about MINCARLO

ROOM OPTIONS

There are various room types available to you, all of which are en-suite - please indicate your preference on your booking form. If your preference isn’t available, we will be in touch with you to arrange an alternative room.

• Room 2  is a ground floor room which can have a Double or Twin Bed set up Double/Twin Share - £1,475pp Sole Use - £1,850pp

• Room 3  is a ground floor room with a Double Bed Double/Twin Share - £1,475pp Sole Use - £1,850pp

• Room 4  is a first floor room which can have a Double or Twin Bed set up Double/Twin Share - £1,475pp Sole Use - £1,850pp

• Room 5  is a first floor room with a Double Bed, Bay Window and Sea View Double Share - £1,635pp Sole Use - £2,010pp

• Room 6  is a first floor room with a Single Bed and Sea View Sole Use - £1,475pp

• Room 7  is a first floor room with a Single Bed and Sea View Sole Use - £1,475pp

• Room 8  is a first floor room which can have a Double or Twin Bed set up, with a Bay Window and Sea View Double/Twin Share - £1,635pp Sole Use - £2,010pp

• Room 9  is a second floor room with a Double Bed and Sea View Double Share - £1,595pp Sole Use - £1,970pp

• Room 12  is a second floor room with a Double Bed and Sea View Double Share - £1,595pp Sole Use - £1,970pp

THE ITINERARY

N.B. Please note, this is a rough guide to the week. We will adapt the week carefully for each individual and the prevailing weather and tides. All swim activities are planned with safety as the paramount concern. Swim distances are adaptable and we can deal with a mixture of abilities on this tour.

DAY ONE

We will meet you at Mincarlo and allow time to settle into your room. After which, we will complete a safety-briefing, before a short acclimatisation swim in the local bay. In the evening (weather permitting) we will enjoy dinner on the terrace with a chance to get to know fellow guests.

day two

This morning we complete a fabulous 1.5 - 2km swim, starting by the east coast of Gugh and making our way to Woolpack Point and then on into Porthcressa Bay where we will finish the swim on the beach. After lunch on St Mary’s, we will complete a 1.5km swim in the bay at Porth Cressa, with the stunning coastline of St Mary’s to our left.

day three

We will start the day with a short 1km inter-island crossing from Cromwell’s Castle on Tresco, passing Hangman Island and finishing at Annaquay. In the afternoon, we will swim 1.5km, from Rushy Bay to the sandy bar on the east end of Samson. The beaches are sandy and beautiful - stretch out and enjoy this stunning water.

day four

Starting from just outside our cottages, this  morning we will complete a 2km swim from Tresco to Tean. We will start the swim from Northward on Tresco near the slipway and make our way in between St Helen’s Island and Foremans Island finishing near Old Man Bay, with the option to extend to Coldge point if morale is soaring! In the afternoon, we will swim from Tean to St Martins - a beautiful swim with lots of outcrop islands to the south.

day five

This morning we will start at Higher Town on St Martin’s and finish at Bar Point on St Mary's. This is a fantastic 3km inter island swim (swim as much or as little as you wish).  After lunch, we will head to the Eastern Isles - impressive uninhabited islands. We will make our way to the south west of Great Ganilly Island and swim in the bay which is often populated with seals.

day six

This morning we will complete a beautiful coastal swim around  St Agnes (1-2km). After lunch, enjoy an afternoon at leisure back on St Mary's and a chance to relax at the cottage or explore on foot.

day seven

A short pre-breakfast swim in the local bay and then after breakfast it is time to prepare for the onward journey home.

TRAVEL & TIMINGS

This trip officially begins at 1pm on the first day, and finishes at 9.30am on the last day, usually after a leisurely dip and breakfast. Accommodation: Mincarlo, Carn Thomas, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0PT

BY PLANE

Skybus flies to the St Mary's all year round from Land’s End and Newquay, and from Exeter between March and November. Your Skybus flight takes just 15 minutes from Land’s End to St. Mary’s, 30 minutes from Newquay Airport, and from Exeter it’s an hour. You’ll travel in an 8 or 19-seater plane. For more information on flying to the Isles of Scilly, click here or call +44 (0)1736 334220. If you have any problems booking your travel, please do not hesitate to call the Island Office on +44 (0)1720 422849, The Isles of Scilly travel team will be happy to help. If you arrive by plane, you will need to book a taxi to take you to Mincarlo - below are some suggested taxi firms: DJ Cabs – 01720 423 775 Toots Taxis – 01720 422 142  /  07570 624 669  /  info@tootstaxi.co.uk  

BY FERRY

It is also possible to book a 2 hour 45 minute ferry from Penzance to St. Mary’s, on board the Scillonian III. The Scillonian III runs between March and November six days a week, seven in high season. Generally speaking (exceptionally low tides withstanding), it leaves Penzance at 9.15am arriving in Scilly at 12 noon. It then leaves Scilly at 16.30 arriving in Penzance at 19.10pm. click here or call +44 (0)1736 334220 For more information on getting to the Isles of Scilly by boat. If you arrive by ferry, your Guides will meet you at St. Mary's harbour before the short walk to Mincarlo.  Please note, your bags will be delivered by the ferry team.

WHAT TO PACK

In addition to your everyday clothing and personal travel items, we would also recommend packing:

• At least two swimming costumes
• A wetsuit should you wish to wear one
• Two pairs of swim goggles
• Swim ear plugs if you are used to wearing them
• A beach / swim towel (the villa provides room towels)
• Sandals, aqua shoes or flip flops which you would be happy to get wet if necessary
• Warm clothes - although we have ordered the sunshine well in advance, it’s not always like the glorious pictures on our website, so please do bring warm clothes and layers for after your swims!
• Suncream, sunhat and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Comfortable sportswear (optional - running / stretching / yoga)
• Dryrobe / equivalent (if the luggage limit makes brining bulky items difficult - Dryrobes are available to hire for £50 per week from Adventure Scilly).

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your Scilly Adventure, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlie (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit / credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.

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In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com

Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your Swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.

If you are looking for a travel insurance policy, we love worldnomads.com because they make choosing the right policy as painless as possible. Click here for more information >