Scillonian ferry timetable
Today's Scillonian III sailings between Penzance and St Mary's, every sailing day left this season, and what we know about Scillonian IV for 2027. Times come from the published timetable, with any weather notice the moment it is posted.
Sailing times from the published timetable, checked through the day for cancellations and changes. Always check with the operator before you travel.
Before you sail
- Leaves from
- Lighthouse Pier in Penzance, ten minutes' walk along the seafront from the railway station. Arrives at St Mary's quay in Hugh Town.
- Crossing
- About 2 hours 45 minutes. Find a seat on deck on the way out for dolphins and shearwaters.
- Usual times
- Out of Penzance at 09:15, back from St Mary's at 16:30 in summer and often 14:00 at the start and end of the season.
- Season
- Mid March to early November, Monday to Saturday, with Sunday sailings in the summer holidays. No sailings in winter.
- Day trips
- Yes, on most sailing days: about four and a half hours ashore on St Mary's in summer, about two at the start and end of the season, with no hold luggage.
- Luggage
- Two bags, 25kg in total, none over 20kg, plus 5kg hand luggage. Bikes and kayaks go as freight.
- Parking
- Long stay car parks by Penzance harbour, or Wherrytown park and ride with a shuttle to the quay.
- Booking
- Isles of Scilly Travel, who also run Skybus. Dogs travel too if booked ahead.
Every sailing left this season
Each sailing day with times both ways, and how long a day trip gives you ashore.
10 sailing days left this season. The last is Sunday 8 November. The ferry does not sail in winter; Scillonian IV takes over in 2027.
| Sailing day | Penzance to St Mary's | St Mary's to Penzance | Day trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | |||
| Thu 1 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Fri 2 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 3 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Mon 5 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Tue 6 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Wed 7 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Thu 8 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Fri 9 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 10 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Mon 12 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Wed 14 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Fri 16 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 17 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Mon 19 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Wed 21 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Thu 22 Oct | No sailing | 11:00, arrives 13:45 | No |
| Fri 23 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 24 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 16:30, arrives 19:15 | About 4.5 hours ashore |
| Mon 26 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Wed 28 Oct | 10:01, arrives 12:45 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | No |
| Fri 30 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 31 Oct | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| November 2026 | |||
| Sun 1 Nov | 10:15, arrives 13:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | No |
| Mon 2 Nov | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Wed 4 Nov | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Fri 6 Nov | 09:15, arrives 12:00 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sat 7 Nov | 09:00, arrives 11:45 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
| Sun 8 Nov | 09:00, arrives 11:45 | 14:00, arrives 16:45 | About 2 hours ashore |
The 2026 Scillonian season has finished. Scillonian IV is due to take over in 2027, and her sailings will show here as soon as the timetable is published.
From the published timetable. Sailings can be cancelled or retimed for weather and tides, so check the live board above on the day.
Scillonian IV
Scillonian IV carries up to 600 passengers and is built to roll less in a swell. She takes over from the Scillonian III, which makes her last crossings at the end of the 2026 season after nearly fifty years.
The first sailings are expected from March 2027, with the date still to be confirmed. Her timetable will appear on this page as soon as it is published.
Skybus flies from Land's End all year and the helicopter from Penzance, Monday to Saturday. Skybus timetable · Helicopter timetable
The Scillonian, answered
What time does the Scillonian leave Penzance?
On most sailing days the Scillonian III leaves Penzance at 09:15 and reaches St Mary's at about 12:00. The sailing back leaves St Mary's at 16:30 through the summer, and at 14:00 on many days at the start and end of the season. The table on this page shows every sailing day left this season.
How long is the crossing to the Isles of Scilly?
About 2 hours 45 minutes between Penzance and St Mary's.
Does the Scillonian sail every day?
In season it sails Monday to Saturday, with Sunday sailings in the summer holidays and on some other dates. It does not sail in winter, from roughly November to mid March. This year the last sailing is on Sunday 8 November.
When does Scillonian IV start?
Scillonian IV, the new ferry carrying up to 600 passengers, is due to take over from the Scillonian III in 2027, with the first sailing expected from March. The date is still to be confirmed, and her timetable will appear here as soon as it is published.
Can I do a day trip to Scilly on the Scillonian?
Yes, on days when the morning sailing out and the afternoon sailing back give you time ashore: usually about four and a half hours on St Mary's in summer, or about two at the start and end of the season. Day trippers travel without hold luggage. The Day trip column in the table shows the time ashore for each date.
Where does the Scillonian leave from in Penzance?
From Lighthouse Pier, a ten minute walk along the seafront from Penzance railway station. Park in the long stay car parks by the harbour or at Wherrytown, the Scillonian park and ride, which has a shuttle to the quay.
What happens if the Scillonian is cancelled?
Strong wind and heavy seas can stop the ferry, and day trips are the first to go when a rough sea is forecast. If your sailing is cancelled you will be offered another sailing or a refund. We show any notice on Scilly Live as soon as it is posted.
How much luggage can I take on the Scillonian?
Two bags with 25kg in total, none over 20kg, plus 5kg of hand luggage. Luggage for the off islands is labelled by colour and carried on for you, for a charge. Bikes and kayaks go as freight, booked ahead.
Can I take my dog on the Scillonian?
Yes. Book them on ahead, up to two dogs per adult, kept on a lead.
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Boats, flights, the Scillonian, tides and weather for all five islands, in one place.