The Isles of Scilly

25 Jun – 1 Jul 2027
Isles of Scilly, UK & Channel Islands
From £1,895pp

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The Isles of Scilly are one of Britain's most extraordinary corners - a wildly beautiful archipelago lying just off the tip of Cornwall, where white sand beaches and turquoise water feel implausibly un-English. This is a classic SwimQuest 'relax and explore' trip with two swims a day, adaptable distances and plenty of boat support to cater for a wide range of abilities.

Duration

6 Nights

Distance per day

1-4km

Water temperature

14-16°C

Max. group size

Ability level

All Abilities

Swim type

Open Water, Sea

Non-swimming Partners

Welcome - 10% Discount

This is a classic SwimQuest ‘relax and explore’ trip with two swims a day, adaptable distances and plenty of boat support to cater for a wide range of abilities. Your SwimQuest guides work alongside experts at Adventure Scilly to take you to the very best swim spots across the archipelago, from inter-island crossings to sheltered coastal swims teeming with wildlife.

The Isles of Scilly lie 28 miles off the Cornish coast, a place apart from the rest of England in almost every sense. Five inhabited islands, hundreds of rocky outcrops, heathland, harbour seals and some of the clearest water in the British Isles: a swimmer’s paradise.

Swimmers in wetsuits on a sandbar in the Scilly Isles

Swimmers relaxing on beach in the Scilly Isles

Swimmers entering the sea at the the Scilly Isles

Highlights

Wake up to this ...

Mincarlo Guesthouse is situated overlooking St Mary's Harbour. This view never gets old. Take your morning cuppa, sit on your own or with a fellow Quester, and breathe.

Some of the best beaches in the UK

Scilly's white sand beaches stretch in all directions, and ever fail to take your breath away. Swim between islands, sandbars and enjoy the turquoise hues of the water as you glide across sandy bays.

Inter-island crossings galore

Swimming from one island to another - is one of the purest experiences open water swimming has to offer. From Tresco to Bryher, Tresco to St Martin's and beyond, each crossing brings its own character and its own quiet thrill.

Fascinating history

The Isles of Scilly have been fought over, farmed and quietly inhabited for thousands of years - from Bronze Age burial chambers and Civil War fortifications like the striking Cromwell's Castle on Tresco.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and Acclimatisation

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 at Mincarlo with a chance to get to know fellow guests.

Day 2

Island Crossings and Beaches

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, Bryher. 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 3

Inter-island Swim and Beach Picnic

We will start the day with an inter-island swim between Tresco and St Martins - a beautiful swim with lots of outcrop islands to the south. On arrival, we will enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon, we will swim along the coast of Tresco where there is some beautiful views beneath the surface of the water.

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Swimmer in wetsuit and goggles seen from underwater in the Scilly Isles

Swimmers entering the water in wetsuits on the Isles of Scilly St Marys

Accommodation

WIFI RESTAURANT En-Suite

Owned and run by Bryony Lishman, Mincarlo is a fantastic B&B on St Mary’s, with sea views, comfortable rooms and delicious and plentiful breakfasts, plus its very own sauna. Enjoy Mincarlo’s peaceful location overlooking Town Beach and St Mary’s harbour, with private steps down to the beach for those eager early morning dippers.

View from Mincarlo on the Isles of Scilly

Rooms

The base trip price is based on you sharing a twin or double room. If you are travelling solo we'll pair you with a same-sex roommate, or if you’d like a room to yourself, choose a sole use room when booking.

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What's included

Included

Six night’s accommodation at Mincarlo based on a twin share room
Breakfasts and packed lunches (except lunch on one day when we will take you to a local cafe)
All transport to and from swim starts
A fully guided swimming itinerary, based on two swims a day
Qualified SwimQuest Guides
Safety boats as required
A SwimQuest swim cap and gift
Two sauna sessions during the week
VAT
ABTOT Financial Protection

Not included

Travel to and from St Mary's
Alcohol purchases
Evening meals
Lunch on one day
Wetsuit hire (please bring your own wetsuit if you would like to swim in one)
Private room supplement should you wish to take a room of your own
Any additional items or activities you wish to participate in outside of the tour schedule

Getting there

Getting to St. Mary's

Trip begins at 1pm

Ferry to St Mary's

Most people get to the Isles of Scilly using the Scillonian, a 2 hour 45 minute ferry from Penzance to St. Mary’s. 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.

For more information on getting to the Isles of Scilly by boat, click here or call +44 (0)1736 334220.

Fly to St Mary's

Fly to St Mary’s airport (ISC). For help finding flight information and prices, you may wish to try a flight search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak.

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.

Helicopter

There is also a scheduled helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly is operated by Penzance Helicopters. Flights depart from Penzance Heliport in Cornwall and fly directly to St Mary’s or Tresco. The journey takes about 20 minutes, making it the fastest, and beautiful way to reach the islands.

Trip ends on the final day at 9:30am (feel free to leave bags at Mincarlo if you are getting the afternoon Scillonian back to Penzance)

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Dates & book

25 Jun – 1 Jul 2027 (6 nights)
£1,895

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