Looe Island Holidays

Smuggler's Cottage is a let for two adults (and sorry, no pets). It has one bedroom (double bed) with a sofa bed in the front room. 

Your boat pick up will typically be from mid morning to early afternoon on your day of arrival and departure, but this will be confirmed nearer the time.

Access to the sea is via the main beach only. This is to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Following the guidelines helps us to protect the Island’s wildlife.

Cancellation or changes due to weather/sea conditions are a real possibility. We advise keeping your plans flexible by a couple of days either side of your booked dates.

Once on Looe Island expect not to return to the mainland until your departure date. This means that we ask you to bring everything you need for the entire stay. As well as food and drinks and personal welfare items we ask you to bring a double duvet cover(s), pillowcases and sheets. Double duvets and pillows are provided.

You will not be ‘deserted’ on the Island! The Island Wardens, Jon & Claire, live on the island all year round and will be going about their daily work whilst you are there. There may also be others staying on the island, in particular guests may be holidaying in the Bell Tent on the other side of the island. Members of the public also visit the island on authorized two hour public boat trips however, this is unlikely to be ‘all day every day’ and there will be plenty of time when you will have the island pretty much to yourself.

There are no shops on the island – please bring all the food/drink and other provisions that you will need for your whole stay!

Water conservation is important on the Island as it comes from a small spring/sump and so please be economical with your water use.

The island is not connected to a mains electricity supply. It relies on renewable energy and limited battery storage. Please avoid using high power demand items at the same time, especially in the evenings/overnight.

The floor of the cottage is entirely laid with stone, it can be cool underfoot. There are some rugs but we highly recommend that you bring slippers or suitable comfy indoor footwear!

All properties/structures are non-smoking. Carefully dispose of all cigarette butts – there is a sand bin by Smuggler’s Cottage outdoor seating/BBQ area. In very dry conditions we ask you not to smoke on the wider nature reserve.

If you wish to have guests they can visit using the during a two hour public trip service but are not able to stay outside these hours, including overnight. Please book their crossing in advance with the boat operator and remind them that there also is a small landing fee payable on the island.

Please remember that the Island is primarily a quiet refuge for wildlife. During your stay please be nature smart and sensitive. More information and guidance is available in a folder that you’ll find inside Smuggler’s Cottage.

• Kitchen Facilities

The kitchen is fitted with a small microwave with oven/grill and a separate two-ring hot plate. There’s also a microwave, toaster and kettle. Cutlery, saucepans, crockery along with tea towels washing up equipment are all provided. You’ll also find a fridge with a small freezer drawer.

• Bathroom

There is an indoor compost loo. You will be shown around the cottage on arrival and the loo operation will be explained. There is a shower and small hand sink, please be economical with your water use. Please try to bring eco friendly washing products. A bin and bags are provided for sanitary items, which must not be put in the compost loo. At the end of your stay please empty the bin and dispose of the waste on the mainland.

Please bring your own towels.

• Bedroom

The cottage sleeps two people, there is a double bed and if required, a double sofa bed in the lounge. Pillows and quilts are provided but we ask that you bring pillow cases, quilt covers and sheets. There is a chest of drawers and some hanging hooks for clothing.

• Living Room

There is no central heating in the cottage but there is a wood burner in the front room. We provide some logs and kindling. If you require more there will be a small charge. The sofa extends to a small double bed if required. There is a folding dining table and chairs.

• Outside seating area

A BBQ is provided with cooking implements but you will need to bring your own charcoal. Please ensure the BBQ is cleaned after use. There is a small ‘bistro’ style table & chairs and two deckchairs. Please ensure the deckchairs are not left outside overnight or in damp weather.

• Cleaning

Please leave the cottage as you would wish to find it, cleaning materials are provided. The Island wardens will also ensure the cottage is clean and tidy between ‘lets’ but we do not have a formal cleaning service.

• Waste

This is an island and therefore the local council do not collect rubbish as they would on the mainland. Bins are provided to separate landfill from recyclable waste and there’s also a compost bin.

Please bring rubbish bags and be prepared to take your waste/recycling home with you – compost can stay on the island to help support the vegetable gardens!

• All your food/drink and provisions for the whole length of your stay. However, if we have surplus we might be able to sell you items from our stores/garden/hens (eggs).
• Pillowcases (pillow covers), double bed sheet(s), double bed duvet cover(s) for the main bed and if necessary, the sofa bed.
• Towels.
• Bags for transporting your waste/recycling back to the mainland.
• Slippers or similar.
• If necessary, charcoal for the BBQ.
• If you have them, binoculars will be useful.

If you are arriving by car, there is free roadside parking on the seafront at Hannafore (opposite the island on the west side of Looe).

Your boat pick up will typically be around 10:30am on your day of arrival and departure, but this will be confirmed nearer the time. 

We suggest that you unload the car at the boat departure point (near the water taxi/ferry steps in west Looe by the Tasty Corner Cafe), then one person can stay with your belongings and the other continue driving on past the church to park along Hannafore seafront.

