5 islands you MUST visit in Devon and Cornwal
The South West coast is best known for its beaches and harbour towns, but just off the coastline, there’s an array of islands.
Many of these are not accessible to the general public or need great caustion to visit, but here are five that you can add to a Devon or Cornwall itinerary!
1. St Michael’s Mount (Cornwall)
📍 Marazion, Mount’s Bay
One of the most recognisable sites in Cornwall, St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island crowned with a medieval castle and church. At low tide, you can walk across the ancient causeway from Marazion. At high tide, hop on a small boat from the harbour.
The island is jointly managed by the National Trust and the St Aubyn family. You can explore the castle, climb the steep path to the summit, and wander through the subtropical gardens. It’s a must-visit spot with centuries of history – and some of the best views in Cornwall.
Note: To take the boat and access the house and gardens, you’ll need to pay or be a National Trust member. You can, however, explore the grounds as a non-NT member – but only if you can walk across the causeway to get there and back, which is tide-dependent.
See more about St Michael’s Mount here.
2. Looe Island (Cornwall)
📍 Off East Looe
Also known as St George’s Island, this small island is just offshore from the fishing town of Looe. It’s now a nature reserve and is owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Access is by guided boat trip only (booked through the trust), and the experience is all about peace, nature, and learning about the island’s wildlife and human history.
You won’t find cafes or attractions here – just quiet coastal paths, seabird colonies, and a sense of isolation just minutes from the mainland.
See more things to do in Looe here.
3. Lundy Island (Devon)
📍 Bristol Channel, off North Devon
Lundy is wild, remote, and absolutely worth the trip. You can take the MS Oldenburg ferry from Ilfracombe or Bideford between spring and autumn, or fly in a small plane in winter.
Once on the island, you’ll find puffins, seals, ponies, shipwrecks, and a lighthouse you can climb. Stay overnight in Landmark Trust cottages or camp on the island – or visit for a day and hike the coastal path loop.
There’s also snorkelling, diving, and one of the UK’s oldest marine conservation zones.
See my guide to Lundy Island here.
4. Burgh Island (Devon)
📍 Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon
This small tidal island is linked to the South Hams coast by a sandy causeway. At low tide, you can walk across the beach. At high tide, catch the sea tractor – a giant motorised platform that trundles through the shallows.
Burgh Island is home to the famous 1930s Art Deco hotel (where Agatha Christie once stayed), as well as the 14th-century Pilchard Inn. The public can walk the coastal path around the island, even if you’re not a hotel guest.
5. Isles of Scilly (Cornwall)
📍 28 miles off Land’s End
While they’re further out than most, the Isles of Scilly are part of Cornwall and easily reachable by ferry or flight. The Scillonian III ferry sails from Penzance to St Mary’s, the largest island. From there, you can hop by boat to Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s, and St Agnes.
Each island has its own character: subtropical gardens on Tresco, windswept moorlands on Bryher, and turquoise beaches across the archipelago. Whether you’re day-tripping or staying overnight, the Isles of Scilly feel like a completely different world.
