Inter-Island Travel

Once you reach St Mary’s, the other four inhabited islands — Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes — are reached by small tripper boats. These are operated mainly by the St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association from St Mary’s Quay, with Tresco Boats and St Agnes Boating also running services.

How It Works

• Boats depart from St Mary's Quay; typical morning departures are around 10:15, with returns in the mid-to-late afternoon.
• Crossings are short — usually 10 to 30 minutes depending on the island.
• Times shift with the tide and the Scillonian ferry arrival; some quays dry out at low tide, changing where you board or land.
• If arriving on the Scillonian, luggage is usually transferred from the ferry to the onward tripper boats — confirm with your accommodation.
• Day-trippers can usually buy tickets at the quay on the morning of travel, but boats can fill in peak season.
• If you are staying on an off-island, your accommodation will normally help arrange onward boats and luggage transfers.

Tides & Planning

Tides are the single biggest influence on inter-island travel. Low tide can expose or cover sandbars (notably between Tresco and Bryher, and between St Agnes and Gugh), and some quays become unusable. Always check the day’s boat times with your accommodation or the boat operator rather than relying on a fixed timetable. The official Visit Isles of Scilly island-hopping page is a good starting point.