From St Mary’s, it’s easy to reach the Isles of Scilly’s off islands: Tresco, St Agnes, Bryher and St Martin’s. Each holds its own character and scenery and host many things to see and do.
A network of independent boat operators links the islands, running regular crossings and day trips. Each journey is run by experienced local skippers and crews who know these waters inside out.
Joe, secretary and general operator at St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association and has spent decades working on the water:
“I started working for St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association in 1987, firstly staring as a crew for my dad before taking over as skipper in 1992.
“Now, my typical day starts just before 8am with a morning meeting where we organised the day’s scheduled trips and additional journeys. Every day then brings something different depending on demand, weather and tides.
“My favourite trips are the wildlife excursions and charters, in particular Bishop Rock but I genuinely enjoy travelling to all the islands.
“Visitors are often fascinated by how shallow the water is between the islands. It’s quite remarkable that in some places you can walk between them at one point in the day and just a few hours later be travelling over the same area by boat.
“For many visitors, it’s this ever-changing environment that makes exploring the islands by boat so special. No two trips are ever quite the same.”
St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association boats depart from St Mary’s Quay every morning, offering a reliable way to explore the islands. With a fleet of ten boats, each skippered by locals with expert local knowledge, you’re in good hands.
There’s no need to book in advance. With over 800 seats available across the fleet, you can simply turn up on the day, head to the St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association ticket office on St Mary’s Quay and purchase your tickets there. For their daily departure times, visit their Facebook page.
But it’s not just on St Mary’s. Across the islands, local skippers bring their own experience of life on the water. Charlie, a skipper at Tresco Boating, highlights just how varied a day on the water can be: “A typical working day varies. If I’m on an early shift, it means a punt ride out to the jetboat when the sun is coming up, taking the kids to school and nursery, getting people to flights and, if the weather is clear, wildlife circulars.
“If I’m on the Firethorn, we take people between Tresco and Bryher or to St Mary’s, St Martin’s or St Agnes for the day.
“I love going over to the Eastern Isles in my own boat on a day off. You always see a seal and pretty much always have the place to yourself”.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed day trip, a wildlife excursion or looking to experience the beauty of the Isles of Scilly from a different perspective, jumping onto an inter-island boat offers an authentic way to explore.
With regular crossings and knowledgeable local operators, discovering more of the Isles of Scilly couldn’t be easier. Start planning your next inter-island adventure.