There’s something special about setting foot on St. Mary’s and instantly feeling the pace of life slow down. A day on the Isles of Scilly offers turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, incredible coastal walks and some of the best sea-view lunches in the UK.
While Hugh Town is the natural starting point, there’s so much more to discover if you venture a little further around the island. From hidden beaches and panoramic viewpoints to cosy cafés and garden restaurants, here’s how to make the most of a day trip on St. Mary’s.
Travelling to St. Mary’s
Day trips to the Isles of Scilly are available throughout the season with Isles of Scilly Travel and Penzance Helicopters, offering visitors the chance to experience island life in just a day. Visitors can choose between 3 different modes of transport for getting to the islands.
Sail on Scillonian III
- Set sail on Scillonian III with Isles of Scilly Travel from Penzance Harbour and experience one of the most iconic journeys to the Isles of Scilly. As the mainland slowly slips away, you’ll have time to unwind, watch for seabirds and even spot dolphins or seals if you’re lucky, before arriving on St. Mary’s ready to explore.
- With day trips from as little as £35, you’ll typically enjoy around four hours on the islands - enough time to wander beyond Hugh Town, discover hidden beaches, and soak up the relaxed island atmosphere.
- On selected “double sailing” days, you can extend your stay to up to 7 hours and 45 minutes, giving you a much slower, more immersive experience of island life. These longer days are especially popular, so it’s always worth checking availability in advance as they can sell out quickly. See the double sailing dates here.
- If you’re a Cornwall resident, you can also take advantage of the £25 day trip offer, making a spontaneous island escape even more accessible.
Image credit: Isles of Scilly Travel - Scillonian III
Fly by Helicopter
- For something truly unforgettable, arrive by helicopter with Penzance Helicopters. This is one of the most unique and time-efficient ways to reach the islands, with flight times of around 20 minutes from Penzance.
- As you lift off, the coastline quickly falls away beneath you, replaced by sweeping ocean views and the scattered beauty of the Isles of Scilly emerging on the horizon. It’s a breathtaking introduction to the islands that few journeys can match.
- Touching down either on St. Mary’s or Tresco, you can tailor your day to suit your plans - whether that’s exploring the main island or heading straight into the tranquillity of one of the off-islands. With up to 9 hours to explore, you can make the most of whichever island you choose to visit.
Image credit: Penzance Helicopters
Fly with Skybus
- For a completely different perspective, take to the skies via Skybus with Isles of Scilly Travel from Land’s End Airport. In just 20 minutes, you’ll be soaring above the Atlantic, with panoramic views of turquoise waters, scattered islands and rugged Cornish coastline unfolding beneath you.
- The flight itself becomes part of the adventure - a thrilling, scenic shortcut that lands you on St. Mary’s, feeling as if you’ve already had a mini escape before the day has even begun.
- For the ultimate flexible experience, you can also choose a fly/sail combination: travel one way on Scillonian III and return via Skybus. It’s the perfect way to experience both perspectives of the journey - leisurely sea travel and exhilarating air views.
- 2027 Skybus flights are now available to book! View the timetable here.
Image credit: Isles of Scilly Travel - Skybus
Want to Bring Your Dog?
The Isles of Scilly are the perfect place to bring your pooch, and all modes of transport can accommodate doggy passengers. Pre-booking is essential and can be limited, so booking in advance is key to ensuring that you can bring your pet along. Explore dog-friendly Scilly here.
Image credit: Tabitha Quitman
First Stop: Hugh Town
Most visitors arrive in Hugh Town, the lively hub of St. Mary’s. With colourful cottages, waterside cafés, cosy pubs and views across the harbour, it’s worth taking a little time to soak up the atmosphere before heading further afield. But the real magic of St. Mary’s lies beyond the main streets.
Head to the Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre at Porthcressa for expert local advice, souvenirs, inspiration on what to see and do, and to pick up an island map before you start exploring. Learn more here.
Image credit: Gareth Tibbs - Hugh Town
How to Explore St. Mary’s in a Day
Option 1: Walk the Island
Walking is one of the best ways to experience St. Mary’s, offering a slower, more immersive way to connect with the island’s natural beauty. From the moment you leave Hugh Town, the atmosphere begins to shift - quiet lanes open out into open countryside, hedgerows frame distant sea views, and the sound of traffic fades into the rhythm of wind and waves. Popular walking routes include:
- Hugh Town to Old Town
- The Garrison
- Peninnis Head coastal walk
- Holy Vale and Higher Moors
- Telegraph and Maypole viewpoints
If you enjoy slow travel and scenic stops, walking gives you the freedom to experience the island at its best. Explore walking on Scilly here.
