Holidays to the Isles of Scilly: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip in 2027
Everything you need to plan holidays to Scilly, from ferries, flights and helicopters to choosing an island, getting between them and picking the right month. Updated for the new Scillonian IV in 2027.
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Holidays to Scilly feel a world away, yet the islands sit just 28 miles off the Cornish coast. Of around 140 islands and rocks, only five have people living on them. That mix of white sand, clear water and quiet lanes is why so many visitors come back year after year.
This guide covers the practical side of holidays to the Isles of Scilly. You'll find how to get there, which island suits you, how to hop between them and the best months to go. It also explains what changes in 2027, when a brand new ferry takes over the crossing from Penzance.
Key Takeaways
- You can reach Scilly by ferry, plane or helicopter, and almost every journey arrives on St Mary's.
- Scillonian IV replaces Scillonian III in March 2027, carrying up to 600 passengers with stabilisers for a smoother ride.
- Skybus flights from Newquay are suspended, so plan to fly from Land's End or Exeter instead.
- Pick your island by mood: St Mary's for convenience, Tresco for comfort, and St Martin's, Bryher or St Agnes for peace.
- May to September is the most popular time, so book early as summer stays fill months ahead.
Why choose holidays to Scilly?
Scilly suits people who want a slower pace. There are no visitor cars, so days are spent walking, swimming and catching small boats. You can't bring your own car, and the off islands have almost no vehicles beyond farm tractors. Our free trip planner builds a day by day itinerary for you.
The islands also draw birdwatchers, divers and walkers. October brings rare migrant birds and the people who chase them. In summer you can snorkel with Atlantic grey seals around the Eastern Isles. Families love the shallow, sheltered bays, and couples come for the sunsets, the gig racing and the island pubs.
How to get to the Isles of Scilly
There are three ways to reach Scilly: the Scillonian ferry, Skybus planes and Penzance Helicopters. All of them start in Cornwall or Devon, so many visitors head for Penzance or Land's End first. The ferry and Skybus are both run by Isles of Scilly Travel, part of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
Our full guide to getting to the Isles of Scilly compares every option in more detail.
By sea on the Scillonian
The Scillonian sails from Penzance harbour to St Mary's between March and November. The crossing takes around two hours and 45 minutes. It's usually the cheapest way over and a treat, with dolphins, seabirds and your first sight of the islands. Wildlife charity ORCA has named it the UK's best route for wildlife spotting two years running.
Check sailing days and times on our Scillonian timetable.
Big changes are coming. The 2026 season is the last for Scillonian III, which entered service in 1977. Her replacement, Scillonian IV, was floated out in Vietnam in March 2026 and is due to start carrying passengers in March 2027, according to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
RecommendedBoats & waterIsles of Scilly Boats: Inter Island Times, Fares & Tips5 min read · From St Mary'sRead the guide →The new ship carries up to 600 passengers, about a quarter more than today. She has fin stabilisers to cut the roll, faster sailing and better access for people with reduced mobility. The stabilisers matter, as the old ship's motion in rough seas is well known, and often joked about, among Scilly regulars.
By plane with Skybus
Skybus flies small planes to St Mary's Airport all year from Land's End, with seasonal flights from Exeter. The hop from Land's End takes about 20 minutes, and Exeter about an hour. Isles of Scilly Travel says flights are bookable through to October 2027, so you can lock in next summer's dates now.
If you used to fly from Newquay, note that this route is suspended. Skybus stopped Newquay flights in summer 2026 because of a shortage of aircraft and pilots, and moved existing bookings to Land's End, Travel Radar reported. Check our Skybus timetable for the latest flights before you plan your journey.
The planes are small, so check your luggage allowance before you pack. Our guide to flying to Scilly has more detail.
By helicopter from Penzance
Penzance Helicopters flies from a heliport just off the A30 to both St Mary's and Tresco. The flight takes around 15 minutes, and Tresco Estate says it's the only direct air link to the island. A shuttle bus runs from Penzance station, and flights for 2027 went on sale in June 2026, the operator says.
It costs more than the ferry, but it saves hours of travel. The service now runs three helicopters and has its own maintenance base, which should help reliability. Each passenger gets a 20kg luggage allowance, and there's paid parking on site. See the latest flight times on our helicopter timetable.
Ferry, plane or helicopter at a glance
| Option | Leaves from | Journey time | When it runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scillonian ferry | Penzance harbour | About 2 hours 45 minutes | March to November |
| Skybus plane | Land's End or Exeter | 20 to 60 minutes | Land's End all year, Exeter seasonal |
| Penzance Helicopters | Penzance Heliport | About 15 minutes | All year, to St Mary's and Tresco |
Times for the ferry, planes, helicopter and island boats are all in one place on our Isles of Scilly timetables page.
Which island should you stay on?
Your choice of island shapes your whole holiday. St Mary's is the hub, where the ferry and every plane arrives. The four smaller islands, known locally as the off islands, are quieter and reached by boat. Compare all five islands side by side, or split a week between two to get the best of both.
St Mary's
St Mary's is the largest island and the easiest base. Hugh Town has shops, cafes, pubs, the Isles of Scilly Museum and three beaches close by: Porthcressa, Town Beach and Porthmellon. It's the best pick for first timers, anyone with limited mobility and day trippers, as boats to every other island leave from the quay.
