St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
Island Main Isles of Scilly island with beaches and town
St Mary’s is the main island in the Isles of Scilly, with a sheltered harbour, cafés and coastal paths. Tourists base here for boat excursions, seabird watching and day trips to smaller islands.
St Mary’s is the largest and principal inhabited island of the Isles of Scilly, lying off the southwestern tip of Cornwall. It serves as the administrative and transport hub for the archipelago.
The island contains the main town, Hugh Town, small beaches, and historic features such as the Garrison fortifications above the harbour. It supports accommodation, shops, and ferries and air links that connect the islands to the Cornish mainland.
Historically the islands have been continuously inhabited and developed maritime and fishing functions; over time tourism has become a major part of the local economy while traditional activities continue.
Geographically St Mary’s sits in the Atlantic off southwest Cornwall, with regular ferry and air services to Penzance and other mainland points; the island is the central base for visiting neighboring islands in the Scilly group.
- Access: Regular passenger ferries and scheduled flights connect the island with Penzance on the Cornish mainland; services increase in frequency during summer.
- Visitor hub: Hugh Town contains the main shops, harbour and services; most visitor accommodation and transport links are concentrated here.
What to See #
- Hugh Town: The main settlement and administrative center of the island, with the harbour, shops, ferry link and the small quay that serves inter-island and mainland connections.
- The Garrison: A small fortified area and adjoining public spaces near the main harbour offering views over beaches and anchorages.
How to Get to St Mary's, Isles of Scilly #
St Mary’s is the main inhabited island of the Isles of Scilly. You can fly to St Mary’s Airport on scheduled Isles of Scilly Skybus services from Land’s End and Newquay (flights typically ~10-20 minutes), or take the seasonal Scillonian ferry from Penzance to Hugh Town on St Mary’s (around 2½-3 hours).
On arrival the harbour/airport is in or very near Hugh Town and most services, accommodation and attractions are within easy walking distance of the quay/airfield.
Tips for Visiting St Mary's, Isles of Scilly #
- Plan around transport: book either the seasonal Scillonian ferry from Penzance or flights from Land's End/Newquay well in advance, and check crossing/flight schedules as they are weather-dependent.
- To avoid day-trip crowds, aim to arrive early or stay overnight on St Mary's so you can explore quieter beaches and trails before midday coach arrivals.
- If you want quieter walking and wildlife, take a short local boat or day-trip to the smaller eastern islands (weather permitting) rather than staying only around Hugh Town.
Best Time to Visit St Mary's, Isles of Scilly #
Visit between late spring and early autumn for the most pleasant weather and best access to outdoor sights and boat services.
Weather & Climate near St Mary's, Isles of Scilly #
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 6°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1031 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
