When To Go · Destination Guide
Isles of Scilly
Cold-water wrecks, jewel-anemone walls and grey seals beyond Land's End
When To Go · Destination Guide
Cold-water wrecks, jewel-anemone walls and grey seals beyond Land's End
When to go
Plan the main water-focused trip for May to September.
Best overall window
Milder air, long daylight, relatively lower rainfall and the broadest water-activity schedule. July and August are warmest and busiest.
Outside that window
Cooler, wetter and windier, with reduced visitor services and a higher chance of ferry, flight and small-boat disruption.
Start with the overall answer, then switch only when scuba, freedive, snorkel, or topside timing changes the trip in a meaningful way.
The overall row stays visible so you can compare it against the currently selected scope.
| Scope | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall - Jan: Tradeoffs | Overall - Feb: Tradeoffs | Overall - Mar: Tradeoffs | Overall - Apr: Good | Overall - May: Best | Overall - Jun: Best | Overall - Jul: Best | Overall - Aug: Best | Overall - Sep: Best | Overall - Oct: Good | Overall - Nov: Tradeoffs | Overall - Dec: Tradeoffs |
These do not replace the overall planner. Use them only if a specific animal or event is driving your trip dates.
Guided Atlantic Grey Seal Snorkeling
Best for Snorkel, Scuba
Apr to Sep
Seal Snorkelling Adventures publishes guided trips from St Martin's to the Eastern Isles during this period.
Grey Seal Pupping and Breeding
Best for Topside, Snorkel, Scuba
Aug to Dec
Pups begin appearing from late August, with important breeding areas around the Western Rocks, Annet and the Eastern Isles.
Puffins and Breeding Seabird Safaris
Best for Topside
Apr to Jul
Boat safaris toward the Norrad Rocks, Annet, Western Rocks and Eastern Isles offer the strongest seasonal chance of puffins and active seabird colonies without disturbing nesting sites.
Offshore Pelagic Birding
Best for Topside
Jul to Aug
Longer offshore trips target shearwaters, skuas, petrels and possible cetaceans in settled weather.
Autumn Bird Migration
Best for Topside
Sep to Oct
The islands become a major migration-watching destination as unusual landbirds arrive.
World Pilot Gig Championships
Best for Topside
Apr to May
The annual championships cluster around the turn of April and May, filling Hugh Town and the harbor with racing crews.
Built from climate references, access rules, and destination operators. Wildlife timing and route flexibility can shift year to year.