A day on the Isles of Scilly with Lydia Cooke

Exploring wildlife, coastal walks and island magic in just one day

Recently, we welcomed travel creative Lydia Cooke and her partner, Tyler, to the Isles of Scilly for a one-day adventure packed with stunning wildlife and quiet moments of island calm.

Known for her photography-led storytelling and passion for wild, off-the-beaten-path places, Lydia captured the charm and character of the islands in just a few scenic hours.

Trip overview

Travel mode: Fly + Sail, outbound via Skybus from Land’s End, return via Scillonian III ferry to Penzance
Trip duration: One day
Season: Spring
Islands visited: St Mary’s and St Agnes
Trip highlights: Wildlife and scenic exploration

Plan your trip | Travel info

Not many of our visitors know that you can make the most of both travel modes, flying out to Scilly on Skybus, and returning on board Scillonian III in a single trip. When travelling with a Fly + Sail ticket you will fly from Land’s End Airport and return to Penzance. Arrive into Penzance via bus, rail or car, as there is plenty of parking in Penzance available, and book our bus transfer with perfectly timed departures from Penzance train station to take you to the airport for your flight. At the end of your day, you will disembark in Penzance, right where you started.

Lydia and Tyler’s day…

The adventure begins
The day began with a quick hop on our airport transfer bus from Penzance train station to Land’s End Airport, ready for the scenic Skybus flight soaring above the Cornish coast to St Mary’s. A short 15-minute hop offering sweeping views of rugged cliffs, rolling waves, and the distinctive shapes of the islands as they come into view.

A scenic walk into Hugh Town
From St Mary’s Airport, visitors can either enjoy a scenic walk into Hugh Town – looping through Old Town, around the wild headland of Peninnis, and emerging at Porthcressa Beach – or take the quicker option of the Island Transfer bus. Lydia and Tyler chose the latter, hopping on board for a quick five-minute ride straight down to the quay.

Inter-island boating and tours
Once they arrived at St Mary’s Quay, they joined a wildlife and sightseeing boat trip run by St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association. These daily tours change with the tide and weather and often include highlights such as the Eastern Isles, famed for their clear waters, seals and seabirds, the Western Rocks and Bishop Rock Lighthouse, a dramatic seascape and historic landmark, or remote islands like Annet or Round Island, rich in wildlife and mystery.

Lydia and Tyler embarked on a trip out to the Western Rocks, where they were treated to sightings of puffins, plenty of resident seals – and the highlight of the day, a minke whale. Their boat then dropped them on the inhabited off-island of St Agnes for more exploring. Passengers of the wildlife tour also had the option to journey back to spend the rest of their day on St Mary’s.

Exploring an off-island
St Agnes is famed for its rugged beauty, galleries and Troytown Farm ice cream – and the pair managed to fit in a taster of all three before boarding inter-island boat, Meridan, back to St Mary’s in time for their return passage.

The return adventure

After a quick explore of Hugh Town, as the sun began to dip, they boarded the Scillonian III ferry for the journey back to the mainland. A relaxing voyage, but by no means the end of their adventure. With the chance to spot dolphins, seabirds and even basking sharks along the way, and iconic Cornish landmarks like St Michael’s Mount and Land’s End on the horizon, the crossing offers one last burst of inspiration. With café facilities on board and plenty of sea views to enjoy, it’s a peaceful and scenic end to a day well spent, and a reminder that on Scilly, the journey is part of the experience.

Inspired?

With a little planning, it’s possible to experience so much of the magic of the Isles of Scilly in a single day, although we can’t promise you won’t want to stay longer. From birdwatching and wildflowers to crystal waters and laid-back island life, this is a truly special place, just a short hop from the Cornish coast.

Replicate Lydia and Tyler’s day

Book your Fly + Sail tickets with us at Isles of Scilly Travel. Remember, if you’re arriving by car you must park in Penzance and book our airport transfer in advance, as you will not be able to park at the airport. The airport car park is locked after the last flight of the day lands, before Scillonian’s arrival into Penzance.

Plan your activities

St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association release inter-island boating times and wildlife tour details a few days in advance, as trips are often dependent on weather and tides. Keep an eye on their website and social media pages for timetables for advance planning, or check out the blackboards on the quay and plan your adventure when you arrive. You can buy tickets from the kiosk on the quay.

Exploring an off-island

Exploring an off-island on a Scilly day trip is possible, but it is important to know the inter-island boat return times before you leave St Mary’s to ensure you have given yourself enough time to check in for your return journey. If you are returning to the mainland by Scillonian ferry, you will check in and depart from the same quay as the inter-island boat launches.