Travel to Scilly

TRAVEL TO AND AROUND THE ISLANDS

The islands can be reached by aeroplane from Land’s End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton, by helicopter from Penzance or by sea from Penzance. You may also visit the islands in your own boat or aircraft.

As the Isles of Scilly are an offshore destination, it is advisable to take out holiday insurance to guard against delays due to weather and other eventualities This will be offered by all carriers at the time of purchasing your tickets.

BY SEA - Scillonian III – Private launch
BY AIR – Aeroplane – Helicopter – Private Aircraft)

SCILLONIAN III

RMV Scillonian III is the passenger ferry serving the Isles of Scilly.

The vessel was purpose built for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company and was christened by H.R.H. Prince Charles on May 17, 1977. Two days later she made her first trip to the islands. She is the third passenger ship to carry the Scillonian name. The first ship was launched in 1926 and was replaced by Scillonian II in 1956.

The ship departs from Penzance Monday to Saturday between March 26 and November 3, usually at 09:15 and returns from St Mary’s usually at 16:30 although we would urge you to double check the timetable as there are a few deviations from these times. Passengers are requested to check in 1 hour before their scheduled sailing on Penzance quay and 45 minutes before departure on St Mary’s. At both locations you may board immediately following check-in. Wheelchair access is also available.

The journey takes around two hours and forty minutes and facilities on board include a buffet area, a bar with soft chairs and tables, a shop, toilets and baby changing facilities. Smoking is permitted on the upper deck where you can also enjoy the sunshine and spot a pod of dolphins or a basking shark. The lower saloon, with a limited number of couchettes, offers a quiet area in which to relax but please note that dogs are not allowed in this area. Dogs must also remain on a lead at all times and are not permitted where food is being served. Dog travel can be booked with passenger tickets online.

Parking on St Mary’s quay is restricted so should you require a taxi to take you to your accommodation it is advisable to book in advance of your arrival.

Water transfers are available to the other islands from St Mary’s quay so it is worth contacting the local boat companies in advance on your day of arrival to check the scheduled boat times, which change daily owing to the tides, or arrange a special crossing.

St Mary’s Boatmen Association 01720 4230999
Bryher Boat Services (For Bryher & Tresco) 01720 422886
St Agnes Boating 01720 422704
St Martins Boat Services 01720 422814

Important notes on luggage:

You are allowed two pieces of personal luggage, up to a maximum combined weight of 25kilos. No single piece of luggage should exceed 20 kilos and excess luggage is charged at £3 per kilo.

Windsurfers, bicycles, camping equipment etc are classed as freight and must be booked and paid for in advance. If you are in any doubt regarding any item you wish to carry, please contact the Isles of Scilly Travel Centre.

All luggage that is clearly labelled will be delivered to holiday accommodation on St Mary’s for a small charge by local haulage firms Island Carriers (01720 422662) or Richard Hand Haulage (01720 423007).

If you are staying on an off-island it is important to ensure that luggage destined for St Martin’s, Bryher, Tresco or St Agnes is correctly labelled as it will be automatically loaded onto the appropriate onward launch on arrival at St Mary’s. Off-island luggage labels are available at Penzance quay.

If you prefer to collect your luggage in person at St Mary’s quay, please indicate this on your luggage labels or refrain from indicating your island accommodation.

For further information about sailing on Scillonian III go to www.ios-travel.co.uk

PRIVATE LAUNCH

You can sail to the islands in your own boat and St Mary’s Harbour provides 38 large yellow visitor mooring buoys, 10 of which are suitable for vessels 40ft to 60ft. The remaining buoys are suitable for vessels up to 40ft in length. There is also 1 mooring available for vessels up to 80ft.

St Mary’s Harbour can also provide a number of moorings for people wishing to bring small craft to the islands for the duration of their stay. These moorings should be booked in advance with the harbourmaster.

Facilities include toilets and showers, water and electricity, fuel, waste disposal, and internet access. The harbour is also within easy reach of marine engineers, sail makers, banks, shops and a launderette.

