Samson

Island Uninhabited granite island in the Isles of Scilly

A small, uninhabited island in the Isles of Scilly, Samson appears on boat trips for seabird colonies, coastal rock formations and sea‑kayak landings.

Main image

Samson is a small, uninhabited island in the Isles of Scilly, off the southwest coast of England. It is one of the archipelago’s minor rocky islets and lies within the maritime landscape of the Scillies.

The island is rugged and coastal in character, with rocky shores and maritime vegetation rather than developed facilities. Access is by private boat or specialist trips from other islands; there are no visitor services on Samson.

Historically the islet has no continuous modern settlement and is managed as part of the wider Isles of Scilly group. It is treated primarily for its natural and maritime values rather than as a built heritage site.

Samson sits within the archipelago northwest of mainland Cornwall and is part of the administrative area associated with the Isles of Scilly. It is surrounded by the Atlantic and lies among the other small islands and rocks that make up the group.

  • Status: No permanent residents; classed as one of the uninhabited islets of the Isles of Scilly.
Samson
49.9323, -6.3526

How to Get to Samson #

Samson is a small uninhabited island in the Isles of Scilly (off the Cornish coast). There are no roads or regular public services to the island; access is by private boat or through licensed local boat operators from St Mary’s or Tresco. To reach the Isles of Scilly from the mainland, take the ferry from Penzance or flights from Land’s End to St Mary’s, then arrange a local boat transfer - landing on Samson is generally restricted and not recommended except with an experienced operator.

Tips for Visiting Samson #

  • Samson is an uninhabited island of the Isles of Scilly and is generally reached only by private boat or charter - most visitors view it from day trips rather than attempting an unsanctioned landing.
  • If you want a closer look, book with a local boat operator from St Mary's/Hugh Town who know safe approaches and any seasonal restrictions; avoid trying to land without permission because landing conditions are often hazardous and wildlife protections may apply.

Best Time to Visit Samson #

Plan visits in summer when sea conditions are most reliable; access depends on boat services and calm weather.

Summer (best access)
Jun-Aug · 12-18°C
Calmer seas and milder weather make boat access to this small Isles of Scilly island most feasible; visitor access is highly seasonal.
Spring/early autumn
Mar-May, Sep-Oct · 8-15°C
Potentially good windows for visits with fewer day-trippers, but weather and sea conditions can still be changeable.
Late autumn-winter
Nov-Feb · 8-14°C
Rougher seas and frequent storms limit safe boat access and make visits impractical most days.

Weather & Climate near Samson #

Climate

Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 7°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1016 mm/year), wettest in January.

Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
21°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (125 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
9.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
8.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
7.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
12°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
10° 14°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
6.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.3
UV Index
High
15.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
12° 16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
16.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
14° 18°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
14° 19°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

62 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
13° 17°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
11° 15°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
7.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

48 Poor

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
12°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
8.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

48 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
11°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
8.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

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