Isles of Scilly Boats: Inter Island Times, Fares & Tips
How the Isles of Scilly inter island boats work, who the boatmen are, 2026 fares and typical boat times from St Mary's. Check today's live timetable on Scilly Live before you go.
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Boats are how you get around the Isles of Scilly. Every day in season, open boats leave St Mary's quay for Tresco, Bryher, St Martin's and St Agnes. Locals call these the off islands. This guide covers how Isles of Scilly boats work, who runs them, what they cost, and when they run.
There is no printed timetable. That surprises most first timers. But, at Explore Scilly we try our best to publish one which you can see below and has helped people avoid the walk to the quay.
The St Mary's Boatmen's Association says its times change with the tide, the weather and passenger numbers. Each morning the day's trips go up on blackboards at the quay on St Mary's. You can also check today's times on our Scilly Live board (or down below), which shows the live boatmen's times next to tides and weather.
Key Takeaways
- No fixed timetable: Isles of Scilly boats run to the tide, weather and demand. Check the quay boards or Scilly Live each morning.
- Three main operators: the St Mary's Boatmen's Association, Tresco Boat Services (Tresco and Bryher) and St Agnes Boating.
- 2026 fares: a direct return from St Mary's costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for children. Dogs travel for £2.
- Last boats usually leave the off islands around 16.45 in the main season. You are told your return time on the way out.
- Winter is limited: the Association stops from November to March, with only a few independent sailings.
How the Isles of Scilly inter island boats work
Think of the inter island boats as Scilly's bus service. Most visitors stay on St Mary's and head out to an off island each morning. You buy a return ticket, step aboard at the quay and come back in the afternoon. People living on the off islands use the same boats the other way.
Who are the Isles of Scilly boatmen?
Three operators run most scheduled boats. Each one is based on a different island.
- St Mary's Boatmen's Association: a group of independent boats sailing from St Mary's to all four off islands. It also runs St Martin's boating in partnership with the other two operators.
- Tresco Boat Services: runs the boats for Tresco and Bryher, after the Tresco Estate bought the main Bryher Boat Services fleet.
- St Agnes Boating: a family business run by the Peacock family since 1994, sailing the catamaran Spirit of St Agnes, according to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Smaller firms such as Calypso Boating, Raptor Boating and the Sea Quest glass bottom boat run charters and special trips. See every boat trip operator on Explore Scilly.
Why the boat times change every day
Scilly has a big tidal range. A quay that works at high water can be dry a few hours later, so boats land wherever the tide allows. On St Martin's, boats use Higher Town quay or Lower Town quay depending on tide and weather (eOceanic). Your outward and return quays may differ.
Always check which quay your return boat leaves from.
Isles of Scilly boat timetable: typical times from St Mary's
The Boatmen's Association publishes a sample daily pattern for the main season. Treat it as a guide, not a timetable. The Association says return times in particular will vary, and you are always told your return time on the outward trip. So listen carefully as you board.
| Island | Leaves St Mary's | Returns from the island |
|---|---|---|
| Tresco | 10.00, 10.15, 11.15, 12.15, 14.00 | 14.15, 15.45, 16.45 |
| St Agnes | 10.15, 11.45, 14.00 | 14.15, 16.00, 16.45 |
| St Martin's | 08.45, 10.15, 12.30 (for Scillonian arrivals), 14.00 | 14.30, 15.45, 16.45 |
| Bryher and Samson | 10.15, 14.00 | 14.30, 16.45 |
Want today's real times? Check the live boatmen's timetable on Scilly Live. It updates through the day, so you can check from your phone before you walk down to the quay.
Isles of Scilly boat fares for 2026
St Mary's Boatmen's Association fares
Association tickets are not tied to one boat. You can use them on any of its services, and extra boats come out when a trip gets busy. Return tickets are punched on the way out and collected on the way home. Buy ten or more direct adult tickets and you save £1 on each (Boatmen's Association).
| Trip | Adult | Child (1 to 14) |
|---|---|---|
| Direct return to one island | £15.00 | £7.50 |
| Two islands | £17.00 | £8.50 |
| Samson or Tean return | £17.00 | £8.50 |
| Wildlife or circular trip | £21.00 | £10.50 |
| Bishop Rock or Seabird Special | £23.00 | £11.50 |
| St Agnes evening return | £14.50 | £14.50 |
| Gig race boat | £8.00 | £4.00 |
| Book of 10 tickets | £135.00 | n/a |
| Dogs | £2.00 | n/a |
Where to buy boat tickets on St Mary's
You do not need to book a particular trip. Pick up tickets from any of these (Boatmen's Association):
- The kiosk on the quay: open 09.30 to 10.15 and 13.30 to 14.00. In the main season it also opens 10.15 to 11.15 and 16.00 to 18.00.
- The Tourist Information Centre and Tideline: both sell Association tickets.
- On the boat: for trips that leave when the kiosk is shut, including evening trips.
Tresco and Bryher boat fares
Tresco Boat Services prices trips as single journeys. In 2026, a scheduled trip from Tresco or Bryher to St Mary's, St Agnes, St Martin's or Samson costs £8. A hop between Tresco and Bryher, including the evening supper boat, is £4. Under 14s pay half and under 3s go free (Tresco Boats 2026 fares).
Need a boat at another time? A jetboat special between islands costs £70 for up to four people, or £14 each for five or more. It is handy if you land late or want dinner on another island. Call the Tresco Boats office on 01720 423373, Monday to Saturday, 08.30 to 16.00 (Tresco Boat Services).
Bryher boats and Tresco boats
Tresco Boat Services runs the boats for both islands. The Tresco Estate bought Firethorn and two jet boats when the owners of Bryher Boat Services retired, and set up its own service for islanders and visitors (Tresco Island). So if you search for Bryher boats today, this is who you need.