How long you take to walk back, depends on exactly how far along the road you park, but allow at least 15 minutes to get back for the boat.

Camping on the nature reserve is simple and is designed to minimise impacts on wildlife and the environment while allowing you to relax in this unique, peaceful location.

Your boat pick up will typically be from mid morning to early afternoon on your day of arrival and departure, but this will be confirmed nearer the time. Cancellation or changes due to weather/sea conditions are a real possibility. We advise keeping your plans flexible by a couple of days either side of your booked dates.

All holidays are for 3 nights. The Bell Tent can sleep 2 people on a double mattress but if you don't wish to share there are also 2 single mattresses that can be laid out overnight.

All properties/structures are non-smoking. Carefully dispose of all cigarette butts – there is a sand bin outside the Bell Tent. In very dry conditions we ask you not to smoke on the wider nature reserve.

There is no direct water supply at the tent so we provide water for drinking and cooking in 5 litre containers. As both water and electricity supply are limited, conservation of these resources are important on the Island. This means that bell tent guests do not have access to a shower or running hot water nor is there electric supply to the tent or the simple compost toilet.

Once on Looe Island expect not to return to the mainland until your departure date. This means that we ask you to bring everything you need for the entire stay. As well as food and drinks and personal welfare items you will need to bring linen for a double duvet or sleeping bags as well as an undersheet and pillowcase covers. A full list of what is provided and what you should bring is available in the next tab.

Guidelines regarding access/activities suitable for staying on the nature reserve are given in an information folder, which is located in the Bell Tent. Access to the sea is via the main beach only. This is to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Following the guidelines helps us to protect the Island’s wildlife.

Cooking facilities
Inside the Bell Tent is a small two ring camping stove (gas supplied). For use outside the Bell Tent there is a small BBQ (charcoal is not provided). There is an assortment of pots/pans, crockery and cutlery etc. We provide a cool box (and freezer blocks) for the Bell Tent and you can access a small fridge (with freezer compartment) where you can also store chilled food and refreeze any cool blocks.

Toilet
There is a compost toilet dedicated to guests staying in the Bell Tent, located about 50m away. It has a cold spring water supply with a small inside hand washing sink and outside there is a basic kitchen sink.  As the water comes from our limited spring supply we ask that it should be used sparingly.

To help us conserve water showers are not available.

Inside the Bell Tent there is:

• 1 Double mattress on a futon type base.
• 2 Single mattress that can be laid out on the floor if needed.
• 4 Spare blankets.
• 4 Pillows (pillow case covers not provided).
• A range of cushions.
• 2 Low side tables/trays.
• Small bin for compostable waste which can be left on the island.
• 2 Collapsible camping chairs.
• Canopy/shelter that can be erected at the entrance of the tent.
• A metal storage tin with spare matches and emergency candles.
• A set of wire storage trays.
• A basket of tools for tent maintenance and use with the BBQ.
• A fire extinguisher and fire blanket is located inside the Bell Tent.
• A second-hand pair of binoculars and bird ID book is kept inside the tent.
• Information folder about the tent, the island, conservation and wildlife.

For your use outside the tent there is:

• A picnic bench.
• A small BBQ and a brazier for fires (both of which should be used on the concrete base by the picnic table).

• You need to bring all your own food/drink (except drinking water) for as long as your entire stay. Please note that there are no shops on the Island! However, if we have surplus we might be able to sale you items from our stores/garden/hens (eggs).
• Sleeping bags or double duvet cover, sheets and pillowcase covers.
• Torches and camping lamps.
• Clothing and footwear for changeable weather.
• Charcoal for BBQ.
• Matches/lighter/fire lighters.
• Insect repellent.
• Sufficient personal welfare/medical items to at least last the length of your stay.
• Bags/containers to take your non compostable waste and recyclable materials back to the mainland.
• Washing up liquid (please try to bring eco-friendly products), plus cloth/sponge and t-towels.
• Alcohol hand cleanser.
• Wet weather entertainment!

If you are arriving by car, there is free roadside parking on the seafront at Hannafore (opposite the island on the west side of Looe).

Your boat pick up will typically be around 10:30am on your day of arrival and departure, but this will be confirmed nearer the time. 

We suggest that you unload the car at the boat departure point (near the water taxi/ferry steps in west Looe by the Tasty Corner Cafe), then one person can stay with your belongings and the other continue driving on past the church to park along Hannafore seafront.

How long you take to walk back, depends on exactly how far along the road you park, but allow at least 15 minutes to get back for the boat.

• Sorry no dogs/pets.
• There is no electricity supply to the tent or compost toilets.
• Please take all rubbish/recycling home except compostables, which we can use here – there is a small compost bin inside the Bell Tent.
• As previously stated, due to the nature of the seas/weather and access to Looe Island your arrival and departure time/date may be cancelled or changed at short notice.