Island Explorer: Pilot Cutter Sailing to the Isles of Scilly
Select your preferred date to see availability and prices
Sorry we’re full!
This voyage is fully crewed. Check out our voyage finder to see what else we have available.
Discover the breathtaking archipelago of the Isles of Scilly, situated off the coast of Cornwall, on board a Cornish Pilot Cutter from Newlyn.
Join pilot cutter Pellew in the fishing harbour of Newlyn in Cornwall as she takes guests on an exhilarating sub-tropical sailing adventure to the archipelago of the Isles of Scilly.
Experience the serene beauty of the UK’s most southerly archipelago by walking barefoot on sandy shores, spotting marine life and seabirds, and exploring the charming history of the islands. Although the 28-mile crossing may take about 10-12 hours, it is definitely worth it! You can spend a peaceful week island-hopping in some of the clearest and warmest waters that the UK has to offer.
- Isles of Scilly
- Skippered sailing
- Island hopping
- Traditional rig
- Suitable for beginners
- Great for solo travellers
- Wildlife watching
- Full Board
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Enjoy wonderfully wild, exhilarating sailing while discovering the hidden treasures of the coast, all while enjoying great hospitality and good food.
Getting Involved
Sailing with Pellew is not for the faint-hearted. She is one of the fastest pilot cutters of her time, so you’ll be sure to feel the wind whipping through your hair and sea spray on your face. It will be a truly exhilarating sailing experience, and if adventure is calling you, this is one not to miss.
Believe it or not, you don’t need any experience to jump aboard Pellew – just a lust for adventure! You’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals, and the crew love to share their knowledge with guests, showing them the ropes and feeling the wind power in the sails. We welcome as much or as little participation as you want – from pulling up the sails, sheeting in, steering, and even navigation.
Sleeping and Relaxation
You are welcomed into the main saloon with cushioned seating around a large table next to a generous galley. It’s a great sociable space with the traditionally built wooden finish giving a lovely cosy feeling. From hearty meals together, cards over a wee dram or just a quiet corner to read a book, it’s a great space to relax in.
At the front of the boat, there are eight guest berths in an open-plan cabin, each in twin-bunk configuration. She has a generous shower room (for a boat!) and two toilets.
A Typical Day
Usually, after breakfast, set sail for a day on the water, aiming to reach a new destination every evening. Enjoy searching out quiet anchorages and hidden coves where you can spend the night, enjoying the company, the stars, and, of course, our freshly cooked evening meal. There will be time to explore ashore once anchored and especially when visiting destinations like Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly or Brittany.
Dining Aboard
All food will be freshly prepared on board to the highest standard by a dedicated cook, so guests can expect hearty breakfasts, freshly baked bread, delicious lunches and dinners, as well as plenty of homemade cake. All dietary requirements will be catered for, and where possible, all our fresh food is locally sourced. You’ll undoubtedly be well taken care of after a good day of sailing.
Sample menu
All food is made on board (including soda & focaccia bread when we can’t get artisan loaves!), and local, fresh produce is top of the shopping list.
BREAKFAST
- Fresh fruit bowls
- Yoghurt, muesli & granola
- Artisan or home-made bread & jams
- Cooked breakfast (approx twice on a week-long trip!)
ELEVENSES/AFTERNOON CAKE
- Tea, coffee, home-made cakes, biscuits, flapjack
LUNCH
- Home-made soup, bread and local cheeses
- Risotto and fresh salad
- Home-made savoury tarts and fresh salad
DINNER
- Appetisers: usually a combination of olives, home-made pate and toast, antipasti, hummus, crudites and baked camembert
- Greek-style roast lamb with cous cous. (V) option: stuffed peppers
- Spanish fish soup with garlic bread
- In Scotland, Haggis, neaps, tatties. (V) option available
DESSERT
- Tiramisu
- Home-made meringue with boozy berries
- Chocolate brownies and clotted cream
There is also a huge fruit bowl that guests can help themselves to throughout the voyage!
Pellew
Guest berths: 8 Rig: Pilot Cutter
From week-long voyages exploring the subtropical archipelago of the Isles of Scilly to longer expeditions to Brittany and beyond, Pellew also offers shorter taster sailing experiences around her home port of Falmouth in Cornwall. With her vast sail plan, think fast, invigorating sailing with the lee rail kissing the waves.
Get involved with all aspects of sailing her, from hoisting the sails together to feeling her full power while taking the helm. Pellew is undoubtedly not for the faint-hearted, but perfect for those looking for a proper sailing adventure, from solo travellers to adventurous couples.
Pellew is a faithful recreation of the Falmouth Pilot Cutter Vincent, initially built in 1852 and based in St Mawes, Cornwall. Today, the spirit of tradition lives on, and Pellew is strongly built to sail the oceans of the world with her guests travelling in utmost comfort and safety.
Originally designed and built for speed and seaworthiness, these sturdy vessels would carry pilots out to sea, meeting ocean-going ships arriving with cargoes bound for Europe. Whatever the weather and however rough the waters, these courageous cutters were an integral part of maritime life in the south-west of England.
Below decks, she has a cosy saloon with cushioned seating around a large oak table and a generous galley. Hearty home-cooked meals will be freshly prepared on board by our dedicated cook using locally sourced produce wherever possible. The eight guest berths are arranged around an open-plan cabin with a shower and two toilets.
Deck plan
More about Pellew
More holidays in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly or UK
Sailing to the Faroe Islands
Sailing & Wildlife Watching in Skye & the Small Isles
Tall Ship Sailing to the Isles of Scilly
Sailing Weekend in South Devon
More holidays on Pellew
Traditional Taster Sailing Short Break in Cornwall
Traditional Taster Sailing Short Break in Cornwall
Island Explorer: Pilot Cutter Sailing to the Isles of Scilly
Traditional Taster Sailing Short Break in Cornwall
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
