Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashIsles of Scilly Travel
From the operator
Scillonian III on the Penzance to St Mary's route.
Book with Isles of Scilly Travel
Book direct with Isles of Scilly Travel. No fees from Ferryu.
- Crossing time
- About 3 hours
- Operator
- 1
Checked against islesofscilly-travel.co.uk on 9 November 2026
The Penzance to St Mary's ferry takes about 3 hours with Isles of Scilly Travel.
Are you planning a trip to the Isles of Scilly? The Penzance to St Mary's ferry is run by Isles of Scilly Travel. You can compare the route on Ferryu and then book directly with the operator.
The crossing from Penzance to St Mary's takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. The service operates March to November, so be sure to check sailing dates in good time when you organise your trip.
- Crossing from Penzance to St Mary's takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Ship on the route: Scillonian III
- Operates March to November
At a glance
- Crossing
- About 3 hours
- Penzance to St Mary's
- Arrives
- St Mary's (Isles of Scilly)
- Isles of Scilly
Who sails this route
Photo: Sebastian Schuster / UnsplashSailing with Isles of Scilly Travel
Isles of Scilly Travel use Scillonian III on the Penzance to St Mary's route.
The service operates March to November. If you have your heart set on particular dates, book early for the best choice of sailings.
Expect to spend around 2 hours and 45 minutes at sea from Penzance to St Mary's. Check the latest timetable with Isles of Scilly Travel before you set off.
Weather in St Mary's
- Warmest month: August, average high 17°C.
- Wettest month: November, about 96 mm of rain.
- Sea at its warmest in August, about 17°C.
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Temperature
- Air, average daily low to high (1991–2020)
- Sea surface, monthly average (2023–2024)
Rain
Average total for the month, mm (1991–2020)
Show the numbers
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.3 | 8.4 | 89.8 | 10.8 |
| February | 9.7 | 7.9 | 70.0 | 10.6 |
| March | 9.8 | 8.3 | 58.1 | 10.5 |
| April | 10.6 | 9.2 | 53.2 | 11.0 |
| May | 12.4 | 11.1 | 49.5 | 13.1 |
| June | 14.8 | 13.6 | 43.7 | 14.9 |
| July | 16.7 | 15.5 | 48.3 | 16.0 |
| August | 17.2 | 16.0 | 57.3 | 16.5 |
| September | 16.2 | 14.9 | 57.1 | 16.0 |
| October | 14.4 | 12.9 | 87.6 | 14.5 |
| November | 12.4 | 10.7 | 95.6 | 13.2 |
| December | 11.1 | 9.2 | 93.3 | 11.9 |
1991–2020 averages, ERA5 via Open-Meteo, read at the grid point nearest the port (10 km away). Sea surface: 2023–2024 averages from the Open-Meteo Marine Weather API, which has no sea temperatures before late 2022.
Questions answered
How long is the ferry from Penzance to St Mary's?
About 3 hours, depending on the sailing.
The crossing from Penzance to St Mary’s takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. (Isles of Scilly Travel, islesofscilly-travel.co.uk)
How often does it sail?
Operates March to November. (Isles of Scilly Travel, islesofscilly-travel.co.uk)
All ferries to the Isles of Scilly
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