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We can help you book your perfect break to Tresco. We all live here, so it's our specialist subject!

Call us on +44 (0)1720 422 849 or email us.

By Helicopter - Direct to Tresco

By Helicopter - Direct to Tresco

Fly direct to Tresco with Penzance Helicopters - making the flight to the Isles of Scilly as memorable as the destination

Before you Arrive

Before you Arrive

Our pre-arrival checklist - from letting us know your travel plans to ordering your wine and groceries

Tresco Islandshare

Tresco Islandshare

Own a piece of this unique island, with 40 years of holidays on Tresco as more than just a visitor. Discover Islandshares for sale...

Tresco Offers & Breaks

Tresco Offers & Breaks

From seasonal escapes to wellness and creative breaks and last-minute offers, discover our latest offers & breaks on Tresco Island

Eating

Eating

From beachfront dining to our cosy inn, get a taste for island-inspired dining with a Tresco twist

Grocery

Grocery

Place a pre-arrival grocery order and we'll deliver to your accommodation on your arrival

Events & Experiences

Events & Experiences

From the Low Tide Event to live music, Abbey Garden Theatre and more, discover extraordinary events on the Isles of Scilly

Day Trips to Tresco

Day Trips to Tresco

Whether you're coming from elsewhere on Scilly, or further afield in Devon or Cornwall, a day trip to Tresco is the perfect day out

Gig Racing Spectator Boats

Six rowers. Six paddles. One coxswain. Gig racing is Scilly's national sport - an island pastime and a holiday must-see...

With their heritage in pilotage and lifesaving (not to mention the odd spot of 'free trade' when the opportunity arose), the Cornish pilot gig was born on the Isles of Scilly.

Each island had several gigs owned by a collective of island families. When a ship was spotted passing through the Scillonian seas, the gigs would race to be the first to secure the pilotage fee, save lives or make a trade. Gig racing - albeit for survival, not sport - had begun...

Today, gigs are raced for fun across the archipelago that gave rise to these beautiful, 31-foot-long wooden boats, each with six rowers hauling on wooden paddles, urged on by the increasingly hoarse voice of their coxswain echoing across the sea.

Every week, crews race each other in championship and trophy races, from notoriously competitive and fun off-island finishes to the infamous clashes of triangle races and the frequent 'Swap Races' - designed to separate the best crews from the best gigs.

Tresco and Bryher Gig Rowing Club have several gigs crewed by islanders, from the 1879-built gig Czar - the oldest gig to have spent her entire life on Scilly - to the modern racing gig the Alfie Jenkins. Each week, our crews battle others from across the archipelago, cheered on by islanders and visitors from the spectator boats.

Gig Race Spectator Boat Times & Fares

From May to September, Tresco Boats offers Gig Race Spectator Boats for most races, allowing you to witness this spectacular sport and cheer on our island crews.

Usually, at least one race is followed each week, with both the men's and ladies' races followed many weeks throughout the season.

Trips are often aboard the Firethorn (when booking is not required) but are sometimes aboard Jetboats, in which case seats must be booked in advance.

The boat usually leaves Tresco and Bryher between 7 pm - 7:45 pm (depending on the race start time and location), and usually returns by 9 pm at the latest, often earlier. For Gig Boats aboard the Firethorn, the cost is £8 per person (children under 14 half price; under 3s free). Prices vary aboard Jetboats.

For full details, click below.

2024 Race Schedule

DateRace
Friday 9th AugustMen: Morley Cup (Higher Town St Martin's to St Mary's)
Wednesday 14th AugustLadies: Islander Trophy (St Agnes to St Mary's)
Friday 16th AugustMen: Swap Race
Wednesday 21st AugustLadies: Swap Race
Friday 23rd AugustMen: Simpson Trophy (Tresco to St Mary's)
Wednesday 28th AugustLadies: Swap Race
Friday 30th AugustMen: Swap Race
Wednesday 4th SeptemberLadies: Swap Race
Friday 6th SeptemberMen: Swap Race

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Stay on Tresco

Winter and Festive breaks are not always available to book online - for cottage stays or New Inn breaks over the winter months please go to Winter on Tresco or call 01720 422849.

Or call +44 (0)1720 422 849