A Night Sail to the Isles of Scilly
There’s something a bit mad but magical about taking a 32ft sailing boat like Flying Swan out into the open sea in the dead of night — but that’s exactly what we did, heading from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly under a blanket of stars.
We set off just before sunset, the wind fair and the sea relatively calm. As we slipped past Pendennis Point and into deeper waters, we had some unexpected company. Dolphins — a whole pod of them — came dancing alongside Flying Swan, riding the stern wave and shimmering in the setting sun. It was surreal, almost like they were escorting us as we started our adventure.
Later, the sky really put on a show. No clouds, no light pollution — just stars, scattered thick like salt across black velvet. The Milky Way stretched from horizon to horizon, and I luxuriated in the silence, my head back as I tried to spot constellations and vowed to learn more.
We took turns on watch, eyes peeled for the lights of other vessels and the occasional fishing buoy. The Scillies are beautiful, but their waters are notoriously tricky — hidden rocks, strong currents, and shifting sands make for a sailor’s headache if you're not careful.
At dawn, the silhouette of the low-lying islands began to rise out of the sea. By 8 am, the golden light was catching the tops of the hills and painting the harbour in soft pastels. We eased into Hugh Town harbour, St Mary’s, exhausted but buzzing with that weird mix of adrenaline and peace you only get after a proper night crossing.
Safe and sound, we picked up a visitor buoy, brewed a strong pot of tea and celebrated the dolphins, the stars, and Flying Swan — our trusty boat that carried us through it all. Would I do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat.
