Through the summer months the Scillonian III operates a service from Penzance to St Mary's. Timetable and booking information is available from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's website: www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk

British International operates services from Penzance to St Mary's and Tresco. Timetable and booking information is available from British International Helicopters' website: .www.scillyhelicopter.co.uk

Every Island is served by an excellent network of inter-island launches that run seven days a week from April 1st through to the end of October. Apart from direct trips between the islands, circular sightseeing tours are also offered giving the opportunity to look at the extensive wildlife especially the colonies of Atlantic seals and the hundreds of species of sea birds.

One of the most popular trips is to see the puffins who arrive to nest in late April, leaving the Islands in early August. The boat service in the winter is governed more by wind and tide, but daily, direct trips still take place with the occasional circular journey when the weather is sufficiently benign.

Winter numbers are:

St.Mary's - M.Hicks & Sons - 01720 422541

St.Martin's - Terry Perkins - 01720 422814

St.Agnes - David Peacock - 01720 422704 - www.st-agnes-boating.co.uk

Bryher - David Stedeford - 01720 422886.