Isles of Scilly Travel Reviews 

We were booked on the ferry crossing on the Saturday morning, but our train was late. A member of the team phoned us to check where we were and advised that they had waited for us, but could wait no longer, so they would transfer us to the later crossing. They waited as long as they could, checked on us and sorted our rebooking before we had got to the terminal. Staff at the terminal were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There were no issues with the outward journey.
For the return journey, they could not find our booking, which was through Direct Ferries - avoid, but the check in staff made a number of calls and managed to sort it out. Excellent service.

The only way this company can improve is by ceasing trading.
Should not be allowed to take money off people under false pretences as it does. This company has an ancient unreliable fleet of both aircrafts (in particular) and ferry's. All beyond serviceable condition. The ferry is being replaced next year so the airline has deliberately reduced its capabilities to service Scilly in favour of a new contract to service the channel islands. Everyone (islanders, tourists, replacement taxi drivers, airport staff and the ignorant oafs working the ferry) know it is all a huge rip-off, and are happy to tell you without shame.
Nothing changes, no refunds or apologies or even responses to complaints. A very unfunny joke of a company that deserves being shut down. I am complaining to the civil aviation authority and anyone else that will listen. This company ruins the reputation of the scilly Isles, I would never travel there again and would not even recomend going to an enemy. The middle class fever dream of the scillies is over, its a dump!

The scenery and the friendliness of the staff..
Just 1 issue is dogs being allowed on the main deck ,although it says no dogs .it's not enforced or dog owners not being informed .
It's an issue has im allergic to dogs

Unfortunately due to heavy fog from the departure location and arrival location, a lot of the planes were rightly cancelled for safety reasons. Isles of Scilly Travel were brilliant. They put people up in hotels for the night and helped them arranged this. For myself as I was travelling alone with a dog (who had already had medication especially for flying that day),  they arranged for a off duty pilot who travelled all the way from St Austell to take myself, the dog and a few of the islanders to St Marys. I couldn't have been more grateful to everyone involved. Everyone went out of their way to help. Even the cafe employee was giving the dog free sausages and myself food as we had spent all day at the airport. Best airport in the UK, so clean and views of the runways and planes.  We ended up going on a smaller plane, felt like a private jet. Best experience ever. Can't wait to travel again on the Sky bus in future!! Even though I'm petrified of flying it's still a better experience than the ferry due to how long it takes and the times of arrival and departure. Travelling home in the late at night in the dark in bad weather after 3 hours on a ferry is not fun. Delayed review from 2024!

This boat takes over 400 passengers. There is no ferry terminal at Penzance, just a small, open canopy. Maybe room for 50 people if you huddle up. No loos. So you wait in the wind and rain until called forward, and then wait again in the open by the ship until someone turns up to scan your boarding pass.
The boat itself is well past its use by. For the privilege of this level of service, you pay nearly £200 return, a rip off, unless you are a day tripper (then about £25).
The company has a monopoly on this route.

