Port information & tips for St. Mary's (Isles of Scilly)
St. Mary’s is the enchanting gateway to the Isles of Scilly and captivates with its extraordinary, almost subtropical flair off the coast of Cornwall. The island welcomes visitors with a relaxed atmosphere, crystal-clear waters, and lush flora that thrives thanks to the mild Gulf Stream. In the immediate vicinity, the historic fortifications of the Garrison Walls invite you for a panoramic stroll, while the fine white sand of Porthcressa Bay offers ideal moments of relaxation right on the edge of the main town. Cruise passengers reach the island center comfortably by tender boat at the central St. Mary's Pier, located directly in Hugh Town, ensuring that galleries, small boutiques, and local sights are all within a few minutes' walk thanks to the prime location.
Getting to the Isles of Scilly and especially to the main town of St. Mary's is a charming adventure, as the archipelago lies southwest off the coast of Cornwall and has no direct road or rail connection from the mainland. Cruise ships usually anchor off St. Mary's Roads or Crow Sound, and guests are brought by tender boats to the center of Hugh Town, the lively main town and tourist hub of the island.
Airplane & Onward Travel
Arrival from the DACH region typically involves flying to a major British airport, followed by a comfortable onward journey. Direct flights to the Isles of Scilly (St. Mary's Airport, ISC) depart from the regional airports of Land's End (LEQ), Newquay (NQY), and Exeter (EXT) via Skybus. Flight times vary from 15 minutes from Land's End, 30 minutes from Newquay, and approximately 60 minutes from Exeter. For travelers heading to Penzance for the ferry crossing, direct trains from London Paddington offer a scenic and convenient journey.
The Ferry from Penzance
A popular and scenic option is the ferry crossing with the Scillonian III from Penzance in Cornwall. The ferry operates from late March to late October and reaches St. Mary's in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Penzance is easily accessible via the A30 motorway. For ferry passengers, parking is available at the harbor or through providers such as "Scilly Park and Ride" and "Scillonian Parking Penzance," which offer shuttles to the departure point. Penzance railway station is also just a short walk (approx. 5-10 minutes) from the ferry terminal.
Travel by Skybus & Pre-Cruise Hotel
For a flexible and fast journey to the Isles of Scilly, the Skybus flight is an excellent choice. These flights depart from Land's End (LEQ), Newquay (NQY), and Exeter (EXT), with flight times between 15 and 60 minutes to St. Mary's. The airline Isles of Scilly Travel also offers bus transfers from Penzance station to Land's End Airport, with advance booking strongly recommended. Given the often long journey from the DACH region and the early departure times of the ferry or Skybus, an overnight stay in a hotel on the mainland, for example near Penzance or the departure airports, is advisable to ensure a relaxed start to your cruise vacation. On St. Mary's, arriving flights are met by minibuses and taxis to take you to your accommodation or the harbor.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually include a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
Getting to the Isles of Scilly and especially to the main town of St. Mary's is a charming adventure, as the archipelago lies southwest off the coast of Cornwall and has no direct road or rail connection from the mainland. Cruise ships usually anchor off St. Mary's Roads or Crow Sound, and guests are brought by tender boats to the center of Hugh Town, the lively main town and tourist hub of the island.
Airplane & Onward Travel
Arrival from the DACH region typically involves flying to a major British airport, followed by a comfortable onward journey. Direct flights to the Isles of Scilly (St. Mary's Airport, ISC) depart from the regional airports of Land's End (LEQ), Newquay (NQY), and Exeter (EXT) via Skybus. Flight times vary from 15 minutes from Land's End, 30 minutes from Newquay, and approximately 60 minutes from Exeter. For travelers heading to Penzance for the ferry crossing, direct trains from London Paddington offer a scenic and convenient journey.
The Ferry from Penzance
A popular and scenic option is the ferry crossing with the Scillonian III from Penzance in Cornwall. The ferry operates from late March to late October and reaches St. Mary's in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Penzance is easily accessible via the A30 motorway. For ferry passengers, parking is available at the harbor or through providers such as "Scilly Park and Ride" and "Scillonian Parking Penzance," which offer shuttles to the departure point. Penzance railway station is also just a short walk (approx. 5-10 minutes) from the ferry terminal.
