agnes by the big pond and cricket field is a beachcomber’s delight. Artists love to forage for washed-up treasure and upcycle their finds to create a work of art. To the south, the old quay is great for high tide jumping!

Image credit: "The Bar" connecting St. Agnes and Gugh