Best time to visit the Isles of Scilly
There is no wrong time to come to Scilly, but each season gives you a very different set of islands. Here is our honest guide to the weather, wildlife, festivals and travel, month by month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
When should you go?
The best time to visit the Isles of Scilly for most people. Long, bright days, calm seas for island hopping, puffins in early summer and warm water in September, without the school holiday crowds.
The warmest sea and the liveliest atmosphere, with every café, tripper boat and wildlife trip running. Book well ahead.
Empty beaches, big skies, migrant birds and the mildest winters in Britain. Quieter, with fewer places open and no ferry in winter.
Scilly through the seasons
Average ranges across each season. Scilly has the mildest climate in Britain, so the big differences are light, wind and crowds.
Wildflowers and puffins
Headlands turn yellow and pink, puffins return to the outer rocks and the ferry starts sailing again. April and May are often among the sunniest months of the year, with crisp air and quiet lanes.
- Air
- 7 to 15°C
- Sea
- 10 to 12°C
- Sun
- 4 to 7 hours a day
- Feel
- Fresh, bright and quiet
The islands at full speed
Every boat, café and wildlife trip is running, the evenings stay light until late and the sea warms up for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding. School holidays book up early.
- Air
- 12 to 20°C
- Sea
- 14 to 17°C
- Sun
- 6.5 to 7 hours a day
- Feel
- Busy, warm and lively
Our favourite secret
The sea is at its warmest in September, the beaches empty out and food lovers arrive for Taste of Scilly. October brings birdwatchers from all over the country looking for rare migrants.
- Air
- 11 to 18°C
- Sea
- 15 to 17°C
- Sun
- 4 to 5.5 hours a day
- Feel
- Mellow, golden and calm
Wild, peaceful and mild
Frost and snow are rare, Atlantic storms roll through and you can have a whole beach to yourself. Many businesses close or cut their hours and you arrive by air, so plan ahead.
- Air
- 6 to 12°C
- Sea
- 10.5 to 13.5°C
- Sun
- 1.5 to 3 hours a day
- Feel
- Stormy, cosy and empty
Isles of Scilly weather by month
The islands have the mildest climate in Britain, with an average yearly temperature close to 12°C. Winters are soft and summers rarely get hot, so what really changes through the year is sunshine, wind and rain. For the days ahead, check today's weather and tide times on Scilly Live.
| Month | Air temp | Sea temp | Sunshine a day | Rainy days | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 to 10°C | 10.5°C | 2 hrs | 15 | Peace and storm watching |
| February | 6 to 10°C | 10.5°C | 3 hrs | 13 | Quiet walks, flower farms |
| March | 7 to 11°C | 10°C | 4 hrs | 12 | Gardens, the first ferries |
| April | 8 to 13°C | 11°C | 6.5 hrs | 10 | Wildflowers, Walk Scilly |
| May | 10 to 15°C | 12°C | 7 hrs | 9 | Puffins, gig racing |
| June | 12 to 17°C | 14°C | 7 hrs | 9 | Long light evenings |
| July | 14 to 19°C | 16.5°C | 6.5 hrs | 9 | Swimming, families |
| August | 14 to 20°C | 17°C | 6.5 hrs | 10 | Warmest sea, Ocean Scilly |
| September | 13 to 18°C | 17°C | 5.5 hrs | 10 | Warm sea, Taste of Scilly |
| October | 11 to 15°C | 15°C | 4 hrs | 14 | Rare birds, dark skies |
| November | 9 to 12°C | 13.5°C | 2.5 hrs | 16 | Wild weather, empty beaches |
| December | 7 to 11°C | 12°C | 1.5 hrs | 16 | Christmas on the islands |
Long term averages for 1991 to 2020. Air temperatures are typical lows and highs. Every year is different, so pack for all weathers.
What each month is like
- January and February
- The quietest weeks of the year. Expect big seas, bracing coastal walks and cosy pubs, with highs around 10°C. Fewer places are open and inter island boats run a reduced service, but if you want Scilly almost to yourself, this is it. The flower farms are busy picking scented narcissi.
- March
- The season begins to stir. The Scillonian usually starts sailing again in mid March, gardens come into bloom and the first visitors arrive. Days are still short and changeable, so bring waterproofs.
- April
- One of the best value months. Sunshine jumps to around six and a half hours a day, the cliffs fill with wildflowers and the first puffins return to the outer rocks. The Walk Scilly festival fills the islands with guided walks and talks.
