Scilly Isles?

[A.Bode]

Hi,

I'm planning the 2022 adventures and one that seems to be sitting high up is an exploration of the Scilly Isles. I've been on land and loved the place. At the time I noticed quite a few mooring bouys and anchorages. But going over the idea somebody I know wa saying there's not enough moorings and anchorages.

Has anybody been? How abundant are mooring options in various weather conditions. One option I thought of was to use the boat as a base at St Marys and get the ferries to explore each island.

Totally aware I could find this information from a pilotage, but just wanted to ask before I bought one.

Cheers,

 

[alexincornwall]

There are mooring buoys available at St Mary's Harbour, New Grimsby Sound, Old Grimsby Sound and, I think, Porth Cressa (there certainly used to be). Good quality anchorages are abundant and surround each of the inhabited islands so I'm not quite sure where your advisor is coming from on that...

 

[johnalison]

I have been there a couple of years but not for some time. It is very pleasant early in the season, ie June, but from recent accounts the main spots have been very crowded at times. I enjoyed New Grimsby Sound more than St Mary's as we got less disturbance at night but there are several other and possibly better places to moor or anchor. On the whole, it is well worth the trouble getting there, and a great place to be doing not very much for a few days.

 

[zoidberg]

The Isles of Scilly are idyllic in fine weather. In foul, they are foul....

There were lots of boats damaged during the recent summer Storm Evert, and some serious distress calls and helo/lifeboat rescues. ( see other threads and Google Images for some detail and pics ) St Marys is NOT well sheltered - see below - and prudent skippers go elsewhere early when a blow is forecast.

One I know did the 'discretion better part of valour' thing and scarpered all the way back to the top of the Truro River. They had an uncomfortable night even snuggled up there ( snowflakes! )

 

[Gwylan]

Scilly Pete is your man.

Great fun and worth the journey. 3 or 4 weeks of testing your anchoring skills is not too much.

 

[A.Bode]

Thanks everybody. Very useful.

We'd be looking at the end of July (kids holidays) and part of me is concerned about overcrowding, but give and take for a beautiful place. I think the hope is that we could find a secure base somewhere away from St Marys and if there's a storm forecast be prudent and head back to the mainland.

Has naybody been at the height of season recently? Is it choca block? I'm coming from a Solent perspective.

 

[Blueboatman]

It’s real
And beautiful
Have a plan to leave when the weather turns nasty
Because when the weather turns nasty you might not be able to leave . And then the wind veers, other boats start dragging down on you and you may wish you had left

 

[mainsail1]

St Marys is often rolly poly so best to only go there for a few hours to top up on food and water. Lots of other good anchorages, some depend on the wind direction. I have been here in the summer months a number of times and have never found anchorages too overcrowded.
It is all very enjoyable

 

[[70521]]

Several friends spent some time there this summer, including Storm Evert, and said once the school holidays kicked in it was 'rammed', but so was the rest of the west country. Expect visits from Border Force.

I am thinking of crossing to Brittany next year as it should be quieter and a tad warmer.

 

[[2574]]

Thanks everybody. Very useful.

We'd be looking at the end of July (kids holidays) and part of me is concerned about overcrowding, but give and take for a beautiful place. I think the hope is that we could find a secure base somewhere away from St Marys and if there's a storm forecast be prudent and head back to the mainland.

Has naybody been at the height of season recently? Is it choca block? I'm coming from a Solent perspective.

Very difficult to be date specific for a Scilly cruise, you go when the weather is right. I made the mistake of going once in less than ideal weather, it wasn’t pleasant even in a sheltered anchorage, rolled like a pig for two hours on the turn of each tide over three days…..

 

[Iliade]

We were there in mid-August and there seemed to only be about twenty visiting boats in the whole island chain.

We would move to a new and usually empty anchorage most afternoons and be joined by some five to ten boats by dusk. All-in-all very pleasant indeed.

Ideally you want to be able to trust your anchor and don't be shy about deploying a few more if you need to stay clear of rocks or other boats in your chosen swinging arc.

But I mustn't forget to warn people about the unexpected blizzards, whirlwinds and sea monsters! Friends were in the 'bravely run away' camp for the July storm and had a nice time up the Helford.

In reality, stay on top of the forecast as mentioned by everyone else. A few years back we rode out a storm by drying out ashore, so this year we took legs just in case.

 

[Gwylan]

We hid and dried out off Bryher when the weather was bad. Whole week. Good job there a big fresh water tank on the Seahawk.
At least we were still when the tide was out. Could walk ashore to relieve the tedium, buy fresh vegetables and go to the pub.
Also sympathise with those less fortunate being bounced about something rotten .
Had a couple of anchors and a lot of chain out too

 

[A.Bode]

Thanks everybody. Very helpful.

