Visiting

2024 Day Trips to Looe Island

Please see the provisional timetable below to plan your visit to Looe Island.  We look forward to welcoming you!

Information

All visits are weather and tide dependent. The crossing via a small passenger boat takes 20 minutes and, unless advised otherwise when you book, you will have about two hours to explore.

Please note that visits can only be made on official, organised trips and access by any other means is not allowed.

The island and its foreshore is managed for the benefit of wildlife and our team are working incredibly hard to keep Looe Island Nature Reserve special. Craft such as boats, jet skis, kayaks/canoes and paddleboards etc as well as snorkelers/divers and swimmers are therefore asked to respect the no landing sign.

Please understand that part of the island's appeal for many visitors is it's tranquility and an escape from the intrusions which are often a part of mainland life. The use of camera drones is therefore considered intrusive and unacceptable.  Fishing is also not allowed on the island during two hour visits.

Where to get the boat

Board the boat from the floating pontoon, near the RNLI lifeboat station slipway in East Looe.  The boat operator, Looe Sea Safari, also have an office on the quayside so can point you in the right direction. 

What to expect from your trip

Access to the island involves climbing over the side of the boat onto a small landing trolley. Care is also needed to negotiate the swash of the waves which can cover the trolley. Please note that there is limited assistance to get on/off the boat.  If necessary, please contact us to discuss. 

Once landed on the island, visitors will be greeted by a warden and given a brief introduction to the nature reserve.

You will then be led across the sand and shingle beach up a simple sloping path to the Tractor Shed.  This is where landing fees will be collected.  Here you will be offered a copy of the trail guide and shown the start of the path around the island. 

The path around the whole island is less that 1km long and can be comfortably walked in around 30 minutes.  However most people take up to one hour 30 minutes to slowly walk around, reading the trail guide and taking in the wildlife and scenery as they go.

Please note that there are some steps and parts of the trail are steep, uneven, and slippery, so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear. 

Respect areas that are closed.  This is often to reduce wildlife disturbance or for safety reasons and includes the main house/cottages plus most outbuildings/sheds etc.

At the end of the trail please place guides in the container so that they can be cleaned ready to be re-used.

Facilities on the island 

• There is a simple compost toilet for public use.  It is a dry system so hand sanitiser is available. 
• Remember there is no drinking water, nor refreshments/snacks on the island - please bring your own supplies.
• Please take all of your waste/recycling home with you - we suggest bringing your own waste bag. 
• The Tractor Shed also acts as a basic visitor centre where there is a table top shop with a few items for sale to help raise funds for Cornwall Wildlife Trust.  

Remember, to keep the island safe and special, and to help protect wildlife, landing and access is only permitted via the authorised boat.

Booking information

• Please visit the website of the boat operator, Looe Sea Safari or call them on  07415321072 to book your trip. To help you plan your visit, the 'Looe Island 2024 Public Boat Trip Times' document in the downloads section below has an outline of trip dates and times.
• The number of passengers on the boat is normally restricted to 11. 
• Return boat fee: £12 per adult and £6 per child (aged 10 or under) payable upon booking the boat. Landing fee (paid on island): £8 per adult and £3 per child (aged 10 or under)
• The small passenger boat (Moonraker) can access the island up to two to three hours either side of high tide, in daylight hours and in fair weather. Trips cannot take place at low tide or in rough seas.