- May
- Our top pick for a first visit. Long, bright days, low rainfall, puffins offshore and the World Pilot Gig Championships over the early May bank holiday weekend, when hundreds of crews race into St Mary's harbour. That weekend books up months ahead, so plan early, or avoid it if you want quiet.
- June
- Peak light, with sunsets well after 9pm and settled weather more often than not. Puffin trips are at their best, every boat service is running and the school holidays have not yet started.
- July and August
- The warmest and busiest time. The sea reaches around 17°C, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking, and every café and tripper boat is in full swing. Beds and seats sell out early, so book well in advance. Ocean Scilly, a nine day festival of the sea, runs in late August.
- September
- Summer weather without the summer crowds. The sea is as warm as it gets all year, families have gone home and the Taste of Scilly food festival runs through the middle of the month, with lobster nights, tastings and farm tours.
- October
- A favourite with birdwatchers, who come hoping to see rare migrants blown in off the Atlantic. Days are shorter but still mild, and Scilly Dark Skies Week celebrates some of the darkest night skies in southern England.
- November
- The Scillonian makes her last crossings in early November, and from then on you arrive by plane or helicopter. Wild weather and empty beaches, and a good time for a cottage with a log burner.
- December
- Short days, a strong community feel and Christmas events across the islands. Some businesses close for the winter, so check opening times before you come.
The best time to visit for…
April to July, with the best chances in May and June on a wildlife boat trip round the outer rocks.
July to September, when the sea is at its warmest. Many people swim from May in a wetsuit.
April, May, June and September, for long days, wildflowers and quiet coastal paths.
October for rare migrants, and spring and early summer for nesting seabirds.
November to March, or September once the schools have gone back.
The summer holidays, with every boat, beach café and activity running.
September, during Taste of Scilly, when the islands open their kitchens, farms and gardens.
The big spring tides, when sandbars appear between islands. Check our tide times before you set off.
Festivals and events
- April
- Walk Scilly, ten days of guided walks, talks and island history.
- Early May
- The World Pilot Gig Championships, the biggest weekend of the year on St Mary's.
- May
- Creative Scilly, with workshops and arts events across the islands.
- Late August
- Ocean Scilly, nine days celebrating the sea around the islands.
- September
- Taste of Scilly, ten days of local food and drink.
- October
- Scilly Dark Skies Week, hosted by the community observatory on St Martin's.
Dates change each year. See what's on for this week and the full calendar.
Getting here through the year
- Ferry
- The Scillonian sails from Penzance from mid March to early November, usually Monday to Saturday. It is the cheapest way over and the only one that takes bikes.
- Skybus
- Flies all year from Land's End, Monday to Saturday, with summer flights from Exeter. Newquay flights are paused until March 2027.
- Helicopter
- Flies all year from Penzance to St Mary's and Tresco, Monday to Saturday.
- In winter
- With no ferry, it is plane or helicopter only, and fog or strong winds can delay flights. Leave a spare day at each end. Full details are on our getting there guide.
A few tips before you book
- Book early for the summer holidays and the gig championships weekend. Beds and seats run out fast from May to September.
- Pack layers and a waterproof whatever the month. An evening boat trip can be cool even in August.
- Travel light. Planes and helicopters have strict luggage limits, so soft bags are best.
- Out of season, check what is open. Our eat and stay and things to do guides show opening times.
- Plan beach walks and crossings around the tide. Some of the best sandbars only appear at low water.
When to visit, answered
What is the best month to visit the Isles of Scilly?
May and June give you the best mix of sunshine, calm seas, puffins and space. September is a close second, with the warmest sea of the year and fewer visitors.
Is it worth visiting the Isles of Scilly in winter?
Yes, if you want peace, wild weather and empty beaches. Scilly has the mildest winters in Britain, but days are short, some businesses close and you can only arrive by air.
Can you get to the Isles of Scilly in winter?
Yes. Skybus flies all year from Land's End and the helicopter flies from Penzance, both Monday to Saturday. The Scillonian ferry only sails from mid March to early November.
When can you see puffins on the Isles of Scilly?
Puffins are usually around from April to July. May and June are the best months to see them from a wildlife boat trip.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in?
The sea is warmest from July to September, at around 16 to 17°C. Plenty of people swim from May onwards with a wetsuit.
When are the Isles of Scilly busiest?
The school summer holidays and the World Pilot Gig Championships weekend in early May. Book travel and accommodation well ahead for both.
What is the weather like on the Isles of Scilly?
Mild all year. Summer highs are usually 17 to 20°C and winter highs around 10°C, with frost and snow rare. April to June are the sunniest months and November to January the wettest.
Already on your way?
Today's boats, flights, tides and weather for all five islands, in one place.