They used to do a day trip by air from Lands End, avoids sea sickness, get the first ‘post flight’ out and last one back, gives you about 9 hours on the islands... sea can get very rough and ferry seems to take an eternity on the way home... check the weather is settled as little to do if wet!
I went years ago for a day trip and fell in love with the islands. I love boats, so that was all part of the fun. We were camping in Cornwall at the time so no costly accommodation, just the shock of getting up at dawn to drive across Cornwall to make the early ferry. Whilst there we went on a tour around the island in an old 1950/1960's bus (something my youngest still remembers). It gave us a bit of an idea what St. Mary's was like, I would have liked to have had the time to walk the coastpath though. In 2020 for my husband's 50th I booked a surprise helicopter trip to Tresco. It was dirt cheap (about £60 return each) as I booked it the night before and they had only just reopened the week before from covid. The views as you go over the Islands are like nothing you have ever seen. My work colleagues thought I had been to the seychelles. If you can, try and fly out at least one way for the overhead views (you can always get the boat back). I still yearned to spend more time there so we did 4 days camping on Bryher last year for my 50th and we absolutely loved it there. I have just booked 10 days camping for 2022 so I can see some of the other islands, as well as lazing around on the beaches. We camp in Cornwall a few days before catching the ferry over and a few days after we get back to break up the 8 hour drive to Kent. We leave our caravan on its pitch in cornwall while we are over there in a small tent, that way when we pull into Penzance we only have the 50min journey back to the caravan. I love Cornwall, especially St. Ives...but I think the sheer peace and beauty of these islands has sort of spoilt Cornwall a bit for me. On landing back at Penzance, Cornwall seemed so busy and built up, something I never thought I would say.
Yes we went for a day we went on the sky bus from landsend and returned on the Scillion. We went to Tesco by a launch. We had awRm day. Would love to go again. Well worth the trip.
Great video. Ideal place for a couple of hours or the whole weekend. But 3 hours on the island is not enough if you want to do sightseeing, relax on the beach and have a quiet meal.
Great video once again! I just love the Isles of Scilly, especially during the off-season. Like you said in the video, it's like being in another world. Btw, it is possible to make it over to Tresco on a day-trip. Just take the very next boat, after you arrived on St. Mary's. It'll only give you enough time for a sneak peek, of the tropical gardens and the breathtaking beaches, before you have to return to the main island... but it's well worth the effort! TIP: Already ask for departure times to Tresco on the ferry. I think you can even buy the ticket for the ride on the Scillonian.
We went over on the ferry many years ago. The Isles are beautiful and the lack of transport and old buses makes you think you've been transported back to the 1950s! We especially loved Tresco and its plants from all over the world.
We got the ferry to st Mary’s, walked thru Hugh town visiting a few shops then to both beaches, had a picnic then onto Old Town and then back via a museum. Caught a boat to Tresco then spent 20 minutes at Abbey Gardens walking there n back in 2 separate directions then got back to the ferry for 3:45…. It was a rush and would recommend much more time but it’s possible
What a wonderful video, Wendall. Brought back many memories of my several holidays spent on St Mary's, and trips to the other islands, all of which are beautiful and memorable, although if I had to pick a favourite it would probably be Bryher. Not being a good sailor I always flew, mostly by helicopter from Penzance, by also by plane - it's a great deal quicker, just an hour from Exeter! I live in Canada now, but this lovely nostalgic trip by video makes me want to go home to Devon, and hop on a plane to Scilly asap.
Hi Wendall Thanks for the videos. Am going to the Isles of scilly on Monday. Think you have summed up the place really well. It's beautiful but expensive. £1850 for a week self catering. Scillonian around £700 for 3 adults and 2 children. You can stay cheaper camping or in the upmarket hostel. When I booked all the hotels were full. Hope you managed to return
I've sailed about a third of the world, (on cargo boats) but for me the Scilly Isles were probably the most memorable. I booked a taxi to meet the ferry and had 4hrs of fun filled enjoyment doing the interior and all the pubs-including the golf club. This was 15yrs ago, I doubt whether much has changed; I'd love to re-visit and stay much much longer.
I've been a frequent visitor for over 35 years....never less than 2 Weeks.....the first time l went l stayed on St.Martins.... LOVED IT...... was back 3 times that year.... That says it all I've been island hopping in the Seychelles...but for me.. .The Isles of Scilly wins by 1million miles.... l LOVE IT ❤🥰❤🥰❤
Fly if you can afford it. Was rougher when i went, and the queue at the chemists for sea sickness tablets was massive. The port there is very shallow so the boat has little draught and therefore is easily moved by waves. They did do a coach tour timed with the boat
The voyage is a big part of the experience of Scilly, and it afforded us the thrilling sight of a small pod of dolphins playing in the wake of the Scillonian III. A magical day out, and it was a lot rougher than your trip!
Oh but sailing there and back is all part of the fun! I thought it was well worth the trip over. The scenery once your there is stunning. That beach is beautiful...it's a crescent shaped idyll! When I visited I did get a little seasick on the way out of Penzance but fixed my gaze on the horizon and sipped on half a pear Rattler and quite soon I began to feel much better! On the way back I bought a pint of Rattler and sat on the deck of the Scillonian in the evening sunshine. Bliss!
I have just come back from visiting Bryher for the first time and it has to be my favorite island there, having now seen them all. I did the fly and sail which is not that bad price wise and is cheaper if you don't travel on a Friday or weekend. It costs about £85. The good thing about doing that is you get 5 or 6 hours on Scilly before getting the boat back and you can explore any of the islands in that time. The boat trips cost £13 return. I had nearly 3 hours on Bryher. Apparently, years ago there were boats ready to take you to the outer islands when you disembarked from the Scillonian and they got you back in time for the return journey which gave you about 2 hours on the island of your choice but it does not happen any more. A local woman told me this is because the Boatmens association fell out with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company that run the Scillonian. I was surprised it cost you £48 to travel by the Scillonian. I thought day returns were £35?
