10 Best Things to Do on the Isles of Scilly With Kids

Take your kids on multi-island boat adventures departing from St. Mary’s Quay, where they’ll spot seals and puffins during 60-90 minute wildlife cruises. Explore traffic-free islands by bike to discover ancient stone circles, then cool off at pristine beaches like Pentle Bay’s half-mile crescent of soft sand. Let them snorkel with playful seals on guided adventures from St. Martin’s, visit Tresco Abbey Garden’s exotic plants and shipwreck museum, and enjoy farm-fresh ice cream with over 30 flavors at Troytown Farm for the ultimate island experience.

Take a Multi-Island Boat Adventure

One of the most exciting ways to explore the Isles of Scilly with your children is hopping between multiple islands on a single boat adventure. You’ll find fantastic combination trips departing from St. Mary’s Quay at 10.15am and 2.00pm, visiting Tresco and Bryher with returns at 2.30pm and 4.45pm.

For maximum excitement, book Calypso’s three-island tours covering St. Agnes, Tresco, and Bryher in one trip.

Saturday adventures offer special multi-island hopping departing around 10am. Your kids will love checking the St. Mary’s Quay blackboards for daily options like Tresco and Samson combinations.

Wildlife trips add extra thrills, landing on different off-islands while spotting seals and seabirds. Large families can benefit from a 10% fare discount when booking group trips in advance. Book tickets at the Tourist Information Centre or local shops for guaranteed family fun.

Explore White Sand Beaches and Crystal Clear Waters

When you step onto the Isles of Scilly’s pristine beaches, you’ll discover some of Britain’s most spectacular white-sand coastlines that’ll have your kids squealing with delight. Pentle Bay on Tresco offers a half-mile crescent of fine sand backed by gentle dunes, while Great Bay on St Martin’s provides vast space for sandcastle construction and safe splashing.

The shallow, crystal-clear waters create perfect paddling conditions where you can easily supervise little ones. Your children will love hunting for cowries and shells along Great Bay’s shoreline at low tide.

At Pelistry Bay, they can experience their own island adventure by walking across to Toll’s Island when the tide’s out. These sheltered, south-facing beaches offer calm conditions ideal for family swimming and beach games. Even during peak summer months, St Martin’s beaches guarantee peaceful solitude away from crowded tourist spots.

Go Seal Watching and Snorkeling

Beyond building sandcastles and splashing in shallow waters, your family can experience something truly magical by getting up close with the Isles of Scilly’s most charming residents – wild Atlantic grey seals.

Seal Snorkelling Adventures operates from St Martin’s, offering award-winning trips to the Eastern Isles where curious seals often approach snorkelers for playful interactions. Don’t worry if your kids can’t swim well – local diving instructors provide full guidance, and non-swimmers can watch from the boat.

Each 2.5-hour trip costs £65 per person and includes wetsuit hire, equipment, and post-snorkel refreshments. With only eight participants per trip, book ahead via 07340 055748. The company runs two daily trips during the season at 9:15am and 12:45pm, giving families flexibility to choose their preferred timing.

The seals control all interactions, making encounters safe yet unforgettable as they nibble flippers or gently bump against young adventurers.

Discover Tresco Abbey Garden and Valhalla Museum

The dramatic Gothic arches now burst with colorful succulents, creating perfect spots for imaginative play and storytelling.

Don’t miss the Valhalla Museum within the garden, housing 30 ship figureheads and maritime artifacts from historic Scilly shipwrecks. These bold carved figures spark fascinating conversations about sea adventures and local legends.

The compact design means shorter walks for little legs, while sheltered paths protected by granite walls offer calm exploration whatever the weather brings. Golden pheasants roam freely throughout the gardens, adding an exciting wildlife spotting element that delights children of all ages.

Cycle Around Traffic-Free Islands

Imagine cycling with your children along peaceful roads where cars rarely venture, surrounded by stunning coastal views that stretch endlessly toward the horizon. The Isles of Scilly offer a traffic-free cycling paradise perfect for families, with gentle slopes that won’t challenge young riders.

Start your adventure on St Mary’s with an easy loop route. Collect bikes from St Mary’s Bike Hire after arriving on the Scillonian III ferry, then pedal past the church toward Old Town. Continue past the airport to reach spectacular beaches like Bar Point and Pelistry, where you’ll discover perfect picnic spots.

Stock up on supplies from Hugh Town shops before setting off. Plan ice cream stops at Juliet’s Garden overlooking the harbour, and enjoy pit stops at Old Town cafes. Along the way, you’ll encounter prehistoric monuments and burial sites that date back thousands of years, adding an educational element to your family adventure.

These eco-friendly landscapes provide unforgettable family cycling experiences.