When Tresco and Bryher boats run
- Between Tresco and Bryher: daily
- To St Mary's: Monday to Saturday
- To St Martin's: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- To St Agnes: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Evening boats between Tresco and Bryher: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, May to September
Main season pattern from Tresco Boats 2026 fares and Tresco Boat Services.
Boats to other islands usually leave mid morning and come back late afternoon. Confirmed times for the next day go online the evening before at tresco.co.uk/boats, alongside a weekly plan that can change. Once a week in summer, an evening boat crosses to St Mary's for supper (Tresco).
Landing on Bryher and Tresco
Both islands have more than one landing. On Bryher, boats use the main quay or the Bar. On Tresco, they land at New Grimsby or Carn Near, as the Tresco boating plans show. The boat board will say which, so read it before you set off walking. Allow time to get between them.
Off island boats from St Agnes and St Martin's
St Agnes Boating
St Agnes Boating runs daily scheduled boats from St Agnes to St Mary's and the other islands. It meets the Scillonian III and Skybus flights, and its app lets you see and book today's trips. A weekly pass booked ahead gives eight days of boating for the price of four (St Agnes Boating).
From St Mary's, the Boatmen's Association also sails to St Agnes. An evening boat runs most nights from May to mid September when the weather allows. It usually leaves at 18.00, giving time for a walk and a meal or drink at the Turks Head (Boatmen's Association). Ask about the return time.
St Martin's boats
St Martin's boating is run by the St Mary's Boatmen's Association, working with Tresco Boat Services and St Agnes Boating. That includes moving visitors and luggage to meet the Scillonian (Boatmen's Association). The next day's times go online and on island noticeboards each evening (Visit Isles of Scilly).
Remember St Martin's has two quays, so check which one your boat uses.
Island hopping: can you visit two islands in one day?
Yes, on some days. The Boatmen's Association offers two island trips such as Tresco and Bryher, Samson and Bryher, or Tresco and Samson. These depend on tide and demand, so ask at St Mary's quay. A two island ticket costs £17 for adults and £8.50 for children (Boatmen's Association).
The Association says the most relaxing way to see Scilly is one island a day. We agree. Tresco and Bryher pair well because they sit side by side across a narrow channel. Samson has no shops or cafés, so pack a picnic and water. Read more about the uninhabited islands.
Wildlife trips and evening boats
The same boatmen run sightseeing trips. Most leave at 10.15, with fewer at 14.00, and you can usually land on an off island afterwards at no extra cost. Popular routes include the Eastern Isles for grey seals, and the Bishop Rock Lighthouse trip past Annet for puffins from April to late July (Boatmen's Association).
- Eastern Isles: about 90 minutes among a dozen uninhabited islands, landing at St Martin's.
- Bishop and Western Rocks: the longest trip at about two hours, landing at St Agnes. Book it early in your stay, as bad weather can stop it for days.
- Seabird Special: a two hour trip with an expert guide, usually on Sundays.
- Shearwater Special: a weekly evening trip to watch Manx shearwaters gather off Annet.
- Gig race boats: follow the six oared pilot gigs. Women race on Wednesday evenings and men on Friday evenings. See our gig racing guide.
- Wednesday Wildlife Safari: a guided two hour trip from St Agnes to Annet and the Western Rocks, run with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Tips for catching Isles of Scilly boats
- Check times before you leave. Use Scilly Live or the quay boards each morning.
- Arrive a little early. Popular trips fill up on busy days.
- Listen for your return time. The boatmen tell you on the way out.
- Note your return quay. It may not be where you landed.
- Bring the dog. Dogs travel with the Boatmen's Association for £2.
- Pack a layer and water. Open boats can be breezy, even on sunny days.
- Do not miss the last boat. A private special back costs far more than your ticket.
Isles of Scilly boats in winter
From November to March, most Association boats are laid up and the Association does not run. Some boats still operate on their own in early November, over Christmas and New Year, from mid February and through March (Boatmen's Association). Tresco Boat Services also offers year round arrival and departure transfers (Tresco).
For residents, the Council of the Isles of Scilly has gone out to tender for an inter island commuter boat service linking St Martin's and St Agnes with St Mary's. It is aimed mainly at winter, when commercial boats are fewer, and covers school, early years, social care and concessionary travel (Find a Tender).
Isles of Scilly boats: frequently asked questions
Is there an Isles of Scilly boat timetable?
Not a fixed one. Times are set each day around the tide and weather. Check the quay boards, the operators' websites or our Scilly Live board on the morning you travel.
How much do the inter island boats cost?
In 2026, a direct return from St Mary's with the Boatmen's Association costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for children. Tresco Boat Services charges £8 for a single from Tresco or Bryher to another island.
What time is the last boat back to St Mary's?
In the main season, the last return from most off islands is usually around 16.45. It changes with the tide, so always confirm on your outward trip.
Do I need to book boats between the islands?
Usually not. Boatmen's Association tickets work on any of its services, and Tresco says there is no need to book its scheduled boats. Book ahead for transfers, jetboat specials and the St Agnes weekly pass.
Who runs the Bryher boats?
Tresco Boat Services, which took over the main boats of the former Bryher Boat Services. It runs daily between Tresco and Bryher in season.
Can I take my dog on the boats?
Yes. Dogs travel on Boatmen's Association boats for £2 each.
Plan your boat day with Scilly Live
Boat times change daily, so check them on the day. Our Scilly Live board brings the live boatmen's times, tide times and weather into one place on your phone. Then pick an island from our guide to all five islands and find somewhere to eat when you land.
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