Spotlight on Scilly
Most people go cruising to Scilly between May and September, but for an experienced crew with a well-found yacht there can be opportunities for a short October cruise if you keep your eyes on the forecast. If you do find a weather window and want to enjoy some off-season cruising, or if you’re thinking about heading there next summer, here’s an extract from the new edition of Isles of Scilly by David Hackett with options of arrival anchorages:
Watermill Cove on the northeast side of St Mary’s is sheltered from winds from the south through to the west. When you have cleared Menawethan, ensure that you keep a reasonable distance from Trinity Rock and Ridge, and from there the approach is straight in to Watermill Cove. There are rocks on either side of the bay.
St Martin’s Bay on the northeast coast of St Martin’s is sheltered from winds from the south through to the northwest. There are many separate coves within the bay, several with rocky shoals and tricky entrances, but the bay and the bottom is sandy away from these.
Porthcressa south of Hugh Town on the southwest of St Mary’s is sheltered from winds from the west through the north to the east. There is a clear entry to the bay leaving Peninnis Head to starboard and Biggal Rock to port and then Raveen to starboard. The west side of the bay is sandy, but there is a reef on the east side, and there are two power cables running out of the bay near the reef, as well as old mooring tackle; you should use a tripping line on your anchor.
The Cove on the south side of St Agnes is sheltered from winds from the SW through to the east. There is a clear entry and a sandy bottom. Cables run through and out of the bay so an anchor tripping line should be used.
For more invaluable guidance on cruising Scilly, buy the new Isles of Scilly pilot book.