A new dawn

As one chapter comes to an end, a new and exciting one is about to unfold.

Easy to reach but impossible to forget, the Isles of Scilly are a world away from everyday life. These spectacularly beautiful islands, situated just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, are surely the jewel in the UK’s crown. Wild and unspoilt, each of the five inhabited islands that make up the archipelago has its own touch
of magic.

The Isles of Scilly offer something that’s increasingly hard to find. Space, pace, and a sense of perspective that begins the moment you leave the mainland behind. With day trips starting from £35 return on Scillonian III, or £25 for Cornwall residents, it’s far more within reach than many realise.

For more than 100 years, Isles of Scilly Travel has been connecting Cornwall to the islands, with journeys that have become part of the experience itself. For generations of passengers, travelling on board Scillonian III is a familiar ritual. The gathering on the quay in Penzance. The call of the horn. The steady shift from harbour to open water as the mainland slips away.

Some settle inside with a coffee, others head straight for the open deck, watching the horizon stretch ahead and scanning for seabirds or the occasional dolphin. It is unhurried and, for many, deeply familiar.

In 2026, that journey carries a different significance. This is the final season for Scillonian III, after five decades of service linking the mainland and the islands. For many, it’s a chance to experience those crossings again. For others, it’s an opportunity to be part of something that has shaped travel to Scilly for generations.

Looking ahead, a new chapter is already on the horizon. Scillonian IV is set to arrive in 2027, continuing that vital connection for years to come. For now, though, this season belongs to Scillonian III.

Skybus offers a different perspective. As the islands come into view beneath you, scattered across the Atlantic, it’s a sight that never quite loses its impact. The colours, the clarity, and that first glimpse of the islands from above are all part of the experience. Fly+Sail day trips combine both journeys, bringing together air and sea in a single visit.

You step onto St Mary’s and, within minutes, everything begins to slow. People disperse, paths open up, and the islands quickly find their own rhythm. You might find yourself on a boat to an off-island without much of a plan, or simply walking until you reach a stretch of coastline with no one else in sight. For dog owners, it’s an experience to share. Dogs are welcomed on board Scillonian III and across the islands, where open spaces and quiet beaches make for easy exploring. It’s a kind of freedom that feels increasingly rare.

A day trip offers just enough time to understand the appeal. A walk through Hugh Town, lunch by the water, a swim if you’re tempted, or simply time to pause and take it all in. It doesn’t take long before the mainland feels a little further away. Then, at the end of the day, the return journey. There’s a moment as you leave the islands behind when you realise why people return time after time, and why one visit rarely feels like enough. With Scillonian III now in her final season, there’s a significance to making that journey this year. Not just to reach the Isles of Scilly, but to experience a crossing that has meant so much to so many, for so long.

ISLES OF SCILLY TRAVEL
sales@islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
01736 334220
www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk