Few places in the UK reward exploration by yacht quite like the Isles of Scilly.
Located around 28 miles off Land’s End, this remarkable archipelago combines the sense of achievement that comes from an offshore passage with the freedom to explore some of Britain’s most beautiful islands and anchorages. While many visitors arrive by ferry or aircraft, there is a strong argument that the best way to experience the Isles of Scilly is from the water.
A yacht allows you to move between islands, discover secluded anchorages and wake up to a different view each morning. Add in clear water, abundant wildlife, fascinating maritime history and a cruising ground that can keep even experienced sailors interested for days, and it is easy to understand why so many people return again and again.
Why the Isles of Scilly Are Best Experienced from the Water
The Isles of Scilly are made up of more than 140 islands and rocky outcrops, although only five are inhabited.
When visiting by ferry or plane/helicopter, most people naturally base themselves on a single island and visit other islands by doing day trips on ferries. By yacht, the entire archipelago becomes a base and you can overnight at any island.
One day might be spent exploring St Mary’s, the next anchored off Tresco, followed by an evening in the shelter of St Helen’s Pool or a walk ashore on St Agnes. The distances between many of the islands are relatively short, allowing plenty of time to explore ashore while still enjoying the sailing.
Visiting by yacht also provides access to some of the most beautiful locations in the islands, many of which are inaccessible or difficult to appreciate from land alone.
For a broader look at the islands themselves, their wildlife, climate and history, see our guide to what makes the Isles of Scilly so special.
The Offshore Passage from Cornwall
Part of the attraction of the Isles of Scilly is that getting there feels like a genuine adventure.
The crossing from Cornwall involves around 55 nautical miles of offshore sailing. Although relatively short by offshore standards, it creates a real sense of leaving the mainland behind.
As the Cornish coastline gradually disappears astern, the feeling changes from coastal cruising to passage making. Hours later, the islands begin to emerge from the horizon, often long before individual features can be distinguished.
Many people regard this arrival as one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Those interested in the passage itself can read more in our guide to how long it takes to sail from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly.
Sailing yacht approaching the Isles of Scilly from Cornwall
An Anchorage for Almost Every Wind Direction
One of the greatest strengths of the Isles of Scilly as a cruising destination is the sheer variety of anchorages available.
The islands are scattered across a relatively small area, creating numerous opportunities to find shelter depending on the weather and wind direction.
Few cruising grounds in the UK offer such flexibility. Conditions that make one anchorage uncomfortable often leave another perfectly sheltered just a short sail away.
This ability to move between anchorages is one of the reasons why many sailors can spend a week or more in the islands without ever feeling constrained.
Rather than following a fixed itinerary, cruising in the Isles of Scilly often becomes a process of responding to the weather, choosing the best anchorage and deciding which island to explore next.
New Grimsby Sound – The Heart of Scilly Cruising
If there is one anchorage that captures the essence of cruising in the Isles of Scilly, it is New Grimsby Sound.
Situated between Tresco and Bryher, it combines excellent shelter, beautiful scenery and easy access to two of the most interesting islands in the archipelago.
Many sailors regard it as one of the finest anchorages in Britain.
From the yacht, white beaches, clear water and granite headlands create a setting that feels very different from most UK cruising grounds. It is also an ideal base for exploring ashore, whether walking across Bryher’s rugged Atlantic side or visiting the famous Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Looking into New Grimsby Sound and Hangman Island
St Helen’s Pool, Old Grimsby and Other Favourite Stops
Beyond New Grimsby Sound, there is no shortage of excellent places to anchor.
St Helen’s Pool has been used as an anchorage for centuries and remains one of the most distinctive locations in the islands. Surrounded by small islands and reefs, it provides a remarkable setting and a fascinating reminder of the islands’ maritime past.
Old Grimsby on Tresco offers another popular stop, while Porth Conger on St Agnes provides a very different atmosphere, with easy access to one of the most remote-feeling inhabited islands in Britain.
Part of the enjoyment comes from moving between these locations and experiencing how different each anchorage feels despite being only a short distance apart.
Wildlife, Clear Water and Island Exploration
Cruising the Isles of Scilly is about far more than moving a yacht from one anchorage to another.
The islands support an extraordinary range of wildlife, both above and below the waterline. Seals are common, dolphins are regularly encountered during passages and seabirds are a constant presence throughout the islands.
The clarity of the water often surprises first-time visitors. On a calm summer day it can be possible to see the seabed several metres below the yacht, something that remains unusual in many parts of the UK.
Combined with the islands’ Gulf Stream-influenced climate and white sand beaches, the result is a cruising destination that feels genuinely distinctive.
Snoozy seal in the sun
Navigation in the Isles of Scilly
Cruising in the Isles of Scilly requires careful navigation.
The waters between the islands contain numerous rocks, reefs, drying areas and narrow channels. Many of these features contribute to the islands’ character and beauty, but they also require attention from anyone navigating through the area.
Historic wrecks also serve as reminders of how challenging these waters could be before the development of modern navigation. For centuries, the islands were associated with shipwrecks, and the surrounding waters contain evidence of many vessels that came to grief on the rocks.
Today, GPS, electronic charts and excellent pilotage information have made cruising considerably easier, but accurate navigation remains an important part of the experience.
For many sailors, this is actually part of the attraction. The Isles of Scilly provide interesting pilotage and genuine navigational challenges without requiring extreme offshore conditions.
A Different Island Every Day
One of the pleasures of exploring the Isles of Scilly by yacht is that each island offers something different.
St Mary’s
The largest island and the centre of activity, with Hugh Town providing shops, restaurants and a busy harbour atmosphere.
Tresco
Known for its beaches, Abbey Gardens and some of the most attractive anchorages in the islands.
Bryher
A study in contrasts. Its eastern side is sheltered and peaceful, while its western coast faces directly into the Atlantic.
St Martin’s
Famous for clear water, sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
St Agnes
Remote, quiet and wonderfully connected to the sea. For many visitors it feels like the edge of the world.
Being able to experience several of these islands during a single trip is one of the major advantages of travelling by yacht.
Exploring the Isles of Scilly on foot
Why Sailors Return Again and Again
Many destinations offer good sailing.
What makes the Isles of Scilly different is the combination of factors that come together in one place.
There is the satisfaction of an offshore passage, the variety of anchorages, the beauty of the islands, the wildlife, the maritime history and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
The sailing itself can sometimes be challenging. Winds can be affected by the islands, navigation requires attention and Atlantic weather always deserves respect. Yet these factors only add to the sense that cruising here is an adventure rather than simply another coastal trip.
For many people, one visit is enough to understand why the Isles of Scilly are one of Britain’s most loved cruising grounds.
Explore the Isles of Scilly with First Class Sailing
Accommodation on the Isles of Scilly can be difficult to secure during the summer months, and many places are booked well in advance.
Exploring the islands by yacht offers a different perspective entirely. Instead of staying in one place, you can move between islands, discover different anchorages and experience the archipelago as generations of sailors have done before.
If you’d like to experience the crossing and explore the islands for yourself, take a look at our Isles of Scilly sailing holiday, departing from Falmouth each summer.
