One of the greatest pleasures when staying on the Isles of Scilly is to go island hopping. Whichever island you’re staying on, every day you can simply hop onto a “tripper” boat to explore all the others and discover each of their distinct charms. It’s a great way to get a fuller flavour of island life.
All the islands are really close together – just a 15-25 minute boat ride – so it’s really easy to do a different island each day.
Inter-island boating
For those staying on St Mary’s - the tripper boats to the other islands are run by St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association. Every evening, they post online @scillyboating and on the various blackboards around the island the following day’s itineraries…. including day trips to most (if not all) the off-islands, landings on the uninhabited islands, plus wildlife excursions and, if the sea is calm, jaunts to Bishop Rock. There are other private operators too which offer specialist “three islands in one day” trips, wildlife and birding excursions, and fast RIB services between the islands. Buy your tickets at the dedicated kiosk on St Mary’s Quay or at the Tourist Information Centre.
If you are staying on St Martin's, your boating options are also run by the St Mary's Boatmen's Association. The boats will bring you to and from St Martin's via St Mary's so that you can island hop across to the other islands. (There are also occasional direct boats to Tresco.) Check the dedicated Facebook page, at St Martin's Boat Services.
If you’re staying on St Agnes - then you’ll need to contact St Agnes Boating to find out the inter-island boating schedule. They visit St Mary’s every day, and at least one of the other off-islands. They post the weekly schedule and special excursions online @stagnesboating and also on the St Agnes noticeboards – at the quay, the island’s shop and campsite. If the scheduled service doesn’t suit, or you simply want a boat at a special time or to a special place, this can nearly always be arranged (tides and weather permitting!).
If you’re staying on Tresco or Bryher - the inter-island boating is run by Tresco Boat Services. They post their scheduled services online and on the islands’ noticeboards every afternoon for the following day. They visit St Mary’s every day the Scillonian is sailing and at least one of the other islands most days. And you can also arrange “specials” (boat taxis) outside of the scheduled services for any particular occasion and enjoy scenic boat trips.
Evening trips
Often in the evenings, especially in high season, “supper boats” are laid on, allowing you to head off to another island for an evening meal, returning around sunset.
Additionally, on a Wednesday or Friday evening, you can follow your local island team in the gig races that take place between dedicated crews from across the islands. All the islands’ services lay on a boat so that you can get close to the highly competitive exploits on the water.
On the islands
Walking is, generally speaking, the way to go on all the “off islands”, although on Tresco you can hire bikes too. And all the off islands have kayak and paddleboard options for hire.
On St Mary’s, there’s a Community Bus that takes a circular route around the island several times a day, a dedicated 70-minute tour that leaves Holgate’s Green twice day, or you can rent bikes or golf buggies, as well as go by private taxi.
The Tourist Information Centre will also keep you posted on travel plans and daily events. (Find us on Facebook, Twitter or telephone 01720 620601)
Accessible Scilly
For visitors to the Isles of Scilly with limited mobility, and/or for those with young children, there are a range of services and facilities available. Most people get around the islands on foot, but if that’s not an option for you or one of your party, we recommend that you look at, and book, alternative options in advance of your holiday.
You can hire pushbikes (with trailers) and golf buggies (for those aged 25-75 years; driving licences required) on St. Mary’s and Tresco. There are also a number of private hire vehicles on St Mary’s, a Community Bus and a “Buzza Bus” on St Mary’s (for those registered to use it via Cornwall’s Age Concern).
The off-islands – Tresco, St Martin’s, St Agnes, Bryher – have only a mixture of concrete roads and unmade roads that are not suitable for public transport. They are only accessible by boat and getting on and off can be tricky with several steps. (The boatmen are lovely though, and will always assist where necessary.) Pushchairs and lighter standard wheelchairs can be lifted onto boats – electric wheelchairs would be a challenge.
Remember when booking your flights or the passenger ferry to Scilly, as well as your accommodation, to discuss your particular requirements. Check their access statements for more detailed information, too.
