The best wild swimming spots on Tresco
Tresco is famous for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters and, as such, it is the perfect place for wild swimming. Hear about some of the best spots from an islander...
Anna Parkes has lived on Tresco for over 40 years and takes to the sea most days for an exhilarating ocean dip. If there is anyone to share the best tips and tricks to sea swimming, it is Anna! Below, she offers a deep dive into all things wild swimming on Tresco.
"Tresco is blessed with so many lovely swimming spots that it's difficult to choose which to recommend," says Anna. "My personal quest is to have my best swim every single day. I stand outside my house to observe which way the boats are pointing, giving me the wind direction; I know then that I'll be heading the opposite way. My other preference is to swim on the high tide as I don't enjoy that long low-tide walk to the shore's edge, then to paddle in knee-deep water as I try to reach enough sea to swim in. And my final criteria is to escape from busy boating areas as I like to have a quiet, meditative swim with as little disturbance as possible.
Therefore my first suggestion is Appletree Bay, a regular haunt of mine. At the south end of the island and facing west, Appletree Bay offers an idyllic end-of-day swim as the sun drifts down onto nicely baked sand. In the shallows the water holds the heat of the day, but venture a bit deeper and you'll enjoy a refreshing dip where you can strike out for a wild swim to remember; deep turquoise waters dotted with the odd feisty crab for company - what a wonderful way to end the day! My safety tip is to always swim along the shore not straight out to sea as you'd be heading into the boating highway."
"Next up, and on the opposite side of Tresco, is Pentle Bay, the longest most inviting stretch of sparkling sea and sand on the whole island. This is often my morning beach of choice (hop on my bike and I'm there in five minutes). Facing east, I can greet the sunrise as I wake myself up in the fresh, inviting waters. The beach itself has many paths leading onto the silky soft sand so no matter which end or even in the middle, you'll find a spot that works for you."
"Lately I've been swimming on Green Porth, which is usually a winter swimming spot for me (to avoid the wild westerlies), but sometimes the wind direction nudges me there even in the summer. The far end of beach, near the beautiful Blockhouse Cottage offers a great spot - leave your clothes on the low old granite wall as you plunge into the pale turquoise water and swim across the bay with not a rock in sight. Be aware of small tenders bringing in guests from the yachts though as it can get quite busy at the height of the summer. For that reason I dispense with earplugs and goggles when I'm on a busy beach just to be aware of what's happening around me."
"Last, but by no means least, my all-time favourite swimming spot is Cradle Porth - a gem of a bay. The tiny opening in the gorse can be tricky to navigate sometimes as the sand moves away and builds up periodically, but it's worth clambering down the bank onto the most perfect Robinson Crusoe beach you'll ever find. On a low tide, the white sand bar is curvaceously rounded, inviting you to walk barefoot across to the sea on the other side. Be cautious though if you swim off this extended beach as it is washed with the second strongest current on the Isles of Scilly. Much better to do some rockpooling or sunbathing or family games until the tide washes atop the sandbar creating the most beautiful lagoon of clear azure sea. My personal joy is to swim on a high tide in the early morning; to savour a solitary swim on Cradle Porth as the sun rises is my idea of heaven."
