Between the Islands

Making your holiday truly your own is one of the things that sets the Isles of Scilly apart. Set your own itinerary. Explore at your own pace. Go where you want to go.

Exploring By Sea:
To appreciate everything that Scilly has to offer, you must take to the water. With so many boats to choose from, there is a wide variety of routes, destinations, and boats! Drop in to the Tourist Information Centre for advice on routes and times that best suit your needs. Our boatmen take great pride in their knowledge and experience, and may well put in an appearance at your hotel in the morning to let you know when and where they are going that day. Radio Scilly also provides boating updates in the morning. Local lingo: the term 'Off-Islands' is used to cover St. Agnes, Bryher, Tresco, St. Martin's and the uninhabited islands.

Off-Island Excursions:
Frequent inter-island boat services operate between all the inhabited Islands, throughout the day. The boatmen will let you know return times, the appropriate quays (some Islands have more than one quay, used at different times depending on the tides), and if the return journey is on a different boat. On St. Mary's, all the boat times are advertised at the Isles of Scilly Tourist Information Centre on Hugh Street and on the boards on the quay.

Uninhabited Islands:
The uninhabited Islands, with their raw, rugged edges and unique flora and fauna, are best experienced in one of two ways: via a guided tour or a scenic boat trip, discovering the collections of uninhabited Off-Islands and their marine and bird life!

Evening Trips:
Exploring the Isles of Scilly is not limited to the daytime. As the day slows down and the sun starts to set, you can join a boat trip to watch the gig races on Wednesday and Friday evenings, book a supper boat to an Off-Island restaurant, or enjoy an evening fishing trip.

Wildlife and Marine Excursions:
There are many ways to enjoy the marine environment from the water: take a glass-bottomed boat to explore the shallows and secluded coves; enjoy a sea safari and visit the exotic marine habitats; cruise the 6 miles to Bishop Rock, the most south-westerly lighthouse in the UK; book a wildlife excursion to experience the fascinating bird and marine life throughout the islands.

Island Sea Safaris offer "Shipwrecks, Seals, and Seabirds" rib safaris around the islands and rocks of Scilly; friendly and informative commentary. See www.islandseasafaris.co.uk for further details. Scilly Fishing offers stunning marine adventures aboard the Kingfisher, including: reef fishing, shark fishing, birdwatching, and wreck fishing. See www.scillyfishing.co.uk for further details. The ten boats of the St. Mary's Boatmen's Association offer a comprehensive service to the Off-Islands together with a selection of wildlife and sightseeing trips. See www.scillyboating.co.uk for further details.

Staying on an Off-Island:
There are regular boat services to all the Off-Islands, every day of the week. They can take you to and from St. Mary's, and also offer trips to the other Off-Islands as well as scenic and wildlife excursions. If you are staying on an Off-Island (Bryher, St. Agnes, St. Martin's, Tresco) your local boatmen will be more than happy to ensure your transport from St. Mary's to the Off-Island of your choice. If you are staying on St. Agnes, you can contact St. Agnes boating at www.st-agnes-boating.com. If you are staying on Bryher or Tresco, you can contact Bryher Boats at www.bryherboats.co.uk .

Explore the unique Isles of Scilly:
* Our boatmen are second-to-none in their knowledge and skill. Discovering the Islands by boat is an incomparably personal experience.
* Our friendly tours and guided walks, led by local experts, will take you to the principal sights, as well as to the hidden gems.
* Hire a bike, or put on your walking shoes, and explore mile after mile of pastoral trails, taking you through the most fabulous Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty!

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If you are staying on St. Mary's and wish to go island hopping then please see the Tourist Information Centre boating timetable for daily trip information. There are also independent boatmen offering excellent trips advertised and bookable both by phone and in shops in Hugh Town for more information please see the boating timetable.