RecommendedSeasons & nightLow Tide Event Isles of Scilly: 2026 and 2027 Dates and Guide4 min read · Tresco & BryherRead the story →Looking for somewhere to eat or stay? Browse our Eat and Drink directory and places to stay.
Tresco
Tresco is privately run and feels polished, with upmarket cottages, a spa and the famous Abbey Garden. The garden holds around 20,000 plant species gathered from places such as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Tresco suits couples and families who want comfort, good food and an easy, well organised stay.
St Martin's
St Martin's is known for long, empty stretches of white sand. There are no roads to speak of, so you explore on foot or by kayak, which you can hire in Higher Town. Tripper boats run from St Mary's every day, usually twice a day, according to Visit Isles of Scilly.
Bryher
Bryher is the smallest inhabited island, with a wild western coast and sheltered bays facing Tresco. It's a great place to slow right down. Look out for roadside stalls selling local produce, where you pay by honesty box, a small detail that sums up island life on Scilly.
St Agnes
St Agnes is the most southerly of the inhabited islands and feels the most remote. At low tide a sandbar links it to the tiny island of Gugh. It's ideal for walkers and anyone who wants dark skies and big sunsets. It's also the only inhabited island without a hotel, so book self catering early.
Free trip plannerPlan your Scilly holiday in minutesTell us where you are staying and what you love, and we will build you a day by day itinerary. Free, and yours to keep.Make my itinerary →Getting around once you arrive
Boats are the buses of Scilly. The St Mary's Boatmen's Association runs ten boats from St Mary's quay to all the off islands and to uninhabited Samson. You don't need to book ahead; just buy a ticket and board. Our island boats guide covers routes, tickets and wildlife trips in detail.
Standard departures leave around 10.15am and 2pm, with extra sailings in busy months. The main season runs from around Easter to the end of October. Times change with weather and tides, so check today's boats on Scilly Live or the full island boat timetable before you head to the quay.
On St Mary's you can walk, hire a bike or golf buggy, or take a taxi. Our getting around guide has contacts for each. The other islands are small enough to cover on foot. Getting on and off older boats can be tricky, so mention any mobility needs to your skipper or accommodation in advance.
When is the best time to visit?
The islands are at their best from May to September, says Visit Isles of Scilly, with Easter and October half term also good. Summer is busiest, and stays book up months ahead. For fewer crowds and mild weather, September into early October is a lovely middle ground. See our best time to visit guide.
Spring
Spring brings wildflowers, nesting seabirds and the Walk Scilly festival each April, with guided walks across all five inhabited islands. Puffins return to the outer rocks around this time too. It's a good season for walkers and birdwatchers who don't mind cooler days and a slightly shorter boat timetable early on.
RecommendedWildlifeScilly Birding: A Guide to Birdwatching on the Isles of Scilly12 min read · All islandsRead the story →Summer
Summer is when every boat runs and the sea is at its warmest. It's perfect for families, swimmers, kayakers and snorkellers. Evening gig racing is a local highlight, and many visitors follow the races by boat. Book travel and accommodation early, ideally the autumn before, since the best cottages and sailings go fast.
Autumn and winter
October is the birders' month, when rare migrants draw visitors from across the UK. Seal pups arrive, and the light turns soft and golden. In winter the Scillonian stops, so you'll need to fly. Many cafes close, but the islands are peaceful, mild and rarely see frost.
Tips for booking holidays to the Isles of Scilly
- Book early. Summer accommodation fills months ahead, especially self catering cottages.
- Pay for flexibility. Isles of Scilly Travel's flexi tickets let you change Scillonian and Skybus bookings up to 48 hours before departure.
- Leave buffer time. Fog and wind can delay flights, so avoid tight train connections on travel days.
- Get travel alerts. Check service advisories on Scilly Live for boat and flight changes.
- Sort your transfer. Staying off St Mary's? Arrange your boat transfer with your accommodation before you leave home.
- Bringing the dog? Read our dog friendly Isles of Scilly guide before you book.
- Pack for all weather. Bring layers, a waterproof and shoes that can cope with wet landings.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Isles of Scilly?
Take the Scillonian ferry from Penzance between March and November, a Skybus plane from Land's End or Exeter, or Penzance Helicopters to St Mary's or Tresco. The helicopter is fastest at about 15 minutes. The ferry takes around two hours 45 minutes but is usually the cheapest. See our getting here guide.
Can you take a car to Scilly?
No. There's no car ferry for visitors. Leave your car on the mainland and get around the islands on foot, by bike or by boat.
How many days do you need on Scilly?
A week is ideal for seeing all five inhabited islands at an easy pace. Three or four nights works well for a first taste. A day trip is possible, but you'll only have time for St Mary's or one off island. Our trip planner can map out your days.
Which island is best for families?
St Mary's is easiest, with shops and boats to everywhere. Tresco suits families who want more facilities, while St Martin's and Bryher are great for simple beach days. See our pick of the best beaches in Scilly.
When does Scillonian IV start sailing?
Scillonian IV is due to enter service in March 2027, taking over from Scillonian III after almost 50 years. Read the full Scillonian IV story.
Start planning your Scilly holiday
Holidays to Scilly reward a little planning. Pick your island, book travel early and leave room for the weather. Then let the boats, beaches and tides set your pace. For live boat times, tides and weather while you're there, keep Scilly Live open on your phone throughout your stay.
Last checked October 2026
