West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Island Hopping
Sail from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly, using Hugh Town as a base to hop between islands by boat.
No car rental needed: take the train to Penzance, catch the ferry or a small plane to the islands, and base yourself in Hugh Town on St Mary's. Take daily boat trips to the off-islands to explore subtropical gardens, white sand beaches, and seabirds. With a relaxed pace, it is perfect for couples and walking enthusiasts. Highly weather-dependent, so leave some buffer in your schedule.
Ferries operate from around March to November. A new vessel will take over from 2027; check the timetable for that year.
Day by day
Day 1 · Penzance & St Michael's Mount
St Ives, Cornwall（St Michael's Mount、Jubilee Pool, Penzance）
Take a direct train from London Paddington to Penzance (approx. 5 hours), then take a bus to Marazion (approx. 15 minutes).
The causeway is only walkable at low tide; switch to a boat at high tide.
Stay: Penzance
Day 2 · Sail to St Mary's
Isles of Scilly（Hugh Town、The Garrison & Star Castle）
Take the ferry from Penzance to St Mary's (approx. 2 hours 45 minutes), or a small plane from Land's End (approx. 20 minutes).
Rough seas can cause seasickness, and flights may be cancelled due to fog.
Stay: Hugh Town (St Mary's)
Day 3 · Tresco & Bryher
Isles of Scilly（Tresco Abbey Garden、Cromwell's Castle、Bryher）
Take an inter-island boat from Hugh Town quay to Tresco (approx. 20 minutes), then walk or take another boat to Bryher.
Boat schedules change with the tides; check the daily notice board at the quay in the morning.
Stay: Hugh Town (St Mary's)
Day 4 · St Agnes Island Walk
Isles of Scilly（St Agnes、Troytown Maze、The Bar & Gugh）
Take a boat from Hugh Town to St Agnes (approx. 15–20 minutes), and walk around the island (approx. 2–3 hours).
The sandbar to Gugh is only exposed at low tide; keep an eye on the time for your return.
Stay: Hugh Town (St Mary's)
Day 5 · St Martin's & the Eastern Isles
Isles of Scilly（St Martin's & Great Bay、St Martin's Daymark、Eastern Isles Seal Trips）
Take a boat from Hugh Town to St Martin's (approx. 20–30 minutes). Optional seal-watching boat trips around the Eastern Isles are available.
Stay: Hugh Town (St Mary's)
Day 6 · Return to Penzance
Isles of Scilly（Porthcressa Beach） → St Ives, Cornwall
Stroll around Hugh Town in the morning, then take the afternoon ferry back to Penzance, or fly back to Land's End.
If catching a train on the evening of your return, leave plenty of buffer for potential delays.