An ambitious title as it is impossible to know everything before coming to these wonderful Islands. However, this page is based on the most frequent questions handled by the Islands' Tourist Information Centre.

If you have any questions not covered by the text, please contact the TIC on +44 (0)1720 422536 or by e-mail. It is staffed by local people, happy and willing to answer your questions.

  
           
    luggage   The golden rule is to label everything correctly. If arriving by ferry the luggage will be delivered to the address on your luggage by the local carriers for a small fee. Camping gear is delivered to the site by the proprietor. For those travelling by sea from the mainland off-island luggage should be placed in the container on Penzance quay that is marked with the name of the destination island.  
           
    sunburn   The sun on Scilly is particularly strong as the atmosphere is clear of pollution. Consequently, high factor sun cream should be used even on days when it is not sunny.  
           
    shopping   Although the islands are small, most goods that you can buy on the mainland are also available although there will not be such a wide choice. Shops include - a small national supermarket, newsagents, several clothing stores, two butchers, gift shops, chandlers, antique bric-a-brac shop, bookshops, Post Office, electrical store and suppliers, sports and fishing tackle shop, hairdressers, hardware store, engineers, filling station, sailmaker and a chemist.  
           
    eating out   There is a wide variety of restaurants in the Islands and the hotels and some guest houses take bookings for dinner. All of the public houses provide bar meals and more extensive meals.  
           
    power utilities   The electricity supply is exactly the same as on the mainland - 240 volts - and we enjoy the same tariffs. There is no mains gas service.  
           
    passports   A passport is not necessary!  
           
    dogs   Dogs and responsible owners are welcomed in Scilly, although during the summer months there are three beaches on St.Mary's that have restrictions. Dogs are happily accepted on the inter-island launches and Tresco Estate insists that day visiting dogs remain on a lead. There are no quarantine requirements.  
           
    telecoms   The standard connection is by BT and three mobile phones services work in Scilly: Orange, Vodafone and BT Cellnet.  
           
    sundays   Normally there are no transport connections with the mainland on Sundays  
           
    activites   The Isles of Scilly is justly famed for the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, but it is also a wonderful playground for the active visitor. Sports and activities of all kinds take place all year round in Scilly and range from water based pastimes such as sailing, swimming, boating, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing and fishing to cricket, football, golf, tennis, squash, cycling, horse riding and walking. Most of the sports are suitable for beginners and experts and many offer the opportunity to have some coaching from qualified instructors.  
           
    money  

There are no banks on the off-islands, but two on St.Mary's - Lloyds and Barclays. There is a cash machine outside Lloyds Bank which takes the following cards - Lloyds Bank, TSB, Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Eurocard, Eurocheque Card (with ATM pictogram), Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus Card and American Express. The Co-operative Store and the Chemist on St.Mary's offer a cashback facility accepting Switch and Delta cards. There are Post Offices on each of the off- islands that offer National Girobank and National Savings facilities.

  
           
    police   The Islands' only Police Station is on St.Mary's and there is always a Sergeant and at least one Constable on the islands. The crime rate however, is very low and almost non-existent. Scilly is one of the safest environments left in the modern world and the magistrates only meet on the first Friday of each month - if required.  
           
    health   There is a fully equipped cottage hospital and a Dental Surgery on St.Mary's and a medical launch for movements between the Islands. A new Health Centre is now open on St.Mary's with a Doctor's Surgery, dispensary and small conference room. For emergencies requiring mainland attention the Islands are served by the Corwall Air Ambulance or by RNAS Culdrose.  
           
    insurance  

The Isles of Scilly is part of the United Kingdom, but should you decide to come, you will be booking an off-shore holiday and it would be wise to consider taking holiday insurance for such contingencies such as delayed departures because of fog or technical difficulties. Delay insurance is available from the transport operators. Alternatively, most proprietors can advise you, or you could make arrangements through your own insurance company.

  
           
    cancellations   It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance. If you have to cancel your holiday for whatever reason, including illness, the proprietor is entitled to claim compensation if the accommodation is not re-let during the period booked.  
           
    local businesses   Information about local businesses and other Scilly-related topics can be found at www.scillyonline.co.uk, a commercial website owned and run in the Islands.