Best Beaches in Scilly: 13 Top Picks, Island by Island

Scilly has more than 35 beaches across its five inhabited islands, according to Visit Isles of Scilly. Most have pale, fine sand and water so clear it looks tropical on a sunny day. So choosing the best beaches in Scilly is less about dodging crowds and more about what you want.

This guide picks 13 of the best beaches on the Isles of Scilly, island by island. Each one links to its page in our directory, with walking times from the quay and a what3words address. That way you can find the exact spot, even on a beach with no signs.

Here is where to go, and when.

Key Takeaways

• Great Bay on St Martin's is our pick for the best beach in Scilly, with wide white sand and nothing built in sight.
• Porthcressa on St Mary's is the easiest family beach, just ten minutes from the quay with food close by.
• Tides matter. The Bar on St Agnes and the walk to Toll's Island only work at low water, so check Scilly Live first.
• There are no lifeguards on these beaches, so swim close to shore and within your depth.
• Dogs are banned from Porthcressa, Porthmellon and Old Town Beach (9am to 7pm) from 1 May to 30 September.

Best beaches in Scilly at a glance

Short on time? Here are our quick picks for the best beaches on the Scilly Isles, sorted by what each does best. Every one is a short boat trip from St Mary's, and most are an easy walk once you land. Boat times change daily, so check before you set off.

• Best overall: Great Bay, St Martin's
• Best for families: Porthcressa, St Mary's
• Best for swimming: Rushy Bay, Bryher
• Best for sunsets: Appletree Bay, Tresco
• Best for sunrise: Pentle Bay, Tresco
• Best at low tide: The Bar, St Agnes
• Best for beachcombing: Periglis, St Agnes
• Best for peace and quiet: Watermill Cove, St Mary's

Best beaches on St Martin's

Ask Scilly regulars where the best sand is and many will say St Martin's. It has three of our top picks.

Great Bay

Great Bay sits on the north coast of St Martin's, a long curve of white sand with no buildings in sight. Visit Isles of Scilly says it has been voted the best beach in the UK, and it is easy to see why. The water is clear and good for swimming.

It is about a 22 minute walk from Higher Town Quay, through Higher Town or Lower Town. Near high tide it splits from Little Bay next door. At other times you can walk across the sand between the two. There are no facilities, so bring water and a picnic.

Find it: ///caked.slice.decimals | Great Bay in our directory

Par Beach

Par Beach is the sand right beside Higher Town Quay, so it is the first thing you see when you step off the boat. It faces south and is good for swimming and snorkelling. Adam's Fish & Chips is about three minutes away, and the Island Bakery is around eight minutes up the lane.

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Find it: ///visitor.marketing.dance | Par Beach in our directory

Lawrence's Bay

Lawrence's Bay lies on the south coast, between the island's two quays. It is about 17 minutes from Higher Town Quay along a sandy track. At low tide the sand runs a long way out. That makes it great for rock pools, beachcombing and hunting for cowrie shells, a tip Visit Isles of Scilly shares too.

Find it: ///deeds.regarding.unguarded | Lawrence's Bay in our directory

Best beaches on Tresco

Pentle Bay

Pentle Bay is the longest stretch of sand on Tresco, a gentle white arc on the east side, backed by dunes and woodland. It faces east, so it catches the morning sun and early swimmers love it. Visit Isles of Scilly calls it long and uninterrupted. On a quiet day you may have it to yourself.

Walk or cycle along Abbey Drive, then cut through the dunes. It is about 15 minutes on foot from the Abbey Garden. The bay and dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so keep to the paths.

Find it: ///forehand.directive.edicts | Pentle Bay in our directory

Appletree Bay

Appletree Bay is a long, pale beach on the south west of Tresco, below the Augustus Smith monument. It is often the first beach you see as the boat comes in from St Mary's. It faces west, so it gets the afternoon sun and some of the best sunsets in Scilly.

Swim close to the shore here. If you head straight out, you end up in the boat channel.

Find it: ///driveway.peach.machinery | Appletree Bay in our directory

Best beach on Bryher

Rushy Bay

Rushy Bay is a south facing sweep of fine white sand on Bryher, looking across the water to Samson. It is sheltered and calm, which makes it one of the best swimming beaches in Scilly. Seagrass grows in the clear water. It is about 13 minutes from Anneka's Quay and looks its best at high tide.

In spring, look out for the rare dwarf pansy in the turf behind the beach. There are no facilities, so pack a picnic.

Find it: ///loaning.trout.twinkled | Rushy Bay in our directory

Best beaches on St Agnes

The Bar

The Bar is a strip of sand that joins St Agnes to Gugh at low tide. When it is uncovered, you get a beach with sea on both sides, and Visit Isles of Scilly rates it for swimming and sunbathing. As the tide comes in the sand disappears, so check the tide times before you go.