They must have seen an emmet coming and jacked the price to £48 🤣 I’d love to return for several days and explore much more. I think you a while there to do it justice, but it’s expensive even if you can find accommodation.
Wendall, you really are going to have to go back. You absolutely must visit Tresco. And it can be done. You simply jump in to one of the outer Island boats (the Tresco tickets are purchased on the Scillonian Ferry) as soon as you arrive on St Marys. And the Tresco Abbey Gardens are out of this world...like nothing else in the U.K. And the colours of the waters as you approach Tresco are more like the Greek Agean Sea. So yes, Tresco can be done on a day trip. I've done it about 3 times plus another seperate day trip to the gorgeous St Martin's Island where the beaches are stunning. But you must try to pick a gloriously clear blue sunny day. I think you picked a bit of a sunny but cloudy day on your visit. Yes I spent my first trip there on St Mary's but I knew I'd have to come back to see Tresco. I even managed to visit the Cromwell Castle by the edge of the sea. We had it all to ourselves. It was like something out of Sardinia. So hopefully you'll return.
We will definitely return, probably for a longer trip at some point. I did find it all a bit of a rush, especially with 2 dogs, so I’d like it to be a bit more relaxed next time.
@@WendallExplores ...That's great. Hope you make it back there. But you're right, we don't really get that much time there. It's why I once nearly caught the 6.00 am ferry service. Although not sure if they do the early run anymore.
@@WendallExplores ..That's good to know. Just watched your "Why you should open your own youtube channel." Absolutely inspirational. (Now subscribed). Suggested Coastal walk for you this Summer....'St Ives to Zennor.' Need strong legs and plenty of water..then treat yourself to a pint at the Zennor Pub.
@@deejohn1659 watch my ‘Hiking 30 miles alone...’ vlog... I can handle it 🤣 Thanks for subscribing! I think I’ll go out and film a hiking vlog tomor, weather looks good.
@Wendall ... Great vid Sir! . After many trips to the islands, I am now the white bearded old man talking "Gibberish" I vote you should be the islands tour guide as your perseption of this place is spot on.
Great video, good to hear your views on Scilly. I love the islands, it used to be my childhood holiday destination, and I always thought a day trip would never be worth it, but since moving to Cornwall I've done many day trips. It's worth looking at the Scillonian timetable
(Didn't finish my comment again) the timetable is available from Isles of Scilly Travel & on their website, On some days there are two return trips and the boat leaves around 6 am, which gives you 7 hours or so on the islands. On other days it leaves earlier because of tide times, so worth checking out. Some years they've had a very cheap day return deal for locals too. If you want a cheap place to stay and don't mind camping, there's always Garrison campsite which is where I always stay when I'm there.
@@cebusapella9125 yeah I’m thinking we might stay at the campsite next time. I don’t think the extended timetable has started yet (April), only the same options as the one I took when I booked.
@@WendallExplores I just checked the IOS travel website and the timetable is now available. Eg 29th May there's a boat out at 5.45 AM & back at 4.45 PM There's also early boats on Saturdays end of July & beginning of Aug. These tend to be on days with lots of bookings so best to book early for a day trip.
Only one problem I have spotted , NO BEACH HUTS !! . Great vid' Precision photography makes a big difference when it comes to showing what a beautiful place that it is . Keep 'em coming .
Thank you Wendall, excellent video. You're articulate, informative and entertaining. I really enjoyed your overview of St. Mary's. Your dogs are great and your partner is very sweet and charming. Thank you again, I subscribed.
I came over on a day trip ferry in the late 60s and seem to remember about 4-5 hours on St Mary, enough to walk across the island and see the Eastern Isles and St Martins
Shame you can't get accommodation. I used to live on St Martin's Isles of Scilly till I was 24 . Had to leave because I had nowhere to live . In 1985 the cheapest place I could get was £85000 and that was with a very short lease as you don't own any properties on all the out islands except Tresco and St Mary's. I moved to South Wales near Porthcawl and got a place for half that . I still miss the islands and have no chance to go back as I'm a career for my wife . Hoping to buy a small boat so I can sail there and live on it for a few days. I don't care if it's going to be cold as I'm use to it .
Great video 👍 I'm heading to the Isles of Scilly next week for 7 days. Staying in a eco cabin on St. Martin's for £30 a night, so there is some affordable accommodation out there! Cant wait, it looks absolutely stunning!!
@@WendallExplores thanks! I'm staying in an Eco Cabin on Little Arthur Farm. It's only for one person but they do have a larger cabin for families, not sure how much though, but might be worth a check out.
@@WendallExplores There's a campsite at St Mary's Garrison. They allow one dog per booking up a maximum of five on site at a time. If that's not enough, they include a list of breeds they don't like. Cornwall Council used to lease Pelistry over on the eastern side (near v pretty beach) as an outdoor education centre, but as of July they closed it down to cut spending. Not sure if the farm is the landlord (or possibly the Duchy is), but it would be great if Pelistry reopened in 2023 as a public site.
I've had two short holidays to St Marys' 10 days in total, accomodation is ludicrously expensive. Would love to go back but as always the cost of getting there and the accomodation costs make it almost impossible.
I always have to take a kwells seasickness tablet on ANY ⛵ boat. Great quality video. Been a few years since been to IOS. It's gone very expensive nowadays to stay overnight. What a beautiful dog 🐕 we hired a bike around St Mary's once. Another time a quick boat trip to St Martin's for lunch. A few nights on Tresco too. St Agnes and Gugh stunning. ( I love the art of Janet & Patsy Swanborough). Great video.
Thanks for this, we will take a trip there on our next visit, always wanted to know what it was like. I actually thought it would be a bit smaller. looks lovely and & sooooo quiet. :)
I went last week (Sept 22) and the weather was amazing! It is like being on the continent. Although it appears small, when you look out over it's entirety, it is really very big but spread out. Good luck. 😃
Great video, I've never seen the isles of Scilly up close, such an eye opener, although I'm a die hard St Ives lover. Enjoy the sea glass, I love collecting it and also sea pottery - keep posting!
