St. Mary's is the largest island with a population of around 3000, the other inhabited islands, known as the off islands range from 30-150 people.
There are a number of smaller islands and islets (including the Western Rocks, the Norrad Rocks, Samson, Tean, St Helen's and the Eastern Isles).
Passenger ferry (the Scillonian III ) from Penzance - 2h40m, runs from March - October. Leaves Penzance in the morning and returns late afternoon/evening. It's possible to take a day trip (with 4 hours onshore, longer on some days when there is a double sailing). Open returns __95. Day trips from __25 (in off peak check for vouchers in the Cornishman newspaper)[http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/].
Fixed wing planes operated by Skybus fly from Land's End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton fly to St. Mary's Airport. Flights to/from Newquay normally connect with the Ryanair and Airsouthwest services to/from London Stansted/Gatwick
Helicopter from Penzance to St. Mary's (10 flights daily in summer, 3 in winter) or Tresco (5 flights daily in summer, 1 in winter). The air route between Penzance and St Mary's has been serviced by helicopter since 1964 and is the world's longest running scheduled helicopter service. The Tresco service was subsequently inaugurated in 1983. The 20 min flight operates 6 days a week with regular flights throughout the day.
Open-return flights cost around __170, but cheaper tickets are available if you travel mid-week.
[http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/].
Each island is serviced by an network of inter-island launches that run 7 days a week from 1 April through to the end of October each year. Apart from direct trips between the islands, circular sightseeing tours are also offered giving the opportunity to look at the extensive wildlife in and around the islands, particularly the large colonies of Atlantic seal and hundreds of sea bird species. One of the most popular trips is to see the '''puffins''' who arrive to nest in late April, leaving the Isles in early August. The boat service in the winter is governed more by wind and tide, but daily, direct trips still take place with the occasional circular journey when the weather is sufficiently benign.
Lots of locally produced food and gifts are available. St Agnes wildflower honey, St Agnes ice Cream, St Agnes eggs, Scillonian soap, island beef, locally caught fish and shellfish, and the list goes on.
Each of the islands has its own pub, though St. Mary's manages to support five, '''The Oldtown Inn'''. '''Porthcressa Inn''', '''Bishop and Wolf''', '''Atlantic Inn''' and '''The Mermaid'''.
On the 'Off Islands' (as the other islands are refered to) you have the '''Sevenstones on St. Martin's''', '''New Inn on Tresco''', '''Fraggle Rock on Bryher''' and '''The Turks Head on St. Agnes'''.
Most accommodation is on the largest and most populated island, St Mary's, which has plenty of accommodation of all kinds. The other islands have more limited accommodation: Tresco is a private estate which runs an upmarket timeshare resort, and has a hotel and a pub, but no campsite. St Martin's and Bryher each have one hotel, a campsite and some self-catering cottages. St Agnes is the only inhabited island without a hotel, and is therefore the quietest, with just a few B&Bs and holiday cottages, and a campsite. The islands are a very popular holiday destination; demand for accommodation exceeds supply, so prices are quite high and early booking is advisable.
Near Crime-free. Bigest danger is probably from bike theft. Don't leave your bike unlocked outside a pub on a Friday or Saturday night! If it does go missing you'll probably find it returned the next morning.