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Isles of Scilly Day Trips & Scenic Flights by Helicopter

Fly to Tresco or St Mary's - An entire day on the islands - A unique journey to an island paradise

By helicopter, the Isles of Scilly is just a 15-minute flight from Cornwall, giving you up to 9 hours on Scilly to pack in island adventures! But who’s clock-watching when the flight is all part of the adventure?

Flying by helicopter is an experience in itself – the unique excitement of lifting off, soaring over Mounts Bay and the craggy Cornish coast before setting course towards the islands shimmering on the horizon.

Easy road and rail access at Penzance, a unique helicopter flight, the fast flight time, exceptional aerial views, and the choice to fly to either St Mary’s or Tresco make for a day trip with a difference – the perfect introduction to the beautiful Isles of Scilly.

With Scenic Flights and Day Trips starting from £129 per person return, find out more below and Book Online or telephone 01736 780828.

Isles of Scilly Day Trip, or Non-Stop Scenic Flight?

Isles of Scilly Day Trip by Helicopter image

Isles of Scilly Day Trip by Helicopter

A helicopter day trip, flying to St Mary's or Tresco, gives you longer on the islands - up to 9 hours exploring the beautiful Isles of Scilly. With the whole archipelago within easy reach from either destination, the most difficult decision will be where to go - and what to do.

Discover deserted bays and subtropical gardens; embark on a kayak adventure or swim with seals; savour Scillonian seafood or walk through history. As the day comes to an end, your return flight takes a different route, offering unique views of the rugged cliffs, iconic sights and hidden coves of the Cornish coast. 

You can even fly into one island and back from the other for a real island-hopping experience - call us for details.

Our Last minute day trip fare is just £139 return, bookable within 24 hours of departure, subject to availability - perfect for the spontaneous sorts or the weather watchers.

For those who prefer to plan ahead, our Advance Day Trip Fare at £189 return is bookable in advance, subject to availability.

Book your day trip online or telephone 01736 780828.

Our day trip fares include a 5kg luggage allowance for a small day pack - and don't forget to bring your camera or phone to capture the views!

New for 2022: Scenic Flights to the Isles of Scilly image

New for 2022: Scenic Flights to the Isles of Scilly

Our Scenic Flights offer a 40-minute round trip to the archipelago and back, packing in breathtaking views of the Cornish coast and the Isles of Scilly archipelago.

You might not leave the comfort of the helicopter on this short introduction to the islands, but you'll get to enjoy the same stunning scenery on an exciting and unique flight.

You'll soar over the West Cornwall peninsula before striking out from Sennen for the islands glittering on the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for the iconic St Martin's Daymark, welcoming you to Scilly. With breathtaking views from every seat, enjoy a taster of the archipelago's famous white sands and turquoise waters as they spread out beneath you.

After touching down on St Mary's or Tresco to allow passengers to disembark, there's still the journey home to look forward to. On the return flight, you'll take a different route, passing along the craggy Cornish coastline. You'll pass iconic sights like the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno and the tiny fishing village of Mousehole before St Michael's Mount welcomes you back to touch down in Penzance.

Our Scenic Flight costs just £129 per person, bookable 24 hours in advance and subject to availability.

Scenic flights can only be booked by telephone on 01736 780828.

Please note: there's no luggage allowance on our Scenic Flight, but be sure to bring your camera or phone to capture the memories!

Which island will you fly to? St Mary's or Tresco?

Fly to St Mary's image

Fly to St Mary's

Land on St Mary’s and the whole archipelago is within reach…

From bustling Hugh Street and its lovely local shops and galleries to the wild and wonderful scenery and craggy clifftops “upcountry”, St Mary’s is the largest island on Scilly and a perfect introduction to the archipelago.

Hire a bike and head off to explore the island’s outer reaches or jump on a guided bus or taxi tour to learn more about the islands’ history. Hike the historic Garrison walls or gaze out at the vista from the iconic lighthouse at Peninnis Head. Take to the waves on a kayak, SUP, windsurfer or sailing dinghy, or simply take some me-time over a long, lazy beachfront lunch.

St Mary’s is also the home of a vibrant flotilla of tripper boats. The best thing about a daytrip to Scilly by helicopter is that you’ll arrive in plenty of time to hop on one of these brightly-coloured boats and join an island-hopping adventure. The toughest decision? Which island to head for: Creative little St Agnes, ruggedly beautiful Bryher or the famous white sands of St Martin’s?

Fly to Tresco image

Fly to Tresco

Fly direct to Tresco for a chance to explore Scilly’s subtropical isle…

Best known for its 19th Century Abbey Garden (just a minute's walk from the heliport), Tresco is the only privately-owned island in the archipelago, still under the Dorrien-Smith family’s stewardship to this day.

Home to a cluster of restaurants, a spa, an art gallery and some of the finest stretches of sand on the islands, Tresco is a peaceful and secluded haven with a sophisticated streak.

But before exploring everything else this little island has to offer, most people enjoying a daytrip to Tresco head straight for the world-famous Abbey Garden, just a minute’s walk from Tresco Heliport.

Founded by Augustus Smith in 1834 around the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey, today the garden is home to over 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries across the world’s Mediterranean regions. So unique is the climate that plants thrive here that would never survive outside on the mainland, even in Cornwall just 30 miles away. In fact, the Abbey Garden is often termed “Kew without the glass.”

Need Some Inspiration?

Lowenna Pascoe - known on Instagram as @Cornwall_Lover - took a very special helicopter day trip to Scilly, exploring Tresco, Bryher and an uninhabited island - all in a day!

Find out more