Hi Ken, I’ve spent a lot of time in Cornwall and can confirm that mobile coverage in St Ives, Isles of Scilly and Cornwall is very good, with only the rare spots with no coverage the same as anywhere else. The only places where I particularly noticed poor coverage were down on some beaches, where the signal from the transmitters cannot reach. Amazon delivery is fine in mainland Cornwall (including St Ives) but could be a little slower in the Isles of Scilly - no delivery vans there!! (Thank goodness!)
@@chriswalpole1880 Thanks Chris. That's good news. Does that apply to all operators? In some rural parts of Wales only one or two operators have good coverage.
LOVE the dogs in the video!!! Scilly seems like a nice place. We'd planned to visit but you know what x'd that trip to the UK. Our main interest was to ck out the gardens. Maybe you can do that for us when you go back and shoot the next video... Cheers,
In my opinion you need six days minimum to visit IOS. That would allow you one full day on each of the 5 main islands. The day trip is definitely not worth it. To see the whole of St. Mary’s you can hire a golf cart or cycles. The other islands, just enjoy the walking. Each island has its own character. Tresco has the famous Abbey Garden, also Gallery Tresco. Even on a multi day holiday, I would NEVER go on the boat. It is well known for sea sickness. Fly from the lovely little airport at Lands End. Only takes 15 minutes and you get some great views.
I flew out to St Mary's on the old helicopter service in 2012 , I got to see the whole island by hiring an electric golfcart and riding around like Ronald reagan
I am really happy you enjoyed your day trip to St. Mary's :) It can be extremely difficult to find accommodation if you don't make reservartions many months - up to almost a year ahead. Many B&Bs are priced just below £100 a night for 2 persons with breakfast. And there is also a camping site which I believe is quite reasonably priced :) Now you seem to have got a taste of the isles, and you will never get rid of it. It is like a spell ;-) Thank you for the lovely video. I miss the place and I will surely be back again some day
I think it has put a spell on me. I have a few contacts that may be able to sort accommodation, but we are also interested in camping. Watch this space...
@@WendallExplores I wish you a very good next trip there. They also have a lot of interesting ancient sites along the coastal paths, and vineyards and a lot of water sport possibiliities.
I thought you would of bought a Pastie, hope you didn't eat that Sandwich. Fish and Chips and a Beer would of been better. The Isles looks great. Thanks Wendall. Bay of Islands was Great. Spent time there in 1986.
looks beautiful place :) ferry prices pricy but the funs in the journey too, so worth it, just found your page, subscribed, good video and good humour... enjoyed so gonna check out some more of your stuff... nice one :)
Thanks for watching and subscribing David. The Isles of Scilly are unique and beautiful, and a world away from the mainland. I hope to go back and explore more.
Great Video, I appreciate you uploaded this video on 23rd April 2021. Can you confirm if it was April 2021 that you also visited? I’m just wondering if it gets busy with tourists at any particular time of the year?
Hi. Yes I did upload the video on that date, and visited a few days prior. This was obviously mid pandemic hence it was still very quiet. I would hazard a guess in a ‘normal’ year it would be busier in April, although this was my first ever trip to the isles so I can’t speak from experience.
Beautiful islands looked as green as your jacket lol on my bucket list now ,had a st ives marizon vibe bout it winterish , no one around my idea of heaven, great video, didnt fancy your sandwich tho 😕little drone footage on those beaches would enhance your channel just giving you ideas 😆😆😆
Thanks for watching Eddie. I must say it’s a lot more beautiful than the mainland in my opinion. Really blew me away, very peaceful too. Re drone footage... I think I can safely say there won’t ever be drone footage on my channel, I know people love it but it’s not for me. I think it’s way too easy to fill space on videos with tech drone shots. My favourite youtubers film videos from ground level, raw and real as if I was there with them, and I think I’ll stick to trying to achieve that. I actually promised myself I wouldn’t ever use a drone when I started the channel 🤣
Some useless information for boats, always keep looking up at the horizon if possible, looking down is what causes the nausea.. nicely put together, wish i could visit those places as well...keep safe !!!💥
All depends what people think they are there for. Three hours is fine for 'tick-list' tourists to browse the shops in town, stroll along the quay and the beach, and perhaps up the hill to the garrison for a few minutes then tell the world via 100 smartphone images that they've now done Scilly. Some I dare say reduce that 'window' by half, heading straight to a pub for the beer/ meal/ ambience experience that is identical to Cornwall's but even more expensive, emerging 90min later to walk it off and take in even less of the atmosphere....😆 Surely most trippers will realise they need to cough up more to fly one or both ways to maximise their day return anyway? But no, IMO even arriving on the first and leaving on the last flight doesn't do these islands justice.
How does the beach at St Mary compare to Porthmeor or Porthminster? I stayed in Sr Ives for a week and a year before that in Truro . I love Cornwall. I plan to go to Isle of Scilly this year or next year if I can fly into the UK this year. Greeting from Cali and love your channel! Subscribed
Hi! Porthcressa beach is similar in sand to the St Ives beaches but a lot more sheltered and a lot quieter. Town beach is quite unique, very tranquil but obviously a working harbour so probably less suitable for swimming. We passed a lot of more beautiful beaches on the other islands when we came in on the boat, they were stunning white sand unspoiled beaches. Thank you for subscribing!
I don't know about St Ives but St Mary's has at least 9 beaches. Old town, about 10 minutes walk from Porth Cressa, is probably the most picturesque, but is only good for swimming at high tide. Porth Hellick is the quietest, has very coarse sand, but is great for shrimping, plus the nature trail up to Holy Vale runs along a magical path through a grove of Elms. Pelistry is stunning with a tidal island (watch the current), and regular seals visiting. Watermill is probably my family's favourite, great sand and somehow water that seems impossibly clear. Probably the best for swimming. Bar point is quite since most of it disappeared in a storm a couple of decades ago but it's getting better every year. It has the best views out over Tesco and St Martin's. We stay on Porthloo. Good beach for kids. Porth Mellon has the finest sand and is the best for beach cricket and football. My personal favourites are Porth Askin on St Agnes which feels like the end of the world and Rushy Bay on Bryher.
