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Original poster

The Scillonian Scilly Isles

37 replies

Powerplant · 09/06/2021 15:03

We’re going camping in Cornwall in July and would really like to visit St Mary’s Scilly. The ferry is only £30 for a day trip but reading about the trip sea sickness is mentioned all the time! Has anyone experienced this or taken a trip in the summer months when hopefully weather should be better.

OP posts:

Proven · 09/06/2021 15:06

The Scillonian is notoriously vomitous. It pitches like crazy. A day trip by skybus from lands end or helicopter from Penzance would be better.

OrangeSamphire · 09/06/2021 15:08

Hi @Powerplant, Cornwall dweller here... the Scillonian is a flat-bottomed boat and the crossing is challenging even in the summer.

You can be lucky but chances are it will be rough, and this is more to do with the movement of the tides than the weather conditions.

Often the journey back is smoother than the journey out. I've done the journey in June, July and August and every time it's been really challenging, with lots of very unwell looking people! But if you're not affected by sea sickness it is a cheap way to get there. Although I'd say it's cheap for a reason...

I wouldn't do it again. Will definitely fly next time I go over, even though it's pricey.

OrangeSamphire · 09/06/2021 15:09

Even my old boss, who is west Cornwall born and bred, and spent 20 years in the navy, doesn't take to the Scillonian!

Belindabelle · 09/06/2021 15:12

Also check out the tide times. You don’t always get to spend a full day.

HotChocolateLover · 09/06/2021 15:19

I found it absolutely fine when we went but I’ve got a strong stomach. DH felt rather pukey but took some stugeron and it helped. Plus ginger nuts too (but bring your own as they’re a rip off on board) Sit downstairs too if you can.

Original poster

Powerplant · 09/06/2021 15:22

Thank you that’s exactly what I’ve been reading. I’ll look into the cost of flying over, not sure if the helicopter is still running, but as we’re only going for a day trip it might not be worth the expense. I really don’t fancy being sick and green lol. Thanks again for your replies.

OP posts:

sassafras123 · 09/06/2021 15:23

Remember gcoming back

Original poster

Powerplant · 09/06/2021 15:28

I think I’ve read that coming back is normally a lot quieter but not sure if I can even stomach going anyway!

OP posts:

RusholmeRuffian · 09/06/2021 16:33

I would rather die than experience that ever again. Never felt so awful in my life!

Marylou62 · 09/06/2021 16:41

Trouble is you are lulled into a false sense of security as the first hour is along the coast.. It's not until you start across open water that it can get rough! By rough I mean ROUGH! Friends talk of sick running down the stairs, babies whaling.. ... I've been across a few times, always booked a few days in advance because I live locally and studied sea conditions.. Still very rough once.. The rest of the trips were uncomfortable and for 3+ hours.. Pleased to get back to Penzance.. My x Navy DH spent all his time in the bar and never spilt a drop!

Silkiecats · 09/06/2021 17:11

Not taken it but we are going over on helicopter, that goes from Penzance, with Penzance helicopters to Tresco or St Mary's, also the Skybus plane which goes over. I read a lot of sea sickness on ferry and also people said day trip from ferry time there is very short before you have to queue to go back. The helicopter has cheaper last minute day trips though still pricey but its very fast, not sure what availability will be like this summer. We booked helicopter out, small plane back.

barnanabas · 09/06/2021 18:12

I've been on the Scillonian on six or seven out-and-back trips (including one day trip), and only had one where I've felt a bit queasy. They've all been in Spring/Summer.
On a good day, it is very much part of the day out/holiday. Last year we saw countless dolphins and a couple of minke whales, the sea was flat along the coast, and flat-ish out in open water. But, as others have said, it's a flat bottomed boat and it is a risk.
I think if it's going to be a terrible crossing they advise day-trippers not to go (and presumably refund, though I don't actually know for sure).

barnanabas · 09/06/2021 18:12

Also, the Scillies are LOVELY!

looptheloopinahulahoop · 09/06/2021 18:26

I've only been to the Scillies by helicopter.

However, I've been to Jersey when it was rough. All the kids being sick, all the adults looking grey and green. Hideous. I did say to DH when we arrived that DS and I were flying home and he could get the ferry back and drive. Anyway we had a week there and the return crossing was much better, and any other crossing has been ok.