Tides: Scilly Live

Periglis Beach

Periglis is a sandy cove on the west side of St Agnes, next to the Big Pool and the island cricket field. A stony bar links it to tiny Burnt Island. It is known for beachcombing, and local artists gather their finds from the tide line. It is about nine minutes from Porth Conger Quay.

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Find it: ///format.afternoon.stump | Periglis Beach in our directory

Cove Vean

Cove Vean is a small, sheltered beach on the east side of St Agnes, just south of the Bar. It is about 11 minutes from Porth Conger Quay. It is good for snorkelling and a quiet swim. The Turks Head pub is about eight minutes away if you fancy lunch afterwards.

Find it: ///manifests.freedom.options | Cove Vean in our directory

Best beaches on St Mary's

St Mary's is where most visitors stay, so its beaches are the easiest to reach. If you are looking for the best beach on St Mary's, these are the four we would pick.

Porthcressa Beach

Porthcressa is a sheltered sandy bay on the south edge of Hugh Town, below the Garrison. It is about ten minutes from St Mary's Quay and popular for swimming, paddleboarding and sunbathing. On fine summer evenings you can grab food nearby from On The Rocks, Scilly Fish or The Grub Hut.

Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from 1 May to 30 September. Little Porth, at the small end, is not part of the ban.

Find it: ///tidal.inflame.whisk | Porthcressa Beach in our directory

Pelistry Bay

Pelistry Bay is a quiet sandy bay on the east side of St Mary's. A sandy spit links it to Toll's Island, which you can walk to at low water. It is about 51 minutes on foot from the quay, so it makes a good half day out. Carn Vean Café is about seven minutes away.

Do not swim here when the tide covers the spit. There can be dangerous rip currents, and the tide turns fast.

Find it: ///chuck.deriving.spells | Pelistry Bay in our directory

Old Town Beach

Old Town Beach is a sheltered bay in the oldest part of St Mary's, about 23 minutes from the quay. It is quieter than the Hugh Town beaches, and the historic Old Town church sits on the shore path. Old Town Café is three minutes away, though it is closed on Saturdays.

Find it: ///mystified.subtitle.glow | Old Town Beach in our directory

Watermill Cove

Watermill Cove is a tiny, sheltered cove on the north east coast, with a small sandy beach and an old gig house. It is about 47 minutes from the quay, so few people make the trip. Much of the sand stays dry at most states of the tide, so it makes a great picnic stop.

Find it: ///recovery.whimpered.replaying | Watermill Cove in our directory

Dogs on Scilly beaches

The Council of the Isles of Scilly limits dogs on some St Mary's beaches each summer under its dog control order. From 1 May to 30 September, these rules apply:

• Porthcressa Beach: no dogs at any time (Little Porth is not included)
• Porthmellon Beach: no dogs at any time
• Old Town Beach: no dogs from 9am to 7pm

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The council also closes bird breeding grounds to people and dogs from 1 April to 30 September. For beaches, cafés and places to stay that welcome dogs, see our dog friendly Isles of Scilly guide.

Staying safe on Scilly beaches

Scilly's beaches look gentle, but the sea still needs respect. There are no lifeguards on the beaches in this guide, so swim close to shore and within your depth. Tides rise fast over flat sand. Low tide routes like the Bar and the spit to Toll's Island close quickly as the water comes back.

• Check tide times on Scilly Live before any low tide walk
• Swim close to shore at Appletree Bay, away from the boat channel
• Stay out of the water at Pelistry Bay when the spit is covered
• Check the last boat back on the island boat timetable
• Take water, sun cream and food, as most beaches have no facilities

Find every beach in our directory

We have picked 13 favourites, but the Isles of Scilly has plenty more. Our beach directory lists 39 beaches across Scilly, each with walking times from the quay, a what3words address and nearby cafés. Use the island filter to narrow it down, or open Around Me to see what is closest to you now.

Hungry after a swim? Our eat and drink directory shows the cafés, pubs and food vans near each beach.

Best beaches in Scilly: your questions answered

What is the best beach in Scilly?

Great Bay on St Martin's is our pick. It has wide white sand, clear water and no buildings in sight. Visit Isles of Scilly says it has been voted the best beach in the UK.

What is the best beach on St Mary's?

Porthcressa is the best all round beach on St Mary's. It is ten minutes from the quay with food nearby. For somewhere quieter, try Pelistry Bay or Old Town Beach.

How many beaches are there on the Isles of Scilly?

More than 35, according to Visit Isles of Scilly. Our directory lists 39 across the five inhabited islands.

Are there lifeguards on Scilly beaches?

No. None of the beaches in this guide has lifeguards, so swim within your depth and stay close to shore.

Can you take dogs on Scilly beaches?

Yes, on most of them. From 1 May to 30 September, the Council of the Isles of Scilly bans dogs from Porthcressa and Porthmellon at all times, and from Old Town Beach between 9am and 7pm.

Last checked October 2026