We looked into this using the once a month summer only very early ferry and the late ferry back which gave us 6hrs on St. Marys. But what killed it was the basic 2 nights (pre and post) accommodation in Penzance price since covid19. Total cost worked out at £430. Sorry not worth it for a day trip to the isles. Ferry price was good. It’s the accommodation that was the rip off.
Yeah I think if your visiting, it’s best to tie in with your plans as you pass through. If your staying in the area anyway then it’s definitely worth it if you can get the early and late ferry and a good price.
@@WendallExplores ah we're from wolves and will be heading down to Cornwall end of May for a mini tour. Whats you pub name and location might pop in if we're passing by. Enjoying your videos like your format and style. Nice work.
Not worth a day trip. If you go to Scilly visit the other islands I recommend St Martin's. I hope to be there in August. Recent TV program: th-cam.com/video/yy_JMYx42F4/w-d-xo.html
@@WendallExplores I said the Scilly Isles id say about 25-30 years ago. I have only ever been seasick once, and it was that day!! horrendous crossing, but i remember loving the isles
They used to do a day trip by air from Lands End, avoids sea sickness, get the first ‘post flight’ out and last one back, gives you about 9 hours on the islands... sea can get very rough and ferry seems to take an eternity on the way home... check the weather is settled as little to do if wet!
I went years ago for a day trip and fell in love with the islands. I love boats, so that was all part of the fun. We were camping in Cornwall at the time so no costly accommodation, just the shock of getting up at dawn to drive across Cornwall to make the early ferry. Whilst there we went on a tour around the island in an old 1950/1960's bus (something my youngest still remembers). It gave us a bit of an idea what St. Mary's was like, I would have liked to have had the time to walk the coastpath though. In 2020 for my husband's 50th I booked a surprise helicopter trip to Tresco. It was dirt cheap (about £60 return each) as I booked it the night before and they had only just reopened the week before from covid. The views as you go over the Islands are like nothing you have ever seen. My work colleagues thought I had been to the seychelles. If you can, try and fly out at least one way for the overhead views (you can always get the boat back). I still yearned to spend more time there so we did 4 days camping on Bryher last year for my 50th and we absolutely loved it there. I have just booked 10 days camping for 2022 so I can see some of the other islands, as well as lazing around on the beaches. We camp in Cornwall a few days before catching the ferry over and a few days after we get back to break up the 8 hour drive to Kent. We leave our caravan on its pitch in cornwall while we are over there in a small tent, that way when we pull into Penzance we only have the 50min journey back to the caravan. I love Cornwall, especially St. Ives...but I think the sheer peace and beauty of these islands has sort of spoilt Cornwall a bit for me. On landing back at Penzance, Cornwall seemed so busy and built up, something I never thought I would say.
I go here every year and it always looks so much better in real life than ok Camera and it’s the most amazing place
Yeah it does but You have to go for a week/2weeks to experience it all
You can also fly from East Midlands airport or Manchester to Newquay then from Newquay to the Scilly's in a 19seater plain 👍 sooo quick
Yes we went for a day we went on the sky bus from landsend and returned on the Scillion. We went to Tesco by a launch. We had awRm day. Would love to go again. Well worth the trip.
Great video. Ideal place for a couple of hours or the whole weekend. But 3 hours on the island is not enough if you want to do sightseeing, relax on the beach and have a quiet meal.
I think I’d need 3 months to explore the islands fully
Looks beautiful. I’m fro Glasgow and to me Scilly looks like the Mediterranean but better. Will need to come for a week break sometime
It’s like the Greek Islands meets Cornwall
Great video once again!
I just love the Isles of Scilly, especially during the off-season. Like you said in the video, it's like being in another world.
Btw, it is possible to make it over to Tresco on a day-trip. Just take the very next boat, after you arrived on St. Mary's.
It'll only give you enough time for a sneak peek, of the tropical gardens and the breathtaking beaches, before you have
to return to the main island... but it's well worth the effort!
TIP: Already ask for departure times to Tresco on the ferry. I think you can even buy the ticket for the ride on the Scillonian.
Thanks Peter, thanks for the tips. I think I’ll check out Tresco when there for a couple days, make it more chilled.
We went over on the ferry many years ago. The Isles are beautiful and the lack of transport and old buses makes you think you've been transported back to the 1950s! We especially loved Tresco and its plants from all over the world.
Tesco do some great plants….but you do need their club card..
I went 47 years ago, for a day, with my parents. Unforgetable beauty, like no where else in UK, so delighted to go back last year, and this summer.
We got the ferry to st Mary’s, walked thru Hugh town visiting a few shops then to both beaches, had a picnic then onto Old Town and then back via a museum. Caught a boat to Tresco then spent 20 minutes at Abbey Gardens walking there n back in 2 separate directions then got back to the ferry for 3:45…. It was a rush and would recommend much more time but it’s possible
What a wonderful video, Wendall. Brought back many memories of my several holidays spent on St Mary's, and trips to the other islands, all of which are beautiful and memorable, although if I had to pick a favourite it would probably be Bryher. Not being a good sailor I always flew, mostly by helicopter from Penzance, by also by plane - it's a great deal quicker, just an hour from Exeter! I live in Canada now, but this lovely nostalgic trip by video makes me want to go home to Devon, and hop on a plane to Scilly asap.
Me and my partner are going to St May’s in July next year with our dog Austin for a few days. Can’t wait and another great video 👍🏻🙌
Enjoy your trip, magical place
Hi Wendall
Thanks for the videos.
Am going to the Isles of scilly on Monday.
Think you have summed up the place really well.
It's beautiful but expensive.
£1850 for a week self catering.
Scillonian around £700 for 3 adults and 2 children.
You can stay cheaper camping or in the upmarket hostel.
When I booked all the hotels were full.
