The Scilly Islands- Saint Agnes and Gugh
At a Glance
Download Printable Guide
Main coverage of the Scilly Isles HERE
Saint Agnes and Gugh are the most South Westerly of the
inhabited islands of the Scilly Isles; after that it is just barren
wind-swept rocks. The two islands are joined by a sand bar which
covers at high tide. This bar does not provide much shelter from
winds blowing across it so neither Porth Conger (the northerly bay)
or the Cove (the southerly) provide shelter from Northerly or
Southerly winds but are quite sheltered in South West or NE
winds.
In the Nineties they were fairly uncrowded but nowadays, on a
summers evening, finding somewhere to drop your pick in the Cove
will prove an interesting exercise. To give some idea of scale; the
chart we provide of St Mary's and St Agnes is only two miles from
top to bottom so the trip from Porth Cressa is only about half an
hour from breaking out the anchor to dropping it; many skippers
will drop across to the Cove for sundowners and then elect to stay
the night or just go across for the day and return to Porth Cressa
in the evening. It can get very busy.
The Scilly Islands- Saint Agnes and Gugh
Approach
There are no particular problems approaching either the Cove or Porth Conger....
....., though the Cove is the larger (and more popular) of the
two. From St Mary's you can pass either side of the N.Bartholomew
PHM depending on your destination. If making for Porth Conger,
after the N Bartholomew PHM, shape a course for Browarth Point
until the Gugh sandbar opens around The Cow rock and then steer SSE
into the Porth being careful not to anchor where you will obstruct
the "grockle" boats going in to the pier.
The ferries do not make any particular allowance for anchored
yachts so you could find it a bit rocky anchored here. If you are
going round to the Cove you can cut across between the Bartholomew
Ledge and the Woolpack (both marked) and then pick up the stern
transit shown on the chart to clear Round Rock. To be sure of
clearing Brow ledge and Dropnose Rock wait until the isolated rock
at The Hoe is in line with the South end of Saint Agnes before
turning from that transit to follow the coast round to the Cove. Be
aware of the Little Hakestone rock on entering the cove and favour
the Hakestone itself which will be visible at all states of the
tide. It would be a very sound idea to use a tripping line on your
anchor here and check whether the boats around you are lying to a
single anchor or have moored fore and aft.
From Porth Cressa you probably won't want to bother to go all the
way round to Porth Conger in which case it's just a case of leaving
the Wras and Biggal to starboard as you leave Porth Cressa, make
for the ECM at Spanish Ledge and once you have rounded that make
for the Hoe at the South end of Gugh entering the Cove around the
Hakestone.
£ GMT
Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
You can anchor in Porth Conger, The Cove or,,,,,
.... there is a small bay at the western end of the island,
Periglis, which doesn't get a mention; but you'd
have to be very small and shallow drafted to attempt that.
At the present time there are no harbour dues at St Agnes.
Facilities
Be warned; there is no fuel or water for yachts visiting the
island so top up before you come here. The Turks Head is where
everyone makes for and they are used to being busy, service is good
as is the food. Less known is the High Tide Seafood Restaurant in
Middle Town on the island and it's worth a visit though you would
be wise to book ahead. Mind you it will cost you about £30+ per
head without wine. It gets rave reviews.
Other than that, there are some lovely walks circumnavigating the
patchwork of small high walled fields. The islanders take
advantage of their mild climate which enables them to crop early
spring flowers a good fortnight to three weeks before the rest of
Cornwall – the first bunch of daffodils you see in your
supermarkets up country will have started from here. By the time
you sail here at the back end of May I'm afraid the flower harvest
will be finished but earlier in the year it is a hive of activity
and a riot of colour. Later in the year you will find a couple of
shops on the island marketing bulbs to the passing trade.
What to Do
History
Local Business
Uncategorised
Tide Information for st-agnes-and-gugh
July 2026
Please note: It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the data is suitable for their intended purpose. VisitMyHarbour must not be used by vessels for navigation.