kayaking the Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago located off the southwestern tip of Cornwall in England, offer a pristine paradise for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. With over 140 islands, only five of which are inhabited, there is plenty to explore. The calm waters surrounding the islands are ideal for kayaking, whether you're a beginner or an experienced paddler.
This was my first trip led by Mark, the founder of Paddle Cornwall. Mark's passion for the outdoors and extensive knowledge of kayaking ensure that every kayaking excursion is not only safe, but also filled with unforgettable moments.
One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to encounter wildlife up close. The islands are home to a variety of bird species, including puffins, razorbills, and gannets. Seals can often be spotted lounging on rocky outcrops, and kayakers have also seen dolphins and basking sharks!
The Isles of Scilly have many designated Sites of Scientific Interest and therefore do not allow wild camping. We stayed on some beautiful campsites and it was nice to be able to get a shower at the end of the day. I’m a runner so really enjoyed waking up and running around each island at sunrise before taking to the water. Generally, you can run around an island on beautiful paths, the average is about 4 miles.
My advice to anyone taking on this trip would be to pack light and take a warm sleeping bag, decent roll mat (some grounds can be hard), line to hang your wet stuff on and sun cream. It’s also good to make sure you have some cash on you: we had to use cash sometimes in bars etc. Food shopping is limited but there is a shop on all of the inhabited islands and usually a pub - the food was excellent. We did find it difficult to connect to wifi/data sometimes, which was an added bonus!