Hope you managed to return
I've sailed about a third of the world, (on cargo boats) but for me the Scilly Isles were probably the most memorable. I booked a taxi to meet the ferry and had 4hrs of fun filled enjoyment doing the interior and all the pubs-including the golf club. This was 15yrs ago, I doubt whether much has changed; I'd love to re-visit and stay much much longer.
I live on the Isles of Scilly, working on the local tripper boats. Hope u had a nice time
We had an awesome time but too short! Will definitely be back! Thanks for watching
I've been a frequent visitor for over 35 years....never less than 2
Weeks.....the first time l went l stayed on St.Martins....
LOVED IT...... was back 3 times that year....
That says it all
I've been island hopping in the Seychelles...but for me..
.The Isles of Scilly wins by 1million miles.... l LOVE IT ❤🥰❤🥰❤
@@WendallExplores can I have some advice please
@@positivetunnel8768 sure, what’s up?
@@WendallExplores me and my girlfriend want to your on my motorcycle and go to the best beach in the UK with stuff to Do. Where would you recommend?
It's beautiful there! Definitely a good weekend destination! 😍❤️
Definitely! Not a cheap option though
Fly if you can afford it. Was rougher when i went, and the queue at the chemists for sea sickness tablets was massive. The port there is very shallow so the boat has little draught and therefore is easily moved by waves. They did do a coach tour timed with the boat
I have stayed on all the islands around the scilly... it's one the of most beautiful places I have been.
I totally agree Oliver. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of the world and the Isles of Scilly are right up there with the best!
The voyage is a big part of the experience of Scilly, and it afforded us the thrilling sight of a small pod of dolphins playing in the wake of the Scillonian III. A magical day out, and it was a lot rougher than your trip!
Those are some excellent bits of seaglass! I would be straight on to that if I was there. Beautiful!👍
Oh but sailing there and back is all part of the fun! I thought it was well worth the trip over. The scenery once your there is stunning. That beach is beautiful...it's a crescent shaped idyll!
When I visited I did get a little seasick on the way out of Penzance but fixed my gaze on the horizon and sipped on half a pear Rattler and quite soon I began to feel much better!
On the way back I bought a pint of Rattler and sat on the deck of the Scillonian in the evening sunshine. Bliss!
Rattler cures all 🤣
Thanks Oli and Vicky. Looks lovely.
I have just come back from visiting Bryher for the first time and it has to be my favorite island there, having now seen them all. I did the fly and sail which is not that bad price wise and is cheaper if you don't travel on a Friday or weekend. It costs about £85. The good thing about doing that is you get 5 or 6 hours on Scilly before getting the boat back and you can explore any of the islands in that time. The boat trips cost £13 return. I had nearly 3 hours on Bryher. Apparently, years ago there were boats ready to take you to the outer islands when you disembarked from the Scillonian and they got you back in time for the return journey which gave you about 2 hours on the island of your choice but it does not happen any more. A local woman told me this is because the Boatmens association fell out with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company that run the Scillonian. I was surprised it cost you £48 to travel by the Scillonian. I thought day returns were £35?
They must have seen an emmet coming and jacked the price to £48 🤣
I’d love to return for several days and explore much more. I think you a while there to do it justice, but it’s expensive even if you can find accommodation.
You should go for about 5 days and do a day trip for each island.
I would love to do that trip one day, very expensive and lack of accommodation a hurdle. Maybe I could sleep on the beach 🤔
Been on the Scillonian once, never again, always the helicopter or plane now, go most years, beautiful place.
Looks like a great place. Enjoyed watching.
Wendall, you really are going to have to go back. You absolutely must visit Tresco. And it can be done. You simply jump in to one of the outer Island boats (the Tresco tickets are purchased on the Scillonian Ferry) as soon as you arrive on St Marys.
And the Tresco Abbey Gardens are out of this world...like nothing else in the U.K.
And the colours of the waters as you approach Tresco are more like the Greek Agean Sea.
So yes, Tresco can be done on a day trip. I've done it about 3 times plus another seperate day trip to the gorgeous St Martin's Island where the beaches are stunning. But you must try to pick a gloriously clear blue sunny day. I think you picked a bit of a sunny but cloudy day on your visit.
Yes I spent my first trip there on St Mary's but I knew I'd have to come back to see Tresco. I even managed to visit the Cromwell Castle by the edge of the sea. We had it all to ourselves. It was like something out of Sardinia.
So hopefully you'll return.
We will definitely return, probably for a longer trip at some point. I did find it all a bit of a rush, especially with 2 dogs, so I’d like it to be a bit more relaxed next time.
@@WendallExplores ...That's great. Hope you make it back there.
But you're right, we don't really get that much time there.
It's why I once nearly caught the 6.00 am ferry service. Although not sure if they do the early run anymore.
@@deejohn1659 I think they do during the summer, many tourists fill the boats then so it’s viable
@@WendallExplores ..That's good to know. Just watched your "Why you should open your own youtube channel." Absolutely inspirational.
(Now subscribed).
Suggested Coastal walk for you this Summer....'St Ives to Zennor.' Need strong legs and plenty of water..then treat yourself to a pint at the Zennor Pub.
@@deejohn1659 watch my ‘Hiking 30 miles alone...’ vlog... I can handle it 🤣 Thanks for subscribing! I think I’ll go out and film a hiking vlog tomor, weather looks good.
@Wendall ... Great vid Sir! . After many trips to the islands, I am now the white bearded old man talking "Gibberish" I vote you should be the islands tour guide as your perseption of this place is spot on.
I’d love to come back and make a longer more detailed video on the islands
I'm sure you will. And enjoy it, but wait until May/june .. It's much warmer 😁
Great video, good to hear your views on Scilly. I love the islands, it used to be my childhood holiday destination, and I always thought a day trip would never be worth it, but since moving to Cornwall I've done many day trips. It's worth looking at the Scillonian timetable
Thank you Cebus! The short trip made a big impression on me, I will return for sure.