Hunt for Treasures in Rockpools

After working up an appetite from cycling, you’ll want to explore another magical Scilly adventure that gets kids excited about nature. Head to the rockpools around St. Agnes’s southern shores, where low tide reveals hidden worlds of marine creatures.

You’ll discover crabs, starfish, colorful anemones with waving tententacles, and rare rainbow slugs displaying vibrant pinks and yellows.

No specialist equipment’s needed – just bring a bucket, camera, and clear jar for closer observation. Check tide times first, as pools are only accessible during low tide.

Professional guides from Scilly Rockpool Safaris enhance the experience with expert identification.

While exploring Beady Pool, you might even find 400-year-old Venetian glass beads from shipwreck cargo. This secluded cove is perfect for treasure hunting, especially for discovering these ancient 17th-century beads.

Combine rockpooling with picnics and visits to nearby attractions like Troytown Maze for unforgettable family adventures.

Visit Working Farms for Ice Cream and Treats

While your little ones might still be chattering about their rockpool discoveries, there’s another sweet adventure waiting on St. Agnes. Troytown Farm, the Isles of Scilly’s only dairy farm, offers kids a magical “cows to cones” experience they’ll never forget.

Watch nine Jersey and Ayrshire cows get milked in the parlour, then follow the fresh milk as it’s hand-pasteurised and transformed into award-winning ice cream.

With over 30 flavours including Madagascar Vanilla and Sea Salted Caramel, there’s something for every taste bud.

Treat yourselves to “The Works” – a large waffle cone with two scoops, chocolate stick, and clotted cream dollop. The farm also produces creamy natural yogurt enhanced with delicious toppings like raspberry coulis or local honey.

The dairy shop’s open daily 8am-7pm, making it perfect for any sweet craving that strikes during your island adventures.

Walk Ancient Trails and Stone Mazes

Beyond the ice cream delights of Troytown Farm, St. Agnes offers something truly magical – the historic Troy Town Maze. This 18th-century stone labyrinth, built by a lighthouse keeper, creates an enchanting treasure hunt for kids who love following winding paths to the center. You’ll find smooth pebbles forming seven rings in this coastal wonder.

Head to St. Martin’s for the archipelago’s largest maze collection, where children can explore different labyrinth styles overlooking White Island. The Giant’s Castle Maze on St. Mary’s provides another adventure near the airport, recently restored for families to enjoy.

These aren’t puzzle mazes with dead ends – they’re ancient walking paths where kids can run freely while you soak up centuries of maritime history and folklore. In Scandinavian tradition, these stone labyrinths were believed to protect sailors from evil spirits and harsh weather conditions.

Enjoy Wildlife Cruises and Puffin Spotting

What could be more thrilling for kids than spotting a colorful puffin bobbing on the waves like a living toy? From April to late July, you’ll find these charming seabirds around Annet and the Western Rocks during their breeding season.

Family-friendly wildlife cruises last 60-90 minutes—perfect for young attention spans—and combine puffin spotting with seal and dolphin encounters.

Glass-bottom boats like Sea Quest offer educational adventures where knowledgeable skippers explain seabird behavior and marine ecosystems. You’ll likely see gannets, razorbills, and guillemots alongside those sought-after puffins. The boats reveal underwater kelp forests and fish shoals too.

These cruises turn into floating outdoor classrooms, teaching kids about conservation while they watch Atlantic grey seals hauling out on rocks and common dolphins playing in the waves. The outside seating area provides excellent views for children to spot wildlife and enjoy the stunning island scenery.

Experience Beach Picnics and Water Sports

After working up an appetite from spotting puffins and seals, you’ll discover that the Isles of Scilly’s pristine beaches offer the perfect setting for memorable family picnics and gentle water adventures.

Porthcressa Beach on St Mary’s provides the ultimate convenience with nearby cafés, toilets, and shops, while Appletree Bay on Tresco offers secluded spots among soft white sand and shallow waters.

For active families, these calm conditions create perfect opportunities for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. The nearby sub-tropical gardens make Appletree Bay particularly special, as families can combine beach time with exploring Tresco’s lush botanical paradise.

Green Bay on Bryher’s crystal-clear waters are ideal for launching kayaks, while Porthcressa’s sheltered bay suits beginner paddleboarders.

Remember to check tide times—some magical spots like Toll’s Island at Pelistry Bay are only accessible at low tide, adding adventure to your beach day.

The Sum Up

You’ll create unforgettable memories exploring these magical islands with your kids. From spotting seals and puffins to cycling traffic-free paths, there’s adventure around every corner. Your children will love the pristine beaches, fascinating wildlife, and unique attractions like stone mazes and ancient trails. Pack your sense of wonder and get ready for a family holiday that’ll have everyone talking for years. The Isles of Scilly won’t disappoint any adventurous family.