When travel content creator Chloe Sowter, @thattravelmum, visited St Mary’s with her family this summer, they set out to see just how much they could experience in a single day.
From sailing along the Cornish coastline to exploring some of the most beautiful beaches on St Mary’s and stopping for lunch with a view, their visit is full of inspiration for your own day trip adventure.
And with 2027 sailings now available to book, you can start planning your own day trip to the Isles of Scilly on the new Scillonian IV.
Make the journey part of the day
A day trip starts in Penzance, where you’ll board Scillonian IV for the sailing across to St Mary’s.
The journey is part of the Scilly experience. Look out for landmarks including the Minack Theatre and Land’s End before heading out across the Atlantic.
It’s worth keeping your eyes on the water, too. Dolphins, porpoises, seals and a variety of seabirds can all be spotted in the waters around Cornwall and Scilly, so pack a pair of binoculars so you don’t miss a thing.
Arrive on St Mary’s and start exploring
The largest of the five inhabited islands, St Mary’s packs plenty into its relatively small size, with beaches, coastal walks, historical sites, cafés, shops and viewpoints all within easy reach.
Chloe and her family picked up a Scilly Cart to explore St Mary’s at their own pace.
Hiring a cart can be a fun option for families and anyone looking to cover more of St Mary’s during a day trip. From Hugh Town, you can head off in search of quiet corners and stop whenever somewhere catches your eye.
Beach hopping
There are plenty of beaches to choose from on St Mary’s, so you can make your day as relaxed or as active as you like.
Old Town is a lovely first stop, with its sandy beach overlooked by Old Town Church and its subtropical churchyard.
On the eastern side of the island, Watermill Cove offers clear water and a tucked away setting, while Pelistry has a wilder feel. At low tide, it’s possible to see the sandy stretch towards Toll’s Island.
Head north and you’ll find Bar Point, while Porthloo offers views across the water towards the off-islands.
Closer to Hugh Town, Porthmellon and Porthcressa are easy options if you want to squeeze in one last beach before making your way back towards the quay.
Pick two or three, take your time and leave room for an unplanned stop along the way.
Lunch stop
After a morning of exploring, Chloe and her family stopped at Juliet’s Garden Restaurant, overlooking St Mary’s harbour and the neighbouring islands.
It’s a chance to slow the pace for an hour, enjoy lunch and take in one of those views that makes you realise just how far removed Scilly feels from the mainland.
There are plenty of other cafés, pubs and restaurants around St Mary’s too, particularly in and around Hugh Town, so you can plan lunch into your route or simply see where the day takes you.
After lunch, head to another beach, follow a stretch of coast path, spend some time wandering around Hugh Town or discover some of the history dotted around the island.
That’s part of the beauty of a day trip to Scilly. You don’t need a packed itinerary.
And when it’s time to return to St Mary’s Quay, the experience isn’t over. The sail back to Penzance gives you another opportunity to enjoy the views from the water and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
Plan your own Isles of Scilly day in 2027
In 2027, the journey will have a new chapter too, with passengers travelling between Penzance and St Mary’s on Scillonian IV.
On selected dates, double sailings give you even more time to spend on St Mary’s or an off-island: St Agnes, Bryher, St Martin’s or Tresco.