Top Isle of Scilly Travel: Your Transportation Guide

Dreaming of clear turquoise water, pristine white sand beaches, plus dramatic rocky coastlines? The Isles of Scilly, a small but mighty archipelago off the coast of Cornwall, might just be your kind of place. Getting there is almost as charming as the destination itself, but, that said, selecting the right transportation option can really influence the start of your vacation. This overview shines a spotlight on what seem to be some of the top travel companies making trips to and from these idyllic islands, assisting you in making well-informed plans for smooth sailing and breathtaking adventures.

1. Isles of Scilly Steamship Company: The Classic Choice

Operating the Scillonian III passenger ferry, along with a freight service called the Gry Maritha, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company could be thought of as something like a reliable, longstanding institution connecting Penzance to St. Mary’s, is that right? With a history tracing back to 1920, they offer a conventional way to commence your Scilly adventure, which is to say they’ve been at this for quite a while. So, the voyage lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes, plus it provides you, like your average vacationer, some scenic views of the Cornish coastline along with the wide open sea.

What seems to make them stand out: The ferry gives you a more relaxed, more casual approach, which actually permits you to take in the sea breeze and maybe even spot some marine life along the way, usually. As a matter of fact, they run daily trips during peak season, something to keep in mind when putting together your trip.

What to think about: In the event of seasickness, remember to prepare properly due to the duration of the crossing, I mean, obviously. Those prone might consider taking seasickness medication before boarding, clearly. Check the ferry schedule to make certain it lines up with your itinerary; schedules do vary by season, or so it seems.

Read our full review: Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Isles of Scilly Steamship Company)

2. Skybus: The Swift Route

If you’re itching to touch down on Scilly soil much faster, then Skybus looks to be a rather convenient option. Operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, which is to say same people, different method, Skybus provides frequent flights from Land’s End, Newquay, along with Exeter airports to St. Mary’s, which makes things move along at a nice pace. Flights from Land’s End take about 15-20 minutes—nearly a blink compared to the boat.

What seems to make them stand out: Without a doubt, Skybus saves a lot of time. It is actually best for folks who want to maximize their time on the islands, and possibly ideal for day trips given the extra time that’s gained.

What to think about: Since it is a smaller aircraft, luggage limitations can be somewhat restrictive; therefore, one should weigh that against the speed perks, I think. If you are someone who prefers more certainty when it comes to travel times, it would be sensible to keep a close eye on the weather forecast, since flights could be subject to weather-related disruptions, very reasonable. And that the prices, generally, tend to be higher relative to ferry travel.

Read our full review: Skybus Isles of Scilly Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Skybus Isles of Scilly)

3. Penzance Helicopters: The Scenic Premium Option

For travelers wanting to inject some pizzazz into their journey, what about Penzance Helicopters? This option serves up flights directly from Penzance to Tresco and St. Mary’s, seemingly delivering not only swiftness but also unparalleled aerial views, I believe. In point of fact, the flight only lasts about 15 minutes, possibly turning what’s just travel into something really quite memorable.

What seems to make them stand out: The helicopter transfer truly makes for something special, if you think about it, which actually gives passengers beautiful bird’s-eye views of the islands plus the Cornish coast, almost like seeing them for the first time. That, coupled with the convenience, makes it well-suited, almost, to those seeking to lessen travel stress plus increase vacation indulgence, definitely.

What to think about: Cost is apt to be a primary factor, so this could be a more premium choice in some respects. Luggage capacity is another issue to remember, being even more limited than on Skybus, and let’s not forget weather dependency. Having that in mind, this may just be your sort of adventure.

Read our full review: Penzance Helicopters Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Penzance Helicopters)

4. Island Helicopters: Private Charter Flexibility

Then you’ve got Island Helicopters; they provide customized helicopter charter services from assorted locations in the UK directly to the Isles of Scilly, and I guess that provides a dose of flexibility plus exclusivity, actually. It’s almost ideal, then, for people with specific travel needs or tight schedules that scheduled services just can’t cater for, basically, very handy indeed.

What seems to make them stand out: The tailored travel schedules really fit your needs, as it’s all about going exactly when you need to go, that is actually extremely useful. Bypassing any of the usual airport hassles that regular flying involves sounds really sweet too. I mean you can start your vacation early without stress.

What to think about: This kind of premium ease can be a very expensive route, it’s almost always worth considering. Plus you’ll still need to keep a watch out for the weather, because helicopters will be more impacted by bad flying conditions, probably, so you do want to double-check the conditions before take off. Otherwise your good to go!

Read our full review: Island Helicopters Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Island Helicopters)

5. Local Island Boats: Hopping Around

On arrival in St. Mary’s, to move among the islands, you have your local boats, which are a vital part of the everyday for tourists and inhabitants alike, is that not the way it works? Regular services join St. Mary’s to the uninhabited islands; it is not simply useful, it’s an appealing aspect to genuinely undergo if you hope to take pleasure in the specific charm of each place. To be honest they supply day journeys as well, actually.

What seems to make them stand out: These boats let you experience each island at your personal tempo, because of that freedom it may turn out to be one of the most unforgettable portions of any visit. You could just come across hidden gems all over, actually.

What to think about: As a result of the modest dimension of such boats, the service depends totally on acceptable weather and, of course, the changing tides will effect how and when these boats run so, you’re going to want to look into their operating schedule beforehand. So, prepare your itinerary with that data handy and try not to rush!

Read our full review: Local Island Boats Scilly Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Local Island Boats Scilly)