Really poor. I had the day tripper ferry to the islands and sky bus back.
Before I even left the park and ride near Sainsbury’s I was informed that the skybus probably wasn’t flying. Only one pilot and they are always cancelling. Car park attendant laughed at the skybus reliability and my confidence. He said the pilot was trying to get out of working today as staff sickness and he’s the only pilot.
Going on the ferry was great. The ferry is tired like the ferry crew staff who aren’t paid whilst the ferry sits in harbour at St Mary’s. That’s rights. They’re only paid whilst at sea.
Poor food choices and plenty of internal complaints.
The weather came in for an hour and my flight was cancelled. Yes. The pilot found his excuse. My flight was booked for 17.55. I was phoned 15.03 with the cancellation info. I was on the opposite side of the island and was now told to make tracks to the ferry. My carefully planned day of gentle walks and finishing of with a meal now turned into a race to get back. I phoned the isle of scilly office twice to say I might not make it. My walk turned into intermittent jogging mixed with fast walking. When I told the lady at 15.41 that I was still 40 mins away she laughed at me and informed me if I miss the ferry I’ll have to sort my own accommodation out myself. “That’s island life” she said sniggering at me. She said if I hurry I can do the walk in 20 mins. I told her my hip hurts and I was seriously wiped out. I hadn’t eaten as I had planned my day differently from what actually happened. I had no water either. I did argue and voice my complaint but I was informed I need to transfer to the ferry. I argued that the sea mist will probably clear in a mo as the wind was blowing at 12 mph. I was laughed at some more. I imagined her on the other end of the line rolling her eyes at her fellow comrades whilst they all smiled back at her in agreement that she is the best.
I made back to the ferry at 16.15. I had to run the last 15 mins. Out of breath and sweating heavily I was greeted by an unhelpful desk. I said my flight was cancelled and the lady said see the guy scanning. I went to the guy scanning and he said you can’t travel on this QR code. Go see the lady.
So I went back to the lady and she finally realised what I said and said “your a transfer?”, and printed me a ticket. She told me to go back to the QR guy and get scanned in. The QR guy was only 10 ft away throughout. Really comical and very rude throughout.
Next I came to Josh. As I tried to board the ferry I can across the staff who load the boat. Here was Josh standing at the bottom of the ramp with his body blocking me from entering. The staff have their names written on their jackets and everyone started shouting to Josh to move. He looked back at me like the way a drunk standing outside your local CoOp does. In the same way the local CoOp loud mouth drunk moves to let you pass was to be my treat on this so called professional service. He moved and on my way up I was greeted with a torrent of wasteman abuse. Intimidating and uncalled for. Maybe he was on probation or just having a bad day. Either way he showed he was a real wasteman as he cried behind me the whole way up the ramp. Well done Josh!
A perfect finale to a just another park&ride predicted rubbish day. Well done to the guy at the park and ride who guessed so well how my day would turn out. You know this outfit so well.
From my very last phone call with the skybus team and all throughout the 3 hour journey back to Penzance the sun persisted and the sea mist never came back. The ferry trip back was filled with clear bright skies. But at least the ‘lazy’ pilot as described got to go home and the lady from skybus got to tell everyone in the pub how she don’t take no stick. Together as they all got wasted with Josh and sung songs ‘that’s island life’ they probably gave a good number of high five as they celebrated the ruin of another unbeknown silly tourist.
My advice is this. Don’t go. It’s not worth it.

Would give 0 stars if possible. Flight from gatwick to newquay cancelled. No communication whatsoever from company at all. Still waiting??? Very poor. Very disappointed.

Travels 10th of September 2025 on the way there every one including my partner were being sick .on the way back half way we hit choppy waves ferry was swaying then we were thrown side way on the right hand side abandon ship sirens went off every one was screaming.my partner was on top deck he was holding on to a chair. Then we became up right again He saw some of the staff putting lafe jackets on .not once was there any information give over the tanoy I never saw a member of staff till we were leaving ferry it was terrifying I never what to go on anther ferry in my life.got off ferry which we where all relived .a lady had split her head open when she was flung to other side if ferry she needed stitches .she was in my hotel she was feeling dizzy and sick .

Yet to travel but it’s total madness a one way ticket is in excess of £100, yet a day return under 20 and your not allowed any baggage, so if buying gifts when over visiting if you exceed 5kg you have to pay more. There seems to be a problem when there’s no direct competition that the rules can be made up as they go along. I’m not for one moment criticising the company but some of their policies are very very strange and in my opinion unfair.

Furthermore, it’s understood that if you take a day trip and you don’t use the return segment for whatever reason, yet none given by them as to what, the next time you travel with them you have to pay a full single one-way fair or are refused boarding.


Again, this is the problem when there is no competition, the only alternative being you can pay the best part of £200 each way to go by air !

Everything seemed well organised, although the ship was very busy there was plenty of room to move around, plenty of deck space and crew were very friendly especially the purser who answered my question. The fact so many passengers brought their dogs with them was great to see. Added bonus was the dolphin/porpoise pods that came close to the ship on our way to the Scillies. Will definitely take the boat route again.

Start was ok. Got the Skybus shuttle from Penzance to Landsend Airport for hop over to the Isles of Scilly
All ok
The return by the Scillonian Ferry was ok UNTIL we arrived in Penzance
UNBELIEVABLY, we docked well away from the car park for the flight out!!
What was worse, there was no shuttle to take us back to the car park!!
When leaving the boat I asked how was I to get to the car park. I was told,”go to the road and there will be someone there to help”
There wasn’t
I was told by a person with an Isle of Scilly logo on her uniform. There’s no link, YOU WILL HAVE TO WALK!!
As there wasn’t a free taxi, I had a 20minute walk towing a large suitcase. I am 77 with not the best mobility.
This was an absolute disgrace!
Nobody has joined up thinking in this Micky Mouse set up
My advice
AVOID AT ALL COST THE FLY THERE SAIL BACK offer. It does not work.
I still have the blisters!