Image credit: Tom Young - Garrison Archway
Option 2: Hire a Bike
Hiring a bike is ideal if you want to cover more ground in a short time, giving you the freedom to explore St. Mary’s at your own pace while reaching quieter beaches and more remote corners of the island that many day trippers miss. It also makes it easy to link different parts of the island together in one relaxed loop, with plenty of opportunities to stop for viewpoints, hidden coves, and scenic stretches of coastline along the way. Cycling highlights include:
- Bar Point
- Pelistry Bay
- Watermill Cove
- Telegraph Road viewpoints
- Old Town Bay
Explore cycling on Scilly here.
Cycling to Bar Point
Option 3: Explore with Scilly Carts
For maximum flexibility, hiring a Scilly Cart is one of the most popular ways to explore St. Mary’s. It’s especially useful for families, those with mobility issues or visitors wanting to fit more into a single day.
With a Scilly Cart, you can comfortably reach beaches and beauty spots across the island while stopping for lunch, drinks and photo opportunities along the way.
Learn more about Scilly Carts here.
Image credit: Scilly Carts
Where to Eat & Drink on St. Mary’s
One of the highlights of a Scilly day trip is the food scene. While Hugh Town has plenty of options, heading further around the island rewards visitors with unforgettable sea views and relaxed island dining.
Juliet’s Garden
Set high above the coastline with sweeping panoramic views across the islands, Juliet’s Garden is one of the most memorable places to pause for lunch on St. Mary’s. With its relaxed outdoor seating and focus on fresh, local produce, it’s the kind of spot where time slows down naturally. Whether you’re settling in for a long, unhurried lunch, enjoying a cream tea overlooking the sea, or simply stopping for coffee and a slice of homemade cake, it’s a peaceful escape that captures the very essence of island dining.
Old Town Inn
Tucked just beyond Old Town Bay, the Old Town Inn offers a warm, traditional island pub experience in a setting that feels perfectly placed after a coastal walk. With hearty, comforting dishes and inviting outdoor seating, it’s an easy place to linger and refuel while taking in the relaxed rhythm of island life. It’s ideal for a laid-back lunch, a well-earned local ale, or a simple mid-walk stop where you can sit back, unwind and soak up the atmosphere.
Longstone Café
Nestled inland away from the coastal paths, Longstone Café offers a quieter, more hidden side of St. Mary’s that feels like a gentle pause in the middle of your day. It’s the perfect place to step off the bike or walking route and enjoy a slower moment, whether that’s over a homemade cake, a relaxed brunch, or just a quiet coffee surrounded by the calm of the island interior. It’s a simple, soothing stop that feels a world away from the busier viewpoints.
The Clubhouse Bistro & Bar
Even if you’ve never picked up a club, the Isles of Scilly Golf and Bowling Clubs, Clubhouse Bistro & Bar is well worth a visit for its elevated position and wide-reaching views over the surrounding coastline. There’s something special about sitting here with a drink or a plate of lunch, watching the light shift across the sea and the weather roll in across the islands. It’s a relaxed, welcoming spot that works just as well for a long lunch as it does for an easy afternoon drink with a view that never gets old.
For even more cafés, pubs and restaurants across the islands, check out our dedicated food and drink guide here.
Juliet's Garden
Best Beaches & Viewpoints on St. Mary’s
One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is just how varied the scenery is around the island. Here is a list of our must-visit beaches and viewpoints on St. Mary’s.
Must-Visit Beaches
- Pelistry Bay - A stunning white-sand beach with crystal-clear water and views towards Toll’s Island.
- Bar Point - One of the quieter spots on St. Mary’s and ideal for escaping the busier areas.
- Old Town Bay - A beautiful crescent beach just a short walk from Hugh Town.
- Watermill Cove - A more remote and rugged stretch of coastline, perfect for peaceful coastal walks.
Best Viewpoints
- Peninnis Head - Dramatic granite cliffs and panoramic Atlantic views.
- Telegraph - One of the island’s highest points with incredible views across St. Mary’s and neighbouring islands.
- Maypole - A peaceful inland viewpoint surrounded by open countryside and island lanes.
Explore more about our stunning beaches on Scilly here.
Bar Point, St. Mary's
Island Hopping
If you’re travelling on one of the double sailing days or arriving by air, you may even have enough time to experience more than one island during your visit. Island hopping offers the chance to combine St. Mary’s with destinations such as Tresco, St. Martin's, St. Agnes or Bryher - each with its own distinct character, scenery and pace of life. Longer day trips give you the freedom to slow down and experience more of the islands, whether that’s lingering over a long seaside lunch, spending extra time on the beach, exploring dramatic coastal paths or simply enjoying a more relaxed style of island exploring without watching the clock.
Find out more about island hopping here.
Image credit: Gareth Tibbs
Why a Day Trip to Scilly is Worth It
Whether you spend your day walking coastal paths, discovering hidden beaches, enjoying long lunches with sea views or hopping between islands, St. Mary’s offers a completely different pace of life - all within reach from Cornwall.
