Pentle Bay to Round Island

Pentle Bay, off the east side of Tresco, forms part of a larger SSSI complex including several offshore islands like Merrick Island and Round Island. We manage the offshore islands, whilst Pentle Bay is cared for and managed by Tresco Estate. These offshore islands are particularly important for the breeding seabird colonies, in particular Round Island where storm petrel are known to breed.

Location

Pentle Bay, Merrick Island & Round Island

Tresco to St Martin's

Isles of Scilly

OS Map Reference

SV907142

Know before you go

Size

5 hectares

Entry fee

Free to explore, boating charges may apply

Access

Access to this area is by sea only, and several areas are not accessible to the public. You can admire Pentle Bay from Tresco or use a scheduled boat service to explore the sea in the area.

Dogs

On a lead

at the boat operator's discretion

When to visit

Opening times

Open year round

Best time to visit

Spring & Summer

About the reserve

Pentle Bay, Tresco, is undoubtedly one of the most stunning beaches found on the archipelago. The shallow waters go a pale turquoise and sparkle in the sunshine, whilst the vast beach stretches away in front of you. This beautiful area is part of a larger SSSI complex including several offshore islands like Merrick Island and Round Island, which are particularly important for the breeding seabird colonies. Round Island is particularly important for breeding populations of the enigmatic storm petrel.

The other offshore islands have also been historically important for breeding seabirds, particularly roseate and common terns, the latter also known to nest within the lichen-rich heathland of Appletree Banks SSSI on Tresco. Sadly, roseate terns haven't bred around the islands for several years.

As with all the offshore uninhabited islands, non-intervention is key to ensure that our seabirds can breed with minimal disturbance. However, there are continuing declines in seabird numbers in part due to climate change, which has resulted in more frequent storms that over-top the islands. Along with changes in food availability due to increased temperatures in the sea, we have sadly seen a drop of almost 90% in the number of breeding common terns and a complete loss of roseate terns around Scilly.