For further information go to www.stmarys-harbour.co.uk

AEROPLANE

In addition to the passenger ferry, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company operate Skybus which was established in 1984 and provides seasonal and year round flights to the Islands from Land’s End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton.

You can also charter a Skybus aircraft from your own local airport so if you are travelling in a group of 8 or more, it is well worth calling 01736 785233 or emailing skybuscharters@islesofscilly-travel.co.uk for a quick, no obligation quote.

De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft carry a maximum of 19 passengers per flight dependant on the route. Britten-Norman Islander aircraft from Land’s End airport seat 8 passengers.

Flight duration from Land’s End is approximately 15 minutes. Other flight durations are around 30 minutes from Newquay, 1 hour to Exeter, 1 from Bristol and 2 hours from Southampton. the flight takes around 30 minutes,

For details of other airlines connecting to Skybus departure points go to http://www.ios-travel.co.uk/gettingto.asp

Please note there are no onboard toilet facilities or refreshment services on Skybus aircraft. For information on wheelchair access please go to: http://www.ios-travel.co.uk/assistance.asp

Dogs can travel by air from Land's End Airport only while service dogs are eligible for travel from all departure points.
For full details see http://www.ios-travel.co.uk/dogs.asp

Whilst you do not require a passport to travel to the Isles of Scilly some form of identification will be required at the airport and photographic ID is preferred. Passengers are requested to check in 1 hour before their scheduled departure time and the luggage allowance is 15kilos per person. For passengers using a joint allowance, no single piece should weigh more than 20 kilos. Excess luggage is accepted on a space available basis only and may be off loaded on a later flight. It is subject to a charge of £3 per kilo.

For more information on luggage go to http://www.ios-travel.co.uk/luggage.asp

Upon arrival at St Mary’s airport you will be greeted by Paulger’s Passenger Transport who will take you and your luggage to any St Mary’s destination for £3.50 per adult and £1.50 per child under 12 (infants free of charge).

St Mary’s Boatmen Association 01720 4230999
Bryher Boat Services (For Bryher & Tresco) 01720 422886
St Agnes Boating 01720 422704
St Martins Boat Services 01720 422814

HELICOPTER

British International Helicopters have operated a fleet of Sikorsky S-61 helicopters between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly since 1964. The company was originally part of British European Airways and renamed British Airways Helicopters in 1974 until its privatisation in September 1986

Flight duration is approximately 20 minutes and there are no onboard toilet facilities or refreshment services. For information on wheelchair access please call 01736 363871 or email reservations@brit-int.co.uk

Pets are welcome travellers with British International but please inform the reservations team when you book so that air kennels can be provided.

Whilst you do not require a passport to travel to the Isles of Scilly some form of identification will be required at the airport and photographic ID is preferred. Passengers are requested to check in at least 45 minutes before their scheduled departure time from Penzance and Tresco and 1 hour from St Mary’s. Each passenger is entitled to a luggage allowance of 15kilos. For passengers using a joint allowance, no single piece should weigh more than 20 kilos. Excess luggage is accepted on a space available basis only and there will be a charge made.

Upon arrival at St Mary’s airport you will be greeted by Island Taxis who operate a helicopter shuttle service. They will take you and your luggage to any St Mary’s destination for £3.00 per adult and £1.00 per child. Tresco provide surface transport free of charge.

St Mary’s Boatmen Association 01720 4230999
Bryher Boat Services (For Bryher & Tresco) 01720 422886
St Agnes Boating 01720 422704
St Martins Boat Services 01720 422814

For timetables, prices and more information go to http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/

PRIVATE AIRCRAFT

Pilots intending to visit the islands in their own aircraft must telephone 01720 422677 to obtain Prior Permission Requirements. On the day of the visit telephone for the weather and advise Air Traffic Control of the airport of departure, a contact name and number and the aircraft's estimated time of arrival at St. Mary's.

For more information visit the Council of the Isles of Scilly website:
http://www.scilly.gov.uk/transport/airandsea/airport/

Should you require a taxi to your accommodation please call Scilly Cabs in advance on 01720 422901