The Isles of Scilly is a popular destination for sailors and a warm welcome awaits all those who arrive in their yachts. Lights twinkling from boats moored in the harbour or anchored out to sea as the sun goes down on a summer's evening is a stunning sight to behold.

There are two main areas where you can moor your boat: St Mary's Harbour and Tresco. Outside harbour limits there are no restrictions as to where you can drop anchor, so long as you keep clear of the main channels and the turning area for the Scillonian III. 

Within St Mary's Harbour, there are 34 deep water swinging moorings for visiting vessels which are coloured depending on their maximum vessel size.

There is a visitor pontoon for tenders and, for a nominal charge, you can bring your yacht alongside the quay for electricity and water. Quay facilities include free wi-fi, free showers and toilets open 24 hours a day. The St Mary's harbour masters are on call 24 hours a day. 

Over on Porthcressa, there are no moorings but the bay is a popular anchorage point. Sailors can make use of the toilet and shower facilities at the Schiller Shelter (behind the Tourist Information Centre) and the local fuel and laundry facilities nearby. Wifi is available in the bay, and there are also fresh drinking water facilities.

Tresco moorings can accommodate vessels up to 45 feet (13.7m) in length. Two larger buoys are located at the north end of the New Grimsby channel which can accommodate vessels up to 55 feet (16.7m), but please contact the harbour team upon arrival prior to use. No rafting of vessels is permitted. No vessel must have a draught greater than 2.4m. There are rubbish disposal facilities and a fresh water tap for yachtsmen on New Grimsby Quay and the island has a pub and shop. There is a shower for use by yachtsmen and a service laundry near the Island Office.

For St Mary’s, you can find out more at www.stmarys-harbour.co.uk or for Tresco at www.tresco.co.uk/arriving/moorings.

For further pilotage information please contact the islands' Port Agent Scillonian Marine Consultants.