(Didn't finish my comment again) the timetable is available from Isles of Scilly Travel & on their website, On some days there are two return trips and the boat leaves around 6 am, which gives you 7 hours or so on the islands. On other days it leaves earlier because of tide times, so worth checking out. Some years they've had a very cheap day return deal for locals too. If you want a cheap place to stay and don't mind camping, there's always Garrison campsite which is where I always stay when I'm there.
@@cebusapella9125 yeah I’m thinking we might stay at the campsite next time. I don’t think the extended timetable has started yet (April), only the same options as the one I took when I booked.
@@WendallExplores I just checked the IOS travel website and the timetable is now available. Eg 29th May there's a boat out at 5.45 AM & back at 4.45 PM There's also early boats on Saturdays end of July & beginning of Aug. These tend to be on days with lots of bookings so best to book early for a day trip.
Only one problem I have spotted , NO BEACH HUTS !! . Great vid' Precision photography makes a big difference when it comes to showing what a beautiful place that it is . Keep 'em coming .
Thank you Wendall, excellent video. You're articulate, informative and entertaining. I really enjoyed your overview of St. Mary's. Your dogs are great and your partner is very sweet and charming. Thank you again, I subscribed.
Thank you for the kind words Nick ❤️
Bletchley Park is Briatains best kept secret. IOS is the second. Stay at least a week to really enjoy this Paradise. Doug Yates
I love Cornwall, but this is INCREDIBLE! Great video, cheers mate!
The Isles of Scilly are incredible. Thanks for watching.
I came over on a day trip ferry in the late 60s and seem to remember about 4-5 hours on St Mary, enough to walk across the island and see the Eastern Isles and St Martins
Pretty much the same timeframe I had in 2021 Howard. Thank you for watching.
Shame you can't get accommodation. I used to live on St Martin's Isles of Scilly till I was 24 . Had to leave because I had nowhere to live . In 1985 the cheapest place I could get was £85000 and that was with a very short lease as you don't own any properties on all the out islands except Tresco and St Mary's. I moved to South Wales near Porthcawl and got a place for half that . I still miss the islands and have no chance to go back as I'm a career for my wife . Hoping to buy a small boat so I can sail there and live on it for a few days. I don't care if it's going to be cold as I'm use to it .
I always think the Islands of Scilly reminds me of the western part of Scotland , but warmer .
I’d love to get up to that part of Scotland one day
Great video 👍 I'm heading to the Isles of Scilly next week for 7 days. Staying in a eco cabin on St. Martin's for £30 a night, so there is some affordable accommodation out there! Cant wait, it looks absolutely stunning!!
Thank you Skooby Lou. Your in for a treat! Amazing job on the accommodation.
@@WendallExplores thanks! I'm staying in an Eco Cabin on Little Arthur Farm. It's only for one person but they do have a larger cabin for families, not sure how much though, but might be worth a check out.
@@skoobylou4843 thank you. I’ll have a look into it. I’m told there’s camping on St Mary’s too - has to be dog friendly too! 😀
@@WendallExplores
There's a campsite at St Mary's Garrison. They allow one dog per booking up a maximum of five on site at a time. If that's not enough, they include a list of breeds they don't like. Cornwall Council used to lease Pelistry over on the eastern side (near v pretty beach) as an outdoor education centre, but as of July they closed it down to cut spending. Not sure if the farm is the landlord (or possibly the Duchy is), but it would be great if Pelistry reopened in 2023 as a public site.
I've had two short holidays to St Marys' 10 days in total, accomodation is ludicrously expensive. Would love to go back but as always the cost of getting there and the accomodation costs make it almost impossible.
A lot of people say that to me Steve. I think we’ll camp when we go back.
Great video and it was very help. Due to visit next week and looking forward to St Mary's.
I wish I was visiting next week
That's why we call The Scillonian "the great white stomach pump". Nice vid. Thanks
Thank you
I always have to take a kwells seasickness tablet on ANY ⛵ boat. Great quality video. Been a few years since been to IOS. It's gone very expensive nowadays to stay overnight. What a beautiful dog 🐕 we hired a bike around St Mary's once. Another time a quick boat trip to St Martin's for lunch. A few nights on Tresco too. St Agnes and Gugh stunning. ( I love the art of Janet & Patsy Swanborough). Great video.
We will definitely return one day to explore more, and I’ll again take the camera!
I actually lived in Scilly until I was 5 and my aunt still does
Thanks for this, we will take a trip there on our next visit, always wanted to know what it was like. I actually thought it would be a bit smaller. looks lovely and & sooooo quiet. :)
It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been Lisa
I went last week (Sept 22) and the weather was amazing! It is like being on the continent. Although it appears small, when you look out over it's entirety, it is really very big but spread out. Good luck. 😃
Just heard that Lloyds bank is now closing, leaving only the post office. Nice video btw.
Yeah I read that in a national today, shame the community is losing another service
This video is how I discovered your channel in the first place. Watched a few more of your videos and subscribed since!
Glad you enjoy the videos David
My step dad used to go diving there in the late 80s, I’m just like you on boats, love the thought of it 🤢
I threw up 5 minutes before we landed on way back to Penzance 🤢🤣
Ha thats so funny. I live in New Zealand and was watching this thinking "That kinda looks like the North Island" lol.
thanks for this. Have booked a few days stay, although decided to fly from Exeter. And staying nr Porthcressa Beach!
Enjoy!
@@WendallExplores Four of us booked, thanks to you.
This is the right video at the right time! Tempted to visit during a trip to Cornwall in the Summer
Definitely worth the visit, and a unique 20 minute flight for you to film JT!
Great video, I've never seen the isles of Scilly up close, such an eye opener, although I'm a die hard St Ives lover. Enjoy the sea glass, I love collecting it and also sea pottery - keep posting!
Scilly beats St Ives hands down for me 😉
Can you do a video about mobile coverage in St Ives/Cornwall? Also does Amazon deliver if you live somewhere remote? Great video, thanks.
