Isles of Scilly holidays: small group inclusive tours
6 days
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Small Group Tour
The Isles of Scilly are an unexpected, tropical-like paradise off the southernmost tip of England. This is a place of white-sand beaches, turquoise seas and swaying palm trees. It’s also a place of shipwrecks, art and astonishing gardens.
These tranquil isles have weathered natural and manmade tempests to become a haven for artists, entrepreneurs a...
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Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- Feel the salty sea air in your hair as a private boat whisks you between all five of the inhabited Scilly Isles, each one an adventure in itself.
- Stay at the archipelago’s renowned Star Castle Hotel on St Mary’s and dine a la carte in the hotel’s restaurant every evening.
- Get hands-on experience of the creativity the Isles of Scilly are known for on a glass-fusing workshop with a local artist.
- Hear spine-tingling tales of the shipwrecks scattered around the Scillies in a private pre-dinner talk from a leading expert on Britain’s shipwrecks.
- Go behind the scenes of the Scillies’ gardens and wildlife with expert-led private talks and tours, including a guided walk with the head gardener of Tresco Abbey Gardens.
- Group size 5 to 10.
What's this trip about?
The Isles of Scilly are an unexpected, tropical-like paradise off the southernmost tip of England. This is a place of white-sand beaches, turquoise seas and swaying palm trees. It’s also a place of shipwrecks, art and astonishing gardens.
These tranquil isles have weathered natural and manmade tempests to become a haven for artists, entrepreneurs and those who treasure a simpler way of life. Our small group tour takes you to their heart, with daily excursions, behind-the-scenes tours and stellar talks by local experts.
Over six days, you’ll build a picture of the archipelago’s jaw-dropping scenery, artistic flair and soul-stirring history. You’ll explore an impossibly tropical garden hiding a monastery, discover sites where our ancient ancestors laid their heroes to rest and sail to shorelines teeming with wildlife. Life here runs at a slower pace than on the mainland, so you’ll also have plenty of free time to pop into galleries, to head out on an adventure of your own or to sit and drink in the amazing views.
These tranquil isles have weathered natural and manmade tempests to become a haven for artists, entrepreneurs and those who treasure a simpler way of life. Our small group tour takes you to their heart, with daily excursions, behind-the-scenes tours and stellar talks by local experts.
Over six days, you’ll build a picture of the archipelago’s jaw-dropping scenery, artistic flair and soul-stirring history. You’ll explore an impossibly tropical garden hiding a monastery, discover sites where our ancient ancestors laid their heroes to rest and sail to shorelines teeming with wildlife. Life here runs at a slower pace than on the mainland, so you’ll also have plenty of free time to pop into galleries, to head out on an adventure of your own or to sit and drink in the amazing views.
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySt Mary's
End CitySt Mary's
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Local experts, one of whom will accompany the group on each daily excursion
- Mostly private boat trips when travelling between islands
- Entry to Tresco Abbey Gardens plus private guided tour
- All accommodation costs for the five nights
- All breakfasts and five a la carte dinners
- All service charges and most gratuities
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to the Isles of Scilly
Whether you travel to St Mary’s, the Scillies’ biggest island, by boat, small plane or helicopter, the turquoise waters and beach-ringed islands will take your breath away.
Check in to Star Castle Hotel, get your bearings and then meet your GeoC...
Day 2: Art, wildlife and ice cream on St Agnes
Let’s start the day with a little creativity. Artists Oriel or Maisie of Phoenix Stained Glass will guide you through the process of glass fusing in a private workshop.
Afterwa...
Day 3: Puffins, conservation and shipwrecks
If yesterday was all about the creative spirit that flourishes on these islands, today’s star of the show is the wildlife.
Spend the morning doing the daily rounds with a ranger or conservation officer from Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. You cou...
Day 4: Burial sites and beauty on Bryher
Another day, another island! After breakfast, a private jet boat transfer whisks you to the tiny island Bryher. Only 80 people have the privilege of calling this place their home.
On a guided walk, your Tour Leader will show you the secluded cove...
Day 5: Gardens and civil war on Tresco
The Isles of Scilly might seem wild and untameable, but they’re a gardener’s dream – as you’ll find out today.
Today we jet over to Tresco. After a Cornish Origin coffee with wake-you-up waterfront views at The Flying Boat Café, we’ll stroll to ...
Day 6: Goodbye for now!
Make the most of your last breakfast in Star Castle Hotel, check out by 10.30am, then spend the time until you depart doing whatever you please. Perhaps you’ll take one last walk around this beautiful island, return to a gallery to buy that piece of art you’ve been ...
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Dates & Availability
Price From $2,339
Price per day$390
Last Updated: 3/25/2025
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with GeoCultura.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Travel insurance. Guests should carry their own health and travel insurance.
- Extra or optional activities not described in the tour
- Lunches not included
- Personal expenditures, any alcoholic drinks with meals, and extras at the hotel such as laundry bills
- Transportation to the start venue or from the end venue of the tour. Participants will need to make their own arrangements for travel to and from St Mary’s. Please email or call us and we will provide detailed advice to explain the transport options
- Passport and visa fees
Accommodation
You’ll stay at the renowned Star Castle Hotel, St Mary’s only four-star hotel. Originally an Elizabethan artillery fort, it’s nowadays known for its excellent, fresh, local food and the warm welcome it gives its lucky guests! You’ll soon see why Star Castle is so loved. There’s something to marvel at wherever you look, from the thick walls of The Dungeon Bar to the sea views from the ramparts. There are even cannons in the gardens. Stories are everywhere.
As a GeoCultura guest, you’ll have flexibility on breakfast times and a la carte dinner every evening of your Scilly holiday. You’ll sleep in the hotel’s spacious, more-modern rooms with private entrances, in the castle’s beautiful gardens (with the opportunity to upgrade to a sea-view room or a room inside the castle if you book early enough; details on request).
Transportation & Flights
Transport will be by licensed passenger boats between the islands, and primarily on foot the rest of the time.,
Requirements
,Double room for single occupancy is £175 (April 2025), £175 (April 2026) and £415 (July 2026).
Cancellation policy
Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the tour price is due upon registration for a tour.
Final payment: Full payment is due 60 days before a tour begins, or upon registration if within the 60-day window.
Cancellation by participant: A participant may cancel a registration after securing a confirmed place on a tour for any reason. The following refund terms will apply:
- Greater than 60 days before tour begins: Any monies paid plus half of the deposit will be refunded
- 30 to 59 days before tour begins: 35% of tour price will be refunded
- 15 to 29 days before tour begins: 25% of tour price will be refunded
- Within 14 days of tour or during the tour: No monies will be refunded
Cancellation by GeoCultura: GeoCultura reserves the right to cancel any tour due to low enrolment, inability to run the tour or concerns about the safety, health or welfare of participants. If a tour is cancelled before it begins, all monies paid will be refunded (including any deposit).
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for additional details.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
.
Meals Included
All breakfasts and five a la carte dinners
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
geocul-IsScHo
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