But for a day trip. Probably not. I didn't even know I got sea sick until I went on a boat trip in Croatia. I really wanted to die and it was only 30 minutes. It is such a miserable feeling. The trip to Jersey was about 6 years after that.

The Scillies are lovely though....difficult one.

OMGisthisforreal · 09/06/2021 18:39

Yes the Isles of Scilly are lovely BUT a day trip by boat takes far too long - it’s far more exciting, although obviously costly, to go by air but worth it as you have much more time there plus you’ll get to see them from the air too. You won’t have time to visit any other islands because of ferry timings but you can explore St Mary’s or Tresco, depending on which crossing you book, before heading back to the mainland.

Original poster

Powerplant · 09/06/2021 18:51

@OMGisthisforreal yes 3 on a boat for a 4 hour visit then back again for another 3 hour sailing doesn’t really seem worth it although OH is keen to go - by himself I might add😊

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MouseholeCat · 09/06/2021 18:57

We used to go quite a bit and never once got seasick on the Scillonian and I'm prone to car sickness. You'd definitely see a couple of passengers struggling with each crossing though. As soon as you get past Lands End the swell hits and that's when people start feeling it.

You won't get nearly enough time there to enjoy it though if you use the ferry. You typically arrive at 12 and leave at 4.30, but you have to queue on the way back too, so really need to be at the harbour by 4.

Smartiepants79 · 09/06/2021 18:59

The Scilly isles are amazing, my favourite place in the whole world but even I wouldn’t use the Scillonian to get there!
Fly. It’s brilliant!

olidora63 · 09/06/2021 19:11

Yes we went as a day trip many moons ago and everyone was sick apart from me !

Dazedandconfused28 · 09/06/2021 20:46

You can have a fabulous crossing, if you choose a week day you may be able to get last minute availability and pick a day based on the weather. You really want the trip to be part of the experience. If you can stretch to it - getting the helicopter to Tresco on a good day would be incredible - go for a quick wander round the Abbey Gardens, then stroll round the coast, walk along Pentle, Borough beach then on to the Ruin beach cafe for lunch & cocktails before heading back to the heliport.

If you get the Scillonian you'll travel into St Mary's- which is nice, but not a patch on the off islands.

Verbena87 · 09/06/2021 20:52

It’s fucking horrible that boat. I’ve been going out at least once a year for 20 years and it does vary but by tide/swell rather than time of year.

Totally worth it because Scilly is beautiful but I wouldn’t go for a day trip (could be 6 hours + on the boat as they’re doing distancing to disembark so we were waiting ages after getting back to the quay). Those acupressure wrist bands are actually surprisingly helpful, and for the love of all that is good bring layers and waterproofs and just stay outside!

Faranth · 09/06/2021 20:58

I live in Cornwall and we had a sailing boat growing up. I've been sea sick twice in my life. Once on a ferry to France when I foolishly went in the cinema during a storm. And once on the Scillonian.

I actually fell asleep on deck in the rain I felt so bad.

But, the IOS are gorgeous, absolutely worth the trip. I'm just not sure I'd do a day trip via boat. I'd probably risk it for a weeks holiday though.

transformandriseup · 09/06/2021 21:04

This was taken in the storms a few weeks back. I never get sea sick but several people who claim to never get sea sick have felt rough on the Scillonian.

If you can take the helicopter it is fantastic and the Isles of Scilly is one of the most beautiful, tranquil places in the world. I remember riding horses there when we used to go with our school and not seeing any cars all day.

NormanSicily · 09/06/2021 21:06

We did a week's stay on Scilly last summer. It was an eventful ferry ride. Pissed with rain so our plan to stay on deck was thwarted. Rough weather (past two days boat had been cancelled by storm). Adults had to wear masks which did not help with nausea. Kids were all sick, and the boat honked of vomit even though the staff did their best to clear sick bags away immediately. I would not like to have to go through that for three hours on St Mary's and then face return journey! Good luck!

Original poster

Powerplant · 10/06/2021 07:48

Thank you for all your tales of good but mostly bad experiences - I wondered why it was so cheap! We’ve we, I have, decided to fly over in the future to camp and explore the other islands. It’s on my bucket list 😊

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