Hi Ken, I’ve spent a lot of time in Cornwall and can confirm that mobile coverage in St Ives, Isles of Scilly and Cornwall is very good, with only the rare spots with no coverage the same as anywhere else. The only places where I particularly noticed poor coverage were down on some beaches, where the signal from the transmitters cannot reach. Amazon delivery is fine in mainland Cornwall (including St Ives) but could be a little slower in the Isles of Scilly - no delivery vans there!! (Thank goodness!)
@@chriswalpole1880 Thanks Chris. That's good news. Does that apply to all operators? In some rural parts of Wales only one or two operators have good coverage.
Gen up on your geography that was not St Martins behind you - you tell me which one it was !
I corrected it on screen, St Agnes?
LOVE the dogs in the video!!! Scilly seems like a nice place. We'd planned to visit but you know what x'd that trip to the UK. Our main interest was to ck out the gardens. Maybe you can do that for us when you go back and shoot the next video... Cheers,
Definitely want to check out the Tresco Abbey Gardens. Will look at them when return for sure! Thanks for watching!
In my opinion you need six days minimum to visit IOS. That would allow you one full day on each of the 5 main islands. The day trip is definitely not worth it. To see the whole of St. Mary’s you can hire a golf cart or cycles. The other islands, just enjoy the walking. Each island has its own character. Tresco has the famous Abbey Garden, also Gallery Tresco.
Even on a multi day holiday, I would NEVER go on the boat. It is well known for sea sickness. Fly from the lovely little airport at Lands End. Only takes 15 minutes and you get some great views.
Agree, but only the plane takes dogs now not the helicopter, St.Agnes is my favourite island.
@@tawnywitch but from Lands End they only fly fixed wing aircraft. No helicopters. They are from Penzance.
@@davidbrown5185 I know, we have flown from both but now the helicopters don't take dogs so we have to take the plane.
this video is incredible, loved watching this one! your shots are spot on! ive just subscribed! keep up the amazing work!
Thank you for watching and subscribing FirstLight! Next video in a week or so. Right on!
@@WendallExplores great cant wait! my next one will be this saturday! all the best!
@@AlexBoultz Right on, I’ll check your channel 🤙
@@WendallExplores thank you, means alot!
It was for me. Because I returned there year after year.
Looks stunning mate! Watching from Oz
G’day! Hopefully I’ll be down under to catch up with old mates and make a couple videos this year 🤞
@@WendallExplores brilliant! I hope you do get down. Weather has been very wet with some of the highest rainfall on record. A weird Summer this year.
@@mdee8784 you east or west? I visit friends in WA
@@WendallExplores Sydney
I flew out to St Mary's on the old helicopter service in 2012 , I got to see the whole island by hiring an electric golfcart and riding around like Ronald reagan
i met my wife of 30 years on this island and last week had my 18th birthday there
I am really happy you enjoyed your day trip to St. Mary's :) It can be extremely difficult to find accommodation if you don't make reservartions many months - up to almost a year ahead. Many B&Bs are priced just below £100 a night for 2 persons with breakfast. And there is also a camping site which I believe is quite reasonably priced :) Now you seem to have got a taste of the isles, and you will never get rid of it. It is like a spell ;-) Thank you for the lovely video. I miss the place and I will surely be back again some day
I think it has put a spell on me. I have a few contacts that may be able to sort accommodation, but we are also interested in camping. Watch this space...
@@WendallExplores I wish you a very good next trip there. They also have a lot of interesting ancient sites along the coastal paths, and vineyards and a lot of water sport possibiliities.
"looks like a Southwest Chipotle colostomy bag" Oh! You had me laughing! Greetings and best wishes from Texas.
My favourite subway sandwich sauce 🤣 Greetings Texas! I’ve been to a few places in Texas.. Austin, Galveston to name a couple
Titania McGrath writes her books and shows on the Scilly Isles.
I thought you would of bought a Pastie, hope you didn't eat that Sandwich. Fish and Chips and a Beer would of been better. The Isles looks great. Thanks Wendall. Bay of Islands was Great. Spent time there in 1986.
I ate the sandwich Trev, I’m not proud of it but I did. It was the low point of an otherwise splendid day out. Cheers Trev 🤙
Sorry to say but Lloyds isles of Scilly branch is now closed.
I should add that there are no banks on the Islands at all now but there is a Post Office. I'm told that a cash machine is being installed at the PO.
looks beautiful place :) ferry prices pricy but the funs in the journey too, so worth it, just found your page, subscribed, good video and good humour... enjoyed so gonna check out some more of your stuff... nice one :)
Thanks for watching and subscribing David. The Isles of Scilly are unique and beautiful, and a world away from the mainland. I hope to go back and explore more.
Great Video, I appreciate you uploaded this video on 23rd April 2021. Can you confirm if it was April 2021 that you also visited? I’m just wondering if it gets busy with tourists at any particular time of the year?
Hi. Yes I did upload the video on that date, and visited a few days prior. This was obviously mid pandemic hence it was still very quiet. I would hazard a guess in a ‘normal’ year it would be busier in April, although this was my first ever trip to the isles so I can’t speak from experience.
Must do that trip next time Im there, thanks for another great video.
It’s another world over there! Thanks for watching
Hi Oly! Would you say it would be suitable for a discreet wild camp?
I would say not really on St Mary’s, but don’t let me stop you 🤣
Beautiful islands looked as green as your jacket lol on my bucket list now ,had a st ives marizon vibe bout it winterish , no one around my idea of heaven, great video, didnt fancy your sandwich tho 😕little drone footage on those beaches would enhance your channel just giving you ideas 😆😆😆
Thanks for watching Eddie. I must say it’s a lot more beautiful than the mainland in my opinion. Really blew me away, very peaceful too. Re drone footage... I think I can safely say there won’t ever be drone footage on my channel, I know people love it but it’s not for me. I think it’s way too easy to fill space on videos with tech drone shots. My favourite youtubers film videos from ground level, raw and real as if I was there with them, and I think I’ll stick to trying to achieve that. I actually promised myself I wouldn’t ever use a drone when I started the channel 🤣
We visited scilly. Spent more time on the ferry than the island
Great video as usual! Ive never been there but it looks stunning will defo be going soon!
