The words England and exotic don’t usually get mentioned in the same sentence, but the Isles of Scilly certainly has the allure of a far-flung land. Made up of around 140 tiny islands, its sugar-fine sandy beaches, secluded stretches of coast and mild micro-climate make for the ultimate paddleboarding playground. Located just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are the UK’s largest archipelago with only five inhabited islands, meaning it’s a natural sanctuary for marine life, wildlife and seabirds.
Keen to put our Red Paddle Co Compact paddleboards to the test and really hone in on the transportability of our smaller-size SUP, we searched for a destination that would give us a dose of adventure without the long-haul flight. The Isles of Scilly, it turns out, couldn’t be better suited. Offering up a Caribbean-style setting that is just a hop, skip and jump from the Cornish coast, this easy-to-reach location from the UK can be explored as a one-day SUP adventure, armed with nothing but a Compact paddleboard on your back - the perfect travelling companion pairing easy packing with uncompromising quality.
But if you’re keen to get a little more out of your stay, it also offers up some awesome island accommodation, with Recluver, in our opinion, being the best of the bunch. This historic house in the heart of St. Mary’s Bay puts you in a lap of luxury with its sleek self-catering surrounds and stunning sea views to boot. Plus, it’s also perfectly positioned to get the most out of island life being just a short stroll from the day-tripper boats and rib excursions that make regular trips to the different islands.
Let adventure begin!
This story is from the Issue 40 - Mid Summer 2023 edition of SUP International.
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This story is from the Issue 40 - Mid Summer 2023 edition of SUP International.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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SHADENFREUDE
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