Travel by Skybus & Pre-Cruise Hotel
For a flexible and fast journey to the Isles of Scilly, the Skybus flight is an excellent choice. These flights depart from Land's End (LEQ), Newquay (NQY), and Exeter (EXT), with flight times between 15 and 60 minutes to St. Mary's. The airline Isles of Scilly Travel also offers bus transfers from Penzance station to Land's End Airport, with advance booking strongly recommended. Given the often long journey from the DACH region and the early departure times of the ferry or Skybus, an overnight stay in a hotel on the mainland, for example near Penzance or the departure airports, is advisable to ensure a relaxed start to your cruise vacation. On St. Mary's, arriving flights are met by minibuses and taxis to take you to your accommodation or the harbor.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually include a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
The Port of St. Mary’s is located directly in Hugh Town and offers you an ideal starting point to explore the main island of the Scilly Isles with ease.
On Foot
The charming center of Hugh Town is located directly at the harbor and can be reached in just two to five minutes. The flat paths also lead you directly to the nearby beaches and offer wonderful views of the bay.
Island Rover Buses
Local buses as well as special island tours start near the pier and allow you a relaxed journey across the entire island. Thanks to these connections, you can reach remote bays and historic sites comfortably while receiving interesting information from the drivers.
Inter-Island Launches and Water Taxis
From St. Mary’s Quay, characteristic excursion boats take you to the neighboring islands such as Tresco or Bryher. These boats function as the most important means of transport between the islands and offer you a high degree of flexibility for your exploration tours thanks to regular departures.
To make the most of your stay on the Scilly Isles, we recommend a combination of the lively island center of St. Mary’s and an excursion to the world-famous botanical treasures of the neighboring island of Tresco.
Hugh Town
The charming island center impresses with its small boutiques and cozy cafes around the harbor and, thanks to the short distances from the tender pier, is perfect for a relaxed start to your shore excursion.
Porthcressa Beach
This brilliant white sand beach is located just a few minutes' walk behind the main town and offers crystal-clear water and an idyllic backdrop for relaxing moments right by the sea.
Tresco Abbey Gardens
A short boat transfer from the quay leads to this world-renowned botanical oasis, which, thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate, is home to a fascinating variety of exotic plants and offers a spectacular sight of subtropical splendor.
Porthcressa Beach
The picturesque Porthcressa Beach is located just a five-minute walk from the harbour in Hugh Town and impresses with its brilliant white sand and crystal-clear, turquoise water. Thanks to its location directly behind the charming town centre and the modern promenade with cosy cafés, this beach offers an ideal infrastructure for a relaxing day by the sea. It is best to visit this coastal section in the late morning to experience the full colourful glory of the bay, and plan a relaxed stroll through the small boutiques on your way back to be back at the quay in good time, sixty minutes before the last tender departs.
Returning to the harbour of St. Mary's is very relaxed thanks to the short distances in Hugh Town and the clear structure of the island. Since cruise ships usually lie at anchor here, the central meeting point for the return to the ship is always St. Mary's Quay at the northern end of the main town.
On Foot
From the town center in Hugh Town and the nearby beaches such as Porthcressa Beach, you can walk directly to St. Mary's Quay within a few minutes. The path leads comfortably through the charming Hugh Street and is easy to find at any time without a map thanks to the central location of the quay.
Taxi
Taxis can be found at central locations in Hugh Town and at the entrance to the quay, as well as in front of larger accommodations such as the Star Castle Hotel. Local drivers know the departure times of the tender boats exactly and will bring you punctually and safely back to the harbour area.
Island Ferries and Tender Boats
If you have taken an excursion to the neighbouring islands such as Tresco, the local island ferries will reliably bring you back to the main quay of St. Mary's. Plan a small time buffer at St. Mary's Quay for the last tender trip to your ship and take advantage of the direct proximity to the pier for a relaxed conclusion to your shore excursion.