 

[TSB240]

We were there earlier this year in company with 9 other boats from North Wales. It was earlier than your planned time and glorious weather. No problem finding space to moor or anchor. The only downside was fending off Wally trying to get on board on our last night at Anchor in Porth Cressa.
I suspect it may be more crowded next year at holiday time and there will be far more continental visitors.

 

[owen]

You need a run of easterlies for an easy sail down to the scillies. When there, keep moving , there is always somewhere sheltered.

You can just moor up on a safe buoy in st marys , tresco but you may have some uncomfortable nights..
Finding your way through the rocks used to be challenging looking for the transits etc but with a chartplotter/ tablet it is so much easier.
My favourites are green bay on Bryher and the eastern isles.

In the right weather it really is a beautiful place .

 

[Concerto]

When I visited the Scillies a few years ago, I broke the two cardinal rules for visiting at the same time:
Do not arrive in rough weather.
Do not arrive in rough weather.

There are plenty of places with mooring buoys and places to anchor to be protected from any bad weather, but be prepared to move with any change of wind direction or strength. Make sure you have a large scale chart and tide tables.

 

[TiggerToo]

Most of the above comments match our experience. A great place to go. Do it!

However, my advice would be:

Don't rely on moorings. The only ones I'd really use would be the ones in Hugh Town, if the swell/weather is favourable. For the rest, use your anchor. (By the way, the moorings in Porth Cressa have, thankfully, been removed).

There are plenty of options to find shelter: the main problem is that no single anchorage is safe and free of swell in all conditions. You really must look at the forecast and take it on board that you may have to move, often once a day. The vast majority of times it is because the anchorages become uncomfortable ("rolly") due to swell. The really dangerous events, like Storm Evert, are rare in the summer, and even then, the problem is that with storms like that, the weather/swell turn, so anchorages/moorings that are protected become exposed.

Bottom line: learn to use prediction apps like Windy and look BOTH at wind direction and swell (primary and secondary). Pilot books will give you some idea of which corners are more comfortable in which conditions. Experience, will do the rest. That, truth be said, makes the Isles of Scilly such a fascinating place to visit and stay for a few weeks.

As others have said, if you want perfect and long-term safety and comfort, go up the Truro River and anchor in one of the bolt holes there: that is the closest you will ever get to absolute quiet. But it is a different proposition altogether.

Overall, this variety of places to visit, makes Cornwall and surrounding waters one of the best places to cruise.

 

[geem]

Thanks everybody. Very useful.

We'd be looking at the end of July (kids holidays) and part of me is concerned about overcrowding, but give and take for a beautiful place. I think the hope is that we could find a secure base somewhere away from St Marys and if there's a storm forecast be prudent and head back to the mainland.

Has naybody been at the height of season recently? Is it choca block? I'm coming from a Solent perspective.

We spent a couple if weeks there in July this year. Plenty of room to anchor. Be prepared to move around as the wind direction changes.
For me you would miss so much by not anchoring in the numerous stunning anchorages over the period of your stay.

 

[TiggerToo]

We spent a couple if weeks there in July this year. Plenty of room to anchor. Be prepared to move around as the wind direction changes.
For me you would miss so much by not anchoring in the numerous stunning anchorages over the period of your stay.

this^^^

But, as I wrote above. If you are after a "quiet night", with little rolling, look carefully at BOTH primary and secondary swell forecast. This makes a huge difference.

For example, uncomfortable swell (induced by very far away storms >100s of miles) can make Porth Cressa or the Cove in St Agnes can get really rolly even if they are perfectly protected from the prevailing wind. Added to that, the Cove can get added swell at high water, when water motion spills over from the Porth Conger.

But don't be put off. It is all part of the "fun" and the challenge of enjoying the IoS.

 

[geem]

this^^^

But, as I wrote above. If you are after a "quiet night", with little rolling, look carefully at BOTH primary and secondary swell forecast. This makes a huge difference.

For example, uncomfortable swell (induced by very far away storms >100s of miles) can make Porth Cressa or the Cove in St Agnes can get really rolly even if they are perfectly protected from the prevailing wind. Added to that, the Cove can get added swell at high water, when water motion spills over from the Porth Conger.

But don't be put off. It is all part of the "fun" and the challenge of enjoying the IoS.

I guess you meant to reply to the OP.
I love the IOS. Been there many times. Old Grimsby Sound being one my favourite anchorages, just off the Blockhouse