Thanks Liz! It really is a stunning place, as soon as you land calmness washes over you. Thanks for watching again.
What's the housing availability and rent prices there?
how have 2 peoples said they didn't like this baffles me? looks absolutely idyllic there
They obviously don’t like me, because it’s impossible to dislike St Mary’s!
@@WendallExplores ah well, their loss eh?
Some useless information for boats, always keep looking up at the horizon if possible, looking down is what causes the nausea.. nicely put together, wish i could visit those places as well...keep safe !!!💥
I wish you had come into my life a few days ago 🤣
Day-trips are currently discounted to £30pp now
Just my luck
Looks really nice and quiet
Paradise, really unique place. I stand by the Cornwall x Greek island quote
All depends what people think they are there for. Three hours is fine for 'tick-list' tourists to browse the shops in town, stroll along the quay and the beach, and perhaps up the hill to the garrison for a few minutes then tell the world via 100 smartphone images that they've now done Scilly. Some I dare say reduce that 'window' by half, heading straight to a pub for the beer/ meal/ ambience experience that is identical to Cornwall's but even more expensive, emerging 90min later to walk it off and take in even less of the atmosphere....😆
Surely most trippers will realise they need to cough up more to fly one or both ways to maximise their day return anyway? But no, IMO even arriving on the first and leaving on the last flight doesn't do these islands justice.
Look beautiful there top video mate hope you that sponsor with air space right on 👍🏻
Thanks Steven, man needs his sponsored drip! 🤣
How does the beach at St Mary compare to Porthmeor or Porthminster? I stayed in Sr Ives for a week and a year before that in Truro . I love Cornwall. I plan to go to Isle of Scilly this year or next year if I can fly into the UK this year. Greeting from Cali and love your channel! Subscribed
Hi! Porthcressa beach is similar in sand to the St Ives beaches but a lot more sheltered and a lot quieter. Town beach is quite unique, very tranquil but obviously a working harbour so probably less suitable for swimming. We passed a lot of more beautiful beaches on the other islands when we came in on the boat, they were stunning white sand unspoiled beaches. Thank you for subscribing!
I don't know about St Ives but St Mary's has at least 9 beaches. Old town, about 10 minutes walk from Porth Cressa, is probably the most picturesque, but is only good for swimming at high tide. Porth Hellick is the quietest, has very coarse sand, but is great for shrimping, plus the nature trail up to Holy Vale runs along a magical path through a grove of Elms. Pelistry is stunning with a tidal island (watch the current), and regular seals visiting. Watermill is probably my family's favourite, great sand and somehow water that seems impossibly clear. Probably the best for swimming. Bar point is quite since most of it disappeared in a storm a couple of decades ago but it's getting better every year. It has the best views out over Tesco and St Martin's. We stay on Porthloo. Good beach for kids. Porth Mellon has the finest sand and is the best for beach cricket and football. My personal favourites are Porth Askin on St Agnes which feels like the end of the world and Rushy Bay on Bryher.
We looked into this using the once a month summer only very early ferry and the late ferry back which gave us 6hrs on St. Marys. But what killed it was the basic 2 nights (pre and post) accommodation in Penzance price since covid19. Total cost worked out at £430. Sorry not worth it for a day trip to the isles. Ferry price was good. It’s the accommodation that was the rip off.
Yeah I think if your visiting, it’s best to tie in with your plans as you pass through. If your staying in the area anyway then it’s definitely worth it if you can get the early and late ferry and a good price.
Looks great mate and when we can we will get there 👍
Highly recommend it, although if you can plan ahead and stay a couple of nights
I no what your saying about Staffordshire, rat race, i wanna move to Devon or cornwall
YES
That is what I wish St Ives was like!
I think it was about 100 years ago 🤣
Would be funny when you left your camera running when you two were on the beach if it got nicked! Lmao
I don’t think there is a high risk of that happening on St Marys
Best one yet 🤙
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this :-)
Thanks please subscribe to not miss similar content!
£20 per dog! That's crazy and taking the piss. Still looks a nice place.
I don’t have anything to gauge it against, I’ve never taken them on a boat before 🤣
@@WendallExplores Just seems mental at £20, its not like they'll be using any of the ships facilities. P.s where about in Wolves are you from?
@@DolbyDogAdventures yeah it does seem expensive I agree! I lived in Stafford for 5 years before I moved, Featherstone bred though 🤣
@@WendallExplores ah we're from wolves and will be heading down to Cornwall end of May for a mini tour. Whats you pub name and location might pop in if we're passing by. Enjoying your videos like your format and style. Nice work.
@@DolbyDogAdventures I’m at Beer & Bird St Ives. Where you staying in, a few places?
That's why my dad moved us from the Midlands to Tresco, Isles of Scilly, to get away from the be Rat race... My dads words back in the late 1960's....
That is a dramatic change from Midlands to Tresco!
Definitely, felt very much like living an adventurous children's story... If I was a writer, if love to share the experience...
Did you ever get to Tresco?
Never made it to Tresco
That's such a shame for you ... Maybe one day eh!
I live here I am very lucky much better than the main land
Your living the dream mate!
Not worth a day trip.
If you go to Scilly visit the other islands I recommend St Martin's.
I hope to be there in August.
Recent TV program:
th-cam.com/video/yy_JMYx42F4/w-d-xo.html
Is that boat Scillonian 3?
Can’t remember which one mate
@@WendallExplores I said the Scilly Isles id say about 25-30 years ago. I have only ever been seasick once, and it was that day!! horrendous crossing, but i remember loving the isles
done it twice
It looks just like st Ives in Cornwall
Much quieter though!
Guernsey and jersey i prefer..
Been there and the Scillies, no contest the Scillies every time for me
Be warned! The Isles of Scilly are addictive.
I think I’m hooked already too late!
Ex-Prime Minister Harold Wilson had a house there. He must have enjoyed getting away from it all
I like go to there