Long coastal walks, leisurely paddles between the bays and a foodie’s paradise, there’s no doubt about it the Isles of Scilly have plenty to offer and some of the most sought-after beaches in the UK. In case you need any more persuading, we’ve pulled together our top five beaches across the islands.
Great Bay, St. Martins
Head over the heathlands of St. Martins and through the dunes on the north coast of the island and you’ll find the rugged beauty of Great Bay. It’s one long beach but almost looks like two as there’s a rocky outcrop separating two expanses of white sand at low tide. The joy of this beach is it’s a haven for families’ due to the calm waters and slightly warmer sea temperature.
Great Bay, St. Martins
The Bar, St. Agnes
A few minutes’ walk from the quay and at low tide you’ll come across the sandbar that joins St. Agnes to the island of Gugh. The water is crystal clear and often there are sightings of common dolphins to the west.
The Bar, St. Agnes
Bar Point, St. Mary’s
To find the best beaches on St. Mary’s you need to head north ‘up country’ as the locals say (about 1 mile out of town) but the landscape and environment really differs here. Follow the coastal path round past an ancient village and out of the fir tree’s you’ll stumble upon Bar Point, a real hidden gem of the island. The beach veers round in a V shape with one vista looking across to the island of St. Martins and the other the great expanse that is the Atlantic Ocean, on a clear day you’ll just be able to make out the mainland. The sand is fine here and the dunes are sheltered, and every time you visit the beach looks different due to the exposure of the point; be warned though the sea is cold here!
Samson Flats, Samson
The adventure of Samson, take a short boat ride from any of the neighbouring islands to the uninhabited island. There’s no visible civilisation here so getting on and off the tripper boats is an experience in itself, you quite literally have to walk the plank onto the beach. Samson island is a treat, as it’s wild and beautiful with two prominent hills and endless miles of flats when the tide is low. Famed for rock-pooling, you’ll find a wealth of marine life hiding amongst the shallows. Sit back and relax in the knowledge that your stranded on a tropical island until the next boat appears.
Pentle Bay, Tresco
A short walk from either quay on Tresco you’ll find yourself emerging off the heathlands and away from the tropics of the Abbey Gardens onto Pentle Bay. A large expanse of powdery white sand and crystal-clear water surround you and the Oyster Catchers are likely to be your only companions for the day. Pentle is ideal for families (like most of Scilly’s beaches) as there’s very little incline into the water and on a low tide you can wade out for miles in the shallows making it ideal for those first-time swimmers. It’s also a spectacular Bay for finding the unique and intricate shells so famously found on Scilly, look out for the rarer Cowrie shells on your travels as they are known to pop up here!
Pentle Bay, Tresco
