Beaches

With their turquoise water and pale, fine sand, Scilly’s beaches are simply stunning – beautiful enough to rival any in the world. We’ve showcased a selection of our favourite beaches and bays:-

Town Beach, St Mary’s: Often busy with boats and dinghies, Town Beach is a great spot for beachcombing as well as watching the world go by.

Nearest hotels – Bell Rock, Crebinick House & St Mary’s Hall

Porthcressa, St Mary’s: Located on the southern side of Hugh Town this beautiful fine sandy beach leads down to sheltered turquoise waters and is backed by a promenade.

Nearest hotels – The Atlantic, Schooners, Star Castle & Tregarthan’s

Porthmellon, St Mary’s: Just a short walk from Hugh Town, Porthmellon faces north west and has views towards Tresco and uninhabited Samson. The beach here is backed by grassy dunes and as the tide goes out it reveals an abundance of rockpools. The clear waters here are popular with watersport enthusiasts.

Nearest hotels – Bell Rock, Crebinick House & St Mary’s Hall

Pentle Bay, Tresco: This half mile of crescent sand is backed by low dunes and faces into the shallow sheltered waters of the east coast. Pentle Bay has everything you would expect from a Scilly island beach; white sand, clear blue sea and barely another soul to be seen.

Nearest hotel – New Inn

Great Bay, St Martin’s: Recently voted Best Beach in the UK and listed in the Rough Guide’s Top Ten Beaches in England, Great Bay is a long stretch of white sand and blue sea.

Nearest hotel – Karma St Martin’s

Par Beach, St Martin’s: Ideal for a family day out at the beach with safe swimming and spectacular views.

Nearest hotel – Karma St Martin’s

Lawrence’s Bay: Another family favourite with rock pools to explore at low tide, dunes to picnic in and gently shelving sand that gives way to the shallows over St Martin’s Flats.

Nearest hotel – Karma St Martin’s

Rushy Bay, Bryher: Looking out across the azure waters towards uninhabited Samson is Rushy Bay, a beautiful little sandy beach, which has a cosy feel and is great for children.

The Bar, St Agnes: This beach separates St Agnes and Gugh at high tide. As the sea recedes, it reveals the most beautiful sandbar looking out yonder and is ideal for swimming and sunbathing.