The Isles of Scilly lie just over 20 miles off the southwest coast of Cornwall. Although they look more like the Caribbean (sandy beaches and clear blue waters), this area is notorious for shipwrecks, and has lost more than one lighthouse in its past.
One sailor stranded on an island for a few days was shocked to find dead marine wildlife, many due to oil and litter.
This caused him to found Clean Ocean Sailing, a team of volunteers that remove plastic waste from the coast in all of Cornwall.
A stop-off resting point for migrating birds, here you’ll also find lots of marine creatures from seals to whales.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside. Lifeboat crew ask for people to keep dogs away from cliffs (they often have to rescue pooches).
Many beaches are not dog-friendly year-round so check (some disappear at high tide).
A Detailed Guide to the 5 Islands
St Mary’s: The Hub of Island Life
St Mary’s is both the heart and busiest corner of Scilly. Its lively harbour at Hugh Town greets nearly all visitors. Cobbled streets wind between cafés, galleries, and old stone buildings. Car-free footpaths lead out to sandy beaches and craggy headlands.
Popular sights include the Garrison walls, once built for coastal defence. The Isles of Scilly Museum reveals tales from prehistory to wartime.
Locals share a love of traditional gig rowing, and weekly markets brim with produce, home-baked treats, and crafts. St Mary’s blends daily life with a strong sense of history and community.
Tresco: Gardening Heritage and Exclusive Retreats
Tresco’s reputation springs from its sub-tropical Abbey Garden. Rare palms, exotic blooms, and succulents layer across terraces—all warmed by Scilly’s gentle climate.
Red squirrels, absent from most of England, make this island their home (there’s no need to cull grey squirrels with proper habitats).
The island feels quieter than St Mary’s. Instead of pubs and bustle, you find hillside villas, art displays, and sheltered coves. Tresco stands for privacy, with a low-key luxury that rewards those looking for seclusion and slow days.
St Martin’s: Wild Beauty and White Sands
St Martin’s brings together some of Britain’s clearest waters and softest sands. Low-tide reveals wide expanses, while steep dunes and heathered cliffs shelter wildflowers and butterflies.
With only a handful of shops and a single pub, it keeps things simple. The island has become known for its vineyard and the only flower farm in Scilly open to visitors.
St Agnes and Bryher: Untamed Edges
St Agnes, smallest of the main inhabited islands, feels the most remote. Rocky outcrops, old lighthouses, and sweeping sea views create a world apart. Ancient chapels, and hidden coves make St Agnes a haven for walkers.
Bryher stands close by—just a short boat ride from Tresco—but its mood can shift in moments. One side meets the wild Atlantic in crashing surf, the other lies calm and sandy.
Tiny hamlets, scattered fields, and a single hotel give Bryher a peaceful, undisturbed air. Both islands invite those who want space, quiet, and wide coastal skies.
Home to Many of our Native Seals
Grey and harbour seals are both found here, giving birth and resting on beaches. Never play frisbee on beaches (seals get trapped in them) nor jet ski near any marine creatures.
New seal pups can’t swim, so never disturb them, you could spook them into the sea. Often they are hidden by their mums in sand dunes, so keep dogs on leads and avoid walking near seals, in breeding season.
Keep at least 100 metres away (the same as a football pitch size). If a seal is looking at you, you’re too close.
If you see a marine creature in distress, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue for help (01825 765546). While you wait for help, stand between the pup and sea (to stop pups drowning or freezing). Read more on how to help our native seals.
Warmer Weather (later blooming flowers)
The Scilly Isles have longer growing seasons, due to warmer weather. Just know that all bulbs (including daffodils) are not safe near pets.
Learn how to create pet-friendly gardens (and never face indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
